The CPU Fan is Always On (Latest MacBook Pro Quad-core 16GB RAM)

I am using the latest Parallels 10.2.0 build on the latest MacBook Pro quad core 16GB RAM, so I do have plenty of resources. My virtual machine is Windows Server 2008 R2 shows 99% of CPU idle, but my Parallels run at 400% CPU and kicking off the fan all the time. The MacBook Pro casing heats up pretty bad too. I've tried various KB articles suggested in other posts (e.g. reducing to 2 CPUs, disabling real-time free space optimization etc.), but still Parallels are overloading my CPUs. I love Parallels and the Coherence mode, but the performance needs to be improved ASAP. This makes Parallels almost unusable for me and others, according to the posts I've read so far.

 

Hi DmitriM1,
Please try creating an empty Virtual Machine and mapping the existing Hard Drive to the empty Virtual Machine and check the CPU usages. Refer to this article for more information, http://kb.parallels.com/121578
To increase the performance of the Virtual Machine, please refer to this article, http://kb.parallels.com/112091

 

@Dhruba I've tried to follow that KB to create an empty Virtual Machine, but the "Continue without a source" checkbox mentioned in Step 3 simply doesn't exist in Parallels 10. At least, I am not prompted with that option as shown in that article. I've already tried optimizations suggested in the other KB, but the VM is still slow even though the Windows 2008 R2 server shows 99% being idle. So, I know it's not Windows that slowing it down. I have a fan constantly coming on when I am not even using the VM. The v10 performance needs to be addressed and optimized ASAP. As it is right now, Parallels 10 is too slow and pretty much unusable for me. And remember? I am using the latest MacBook Pro with 16GB memory and SSD drive.

 

@Dhruba Maybe this KB is more appropriate for v10 http://kb.parallels.com/en/116263?

 

Hi DmitriM1,
Yes, you can also follow the article that you mentioned, that is http://kb.parallels.com/116263

 

OK. I've followed that KB and no difference in the CPU usage pattern. Just having a few windows open in VM rams up the CPU to over 200% easily and the fan starts coming on all the time. Windows CPU in task manager is at 99% idle most of the time, so it's the Parallels VM that uses too much CPU resources. I hope you guys find a way to optimize it in the upcoming updates. I really don't want to by a Windows PC to run Windows software.

 

I've done all of this already. The VM is still using too much CPU.

 

Hi @DmitriM1, did you try the steps below:


1. Start your Windows virtual machine -> click on Start and type in the "Search" box "cmd" -> on the top of the list please right click on the "Command prompt" and choose run as administrator (for more information please see the screenshot in the attachment)
2. In the Command prompt window please type the following command:

sfc /scannow and hit Enter.

3. Once the system scanning finished please provide us with the results (make a screenshot of the Command Prompt message)
4. Close Command Prompt
5. Click on Start -> type "msconfig" in the search field and press the Enter key.
6. In the General tab -> Select "Selective startup"
7. In the "System configuration" window go to "Startup" tab and uncheck all applications, except 'parallels'-word contained then click "Apply".
8. After the previous step, open the "Services" tab and enable the option "Hide all Microsoft services" -> and then disable all the non-microsoft services, except 'parallels'-word contained.
9. Click on "Apply" and "OK" -> restart your virtual machine and check the issue.

 

I have attached the requested screenshot along with the log file. I've also disabled start-up items and services other than MS and Parallels. I didn't really have anything except Google Chrome Update one. I'll let you know if the issue still persists. Feel free to follow up with me if you don't hear back within a couple of weeks.

 

@DmitriM1 thanks for the updates.
Please use this article in order to resolve the "Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them. Details are included in the CBS.Log windir\Logs\CBS\CBS.log." issue

 

I run Windows 2008 R2 server. Will the same article still apply? See attached error message when I try to run KB article command on this OS.

 

@DmitriM1 you can run DISM command on Windows 2008 R2 server, please check Microsoft KB: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/947821
Also is it possible to check some internal error message in Event Viewer? I think there will be some root cause error in Windows logs..

 

I've installed and ran the "System Update Readiness tool" as that article suggested. It installed some Hotfix for Windows: (KB947821). I don't see any changes. The CPU is still on when I work in Windows 2008 R2 VM. The windows CPU usage is low (~5%), and the parallels (prl_vm_app) is high (100%-150%). I think the latter kick in the CPU fan.

As far as the Event View goes, I don't know what I am looking for. Let me know if I need to make some screenshots for you.

 

@DmitriM1, does only prl_vm_app process take 100-150% CPU, what about other Parallels process in Activity Monitor?

 

Also @DmitriM1 please start the trace_intr process using instructions from this KB and provide me with the results.

 

Yes, prl_vm_app is the one taking the CPU. The other processes are around 1%. I will provie the trace_intr results later.

 

The trace_intr outputs pages of data as it runs. What should I capture?

 

The 49 vector string please

 

Just wanted to let you know that upgrading to Parallels 11 has drastically improved the performance. The CPU usage is down and the apps are more responsive now. Good job guys. Please keep it up! Performance of parallels is very important for us.