V10 speed

[gskelton]

I am building a form and the longer I am into working on the form the slower and quirking v10 becomes. It seems to constantly with every click keep the hard drive running, and at the end of the session I can't exit out. Then I have to log completely off and let windows shut down alpha before I can start my database again without getting the License Exceded message. Now to be fair, I am working on a tabbed form with 4 tabs, with 5 embedded browses in those tabs. I have windows XP home edition with service pack 3, a Pentium 4 3.06 giga hertz processor with 448 mb of ram.

[Al Buchholz]

Re: V10 speed

FWIW, I don't run XP on anything less than 2 gb of memory. Memory is too cheap not too..

[martinwcole]

Re: V10 speed

the reason it takes so long to save changes is because V10 has the new feature that saves previous copies.

one way to partially minimze the time is to frequently delete the contents inside the 2 history folders inside the application folder

As I recall someone had asked Selwyn for an option to turn it off, and he said he would think about it - personally, I don't care for it due to the extra time lag when saving stuff.

[gmeredith17]

Re: V10 speed

I agree with Al. Minimum of 2gb for xp. My work computer is 4 years old and running on 2gb with xp. Although it was a high spec at the time of purchase it has been struggling over the last 12 months. I will be upgrading the memory to 4gb soon to give it a little bit more life.

[martinwcole]

Re: V10 speed

Geoff, unless you have a 64 bit OS, Windows will basically only use the first 3 GIG - the rest is mostly wasted. I don't agree that going from 2 GIG to 3 GIG in Windows 32 will make an appreciable difference using Alpha. But I do recommend a minimum of 1 GIG for any XP version. I use 3 1 GIG cards. (single cards are faster than having all memory on 1 card)

[gmeredith17]

Re: V10 speed

Geoff, unless you have a 64 bit OS, Windows will basically only use the first 3 GIG - the rest is mostly wasted.

Didn't know that. I have lots of different software running at the same time and have noticed a lot of hard drive activity of late. I assumed it was down to lack of memory and the hard drive being used as a cache. Maybe something else is the cause.

[martinwcole]

Re: V10 speed

Well, given how cheap memory is, try adding the memory and see if it helps. I know that as computers get older all the upgrades and new programs and related registry changes tend to slow them down - a lot. And sometimes new software will "hijack" some of yours settings to make their software run faster.

You could try using any of several programs that will look for ways to improve your performance by mainly cleaning and repairing the registry, etc.

Also, doing a diskclean and defrag may help. Also, from run, enter msconfig, and carefully remove any software that is automatically loading at statup. When you examine the stuff that is auto loading, you can google it and find out what is for, so as not to remove any critical stuff.

Another thing that really shows up is this: once your hard drive is 50% used, performance will begin to degrade as the FAT gets bigger and bigger and more time consuming to maintain. I always use the example of a 1960 Oldsmobile that will run 100 miles per hour. At 50 miles per hour, you have great passing capability, and the passing gear will click in, and you can quickly pass another car. But at 80 miles per hour passing someone can take much much much longer.

[Tbaker]

Re: V10 speed

Quote from Martin

As I recall someone had asked Selwyn for an option to turn it off, and he said he would think about it - personally, I don't care for it due to the extra time lag when saving stuff

In the release notes for Build 2555-3502

Layouts - Auto Backup - V10 introduced auto backup of Layouts (Forms, Reports, Browse, Label, Letters, and Field Rules) - You can now turn off this feature using the a5.system_mode_set() command.
Examples:
'Check status of feature
? a5.System_Mode_Get("auto_backup")
= "True"
'Turn feature off
a5.System_Mode_set("auto_backup","false")

Selwyn came through with the ability to turn off autoback up.

Tom Baker

[Ton Spies]

Re: V10 speed

Hi Gerry,

I've frequently worked at a few forms in one set.
Then I discovered that the .SEM file was growing enomously.
Packing the db this file was shrinked (back) to normal.

Maybe it has nothing to do with it but just my 2 cents

Ton


Of course we want to know how you solved it

[Peter.Greulich]

Re: V10 speed

In the release notes for Build 2555-3502
...
Selwyn came through with the ability to turn off autoback up.

Thanks for this, Tom. Unfortunately, it appears that you have to put it in the autoexec of every app that you have as it doesn't remember the setting when you exit.

[Tbaker]

Re: V10 speed

Peter

I know, it a real PITA.

Setting the auto back up to false should be in the settings. Maybe a wish list item.

Tom Baker

[MikeC]

Re: V10 speed

Martin,

I don't agree that going from 2 GIG to 3 GIG in Windows 32 will make an appreciable difference using Alpha

Agree with this if Alpha was the only memory intensive program running....I many times have 2 Alphas running (a few times 3), 1-2 QReportBuilders, Quickbooks (1-2), Excel, and Word (and, of course, my email, firefox, adobe pdf files, etc.). When I went from 2 gig to 3 gig, my program lag time significantly went down. Obviously it all depends upon how one is using their PC. :)

I agree that going much beyond 3 gigs is a waste as most times only a bit beyond 3 can actually be used by the user (think I read that it is anywhere between 3.18 and 3.25 gig dependent upon hardware).

[StevenMcLean]

Re: V10 speed

I run 64 Bit Win7 on my notebook with 8GB and experience very quick performance. Memory is cheap (relatively speaking).