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70% avg Host CPU usage when guest Windows 10 idles

Posted: 25. Feb 2019, 18:13
by DominicF
Hi Virtualbox forum,

I'm running a Mac Mini 2011 with High Sierra recently re-imaged with High Sierra. Running VirtualBox 6.0.4 with a Windows 10 Home guest VM (with all software updates). The problem is that the Host CPU seems to run at 60-80% CPU while the guest is near idle. I have looked through the forum and google and tried a number of solutions but none of them have resolved the CPU issue:
  • I downloaded the Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft so it isn't infected with malware. I also ran malwarebytes to confirm - it found nothing. Windows 10 is not registered but that shouldn't affect Host CPU if guest CPU is near idle.
  • I read through the forum and added a second CPU core, and it did not resolve the issue.
  • I changed the chipset to the other one and it also did not fix the issue.
I'm at a loss...not sure what the problem is. Please advise.

Please find attached:
  • screenshot of Mac OSX version [ModEdit: Screenshot replaced with text]
  • screenshots of Windows 10 version [ModEdit: Screenshot replaced with text]
  • latest vbox.log
Windows edition
    Windows 10 Home     10.0.17763 Build 17763

System
    Processor:          Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2520M CPU @ 2.50 GHz
    Installed memory:   2.95 GB
    System type:        64-bit Operating System, x64-based processor

macOS High Sierra:      Version 10.13.6
    Mac mini (Mid 2011)
    Processor           2.5 GHs Intel Core i5
    Memory              16 GB 1333 MHz DDR3
    Startup Disk        Mac SSD
    Graphics            AMD Radeon HD 6630M 256 MB
Thank you for your support,
Dominic

Re: 70% avg Host CPU usage when guest Windows 10 idles

Posted: 25. Feb 2019, 19:12
by socratis
You had 3 screenshots in your post, so you couldn't attach the VBox.log. I removed the screenshots, and I kept just the basic information, which are not going to be needed once we see the VBox.log to be honest... ;)

We need to see a complete VBox.log, from a complete VM run, where the problem occurs:
  • Start the VM from cold-boot (not from a paused or saved state) / Observe problem / Shutdown the VM (force close it if you have to).
  • With the VM completely shut down (not paused or saved), right-click on the VM in the VirtualBox Manager and select "Show Log".
  • Save only the first "VBox.log", ZIP it and attach it to your response.

Re: 70% avg Host CPU usage when guest Windows 10 idles

Posted: 26. Feb 2019, 00:27
by DominicF
Hi Socratis, thank you for the quick response. I have followed your instructions - please find attached my vbox.log

Re: 70% avg Host CPU usage when guest Windows 10 idles

Posted: 1. Mar 2019, 17:56
by DominicF
Hi everyone, is anyone else experiencing 50-70% CPU usage on the host Mac OSX when running a Windows 10 guest?