Questions and Answers :
Windows :
Two (2) SETI programs programs running and alternating on my computer. Why?
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Author | Message |
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Valued Customer Send message Joined: 21 Sep 08 Posts: 2 Credit: 403,683 RAC: 1 |
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? |
OzzFan Send message Joined: 9 Apr 02 Posts: 15691 Credit: 84,761,841 RAC: 28 |
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? |
Bernie Vine Send message Joined: 26 May 99 Posts: 9954 Credit: 103,452,613 RAC: 328 |
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? |
Wisesooth Send message Joined: 1 Oct 14 Posts: 6 Credit: 3,138,923 RAC: 0 |
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." |
Valued Customer Send message Joined: 21 Sep 08 Posts: 2 Credit: 403,683 RAC: 1 |
If I look at the dates of the programs running, they are different, so I know there are different programs running |
OzzFan Send message Joined: 9 Apr 02 Posts: 15691 Credit: 84,761,841 RAC: 28 |
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. |
Aurora Borealis Send message Joined: 14 Jan 01 Posts: 3075 Credit: 5,631,463 RAC: 0 |
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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