Helpful Reply[solved] System idle hogging cpu? Sonar 8.5.3 on old underpowered XP laptop

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Keni
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2015/01/26 19:38:55 (permalink)

[solved] System idle hogging cpu? Sonar 8.5.3 on old underpowered XP laptop

Hi Gang...

Forgive me, but I'm somewhat new to this forum... I still often forget this topic separated from Sonar... ;-)

I'm struggling with getting 8.5.3 running on an old laptop

The machine is only XP and a single processor... Using a Presonus 22vsl interface...

I've got it running with an external USB audio drive. Cpu shows 10-15% range when streaming a half dozen frozen stereo tracks and drive is also near 10-15%...

Using WDM driver I get pops, crackles, and dropouts no matter how high I raise the latency...

It will not run the ASIO driver which Presonus usually does well. No matter how I change the sample rate, as soon as Sonar tries to play, it switches it to 96k... I have the Presonus ASIO set to 44.1 normally and I've tried raising it to 512 or 1024 but no matter what I do nor the sequence I do it, I keep getting the not compatible settings dialog... I also tried setting Sonar to 96k as it reports such available in WDM but I didn't think the Presonus stuff supported (some of their Studiolive AI now does)

So I've got the system as lean as I can see, but in task manager, the performance meter shows near 90% fluctuations constant for the system idle resource... That doesn't seem normal to me and I can't find anything running that shouldn't be... Even virus protection is off other than Windiws firewall...

Any ideas that I might try would be greatly appreciated!

I've posted about this in the Sonar forum and realized it's probably more correctly posted here...

Much Thanks!
Keni
post edited by Keni - 2015/02/09 19:53:08

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Mesh
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Re: System idle hogging cpu? Sonar 8.5.3 on old underpowered XP laptop 2015/01/27 10:42:26 (permalink)
Hi Keni,
Are your Presonus drivers up to date? Sonar shouldn't be switching the sample rate like you describe (which lead me to think the drivers might not be up to date). I always use ASIO and keep it at 48k (in standalone software as well as in Sonar). How much RAM do you have? (XP maxes out at 4GB and generally uses about 1 GB to run XP/software). 
 
Hopefully someone else might chime in on other solutions for you......(especially that 90% meter issue).

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Re: System idle hogging cpu? Sonar 8.5.3 on old underpowered XP laptop 2015/01/27 11:09:39 (permalink)
Do not have an XP machine anymore to test. Never had much luck using the Presonus WDM driver in Win7. The latest drivers do not support XP. According to the Presonus website only v1.1 and v1.2 drivers support XP. The v1.1 manual indicates the installers do not properly install the software on XP and provide a workaround. I would still try using the v1.1 driver anyway and see if it worked any better.
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Re: System idle hogging cpu? Sonar 8.5.3 on old underpowered XP laptop 2015/01/27 12:26:18 (permalink)
Thanks Guys...

Yes, I'm using the latest driver that Presonus claims XP support (1.2)

Very little memory? Maybe that's the issue? I've not run into that before and I ran 8.5.3 on win2000 with just as little for years... I never liked XP...

I usually run at 48 but I thiught I'd first get it running at 44.1 then change... I thought it might be easier. I too usually use ASIO with Presonus ever since they originally stopped supporting more than stereo I/o for WDM...

Here's hoping I get a newer machine soon! I think this one is killing me! ;-)

Keni

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Re: System idle hogging cpu? Sonar 8.5.3 on old underpowered XP laptop 2015/01/27 15:14:18 (permalink)
Keni

Here's hoping I get a newer machine soon! I think this one is killing me! ;-)

Keni



More like the other way around........it looks like this one is dying out on you.
 
Yeah, a newer machine will breathe new life into your creativity (hopefully give you a peace of mind) and concentrate on the important things.......making music!! 
 
Best of luck!!

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Re: System idle hogging cpu? Sonar 8.5.3 on old underpowered XP laptop 2015/01/27 18:04:26 (permalink)
I think you have misunderstood the system idle thread concept. Idle processes are only called when there are no higher priority processes requesting CPU time. When idle processes are taking up a large amount of CPU activity it actually means that there is a large amount of CPU capacity available for other processes (Sonar.exe for example). 
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_Idle_Process
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Re: System idle hogging cpu? Sonar 8.5.3 on old underpowered XP laptop 2015/01/27 19:58:09 (permalink)
slartabartfast
I think you have misunderstood the system idle thread concept. Idle processes are only called when there are no higher priority processes requesting CPU time. When idle processes are taking up a large amount of CPU activity it actually means that there is a large amount of CPU capacity available for other processes (Sonar.exe for example). 
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_Idle_Process


Thanks Slartibartfast...

I get that... Ok... But I just can't find why the audio (media player as well as 8.5.3) constantly cause a click and interruption in Audi playback...

This is the only driver I saw on their site that supports XP, so I don't know what else to try... As mentioned in the earlier messages in this thread, I can't seem to get ASIO to work at all...

Keni

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Re: System idle hogging cpu? Sonar 8.5.3 on old underpowered XP laptop 2015/01/28 11:08:55 (permalink)
Make sure the laptop's wi-fi adapter is disabled.


All else is in doubt, so this is the truth I cling to. 

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Re: System idle hogging cpu? Sonar 8.5.3 on old underpowered XP laptop 2015/01/28 12:27:46 (permalink)
bitflipper
Make sure the laptop's wi-fi adapter is disabled.


Thanks bitflipper...

I've tried that and it didn't change anything... Now I'm thinking its a lack of memory? I just realized this old beast only has 1/2 gig! I was a bit shocked to see that thinking it had 2G...

I think I'm dead in the water with this thing... I'll continue using it as a charging station for my iKrap until I get a more respectable machine... I'm hoping to see it a week from tomorrow... Hard to comfortably wait when drowning, but that's what there is...

Now for my bigger dilemma of $150 upgrade disappearing soon! I gotta find a way to buy this even with my mortgage nearing 5 months in arrears! ;-)

Keni

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Re: System idle hogging cpu? Sonar 8.5.3 on old underpowered XP laptop 2015/01/28 15:16:08 (permalink)
Yeah Keni, that 1/2 a GB of memory isn't really going to cut it with all the demands of a DAW and will probably keep giving you more headaches down the road. Glad to hear you're getting newer machine and that should (hopefully) last you a good while.
Best of luck!!

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Re: System idle hogging cpu? Sonar 8.5.3 on old underpowered XP laptop 2015/01/28 16:34:18 (permalink)
Thanks Mesh...

I'm doing my best to remain patient and grateful...

But it ain't easy! ;-)

I tried using a basic ipad with some audio apps, but they are frustrating to me when they're doing their best! ;-)

But what can you complain about for free?

I was gifted the ipad(s) as well as the laptop... And in my current situation that was all I could do... Now a newer machine has been offered... And if I can find a few bucks for buying the monthly Platinum <sigh> and some gas for my generator I might actually feel almost myself... For an afternoon!

Gotta go for it... broke or not!

Thanks for the help...

Keni

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Re: System idle hogging cpu? Sonar 8.5.3 on old underpowered XP laptop 2015/02/04 23:09:21 (permalink)
Keni,
 
I'd find out the max memory that the laptop can take.  My guess it will top at 1 GB but you might get lucky and get a 2GB cap.  I recenltly fixed up a P4 laptop and was able to buy two 1GB memory modules on eBay for $20 shipped.  It really sped up the laptop.

Tony
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Re: System idle hogging cpu? Sonar 8.5.3 on old underpowered XP laptop 2015/02/05 14:47:16 (permalink)
Thanks aoresteen...

Sadly I don't have $20 to my name right now... I've mistly abandoned working on this machine as it won't even play a simple stereo file with media player... I gave a suspicion that it's something other than the tiny memory that is at fault here... Even 20 year old machines typically manage to do this...

Last night I burnt twice my normal fuel (living on a generator) and don't have any cash for more fuel right now... So I'm hoping something changes for the better soon!

Thanks for caring and trying to help!

Keni

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Re: System idle hogging cpu? Sonar 8.5.3 on old underpowered XP laptop 2015/02/05 20:32:31 (permalink)
 
 
 
This is my 2004 Toshiba laptop.  I can use Sonar 8.5 32 bit for live recording of up to 14 audio tracks. The only issue is screen re draw of wave forms takes forever after you stop the transport. 
I'm not sure if you have run the DPCLAT monitor to make sure it is optimized correctly.  
http://www.thesycon.de/deu/latency_check.shtml
 
I use my Tascam us1641 and the older drivers. They released newer drivers for XP that were worse so I found using the originals that came on the CD best. I also get more stability using WDM mode. There's nothing wrong with WDM mode for a lot of tasks like audio recording and editing. Set you buffers way up there. This is not a machine for real time effects like Guitar rig. 
 
I mostly have only used it to record our band and a few live concerts I was asked to do. I then transfer the files to my desktop. But I also muck about with downloaded midi files because my desktop is not on the internet so I can see if they are worth keeping using TTs-1 for playback. 
I also refer to 8.5 when helping on the forum. 
 
I can load up a MIDI file and simple synths like TTS-1 and Session Drummer.  and work on stuff using just the on board Sound Max in MME mode. 
It's all about optimizing the machine and it will work. But don't expect to load up a bunch of memory hog VST's. The older synths 32 bit synths seem fine, Stay away from Dim Pro and V vocal. 
 
 


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Re: System idle hogging cpu? Sonar 8.5.3 on old underpowered XP laptop 2015/02/05 20:39:41 (permalink)
Cactus Music
 
 
 
This is my 2004 Toshiba laptop.  I can use Sonar 8.5 32 bit for live recording of up to 14 audio tracks. The only issue is screen re draw of wave forms takes forever after you stop the transport. 
I'm not sure if you have run the DPCLAT monitor to make sure it is optimized correctly.  
http://www.thesycon.de/deu/latency_check.shtml
 
I use my Tascam us1641 and the older drivers. They released newer drivers for XP that were worse so I found using the originals that came on the CD best. I also get more stability using WDM mode. There's nothing wrong with WDM mode for a lot of tasks like audio recording and editing. Set you buffers way up there. This is not a machine for real time effects like Guitar rig. 
 
I mostly have only used it to record our band and a few live concerts I was asked to do. I then transfer the files to my desktop. But I also muck about with downloaded midi files because my desktop is not on the internet so I can see if they are worth keeping using TTs-1 for playback. 
I also refer to 8.5 when helping on the forum. 
 
I can load up a MIDI file and simple synths like TTS-1 and Session Drummer.  and work on stuff using just the on board Sound Max in MME mode. 
It's all about optimizing the machine and it will work. But don't expect to load up a bunch of memory hog VST's. The older synths 32 bit synths seem fine, Stay away from Dim Pro and V vocal. 
 
 



Thanks Cactus Music...

I've done this previously and that's why I thought it would work... Maybe it's an issue with the Presonus driver fir winXP? I can't play a simple file in media player... I've setup many old laptops to use for quick location recording and this is the first time I've run into an issue...

Later when my generator is on I will try the optimize link you gave. I've never used such and maybe it'll help solve the laptop's issue?

Keni

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Re: System idle hogging cpu? Sonar 8.5.3 on old underpowered XP laptop 2015/02/06 18:08:34 (permalink)
It's funny how important it is to test computers for this yet it's only by word of mouth on the forums do people find out about the tests.
I think it should be in large print on the list of things to do while setting up in the instructions for the DAW software and interfaces. 
Laptops are by far the worst offenders because of things like battery management and wireless cards. 
The sycon DPC test is old but works great on XP and most windows 7 machines. For Windows 8 you have to use Latency Mon. The Sycon test gives a false reading under Windows 8. 
http://www.resplendence.com/latencymon  
 
Another thing for audio is a 7200 RPM drive. I always updated my hard drives. 
I found I had to disable wireless ( a swicth) and the battery management in device manager. I also disable all the stuff in msconfig that is none Microsoft. All of it. 
 
 

Johnny V  
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Re: System idle hogging cpu? Sonar 8.5.3 on old underpowered XP laptop 2015/02/07 13:34:37 (permalink)
Thanks again Cactus...

For sticking with me about this as well as having good info...

I finally got it working! It was none of the things we've discussed, but something I kept questioning... A driver problem. I've had older machines running fine previously and just couldn't figure out the problem...

I went back to Presonus to make sure I had the correct driver and found that they added one more thing Oder driver... So I grabbed it and replaced the newer driver... It forced another firmware update, but still didn't work... Then I re-installed the newer driver again and it forced another firmware update...

Voila'!

Now it's working as I expected of its limited power... I'm using an external USB SSD a for audio... Below par but I expected it to work for a half dozen audio tracks or so and it does... I must keep the latency up near 60 ms, but it works! Not good enough for input monitoring, but I will use Amplitube ios to create my guitar sounds and record them as audio in Sonar... I'm working again!

Many thanks for your support!

Keni

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Re: System idle hogging cpu? Sonar 8.5.3 on old underpowered XP laptop 2015/02/09 08:58:32 (permalink)
Yeah these drivers can be finicky........glad to see you sort it out though Keni.

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Re: System idle hogging cpu? Sonar 8.5.3 on old underpowered XP laptop 2015/02/09 19:51:17 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby Mesh 2015/02/10 08:46:41
Thanks mesh... And everyone else...

I've setup so many such as this I just couldn't figure out why this wouldn't work. I was on,y looking to use it for 3-4 audio teacks so I could work on my lyrics for the remaining unfinished songs for my upcoming album release... Without having to run my generator. Nothing I found for free on the iPad had decent looping so that method faded from reality...

Now I'm back to work even though it may not get released (too broke)...

I thank you all with all my heart!

Keni

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