I started a network stress test, and it doesn't look too good.

At around 200 connections, my CPU usage reaches 100%. What's weird is that the server process itself "only" takes 20%. The remaining 80% are in the "SYSTEM" process. I have no idea why. At first i thought i was transfering too much data, but no. Don't tell me that 2000 packets of 50 bytes each can bring Windows XP to its knees.

I profiled the code, it seems 60% of the CPU time is spent in a kernel module called "amdk8.sys" in an unknown function. Then around 8% in "hal.dll", in a function called "HalMakeBeep". Now that's really weird. I don't hear any beep, and i'm not playing any sound.. Around 10% in various functions of "fwdrv.sys". The rest in my code. Huh ?

If anybody has suggestions, or knows what these modules do ("amdk8.sys, hal.dll and fwdrv.sys")...