Problem with system slowdown

Questions and Answers : Macintosh : Problem with system slowdown
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Profile Leaps-from-Shadows
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Message 807019 - Posted: 11 Sep 2008, 15:33:07 UTC

I just added an older white Apple iMac 24" (see SlipperyNipple in my sig)to my SETI crunchers, and after only a few days it's experiencing a slowdown.

For instance, clicking on the tabs to see different info in BOINC brings up the pinwheel for a few seconds before it responds. Other apps take longer than normal to start up. Time within BOINC seems to go in fits and starts, and I'm worried about missing deadlines.

This problem just started yesterday.

OS X 10.4.11
BOINC 6.2.18
SETI Enhanced 6.03

I've got it set to use 100% of both cores, and to use 50%/90% of memory (the defaults). Have tried rebooting, and it starts doing the slowdown right away.

Oh, and another thing ... I can't get any Astropulse units on this computer either. It keeps saying they aren't available for this type of computer. Is this true? Is there something I can do to change it?
Cruiser
Gateway GT5692 L-f-S Edition
-Phenom X4 9650 CPU
-4GB 667MHz DDR2 RAM
-500GB SATA HD
-Vista x64 SP1
-BOINC 6.2.19 32-bit client
-SSE3 optimized 32-bit apps
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Message 807109 - Posted: 11 Sep 2008, 21:54:32 UTC
Last modified: 11 Sep 2008, 21:56:35 UTC

First, I'd suggest checking for clogged air passages. SETI tends to cause the processor to get quite hot, and if it gets too hot, the system will automatically throttle back the processor. You can also install a fan control that lets you increase your fan speed. Do a google search for smcFanControl

Second, I'd suggest using Alex's optimized client instead of the default one. More info and downloads are here: http://setiathome.berkeley.edu/forum_thread.php?id=31810&nowrap=true#656269

Also, read this thread: http://setiathome.berkeley.edu/forum_thread.php?id=49211

Good Luck!
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Message 807174 - Posted: 12 Sep 2008, 1:08:56 UTC

Also check Activity Monitor and see if anything is taking more than 10% of the processor (other than Seti).

With Alex's app, that iMac should be good for about 1900-2000 RAC.

You will need to manually install the Astropulse app from this link

The optimized multibeam app can be gotten here

Then you would need to copy this text and replace what is in the app_info.xml file.

The files go into HD/Library/Application Support/Boinc Data/projects/setiathome.berkeley.edu/

<app_info>
	<app>
		<name>setiathome_enhanced</name>
    	</app>
     	<file_info>
	       	<name>seti_enhanced-i386-v8-core2-nographics</name>
	  	<executable/>
	</file_info>
	<app_version>
	      	<app_name>setiathome_enhanced</app_name>
	     	<version_num>528</version_num>
	     <file_ref>
		  <file_name>seti_enhanced-i386-v8-core2-nographics</file_name>
	    	  <main_program/>
	    </file_ref>
	</app_version>
	<app_version>
	      	<app_name>setiathome_enhanced</app_name>
	     	<version_num>603</version_num>
	     <file_ref>
		  <file_name>seti_enhanced-i386-v8-core2-nographics</file_name>
	    	  <main_program/>
	    </file_ref>
	</app_version>
     	<app>
       	  	<name>astropulse</name>
     	</app>
     	<file_info>
       	  	<name>astropulse_4.35_i686-apple-darwin</name>
	 	<executable/>
     	</file_info>
     <app_version>
         <app_name>astropulse</app_name>
         <version_num>435</version_num>
         <file_ref>
             	<file_name>astropulse_4.35_i686-apple-darwin</file_name>
             	<main_program/>
         </file_ref>
     </app_version>
 </app_info>


After all that, you will need to run the 6.2.18 installer to correct permissions.

That is if you want to run the optimized app on your iMac.

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Questions and Answers : Macintosh : Problem with system slowdown


 
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