On 2008-06-06, Cork Soaker <Ubuntu@Hardy.laptop.invalid> wrote:

>>> Top shows the CPU running at no more than 70%, so it's probably the
>>> graphics card. :-(

> It's a VIA Cyrix III - 700MHz with 256MB RAM. The graphics card is a
> mystery but it's onboard the Intel 810 motherboard.

You're getting off cheap at 70% cpu load. I get 85% cpu load, but mine is
only a 600Mhz cpu. The prob is your mobo/chipset. Sounds like you might
have the AC97 sound codec, too. Guess what is using your cpu besides
graphics:

http://www.karbosguide.com/hardware/module2d06.htm

That poor cpu is biz-eeeee! I had a slower intel box with separate sound
and graphics card. Even 450Mhz was enough with 256 RAM. No problem
watching videos. There's lotsa other cheap components that rely on the cpu
to do their job, too, like modems and NICs. One help is to use linux with a
very light desktop environment like fluxbox or icewm. But, you'll still get
bogged down. You need to do like me and get some new hardware.

nb



nb