Microgaming Softare 100% CPU Utilization??

[caruso]

I ran a test this morning for about two hours on autoplay power poker. Starting temperature was 52; at hottest, it rose to 62. Removing the cover cooled it down, though from the above I take it that isn't a good idea. Either way, temperatures were not excessive, CPU overkill notwithstanding.

 

[Vesuvio]

If your CPU hits 100, or perhaps even 90, then I'd start to worry a bit. But 80, while not ideal, is still within normal specifications.

Thanks for the tips. I think maybe Bella Vegas read that my CPU runs at 88 with their software and decided to sabotage it by crediting their bonus

When I was talking about fans I was thinking of my laptop which, as you say, does have variable speeds and also shuts off when the CPU's cool. Just now, for instance, it's off and the temperature's 50.

 

[spearmaster]

Caruso - 62 is very good, so I don't think you will be experiencing any overheating there. Taking the cover off is generally not recommended as I described earlier - however, depending on your external temperature conditions (as I recall, it was still a bit nippy in London last week), it may not make much difference. It will, however, make a difference in warmer climates, like Thailand for example.

Vesuvio - definitely, 80 for a notebook isn't unusual. Every notebook I have ever had (3 in the past 7 years) always feels hot, even when it's doing nothing. And that damn variable speed fan wakes me up at night when I am travelling, because I don't like to turn the notebook off... LOL... but keep in mind that, even though the notebook is idle, the fan will still occasionally shift gears.

By the way, I noticed you said 88 in your last post - that is a bit of cause for worry. 80 should be fine but 88 is pushing it. Maybe it's time you had the CPU heatsink checked to see that the silicone hasn't dried up? That would be especially hot if you are indeed in the UK. Unless, of course, you are in the kitchen, or in a nice sun-baked garden...

The tips are primarily for desktop computers. Of course, there are varying desktop designs, like tower, mini-tower, booksize, desktop (the original which lies flat on your table) - then different manufacturers, all of which may design the layout of a computer in different ways. Standards such as AT and ATX helped make computer layouts a bit more standardized but that still left room for creativity...

I built extra home-made cooling into my tower, but it has never really needed it that I can recall. These days, there's little need to overclock chips as most modern chips are practically overkill now. I still laugh at people who demand the 3 Ghz Pentium machines, and when asked what they plan to do with the machine, they say "surf the Internet, and maybe use Word". A Pentium II or Celeron with 256MB or more of RAM is already plenty of power for these purposes (and back then, when I was still building machines, Pentiums, even 486s, were considered fine for these purposes as well).

 

[Vesuvio]

Vesuvio - definitely, 80 for a notebook isn't unusual. Every notebook I have ever had (3 in the past 7 years) always feels hot, even when it's doing nothing. And that damn variable speed fan wakes me up at night when I am travelling, because I don't like to turn the notebook off... LOL... but keep in mind that, even though the notebook is idle, the fan will still occasionally shift gears.

By the way, I noticed you said 88 in your last post - that is a bit of cause for worry. 80 should be fine but 88 is pushing it. Maybe it's time you had the CPU heatsink checked to see that the silicone hasn't dried up? That would be especially hot if you are indeed in the UK. Unless, of course, you are in the kitchen, or in a nice sun-baked garden...

I originally said 88, I think, and then "above 80". Actually, after some long autoplay sessions today it runs at 87-88 when doing nothing and a steady 90-91 with the autoplay on. Definitely some cause for concern as the specifications for most CPUs available on the internet suggest it should have achieved melt down by now

Sadly England hasn't turned into a tropical paradise yet, though allegedly it might hit 27 degrees later this week. Most of the components are fairly new and the highest I can get it with normal software is 70 (it usually runs at 50-60), so I definitely think MG's programmers need to get a move on (or a firing squad might do the trick, perhaps ).

 

[spearmaster]

If I might ask, what are the brand, model number and specs of the notebook? Those numbers are definitely too high, which suggests that your fan/heatsink are not operating efficiently, and/or that the silicone has dried up.

I ran Trident Lounge and Ruby Fortune on my notebook, and there was never any indication of a problem, or any noticeable heat increase from an external perspective.

 

[Vesuvio]

If I might ask, what are the brand, model number and specs of the notebook? Those numbers are definitely too high, which suggests that your fan/heatsink are not operating efficiently, and/or that the silicone has dried up.

Sure, it's a Toshiba Satellite Pro A10 with a 2.2Ghz Celeron CPU & 256MB memory. It's a pretty basic model and might well be flawed, but for everything other than running MG casinos it's fine.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

I've also had major problems with this over at least the last 6 months on my notebook. Any time I ran MG software on my machine (similar spec to Vesuvio's) it would over heat and shutdown in a maximum of 30 mins - regularly much less.

I actually sent it away in January to get it checked out but they couldn't find anything wrong with it.

To get round the problem I still to this day have my notebook suspended in mid air via a few books etc to allow maximum access for the fans. Obviously pretty annoying and not ideal but at least it only ever overheats every now and again now (last time was 2 days ago, but previously to that it had been a month or so).

 

[GrandMaster]

Sure, it's a Toshiba Satellite Pro A10 with a 2.2Ghz Celeron CPU & 256MB memory. It's a pretty basic model and might well be flawed, but for everything other than running MG casinos it's fine.

I have a Dell laptop with similar specs, and it will happily run Viper casinos, although it is not computer I tend to use for gambling.

 

[spearmaster]

I've also had major problems with this over at least the last 6 months on my notebook. Any time I ran MG software on my machine (similar spec to Vesuvio's) it would over heat and shutdown in a maximum of 30 mins - regularly much less.

I actually sent it away in January to get it checked out but they couldn't find anything wrong with it.

To get round the problem I still to this day have my notebook suspended in mid air via a few books etc to allow maximum access for the fans. Obviously pretty annoying and not ideal but at least it only ever overheats every now and again now (last time was 2 days ago, but previously to that it had been a month or so).

LOL... whatever it takes But checking the silicone, or the positioning of the heatsink on the CPU, is unfortunately not standard practice with manufacturers when a machine is taken in for repairs (or sent back) - the best bet is to take the notebook yourself to the nearest authorized dealer or repair shop and ask them to reseat the heatsink and also check that the silicone is in good condition. If they don't know what you are talking about, head to the next dealer, and then report to the manufacturer about the unsuitability of the last dealer to service your notebook.

Then look at the silicone. A very thin layer is all that is necessary, and it should look greasy. If it doesn't, or there seems to be a thick or patchy layer, then the silicone is useless and needs to be completely cleaned off and a new layer applied.

Celerons are likely to be a bit more problematic, since they lack the L2 cache that the Pentiums have which help certain types of processes (like graphics or intensive mathematical calculations). Celerons can also be REJECTED Pentiums - or even GOOD Pentiums, the only difference being that the L2 cache is disabled - at least this was the case last I looked. I have an AMD Duron 700 in my desktop, with the Duron being equivalent to a Celeron (but faster) - and it generally doesn't give me too much hassle. My last two notebooks were both Pentiums and for sure I have not had any problems with them.

I just remembered one good test, if you can't find something like WinBench (which will benchmark your computer but will also beat the hell out of it) - go join the SETI@Home project (Link Removed (invalid URL)) and help that program use your spare CPU cycles to find ET. I strongly suspect that if you are having problems with the casino software, you will also experience the same problems running the two applications I mentioned above, and yet they are commonly used programs for benchmarking and "cool stuff" applications respectively.

 

[Vesuvio]

Celerons are likely to be a bit more problematic, since they lack the L2 cache that the Pentiums have which help certain types of processes (like graphics or intensive mathematical calculations).

I left it off the specs (mainly as I didn't have much of a clue what it is!), but my celeron laptop appears to have a 256Kb L2 cache.

I just remembered one good test, if you can't find something like WinBench (which will benchmark your computer but will also beat the hell out of it) - go join the SETI@Home project (Link Removed (invalid URL)) and help that program use your spare CPU cycles to find ET. I strongly suspect that if you are having problems with the casino software, you will also experience the same problems running the two applications I mentioned above, and yet they are commonly used programs for benchmarking and "cool stuff" applications respectively.

You're right about that. I tried using some benchmark software and did get the temperature up to levels that only MG manage to exceed. It crossed my mind a while ago that they might have some SETI-like plan for world domination and secretly be using our computers for some sinister purpose under the cover of on-line gambling (though, come to think of it, that's already sinister enough...)

On a more prosaic level - there might be technical faults with particular computers, but I'm sure most (& especially laptops) aren't designed to be run for extended periods at full capacity. Let's hope MG can get their software to use only the resources it actually requires soon. Otherwise I might have to send them my power bill as well as the next repair bill

 

[spearmaster]

Guess I'm really out of date if Celerons have L2 caches Either that or I remembered wrong... I do know for sure that the Pentiums had bigger L2 caches, and that at some time in the past Celerons did not have the L2 enabled (even though it was physically on the chip, go figure - the chips were actually disabled/crippled Pentiums).

Anyhow, today I also noticed that two different casinos play differently - Trident Lounge is really jerky, and Lake Palace runs fine. Both run at near 100% CPU... so something's gotta be different somewhere... otho, Trident Lounge was reasonably fair in play. Lake Palace nickeled and dimed me LOL...

 

[mitch]

MGS software apparently sucks up idle CPU cycles. Right now, it sucks up way too much - so I have been told that this issue is being addressed and hopefully a fix to make it less "greedy" is due shortly.

Any news on this fix yet Spear?

I have asked 32RED about the issue. At first they said they were unaware of any problem but I pointed that just using chat was causing my CPU to constantly hammer away at 100% and asked them to log in to see the problem for themselves. They got back and said they would refer the issue to MG.

I am reluctant to spend too much time in MG casinos until they sort this out as I use a laptop for my gaming and even though it has the latest mobile Centrino M CPU which is supposed to run cooler than others I don't want to risk overheating my computer.

Mitch

 

[spearmaster]

I actually have a Centrino in my new notebook. Doesn't even hiccup running MGS software, never noticed any heat out of the ordinary, and even using the wireless connection at the airport didn't seem to bother it a bit LOL. In fact, it performs much better than my desktop!

I will keep on it. I am not sure what is taking so long to provide the fix, I surely don't see why they can't fix this easily unless I have missed something somewhere.

 

[Pinababy69]

I can't believe I didn't read this thread before. You guys are scaring the crap out of me. About eight months ago, i was having major problems with my computer shutting itself down everytime I played MG software, after about 30 minutes. I'm a puter dummy, so I called the guy in who works on it for me, turns out I had two fans in there, one was burned out, the other had been disconnected? Anyway, he said that I didn't need two, just the one was sufficient. So he put a brand new one in for me, and that seemed to solve the problem. But I have noticed the 100% CPU usage thing, even while I have a casino minimized at the bottom of the screen (idle). Now since the last games came out, most MG casinos are okay, but some run real weird, like they're on Valium or something, jerky and slow and just horrible. I just avoid those ones now, lol. But now I am worried that I may be doing damage here, as I do play alot. Besides not playing, is there anything I can do to protect myself? And Winbig, that program you posted, that livewire thing, that will monitor temp for me? If my computer burns out, I'm done like toast. Already had to reformat twice in the last year, and it has been acting sort of weird lately, I was thinking I just need a disc scan and defrag, as I install and uninstall alot of programs. And I know someone is gonna ask me for specs, lol. I'm such a dummy, I'm not sure. The puter was custom built for someone else who knows less than I do.

I was curious, so I went and checked. It's an Intel Pentium 4 Processor, CPU 1.60 GHz, 384 MB RAM and I run Windows XP Home. Is this good, bad, mediocre?

 

[Macgyver]

Theoretically, it could burn up a hard drive &/or other components inside your case if your cooling fans weren't enough protection and the computer didn't automatically shut itself off after reaching a certain temp.

For those that don't automatically shut down, here's a great utility to use that *will* do this for you. You can set your own temps to warn/shutdown at and everything. It's at

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, and called "motherboard monitor". Great program that will run in the background and leave an icon in your system tray displaying the current temp.


PS: This is freeware, not shareware. You'll never have to pay a dime for it.

Winbig72,

Do you click on the "md5" link to download this freeware? I was watching my comp reboot today and saw it said (at the first screen that came up) that the CPU temp was 96 degrees Fahrenheit.

Any steps would be appreciated as I can get to the url, but am lost after that. Slow day for me maybe ...

 

[Thatchatch]

I, for one would like to find out the actual cause of this inexplicable 100% CPU resources being sapped while playing a Viper Casino or just sitting there not playing.

I am kind of hoping that an MG spokesman would clear the air for us with what he knows of this situation. Obviously MG is aware of the fact. I can see an older P1 or P2 being overwhelmed by the mass of the programs. But state of the art CPUs being so overused...?
Can someone come up with a plausible explanation?

Regards,

Thatchatch

 

[tim5ny]

This program eats up system resources like nothing else I've ever seen. I've never heard my computer labor and work the way it has to when I'm running Viper Software. There must be alot more to this software than just the graphics and sound that make the system work at its maximum capacity almost ceasingly. I would imagine there's alot of security checks scanning the program and the client's computer constantly, and that's what is so taxing on the client's computer.

 

[Vesuvio]

This program eats up system resources like nothing else I've ever seen. I've never heard my computer labor and work the way it has to when I'm running Viper Software. There must be alot more to this software than just the graphics and sound that make the system work at its maximum capacity almost ceasingly. I would imagine there's alot of security checks scanning the program and the client's computer constantly, and that's what is so taxing on the client's computer.

Going by Spearmaster's comments, and he's the only person who seems to have talked to MG about it, it just seems that they added some lines of code to make the software use up any idle CPU capacity - but not to do anything specific, just in the hope that it'd somehow speed things up. So if you ran the software on a supercomputer you'd probably still get 100% CPU usage. The computers that have real problems are the one's that struggle to stay cool, including most laptops. That's how I understand it, anyway.

It could just be Microgaming's witty parody on the Microsoft "system idle process" which takes nearly 100% of the CPU when you're not doing anything, but with the slightly more environmentally friendly aim of cooling it down

 

[Thatchatch]

Unreal!

Not that I want to Call MG Viper a virus...

But at one time, before the Vipers were out I got a virus that was 'sapping' all of my resources, making my CPU run at 100% idle the moment I turned the machine on... a week or so later I couldn't access my C drive no more, dead in the water.

It's very wrong if there is some code that shortens life expentancy of CPUs.

Thatch

 

[spearmaster]

The software only claims "idle" cycles. And no, your CPU can't be overused, the only way it will fail is due to overheating which would indicate a failure of the cooling system, not the CPU.

Unless there's a short circuit, of course, which is typically caused by a lightning strike Hint: If you're using a modem, unplug your TELEPHONE line during lightning storms.

BTW, I have been told that the update is in the next build, which should be this month.

 

[Simmo!]

I can't believe I didn't read this thread before. You guys are scaring the crap out of me.

I have been assured that there is no way the MG CPU idle problem will harm your PC. I'm inclined to beleieve this as its from a reliable source.

 

[Vesuvio]

I have been assured that there is no way the MG CPU idle problem will harm your PC. I'm inclined to beleieve this as its from a reliable source.

It will harm PCs if they're not designed to run at full tilt for long. Most desktops are probably ok if they have good cooling systems, but you should be very careful running MG casinos on laptops until they fix it. I take Spearmaster's point about the CPU being solid-state and difficult to damage, but the other components like the fan and hard-disk aren't as durable. If the fan starts to fail you could get temperatures that might also damage the CPU, though something else will probably have stopped working first! As an example - the temperature of my laptop when the Microsoft "system idle process" is running can go as low as 45 degrees celsius (with the fan switched off) - when MG's version kicks in it runs at 90 degrees with the fan at its fastest speed - & that's waiting in the lobby & not playing a game. The software I downloaded to check the CPU temperature has its default alarm set for 70 degrees, so I can see why some computers shut themselves down when running MG casinos.

I'm still curious about "sucking up idle cycles". It makes it sound as though it's not doing anything with them, but it must be doing something to keep computers under a more constant strain than even benchmarking software that attempts to push them to the limit performing mind-bending calculations (MG might have discovered the perfect benchmarking tool!). So let's not call it the "MG CPU idle problem", ok? Glad they finally seem to be doing something about it!

 

[spearmaster]

Most computers *are* designed to run at full tilt for extended periods of time. Thus I would say that any computer which fails because of a heat problem is the fault of the manufacturer.

Fans also generally don't fail. They do, however, get dirty, and this can't be blamed on anyone.

Using CPU idle cycles will also not affect the hard disk, nor should hard disk activity increase. Thus hard disk failure cannot be blamed on anyone but the manufacturer, assuming their cooling system is not performing to normal levels or was not suitable for the system in the first place.

As for your notebook - you did tell me something about it but I have not determined what the primary use of that model is - but from all indications it is not meant to be used for any type of gaming, whether that be Quake or MGS casinos LOL. And if it was designed for these purposes - then you better be complaining bitterly to your manufacturer!

As I said before, I am a reliable source of this information, having come from that background LOL. I am not Simmo's source, however, so it's nice to have a second backup

 

[Petunia]

** I don't know much about nothing *grin* but this I do know ---
I have a GREAT gaming system at home.. with all the bells and whistles... I don't have my casino on her (as that would be an insult to my baby!)
She is spec'ed to the max and optimized to run high quality graphics, with memory beyond 'normal' and enough hard-drive space to create, save and back-up virtuall all of Nasa's secret stash... So what am I doing here (other than bragging about my lovely?)
Truth is, I have to run a FULL SIZE fan on her all the time, with her covers removed and not in her specially designed hole... Why? I dunno, but she overheats like an extinct meerkat on an deserted island.
As a matter of testing, I formatted and only installed the basic such as OS and the basic things like msnger. Checking only e-mails (what an isult!) and surfing a bit. Within 10 minutes without the industrial fan on her, she is bleeping again.. this suggests to me that it had NOTHING to do with the programs that is running, as some was saying.. and therefore I have not given much notice to the whole 'MGS' being responsible thing. *shrug*
May I suggest a few things to check - Other than MGS?

1) If the cpu setup was improperly installed, meaning too much paste and/or not fully seated can cause the cpu to overtemp and with a bios temp setting can reboot, if so reset.

2) Check your power supply (part of my problem was just that!)

3) Check the graphics card - if a hi-performence type maybe drawing too much wattage and it can cause a reboot. (Sounds daft, but tis true!)

4) You can download a free version of Sisoft Sandra from download.com and it will tell you if you are overclocked. (One of my systems had this problem where the bus speed was set too high

5) Clean your systems insides out with a air-spray... This usually settles my baby down for at least a while!!

6) GET A DESCENT FAN!!!!!

I know these things are probably totally irrelevant, but all in all, it just helps you to take better care of your machine anyway!

I realised that the most common problem is found to be clogged finns on the heat sink, and poorly mounted heat sinks follow a close second" - *smile*

If you manage to get the heat under control...but discover that you still have the reboot problem, it is almost certain that you have a memory timing problem, a defective memory chip, or a bad chip on the mainboard.

Well... what do I know anyway... riiight? **

 

[Vesuvio]

Most computers *are* designed to run at full tilt for extended periods of time. Thus I would say that any computer which fails because of a heat problem is the fault of the manufacturer.

I do see your point. There's a slightly tragic quote in one of Kafka's final letters along the lines of: "the child thinks that the house of cards collapsed because an adult knocked into it, but it didn't, it collapsed because it was a house of cards".

Fans also generally don't fail. They do, however, get dirty, and this can't be blamed on anyone.

My last fan was on the verge of keeling over but the hard drive beat it to it. When I sent it for repairs they replaced the fan as well as the hard drive. I suspect long sessions autoplaying MG software while also running BitTorrent might have been the lethal cocktail that killed them! (it's a good job most American TV shows are over for the summer )

Obviously in an ideal world the fan wouldn't put in any extra effort to keep the system cool & the hard drive wouldn't overheat. As it is a large number of MG users will be significantly lowering the life span of their hard drives by running the software (I was looking into this this morning & there is a correlation between the heat a hard drive runs and how long it lasts - not to mention that if it hits a certain temperature errors are likely).

As for your notebook - you did tell me something about it but I have not determined what the primary use of that model is - but from all indications it is not meant to be used for any type of gaming, whether that be Quake or MGS casinos LOL.

It's definitely not intended for 3D games and the like - but it's more than sufficient for the demands MG should put on it.

This is all you're supposed to need:

Minimum system requirements:

IBM PC compatible Computer
Pentium 100 Mhz or higher
16 MB RAM
8-bit color SVGA (640x480) - 256 colors
Microsoft compatible mouse
Standard Sound Blaster - compatible sound card (optional)
1MB Video Card - or better
The casino software works with Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT workstation, Windows 2000 and Windows XP.

How difficult can it be to display the casino lobby, after all? At best MG are guilty of writing inefficient software that puts needless strain on computers. I can't see any good excuse for not warning players if they're aware of the problem (as they clearly are).

p.s. to continue Petunia's advice - one thing I've seen suggested is to use a vacuum cleaner to suck dust out of the fan vent! (if anyone tries this at home I'm willing to take as much responsibility as MG for any damage done )

 

[nafanny29]

If this is the same problem that affects/affected microgaming poker sites (Bet365 to name one) then the program is not just eating up "idle cycles".

When I used to run bet365 poker with any other program/application it brought everything to a standstill and I had to re-boot the machine. (It would not even let me force close the program down using Task Manager)

I havent played any Microgaming poker sites for the last few weeks due to this so I dont know if its the same as the casino problem (because I dont play MG casinos)

When I see the problem is resolved I will start playing on Prima again.

For one of THE biggest online casino software providers to code their software to do this is discraceful IMHO. How come every other software manages to avoid this sort of nonsence.

Just my 2c

 

[spearmaster]

I suspect long sessions autoplaying MG software while also running BitTorrent

LOL... BitTorrent *hopefully* doesn't put strain on your CPU, but naturally your hard drive may have to work overtime as you are saving files on it

As it is a large number of MG users will be significantly lowering the life span of their hard drives by running the software

Again, this is incorrect. Using idle CPU cycles does NOT affect the hard drive, and neither should heat be a problem unless there is a design flaw or otherwise with the cooling system.

Minimum system requirements:

Note the key word Microsoft said that Windows XP would work on 128 mb ram... yeah right...

Those system requirements look awfully old. Let me check on that with them, I would obviously suggest that a Pentium 100 with 16MB RAM is not sufficient for anything these days.

Inefficient software? Definitely agreed. Though I'd call it greedy, not necessarily inefficient.

nafanny, can I have your system specs please? The program is designed only to claim cycles not used by other programs. Your situation may be caused by a number of things which may or may not directly be related to the software.

 

[nafanny29]

nafanny, can I have your system specs please? The program is designed only to claim cycles not used by other programs. Your situation may be caused by a number of things which may or may not directly be related to the software.

I have a Dell 8400 pc, (P4 processor 3.2 Ghz, 1024MB ram) ATI graphics 128MB and a lovely 20" flat screen for 4 tabling

The MG problem does not really affect me because I can take or leave Prima Pokerrooms and never play MG casinos, but it really did cause my CPU to run at 100% and crash my pc everytime I loaded the software.

 

[Vesuvio]

Again, this is incorrect. Using idle CPU cycles does NOT affect the hard drive, and neither should heat be a problem unless there is a design flaw or otherwise with the cooling system.

Judging by this thread I don't seem to be the only person whose computer gets extremely hot when running MG software. You said yourself many laptops will run hot under this strain as it's hard to cool components packed so tightly together. At higher temperatures hard drives have a shorter lifespan and at extreme temperatures develop errors.

"Using idle CPU cycles" sounds innoculous enough, but it puts as much strain on my computer as running benchmark tests, so either it's doing a bit more than idling or MG's bug affects some computers differently to others.

Inefficient software? Definitely agreed. Though I'd call it greedy, not necessarily inefficient.

You have the casino in the lobby doing absolutely nothing and it takes maximum power and capacity from your computer - and that's not inefficient? If it was using all those resources to do something then I might accept it was just greedy - though maybe it's searching for 1000 digit prime numbers or something

 

[spearmaster]

lovely 20" flat screen

I want one too! LOL...

The only thing you didn't provide is your hard drive spec - and while you're adding that, would you by any chance have a full or near-full hard disk, or else some low virtual memory setting (right click My Computer/Properties/Advanced/Performance Options)

Optimize Performance should have Applications checked

Click on "Change" to see what the VM ranges are for each drive in your machine.

If the problem is not here, it's likely to be some sort of memory fault - a problem I had for a while but disappeared after one of the files was updated. If you have a firewall on, casino/poker updates may not be able to update your files to the latest versions.

 

[spearmaster]

Judging by this thread I don't seem to be the only person whose computer gets extremely hot when running MG software. You said yourself many laptops will run hot under this strain as it's hard to cool components packed so tightly together. At higher temperatures hard drives have a shorter lifespan and at extreme temperatures develop errors.

"Using idle CPU cycles" sounds innoculous enough, but it puts as much strain on my computer as running benchmark tests, so either it's doing a bit more than idling or MG's bug affects some computers differently to others.
You have the casino in the lobby doing absolutely nothing and it takes maximum power and capacity from your computer - and that's not inefficient? If it was using all those resources to do something then I might accept it was just greedy - though maybe it's searching for 1000 digit prime numbers or something

Laptops excepted... LMAO... laptops are generally not built for gaming purposes and as such really ought not to be subjected to intense activity. There are exceptions, mind you, but I'd still say your machine was not up to spec.

Benchmarking is meant to use all CPU cycles - so naturally the results are quite the same.

There is no reason at all why Microgaming's software should use idle cycles, especially to 100% usage - absolutely no reason at all. Unfortunately, it currently does that and they have undertaken to resolve this shortly.

By inefficient I presumed you meant inefficient in the software performing its tasks, not inefficient as in conserving power or capacity. Yes, I would agree it is most inefficient when it comes to using up power and CPU capacity. Totally unnecessary.

 

[Vesuvio]

There are exceptions, mind you, but I'd still say your machine was not up to spec.

Ok, I agree with all that except I'm sure the specs will be more than sufficient for running the software as soon as MG fix the bug!

 

[nafanny29]

The only thing you didn't provide is your hard drive spec - and while you're adding that, would you by any chance have a full or near-full hard disk, or else some low virtual memory setting (right click My Computer/Properties/Advanced/Performance Options)

Optimize Performance should have Applications checked

Click on "Change" to see what the VM ranges are for each drive in your machine.

If the problem is not here, it's likely to be some sort of memory fault - a problem I had for a while but disappeared after one of the files was updated. If you have a firewall on, casino/poker updates may not be able to update your files to the latest versions.

Harddrive is:160GB (7200rpm) Serial ATA Hard Drive with 8MB DataBurst cache. Currenly have 137GB free space!!

Virtual memory set at 2047MB.

I bought it in Jan this year came with everything pre-installed. I use a Norton Firewall but allow any programs I use full access. (Have checked and I dont have any on deny at all)

Hope that helps Spearmaster.

 

[spearmaster]

LOL. Didn't help me at all!

Norton Firewall was a bit problematic for me, so I removed it. Not saying it's the problem - but if you get a chance, could you test with the firewall completely disabled?

 

[spearmaster]

Ok - I thought I had better do an update here, as it is clear some of my data is slightly out of date.

According to the CPU scorecard for Pentium 4 processors (

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, the max operating temperature of these processors ranges between 69 and 78 degrees Celsius. If you are running a Pentium 4 and your temperature is outside these ranges, you should check your cooling system.

If you are running a Pentium-M (Centrino), the max temperature is 100C (note that this is a notebook CPU, and that the temperature is much higher).

I am running an AMD Duron 700, and currently have the CPU at 94% running Lake Palace. My temperature has increased a scant 3-4 degrees from near-idle to high CPU usage, and I have been running for 30 minutes. The max temperature is a huge 90 degrees - and I am running 60 degrees below that.

Granted, I have a little extra cooling on my machine (just a couple of hard drive fans, both clogged like heck), and the cover is partially open, which in fact should make things worse. But 100% CPU load has had little apparent effect on the temperature.

I shall again suggest that anyone operating outside their normal ranges should have their cooling systems checked. 100% CPU load should NOT be causing any huge increases in temperature unless your system is not properly built.

And for the record, my machine is about 4 years old and has NEVER been cleaned, or had any cooling system component replaced.

Vesuvio - your 90 degrees ought to be fine, but still a bit hot. The cooling is definitely not optimal at those temperatures.

Nafanny - I suggest you have your cooling system components checked as well.

 

[Simmo!]

Hey guess what. I've been running 32Red today for hours and my CPU is dead silent! Has there been a stealth fix while we werent looking?

 

[nafanny29]

Nafanny - I suggest you have your cooling system components checked as well.

Dont worry bout me. i never play MG casinos due to Ladbrokes being 100% rigged, and as I said I can take or leave PrimaPoker and havnt been on their network for 2 months

Also when I play any other poker site, even 4+ tables my CPU runs under 15% all the time so any site/program that hits 100% can go to hell as far as I am concerned

 

[spearmaster]

I gotta stop posting after just getting out of bed and not having my coffee... I almost edited out the post above, sorry Nafanny. Guess I better not participate while my brain is idling

 

[Webzcas]

Dont worry bout me. i never play MG casinos due to Ladbrokes being 100% rigged, and as I said I can take or leave PrimaPoker and havnt been on their network for 2 months

Also when I play any other poker site, even 4+ tables my CPU runs under 15% all the time so any site/program that hits 100% can go to hell as far as I am concerned

I doubt very much Ladbrokes is rigged, sounds like you have had a bad run there. It happens.

 

[Simmo!]

Hey guess what. I've been running 32Red today for hours and my CPU is dead silent! Has there been a stealth fix while we werent looking?

I can answer my own question....No there hasn't. It's as bad as ever today

 

[Chatmaster]

Dont worry bout me. i never play MG casinos due to Ladbrokes being 100% rigged

So do I understand you correctly, are you claiming that Microgaming is rigged?

 

[Vesuvio]

So do I understand you correctly, are you claiming that Microgaming is rigged?

Most players casually assume it's rigged to be more streaky than it would be if purely random, I think, but it gives the right long-term results & you can autoplay low stakes, so there's not too much to worry about. Of course it'd be extremely difficult to prove...

 

[Chatmaster]

I have no axe to grind with nafanny29, or maybe I am over sensitive, but I am so tired of people claiming the ridiculous. At the end of the Microgaming are going through allot of trouble to proof to people that they are completely reliable. Independent auditors etc.

 

[nafanny29]

Guys im talkig about Ladbrokes casino about 18 months ago!! Proberly changed now its "viper".

But trust me back then it was 100% not random (IMHO ). Me and my missus could predict the cards before the dealer dealt them half the time as it was the same senarios over and over. It was laughable trust me.

At the same time i played other MGs and no funny stuff there, just Ladbrokes BJ.

Anyway back on topic, they fixed the problem yet??

 

[GrandMaster]

I just happened to have the task manager open when I started one of the old Microgaming casinos, and it was using about 90-95% of the CPU, which is the same if not more than what the Viper casinos use.

Correction: the high CPU use only lasts until you log in, afterwards it drops to a reasonable level.

 

[GrandMaster]

Well, it is happening. My desktop is dying It started crashing in a way which is usually caused by a overheating CPU or faulty memory according to my research on the web. I was able to run a memory test, and the memory is fine. The CPU fan was still working OK. If I manage to get Windows to stay up long enough, I will install Motherboard Monitor. Despite the problems with Windows, my computer still runs Linux quite happily.

Fortunately, I transferred all my documents to my laptop, so no data has been lost. I was planning to buy a new desktop anyway, so I will just have to do it sooner and at an inconvenient time.

It is too soon to say what caused the problem, whether it is Microgaming related or not. If anyone can help with hardware diagnostics, I would appreciate it.

 

[spearmaster]

If Linux is running properly, that's usually a sign that the problem is with software, not hardware.

If you'd post your computer and software specs here, as well as a description of when it is crashing, and what caused the first crash if you can remember, perhaps I can help

 

[GrandMaster]

The hardware is Elite K7SEM motherboard, Athlon 1.7 GHz CPU, 256MB RAM, the operating system is Win XP Pro SP2.

A few days agao it started crashing with this error message on the blue screen of death: Windows shut down to prevent physical damage to your computer.
IRQL_NOT_LESS_THAN_OR_EQUAL. There was also some other stuff and error codes, but of course there is no way of saving them.

At first there were several hours between crashes, yesterday it was so bad that the computer would boot into Windows then crash immediately. It was behaving better today, I was able to install Motherboard Monitor and it reported that the CPU's temperature was 127C! I did not wait for the crash, I shut down the computer.

 

[Tdoggy]

Mg is killing our machines

I'm telling you had one hard drive burn out already. I will not go near another MG casino because of this. Unless you have a super computer with one hell of a hard drive BEWARE!!!!

 

[spearmaster]

The hardware is Elite K7SEM motherboard, Athlon 1.7 GHz CPU, 256MB RAM, the operating system is Win XP Pro SP2.

A few days agao it started crashing with this error message on the blue screen of death: Windows shut down to prevent physical damage to your computer.
IRQL_NOT_LESS_THAN_OR_EQUAL. There was also some other stuff and error codes, but of course there is no way of saving them.

No kidding about the blue screen of death - that is usually not good.

At first there were several hours between crashes, yesterday it was so bad that the computer would boot into Windows then crash immediately. It was behaving better today, I was able to install Motherboard Monitor and it reported that the CPU's temperature was 127C! I did not wait for the crash, I shut down the computer.

But if you run Linux, it runs just fine?

127C is way the heck over normal limits. At least I think it is, I haven't checked the specs for the Athlon.

You definitely have some sort of a heat problem, and as you do not appear to have been running the casino software, I'd venture that either your fan has stopped operating normally, or that the silicone has dried up.

So if you don't mind opening up the case, you shouldn't have too much difficulty removing the fan (but check to see that it's operational first) - and then checking the silicone underneath. This is probably dried up or not even present.

You can then wipe it clean, go get some silicone from a nearby computer store, or maybe Radio Shack, apply a thin layer and then use the heatsink itself to smear the silicone evenly over the CPU.

Or else, take it to a computer shop and watch them as they inspect it - if they do not allow you to be present during the checking, take it to another store.