Strange system process takeover
Hello, I have a Suse Linux 9.0 64 bit Linux installation running on an AMD Athlon 64 3200 processor. I find when I first start a cpu intensive run of one of our software tools, it starts off with over 90 percent of the cpu. However after a few minutes its fraction of the CPU drains away to under 20%. The cpu meter in the task bar shows the user cpu time in blue drain away as the system cpu time in red takes over (see attached jpg image). The GUI reponsiveness of other programs is severly degraded as the system cpu takes over. I have tried 2 software tools now from two separate companies, and both show the same problem. Both are compiled to run on on Linux using a 32 bit Intel cpus. Both tools do relatively small amounts of disk io, and both fit within the available RAM. I also tried compiling this program for the Athlon 64 and running it. int main () { while (1); } This does not show the same problem, and retains over 90% of the cpu continuously. Has anyone else seen anything like this? KPM doesnt show where the extra cpu time is going. I have no idea what to try next. Jeremy.
Jeremy Sonander
Hello,
I have a Suse Linux 9.0 64 bit Linux installation running on an AMD Athlon 64 3200 processor.
I find when I first start a cpu intensive run of one of our software tools, it starts off with over 90 percent of the cpu. However after a few minutes its fraction of the CPU drains away to under 20%.
Can you run as root "rccpufreqd high" before and check whether that changes anything? We have cpufreqd running which throttles down your CPU to save power and reduce noise. It could give a bad interaction for you. If it does, disable cpufreqd or configure it differently (via /etc/sysconfig), Andreas -- Andreas Jaeger, aj@suse.de, http://www.suse.de/~aj SuSE Linux AG, Deutschherrnstr. 15-19, 90429 Nürnberg, Germany GPG fingerprint = 93A3 365E CE47 B889 DF7F FED1 389A 563C C272 A126
Hi Guys, On Monday 15 Dec 2003 6:34 am, Andreas Jaeger wrote:
Jeremy Sonander
writes: Hello,
I have a Suse Linux 9.0 64 bit Linux installation running on an AMD Athlon 64 3200 processor.
I find when I first start a cpu intensive run of one of our software tools, it starts off with over 90 percent of the cpu. However after a few minutes its fraction of the CPU drains away to under 20%.
Can you run as root "rccpufreqd high" before and check whether that changes anything? We have cpufreqd running which throttles down your CPU to save power and reduce noise. It could give a bad interaction for you. If it does, disable cpufreqd or configure it differently (via /etc/sysconfig),
I had cpufreqd disabled since it locked up the machine. However I find if I start it and enter this command straight away, the system continues running. However load graphs still show something taking over the cpu. I think you are on the right track though since the speed decrease occurs much more slowly when the computer is first turned on and still cold which suggests power management. I notice two more clues. 1 Top shows the user program as having 95% of the cpu as you would hope. KPM shows a much lower percentage that corresponds to the load graph. Currently 37% of the cpu consumed by the only intentionally running program. 2 Its not related to running 32 bit code, since setiathome excutables for x86_64 also show the problem. Is there anything else I should try. I have legacy usb turned off in the bios. Jeremy.
Andreas
-- Jeremy Sonander. Saros Technology Limited. The Spirella Building, Bridge Road, Letchworth, SG6 4ET. Tel 01462 476111, Fax 01462 476112. For Support email support@saros.co.uk
Hi Guys, I find switching off ACPI in the bios got Linux working fine. No more slowdowns on long jobs. Unfortunatly if I stick with this as a fix, I need to reinstall windows (the machine dual boots). Anyone know of another solution to this problem? Switching the ACPI back on in the bios and disabling acpid doesnt seem to help. Jeremy On Monday 15 Dec 2003 8:41 pm, Jeremy Sonander wrote:
Hi Guys,
On Monday 15 Dec 2003 6:34 am, Andreas Jaeger wrote:
Jeremy Sonander
writes: Hello,
I have a Suse Linux 9.0 64 bit Linux installation running on an AMD Athlon 64 3200 processor.
I find when I first start a cpu intensive run of one of our software tools, it starts off with over 90 percent of the cpu. However after a few minutes its fraction of the CPU drains away to under 20%.
Can you run as root "rccpufreqd high" before and check whether that changes anything? We have cpufreqd running which throttles down your CPU to save power and reduce noise. It could give a bad interaction for you. If it does, disable cpufreqd or configure it differently (via /etc/sysconfig),
I had cpufreqd disabled since it locked up the machine. However I find if I start it and enter this command straight away, the system continues running.
However load graphs still show something taking over the cpu.
I think you are on the right track though since the speed decrease occurs much more slowly when the computer is first turned on and still cold which suggests power management.
I notice two more clues.
1 Top shows the user program as having 95% of the cpu as you would hope. KPM shows a much lower percentage that corresponds to the load graph. Currently 37% of the cpu consumed by the only intentionally running program.
2 Its not related to running 32 bit code, since setiathome excutables for x86_64 also show the problem.
Is there anything else I should try. I have legacy usb turned off in the bios.
Jeremy.
Andreas
-- Jeremy Sonander. Saros Technology Limited. The Spirella Building, Bridge Road, Letchworth, SG6 4ET. Tel 01462 476111, Fax 01462 476112. For Support email support@saros.co.uk
-- Jeremy Sonander. Saros Technology Limited. The Spirella Building, Bridge Road, Letchworth, SG6 4ET. Tel 01462 476111, Fax 01462 476112. For Support email support@saros.co.uk
participants (3)
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Andreas Jaeger
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Jeremy Sonander
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Jeremy Sonander