High CPU/Memory Utilization with new 6700

Harry W0LS

I am setting up a new 6700 with a new computer just purchased. Computer CPU is an i7-6700, plenty fast. After bringing up SmartSDR I noticed that the CPU utilization continually climbs. It starts out at 1-2% with memory usage at 60-70mb. The CPU/memory utilization continues to grow until the machine finally locks up. CPU use for SmartSDR gets up to the 90% range with memory usage up at 200mb. This is with just one slice running. It takes about 15-20 minutes to reach this condition. Anybody have an idea as to whats going  on. I am using the 1.9.13 release.

Thanks,
Harry
W0LS

Bob K8RC

Sounds like a "memory leak" in an audio or (more likely) video driver in your computer. A memory leak is when a piece of software requests memory from the operating system for a task but does not release it when the task is done. Make sure you are using the latest version of all the software drivers for your hardware. I haven't had a problem with SmartSDR 1.9.13 even when left running for days. Good Luck, Bob

Jim Gilliam

I, also have noticed that the memory utilization is much higher on the 80 meter band than it is on the 40 meter band. Thought it was my computer, so changed...same thing.

Jim, K6QE

Jay Nation

Harry
What are you using to determine the CPU, and Memory in use figures?

The Task Manager Performance Tab values and meters only provide totals, they don't let you zero in on the actual problem.

On the status bar, of the Task Managers Performance tab, there is an option to open the Resource Monitor. Click that and you'll be able to determine which process is using the greatest amount of both CPU and Memory. It may very well be SmartSDR, DAX, and SmartCAT, that are causing the issue. It may be some other process. 

By checking off the checkboxes beside the processes you can sort them to the top of the list where you can watch for Memory/CPU usage changes over time, while SmartSDR is running.

It might also point to some other process as being the culprit.

  SDRgadgets

#FlexRadio IRC chat

  73, Jay - NO5J

Harry W0LS

I have installed lots of other apps on this computer, Win 10, and have not experienced any problems. I have PowerSDR installed driving a Flex5000 and it works fine. If there were an audio/video driver problem wouldn't it have affected other processes as well?

Harry W0LS

I have been using the resource monitor so I can see individual process resource utilization. Thats how I zeroed in on SmartSDR.

Tim - W4TME

As the waterfall history data accumulates, memory usage will increase as the history is stored in RAM for fast recall. If CPU utilization is climbing, update the video driver, as the display rendering is the most resource intensive process in SmartSDR.

Jay Nation

Harry

Ok then, you're already doing that. I haven't seen any problems related to v1.9.13 resource usage, it's been pretty stable for me, but others have reported problems with it. 

Be sure and submit a Help Desk trouble ticket.

Do the same problems occur with the latest Beta?

You also mentioned this was a new PC, do you still have the old PC available for comparisons?

  SDRgadgets

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  73, Jay - NO5J

Harry W0LS

Hi Tim...well I downloaded the latest video driver and started SmarSDR again and monitored. CPU utilization held at between 2 - 3% for a half hour. I thought all was well. But then all of a sudden it jumped up to 31% and stayed at that leve for maybe 15 minutes. Then it jumped to 93% and I shut SmartSDR down. So it stayed very low for quite awhile but then made abrupt jumps to the higher levels. Don't know what to do next....

Tim - W4TME

I think it is time to Open a HelpDesk support ticket so we can investigate.  We'll need to know the make and model of your PC.

Harry W0LS

I will open a helpdesk ticket tomorrow. I bought the PC from Neal and it appears to work with everything else just fine. I am running PowerSDR, DDutil, Log4OM and a number of other apps and they all seem happy. Total CPU about 14% and it stays in that area.

Thanks....

Harry W0LS

This problem appears to be solved now. It was related to the Flex Control. I had noticed that the FC was enabled when I started the radio so I disabled it. After I did that the CPU utilization stayed low as it should. So I unistalled/reinstalled the FC but that did not help. I noticed that the FC was plugged into a USB hub. So just to do something different I removed it from the hub and plugged it directly into the PC and that did the trick. It still took some unintstalls/installs, reboots but finally it started working as it should smartsdr process ran as it should. During this troubleshooting period I had plenty of help from Neal who built the computer and from Flex through Dudley...thanks to those guys and the people that responded here on the community.....

KC9NRN

Jay, in Task Manager going into processes will actually show you a breakdown of everything using memory very nicely. From there if people choose they can also use the Resource Monitor located in the Performance tab of Task manager for a better display of memory usage.

KC9NRN

Jay,

I'm unable to get to http://www.sdrgadgets.com/

Jay Nation

I'll take a look at the logs for SDRgadgets. It's accessible for me right now. I'll recheck the setup.  

Jay Nation

Eric

Possibly only me! Looking into fixing it. Expect Success! Soon, hopefully!   

Thanks for the heads up warning!

  SDRgadgets

#FlexRadio IRC chat

  73, Jay - NO5J

Jay Nation

Eric

Can you recheck it when you have the time? I think I fixed a path configuration variable error, that came along "free" with the last PHP5 upgrade? It should be working again now.

  SDRgadgets

#FlexRadio IRC chat

  73, Jay - NO5J

KC9NRN

Jay,

I tried from a computer at work, from my home computer and from a computer in Palm Springs, CA all within a few minutes of each other. No joy from any of them, connection timed out.

Jay Nation

Erik

Then one of us has a problem, I'm watching SDRgadgets serving webpages in realtime. It's working for many folks. I'm connected to it from inside my LAN, I can't really test it myself, as the only way I have of hitting it is by using it's LAN IP. I don't currently have any access to a webrowser outside of my LAN.  I need more feedback, I can't see any problems with it now.

The Flexradio Community isn't the best place to be troubleshooting 3rd party connectivity problems though. My email is good on QRZ, and I'm also logged into both, ...

https://webchat.freenode.net/?channels=Flexradio

and

https://webchat.freenode.net/?channels=SDRgadgets

Please direct replies via direct email or in one of the IRC channels. 

I don't want to wear out my welcome here.

Thanks 73!  

  SDRgadgets

#FlexRadio IRC chat

  73, Jay - NO5J