3dxsrv.exe using excessive CPU resources

[1mecheng]

Has anyone else had the problem where the 3dxsrv.exe program is using 70-90% of the CPU resources? Possible causes and solutions?

System info.:
P4 2.66GHz
512 MB Ram
64 MB dedicated to graphics
Win XP Pro SP2
AutoCAD 2004

Version 3.3.6 of Space Navigator software.

The problem persists even when most services/programs are turned off, and the only programs running are in the icon tray. (Win VNC, Network Scanner tool, Intel Extreme Graphics 2, Audio icon, mouse driver icon, Symantec AV)

Thanks in advance for your help!

[ngomes]

Hi 1mecheng,

We are aware of security software interfering with the USB. Some newer versions of firewalls and av software are filtering the data sent over the USB and may produce the effects you describe.

On some occasions -- reportedly -- it was necessary to uninstall the security software. Simply disabling it or stop it running was insufficient to prevent the problem.

If you can, unplug your network card and terminate all firewall and other security software. See if makes a difference. If not, uninstall and try again.

Let us know what you find.

[1mecheng]

NGomes -

Turning off the realtime virus scan protection in Symantec AV did indeed drop the CPU usage back to normal levels (less than 10%). Turning the AV back on resumed the CPU usage to the previously high levels.

The drawback is that I am not willing (or able) to run with the virus protection off.

Ideas on how to fix this without reinstalling the security software? I am willing to do a D'N'R on the SpaceNavigator software ...

Thanks in advance ...

[ngomes]

Hi 1mecheng,

What you are observing is the AV software interfering with the USB. That's an issue with the AV program and not with 3Dconnexion software.

Obviously, we do not advise our customers to run their systems without some form of virus protection but we can recommend the following:

• Report the problem to Symantec;
• Disable USB filtering;
• Consider installing AV software from a different vendor.

The last option is somewhat extreme. We have found that vendors do take notice of these problems and try to resolve them.

For the benefit of other Forum users, we would appreciate if you could post here any information you may receive regarding this issue.

[jwick]

Can we get the exact details on the version of the Symantec AV software? We should install it to see just what is going on. Maybe we can find a work around or some AV settings that don't filter the USB constantly.

Jim
3Dx Software Development

[1mecheng]

Here are the specs. on the AV software ...

Symantec AV Corporate Edition
Program Version 8.1.0.825
Scan Engine: 4.2.0.7
Virus Definition File: 6/19/2007 rev. 36

I will check Symantec's website to see if there is any help there as well.

Regards -

[1mecheng]

I think that I have solved the problem ... apparently, I had the setting to write to the log file enabled.

Every time the program would write to the log file, it would be scanned by the AV program. This was happening many times a second, and it was eating up the CPU.

Disabling the log option returned the CPU usage back to normal levels.

Here is the quote from the installed help files that led me to the solution:

Write Log File

Creates a log file for technical support if a problem is encountered. Enabling this selection may cause your application to run slowly; therefore, Write Log File should only be enabled for the purpose of troubleshooting.

Hopefully, this helps to prevent other people from making the same mistake that I did.

Regards -

[jwick]

Oh yes, of course!
That isn't what I was refering to when I wrote that warning, but your case with AV software is even more degrading.

Thanks very much for posting your findings. I'm sure many people will benefit from it.