Serial port card - CPU usage question

[Jack S]

I've got a problem with a serial - USB converter causing my CPU to overheat
during lengthy downloads, resulting in a computer shutdown.

If i install a serial port card (w/ driver) to do these downloads, will I
wind up with the same problem?

Thanks

 

[Bob I]

You say CPU overheats? You you really mean the whole computer overheats?
Or the the real CPU, which is the processor on the motherboard?

 

[Jack S]

You say CPU overheats? You you really mean the whole computer overheats?
Or the the real CPU, which is the processor on the motherboard?

The CPU usage goes to 100 pct during the download, which i assume leads to
overheating, then the computer shutsoff after about 60+ seconds of having
the CPU usage at 100 pct.

 

[Patrick Keenan]

The CPU usage goes to 100 pct during the download, which i assume leads to
overheating, then the computer shutsoff after about 60+ seconds of having
the CPU usage at 100 pct.

Are there any error log enties? Is there a temperature monitor you can
use?

Is this a laptop or a desktop system? A standard serial card installed in
a desktop shouldn't require any drivers.

A serial-USB converter and its driver shouldn't be causing 100% CPU usage.
Something is seriously wrong with it. Try another one with better drivers.

HTH
-pk

 

[Michael W. Ryder]

I've got a problem with a serial - USB converter causing my CPU to overheat
during lengthy downloads, resulting in a computer shutdown.

If i install a serial port card (w/ driver) to do these downloads, will I
wind up with the same problem?

Thanks

Are you using ZModem for the download protocol? I notice the same
behavior using built-in or PCI card serial ports. I think it has to do
with the overhead of the protocol.

 

[Bob I]

2 problems,
1 If the CPU dumps/overheats at 100% usage there is something seriously
wrong with the cooling system (dirty fins, inadequate heatsink contact,
fan not up to speed, blocked ports)

2. The CPU shouldn't be hitting 100% on a down load. What
service/process is doing this in Task Manager?

 

[Jack S]

Are there any error log enties?

This is a hardware shutdown, I don't think win xp gets a chance to write an
error, and i don't know where to look.

Is there a temperature monitor you can use?

I couldn't find any on the Asus install disc. I'm assuming it's temperature,
from high cpu usage. All the fans and case openings are ok.

I didn't install the cpu so I don;t know if thermal paste was used right, or
what.

Is this a laptop or a desktop system?

Desktop.


A standard serial card installed in

a desktop shouldn't require any drivers.

A serial-USB converter and its driver shouldn't be causing 100% CPU usage.
Something is seriously wrong with it. Try another one with better
drivers.

I don't feel like buying another.

 

[Jack S]

2 problems,
1 If the CPU dumps/overheats at 100% usage there is something seriously
wrong with the cooling system (dirty fins, inadequate heatsink contact,
fan not up to speed, blocked ports)

2. The CPU shouldn't be hitting 100% on a down load. What service/process
is doing this in Task Manager?

It's an application program called "Mapsend", for a Magellan gps.

 

[Paul]

This is a hardware shutdown, I don't think win xp gets a chance to write an
error, and i don't know where to look.

<<snip>>

A computer should be able to withstand 100 percent CPU usage without
anything bad happening. And run that way forever.

You need to fix your CPU cooling, as virtually any computing activity
could cause short periods of 100 percent usage. In its current state,
the computer could shut down when you make a change in a lengthy
Microsoft Word document. What you're doing, is like running a computer
with a guillotine positioned above your head.

If you fix the CPU cooling, the CPU usage will not present a threat to you.

A PCI serial card, can use interrupts for data transfer. That means
zero CPU usage, when no characters are being received or transmitted.
But using such a card, is not a substitute for fixing the cooling
problem. The computer can still shut down, even if you stop using the
USB-serial adapter. And it will shut down, when you least want it to,
with unsaved work in memory.

Paul

 

[Bob I]

First correct the overheating issue, checking for the items in
parentheses in the first identified problem below. Since it is a
desktop, this should be a relatively easy task and not require a shop.