Prob with Win 2K system process and SETI?

[Niege]

I tried this over on Operating Systems, but got no reply. I noticed this a couple of weeks ago. I run SETI 24/7 and my numbers started to slide. Normally I was getting about 4.5 WU per day, then my stats went to 3-3.5. When I opened Task Manager the 'System Process' was using 30% of the CPU power. That doesn't seem quite right, as I'm running a T-Bird 1200 oc'd to 1350, 768MB. When I reboot it drops back down to 0% or 1-2%, which it always ran. then slowly it creeps back up to 30% and slows the system down. I usually only have Outlook Express, ZoneAlarm, and SETI running for the time when I'm not doing anything else - which is when the System Process is running at 30%. Any ideas? Thanks.....

 

[Smoke]

That really is strange ... and not right.

The WinXP machine which I'm using to send this reply shows 0 for System.

My Win2000 machine which is my mini-team's SetiQueue server shows 0 for System.

/side note/SetiQueue is using 24% leaving only 76% for setiathome-3.03

 

[Wiz]

Don't know for sure, I am running 2K here but don't have that problem.
Have you checked the usual suspects? Indexing Service for instance can cause the effect you are looking at - it should be turned off and then disabled in the Services control panel.

 

[Poof]

The only time I've seen that happen is when running a VLAR WU (ie., the bug in the CLI means that some % of system resources end up being used due to memory stuff going on with pulse searches).

Other than that, maybe Zone Alarm is doing something wild (it wouldn't be unheard of if it were...).

 

[Wiz]

True, ZA can do this too. Try turning things off one at a time when it happens and see if you can figure out what is doing it.

 

[RaySun2Be]

I'm running the latest and greatest free version of ZA, and I'm not experiencing this on my Win2KPro boxes. Services was at 0, SETI running at 99%, with all apps except pop-up stopper, ZA, and AVG antivirus running.

Not sure what's causing it. You might try downloading another process monitor and see what it reports.

Good luck!

 

[Niege]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. So far disabling Zone Alarm or Indexing Services doesn't have an effect. System is still running at 30-31%. Definitely stumped here.

 

[aberant]

Tried a virus check yet ?

 

[DJSnairdA]

So this happens for more than 1 WU?

Is SETI the only program that seems to be lacking in performance? Do you do any other DC projects and are they slowing down as well? If so, then you can pinpoint the fact that it's a computer problem, otherwise there might be something wrong with your SETI client.

If it's a computer problem, I suggest basic things such as a defrag and scan disk, and as aberant suggested a virus check. Some of these things can possibly clear up some system resources, thus improving performance. If that doesn't have an affect, check your latest installed programs (if you can remember) and make sure they aren't dodgy.

Apart from this, I am usually very ambitious and full of time and do a quick save of my important data, and a format and reinstall. Usually if the worst comes to the worst, that will cure it.

If not, then it must be a hardware problem :|

I hope this helps..