SETI only sometimes suspends when I use the machine

Questions and Answers : Windows : SETI only sometimes suspends when I use the machine
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Tim & Elisa Sharpe-Smithsburg, MD

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Message 5270 - Posted: 8 Jul 2004, 13:53:30 UTC

Even though all of my preferences are set to not permit the client to run when I use the machine, the client doesn't always suspend when I start typing or using the mouse. Since SETI can really wreak havoc with Outlook, this is a problem.

I've altered and relatered my preferences, but the client seems to have a mind of it's own. Whether or not the client will suspend when I use the machine varies from day to day.
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Profile nightowl
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Message 5274 - Posted: 8 Jul 2004, 14:18:03 UTC

typing is not considered "busy" since it takes no cpu cycles. busy constitutes using programs that use power from the cpu.
ttyl
Jeff
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Tim & Elisa Sharpe-Smithsburg, MD

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Message 5450 - Posted: 8 Jul 2004, 23:40:52 UTC - in response to Message 5274.  

> typing is not considered "busy" since it takes no cpu cycles. busy
> constitutes using programs that use power from the cpu.
> ttyl
> Jeff
>
Since the BOINC SETI 3.08 client runs at a base priority of 4 (according to Performance Monitor on my Windows 2000 Machine) and the only process that runs lower is the Idle process, which runs at zero, it would seem that you're right. Apps such as Outlook and Internet Explorer run at 8 with a few processes, such as networking and Task Manager running higher.

Outlook is still strange when BOINC isn't suspended, but nowhere as bad as with the SETI&Home classic client. Perhaps for Windows, they could tie into the screensaver API's which would provide for a ful suspend anytime the user was actually working at the machine. It would probably make for a better end-user experience, especially for Outlook/Exchange users.

Thanks!
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Message 5452 - Posted: 8 Jul 2004, 23:45:23 UTC - in response to Message 5274.  

> typing is not considered "busy" since it takes no cpu cycles. busy
> constitutes using programs that use power from the cpu.

Yes it does. Simply moving the mouse will suspend operations.

As to why Tims isn't doing this, I have no idea. But it has been my experience that BOINC is very good at giving up CPU cycles to anything that needs it. I opted long ago in beta to have it running constantly, and see no slowdowns.

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Questions and Answers : Windows : SETI only sometimes suspends when I use the machine


 
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