[Ham-Computers] DOS under WinXP and CPU usage?

[Philip]

Hi All,

For my beacon logging I use Log-EQF, the DOS ham radio logger.  For the past 
7 years it's been my "exclusive" logging program for beacons (I use other 
programs for ham and SWL). It's never given me a lick of problems and I like 
it because it'll run on anything from an old "XT" up.  But on the computer 
that I'm using now I've noticed a "quirk".  Not in functionality, but in CPU 
usage.

The computer is a 3.4 GHz P4 with the Intel Dual threading processor, which 
shows up in the hardware configuration information as "Dual 3.4 GHz P4 
processors".  Operating system is Win XP Pro with SP2, RAM is 1024MB.

I've long noticed that whenever I start Log-EQF (in a DOS window) the CPU 
fan comes on at higher speed, even if I'm not running any other programs 
(other than the back=ground stuff).  In checking the "Performance" with the 
Cont/Alt/Del key it indicates that I'm running the CPU at 50-54% capacity 
when Log-EQF is running, even if minimized and not being accessed.  The CPU 
usage graph is telling me that it's essentially using 100% of one of the 
(virtual) 3.4GHz processors.  If I start other windows programs, the CPU 
usage will peak up, then drop back down to about 50-54%, indicating that 
they're not requiring much "horsepower" to run.  IF I quit the Log-EQF 
session, usage drops to about 0-4%, even with other windows programs running 
(like Excel databases etc).

IF I start the other DOS programs that reside on the machine (some RF design 
programs like "RF Toolbox" etc), CPU usage will MOMENTARILY peak to 50%, 
then drop back down to 0-4%, just like when the machine is totally idle.

WHY would a simple DOS logging program demand so much CPU resources 
(essentially one 3.4GHz P4 processor at 100% load).  Especially since the 
logging program is sitting idle MOST of the time, and since it will run just 
fine on an old XT, obviously doesn't require much "Horsepower"!

73 de Phil,  KO6BB
DX begins at the noise floor!

THE BEACONEER'S LAIR:   http://www.geocities.com/ko6bb/
MY RADIO-LOGS:       http://www.geocities.com/ko6bb/Logs/
QSL GALLERY: http://photobucket.com/albums/f306/KO6BB/
Merced, Central California,    37.3N  120.48W  CM97sh