3.2.0 using lots of CPU cycles

[nuke]

I have noticed that since updating to v3.2.0, the CPU cycles used by VB has increased significantly. Prior to the upgrade from v3.1.6, I almost never heard the fan start-up. Now after the update, the CPU is running at 98% at startup of a VM, drops to 70%, then 30%. It does drop down when idle, but it is really noticable that it is using significantly more CPU cycles.

Presently updating the Guest Additions on a Ubuntu 10.4 VM and the CPU is running 100%. This never happened before. What's up with this?

Is this expected behaviour??

If it isn't, how do I supply some info to show what is going on?

Thanks.

[acellier]

Consider the possibility of a virus program, or indexing, running in Windows?
Consider using taskmgr.exe or AnalogX NetStatLive to see what the virtual PC CPU load is.
Good Luck.

[nuke]

Thank you acellier.

I found and downloaded the file and will look at it.

The CPU cycle problem is happening on each of my guests. (Ubuntu, ClearOS, WinXP).

Is there a similar tool for Linux based guests?

[ukchucktown]

On Linux use the top command from a terminal to monitor performance and memory usage.

[NuShrike]

Have you tried disabling Nested Paging?

[ToddAndMargo]

I just upgraded from 3.1.6. Motherboard=Supermicro X8SAX; Memory 24GB; Processor=x5650, 6 cores; Host: CentOS 5.5; Guest 1: XP-Pro-SP3, 1 core; Guest 2: Windows Server 2003, 4 cores.

Both my guests are CPU max'ing. And, Nested Paging is enabled on both of them.

I will be downgrading to 2.1.8 in a few minutes.

Is this better posted in the bugzilla?

-T

[Perryg]

Todd,
What does this have to do with Mac OS X Hosts?

Turn off nested paging and see if it cuts down on the CPU load.

[ToddAndMargo]

Todd,
What does this have to do with Mac OS X Hosts?

You now what, I just did a search ("just Google it": the new RTFM) for CPU overload. The described symptoms fit like a shoe. I never even noticed the Mac OS X Hosts. On the bright side, the problem is now reproducible under two platforms. Should be a good clue.

Turn off nested paging and see if it cuts down on the CPU load.

This is production level server. I will not have that kind of access to it for months: the natives get a bit "testy" when this server goes down for anything. So, I reverted to 3.1.8 (originally on 3.1.6). It has nested paging enabled and it works very, very well. This is the most powerful computer I have ever worked on.

I also found this: http://www.virtualbox.org/ticket/6716
I will add my info to the fray

And, it states the problem is Nested Paging (as you stated) and that it is fixed in the SVN
-T

[Perryg]

This is just my opinion but personally I never use a version x.x.0 or x.2.0 on a production machine that is so dedicated that I can not reboot it. Just my feeling on it though, but it has served me well over the years. Now x.2.2 will include the fixes that we found during the first run so it should be more stable.

[ToddAndMargo]

This is just my opinion but personally I never use a version x.x.0 or x.2.0 on a production machine that is so dedicated that I can not reboot it. Just my feeling on it though, but it has served me well over the years. Now x.2.2 will include the fixes that we found during the first run so it should be more stable.

I agree with you most totally. Have I told you my allergy to Beta code as well? It makes me swear.

I was just curious and had the system for the day for upgrades. I am really interest in that new feature that allow the execution of a command on the guest. I will use it to shut the stinker (guest) down so I can do my "dump" backup. (I will add it to the four other methods I currently employ.)

-T

[urugTON]

FWIW, I posted my sucess in the High CPU load in VB 3.2 thread (http://forums.virtualbox.org/viewtopic. ... 63#p140431).