IBM Applications Use Up a Lot of Processing Power

[mr_mbuna]

I've noticed that the pre-installed IBM software on my computer takes up a lot of CPU time. Is this normal? I've got a T42 with a 1.7GHz Dothan that's usually throttled back (automatically) to 600MHz. QCTASK.exe, for example, recently took up 100% processing power for over a minute while the computer was doing nothing - I couldn't, it was basically frozen! That is the IBM Access Connections software. Shouldn't the processor up-throttle from 600 MHz to 1.7GHz when there is a high load? The computer was plugged into AC power.

Are there updates for the IBM software or is it just garbage?

[Flightvector]

Honestly you should never have to throttle back at any time while in AC power, unless you really need to save the 15 or so extra watts of power. It is also a bit interesting, I don't think there are any default profiles that allow this on a new T42. But even so the 100% CPU usage with no awry apps running still isn't right if it occurs regularly. If this is a one time situation it probably isn't a concern since programs do this in certain situations depending on other apps that may conflict.

I haven't experienced access connections do that to me before, but Windows configurations change so much in each case that it could happen; make sure no hostage programs exist on your system though. The first thing I'd do is update the Access Connection software, the first version I had was markedly unstable in my configuration in that it'd run into exceptions every so often.

Your deduction that this is causing the CPU load may not be the whole picture either since it could be an issue with your mini PCI or some windows driver issues. Try updating the PCI drivers as well since there were memory handling issues that were recently fixed as well.

[jdhurst]

On my T41, CPU runs at 0 ninety-nine percent of the time. I have all the newest IBM updates, and I use and like Access Connections. ... JDHurst

[Plinkerton]

My T42 runs between 0%-2% 99% of the time. It's running stock, with no major changes to any of the IBM apps running.

[kjarrett]

Same experience here as JDHurst and Plinkerton...

-kj-

[fritz_the_blank]

Most of the time, the IBM software runs without issue. Once every so often after startup, however, python.exe will pin the processor at 100% for about 30-40 seconds, and then everything is fine. I realize that it is the IBM software that calles the python.exe, and I can only assume that it has to do with the IBM messaging or the configuration of the wireless settings?