Two (2) SETI programs programs running and alternating on my computer. Why?

Questions and Answers : Windows : Two (2) SETI programs programs running and alternating on my computer. Why?
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Message 1627135 - Posted: 13 Jan 2015, 13:19:42 UTC

There are two SETI programs running on my computer. They alternate from one to another, but the change over from one to another, takes so long that the computer time is wasted. I have spent time trying to eliminate one program, but have not been able. Does anyone have any ideas?
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Message 1627146 - Posted: 13 Jan 2015, 13:53:20 UTC - in response to Message 1627135.  

You have a dual-core processor. SETI launches one task per core, so it makes sense that two would be running. The Windows OS automatically handles task switching in a very efficient manner.

That leaves me confused as to why you think they alternate from one to another, taking so long as to waste computer time. What measurements have you taken that suggests if this weren't happening, it would be running faster? Or is that just an assumption?
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Message 1627395 - Posted: 14 Jan 2015, 9:04:39 UTC

Is it perhaps the screensaver you are watching that seems to suggest it is switching between tasks, when in fact it is just alternating the display.

If my memory is correct, on a dual core processor only one task at a time is shown on screen, however BOTH are being processed.

They swap from time to time between tasks but that is just a display and has no effect on actual processing.

What does the Boinc Manager show?
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Message 1628106 - Posted: 15 Jan 2015, 19:45:27 UTC - in response to Message 1627135.  

I have an i7 Intel processor. I have 9 threads running at the same time, loosely shared with two projects. One of them even uses the graphics processing unit mothered by a wee bit of one of the cores. A highland Scot might say, "Dinna fash."
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Message 1628448 - Posted: 16 Jan 2015, 15:28:29 UTC - in response to Message 1627146.  

If I look at the dates of the programs running, they are different, so I know there are different programs running
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Message 1628452 - Posted: 16 Jan 2015, 15:36:49 UTC - in response to Message 1628448.  
Last modified: 16 Jan 2015, 15:37:27 UTC

If I look at the dates of the programs running, they are different, so I know there are different programs running


Ah, so a clue. The dates are of the workunits, not "programs". The programs are the applications that process the workunits on your computer.

And yes, you will have two workunits running if you have a dual core processor. This is normal behavior. Your initial post states:

They alternate from one to another, but the change over from one to another, takes so long that the computer time is wasted. I have spent time trying to eliminate one program, but have not been able.


If you kill one running task, BOINC will simply launch another to keep both cores busy. They are not "alternating", they are running concurrently. The screen saver may be alternating, but that's because only one can be displayed at a time.

And when you said that the change over from one to another takes so long that the computer time is wasted, that's the part that confused me because, since they are running concurrently, there's no alternating, and thus no waste as you believe.

Unless I'm misunderstanding the problem, which is of course possible.
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Message 1628470 - Posted: 16 Jan 2015, 16:08:18 UTC
Last modified: 16 Jan 2015, 16:09:07 UTC

The real CPU cycle waster is the screensaver and its cute but mostly meaningless graphics. Most serious cruncher on the board have the screensaver turned off and use the manager advanced mode to monitor the crunching.

Boinc V7.2.42
Win7 i5 3.33G 4GB, GTX470
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Questions and Answers : Windows : Two (2) SETI programs programs running and alternating on my computer. Why?


 
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