ALT-F1 = massive CPU usage

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AlanHK
Posts: 21
Joined: Sat 13 Mar, 2010 09:49

ALT-F1 = massive CPU usage

Post by AlanHK »

I set up a new PC with Win XP SP3 and installed Far 2.0.1420.

Whenever I type ALT-F1 (or F2) to change the drive in Far, it freezes for 5-10 seconds before the drive selection popup appears.
During that time according to Process Explorer, Far is using 50% of the CPU.

I've got several USB drives but this happens when there are no USB drives plugged in, no DVD inserted, only the two physical internal SATA drives connected.
The PC has one 60 GB SSD divided into 2 partitions and one DVD burner.


If I just type "C:" or "D:" it changes to that drive immediately.

If I open "My Computer" on the desktop it displays the three drive icons immediately.

I've been using Far for over 10 years on many PCs, never seen this behaviour.
What's going on?
What is Far doing to burn up the CPU?
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DrKnS
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Re: ALT-F1 = massive CPU usage

Post by DrKnS »

Far 2.0.1420 is more than 3 years old. Did you tried to reproduce it with recent versions?
Drive menu may contain plugins, which may cause the problem. Did you tried to reproduce it without plugins (far.exe /p)?
Drive menu can display many additional information, which may be slow. Did you tried to press F9 in it and turn it off?
AlanHK
Posts: 21
Joined: Sat 13 Mar, 2010 09:49

Re: ALT-F1 = massive CPU usage

Post by AlanHK »

DrKnS wrote:Did you tried to press F9 in it and turn it off?
That seems to be it.
I turned off "Show CD drive parameters" and now it pops up instantly.

Don't know why that should make such a problem, but it's not something I need.
AlanHK
Posts: 21
Joined: Sat 13 Mar, 2010 09:49

Re: ALT-F1 = massive CPU usage

Post by AlanHK »

Follow up: I was having the same problem -- 50% CPU burning -- in other applications, often when I simply opened a file menu.
Eventually used Process Explorer and worked out it was "cmdguard.sys", part of Comodo Firewall. After uninstalling, system is running at minimal load most of the time. I reenabled "Show CD drive parameters" in Far and it works with no delay.
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