100% cpu usage when using ubuntu as guest on vista Basic SP1

DarkenSX · Post by **DarkenSX** » 25. Jan 2009, 23:52

hi my system specs are as follows:
OS: vista basic home edition sp1
Cpu: Intel Celeron M 430 @ 1.7 GHz
Ram: 2GB installed | 1313MB free
Video ATI Radeon Xpress 200M w/ 128 ram
Hard disk internal host access only: 80GB | 25GB free
Hard disk external host/guest access: 500GB | 300GB free "guest installed here"
Sound: Realtek High Definition Audio
Ethernet Card: Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast Ethernet NIC
Wifi card 01: Atheros AR5006X Wireless Network Adapter *disabled
Wifi card 02: Netgear RangeMAX Next Wireless Notebook Adapter WN511B

Guest OS config:
Ram: 387MB
Video Ram: 50MB w/ 3D Accel enabled
Hard Disk Size: 179GB
Sound: ICH AC97 w/ windows directsound
Network: PCnet-Fast III w/ host interface through wifi card 02

VirtualBox version is 2.1.2 Latest build

ok the problem is whenever i use the update feature or anything on ubuntu my cpu goes to 100% but update causes ubuntu to stop responding and vista almost the same im not sure whats causing this to happen ive tried almost everything i could think of to fix it ex. More virtual ram , installing guest additions etc etc.
i would greatly appreciate any insight or solutions to this issue.

Post by **TerryE** » 26. Jan 2009, 15:56

Given that Linux can't use 3D acceleration, why have it enabled and have 50Mb allocated to video RAM? You only need 8Mb RAM to support common screen sizes at 24 bit colour depth. Also which kernel are you running? If you disable SMP then this will help.

There are posts on discussing kernel tuning.

DarkenSX · Post by **DarkenSX** » 27. Jan 2009, 02:19

Two questions I have for this answer.
1. How do I disable SMP?

2. How do i tell what kernel im using?

Post by **TerryE** » 27. Jan 2009, 17:10

Try ubuntu disable SMP site:forums.virtualbox.org and man uname. It's sometimes quicker to look than to ask