High CPU Usage with Helios

[Tropical Tanning]

Hello:

I'm using Helios 11.4.7, and T-Max Manager Pro (on a newer computer running Windows XP Pro). When the "Helios Timer Server" is running, my CPU usage goes to 60%.

Could this be related to how often the timer server polls the timer?

Is there any way to fix this?

I have previously called Helios tech support and they pretended that this was not a problem. I even spoke to a new "supervisor" who said she would check on the issue but she never called back with a solution.

Any help appreciated.

[tennessee lee]

"A newer computer" means nothing in terms of what it can actually handle.

If you have a firewall running or antivirus that could be kicking over when you run Helios.

Bottom line, if you have 512MB RAM and your video card is sharing that RAM you need MORE RAM!!!!!!!!!

1GB minimum. (pc and video combined)

[Tropical Tanning]

Originally Posted by tennessee lee

"A newer computer" means nothing in terms of what it can actually handle.

If you have a firewall running or antivirus that could be kicking over when you run Helios.

Bottom line, if you have 512MB RAM and your video card is sharing that RAM you need MORE RAM!!!!!!!!!

1GB minimum. (pc and video combined)

Thank you for your reply. I purposefully left out info on the computer because it is not relavent to the issue.

Yes I have adequate ram and I do run antivirus/firewall.

The issue is that when Helios timer server is running CPU usage is 60+ percent. Close just that one program and usage goes to ZERO. That's with everything else running that normally runs.

Why be concerned? Because CPU usage generates heat, wear and tear on the computer, and slows down any other software that one might want to use.

I have seen this issue discussed before but could not find the topics when i searched.

[tennessee lee]

"Why be concerned? Because CPU usage generates heat, wear and tear on the computer, and slows down any other software that one might want to use. "

That's a stretch. Shouldn't be stuck at 60% though when it's idle. If I was to compterize my salon I'd have one small box that's just Helios and another for everything else.

[movieking]

Originally Posted by tennessee lee

If I was to compterize my salon I'd have one small box that's just Helios and another for everything else.

Finally someone who sees things the way I do. My POS system is too critical to the operation of my business to let anything like internet use screw with it. The POS system for a business should be just that. Everything else should be done on a separate PC.

[Andy]

"Shouldn't be stuck at 60% though when it's idle"

BUT ... it is NEVER idle

Helios is constantly polling the TMax Manager for updated status info ... it is never idle

I would be amazed if that additional use had the impact of reducing the life of the computer or any component by 1 day of the expected life of three years for a business computer.

If they only polled very minute for example ... you would not be necessarily looking at up to date info if another computer (assuming LAN or WAN) had put someone in a bed ... and they would not have been looking at up to date info when they did it.

Nothing to fix ... would have been nice for them to tell you that rather than expecting a solution to something that is not a problem.

[tennessee lee]

Originally Posted by movieking

Finally someone who sees things the way I do. My POS system is too critical to the operation of my business to let anything like internet use screw with it. The POS system for a business should be just that. Everything else should be done on a separate PC.

There will NEVER be a PC that can do it all and safely. Never ever ever unless it's a server and you are connecting with a dummy terminal.

If you paid under $500 for a PC you are getting an INTERNET BROWSER AND THAT'S ABOUT IT.