Constant performance issues with Parallels

Discussion in 'Windows Virtual Machine' started by BrianF1, Apr 23, 2015.

  1. BrianF1

    BrianF1 Junior Member

    Messages:
    10
    Hi there,

    I am running Windows 7 with Parallels 10, latest build with Yosemite, latest build on a MacBook Pro, Mid 2012 with 2.5 Ghz processor and 8 GB RAM.

    Since upgrading to P10 and Yosemite and Windows 7 (I was previously on P8 with XP on Mavericks) I have had nothing but problems. I have never had Parallels work more than 24 hours without becoming so sluggish as to become unusable and frequently the VM stops responding altogether.

    I have tried http://kb.parallels.com/en/117114, http://kb.parallels.com/en/112091, and http://kb.parallels.com/122767. Shutting down Windows, then the VM, then rebooting my mac seems to work...but the problems ALWAYS come back within 24 hours. Typically, although not always, the problems come back when I sleep my mac.

    Any ideas?
     
  2. Dhruba@Parallels

    Dhruba@Parallels

    Messages:
    779
    Hello BrianF1,
    Please try creating an empty Virtual Machine and map the existing Hard drive and check how it works. Also follow the steps suggested at, http://kb.parallels.com/112091 this will help you increase the performance of the Virtual Machine.
     
    Last edited: May 8, 2015
  3. BrianF1

    BrianF1 Junior Member

    Messages:
    10
    So I created an empty virtual machine and mapped the existing hard drive to it and it worked well for a few days and then the problems returned. I have tried everything in http://kb.parallels.com/112091 http://kb.parallels.com/en/117114, and http://kb.parallels.com/122767 without success. Rebooting both Parrallels and my Mac ALWAYS helps, but only for a few hours before problems return so I am rebooting everything 2-3 times / day which is extremely disruptive to work flow.

    I think the problems may somehow relate specifically to the use of quickbooks in P10...I never had this problem with P8 and if until I use Quickbooks each day (which is a non-starter since I'm an accountant) the problems don't start.

    At this point - as a rather technically savvy user - I would strongly recommend against using P10 to anyone using Quickbooks for windows, it has been a nightmare, wasted dozens of hours of time.
     
  4. marat_t

    marat_t Pro

    Messages:
    288
    Hi Brian, what Task Manager and Activity Monitor show when the issue happens? What processes eat the resources?
     
  5. BrianF1

    BrianF1 Junior Member

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    10
    here is a screen capture of them. The resources aren't fully used, it just seems to stall on it's own accord. meanwhile the Mac side is working fine. Screen Shot 2015-07-10 at 10.05.55 AM.png
     
  6. marat_t

    marat_t Pro

    Messages:
    288
    all looks good here.
    1. does svchost.exe process start to use more memory eventually while working with VM?
    2. on the Mac side could you please also check 'Disk' tab?
    3. Does the issue persist when running virtual machine in window / fullscreen mode?
     
  7. BrianF1

    BrianF1 Junior Member

    Messages:
    10
    1. Sometimes, but the problem certainly regularly occurs without SVCHOST.EXE being active.
    2. uploaded
    3. It seems somewhat better? but still the problem occurs almost daily, which is very disruptive. Plus Full screen is much less useful than coherence when doing complex work.
     

    Attached Files:

  8. marat_t

    marat_t Pro

    Messages:
    288
    thanks for the provided info. the counters are good (if screenshot was taken at the moment the issue was reproduced). well, I'd like to ask you to collect a problem report (when VM is in full screen if possible) at the moment the issue occurs: http://kb.parallels.com/en/9058 and post report ID here. Do the performance counters CPU/Memory/Disk jump when the issue occurs? Do you use any particular apps when it happens?
     
  9. BrianF1

    BrianF1 Junior Member

    Messages:
    10
    I really only use 2 apps in the VM - quickbooks (premier 2014) and thunderbird (current version).
    I created a report, created while experiencing the issues described and while in full screen mode and submitted it with a reference to this thread URL in the comment. The ID is 73022034
     
  10. marat_t

    marat_t Pro

    Messages:
    288
    are you connecting Samsung Android inside VM? a lot of flud in vm.log regarding this. Please open Parallels Desktop Preferences (2 red bars > Preferences > USB Devices > delete Samsung device from the list if it is there. set 'where to connect option' to Ask me what to do. in the Advanced tab press "reset hidden messages" button. For some time do not connect android in VM checking performance.

    Also,
    you may try the following
    1. Increase RAM to 2 or 3 GB (http://kb.parallels.com/en/117287 > Hardware > CPU & Memory)
    2. If it doesn't help do the following: press
    - press cmd+r > type "services.msc" and hit Enter
    - in the list locate the following process
    Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service > right-click > properties > stop, in the startup list choose disabled.
    - do the same for the following services
    - Windows update, Windows search
    3. Now check the performance. If it has improved, enable one service. check performance. In some time enable the second, third. detect which one is responsible.
    Brian, note - I didn't find anything suspicious in the problem report except android flood in VM.log. The advice regarding services s based on my own experience while working in Support.
     
  11. BrianF1

    BrianF1 Junior Member

    Messages:
    10
    I will try those...today, after disabling the things I could in settings, it's so unstable I can't seem to even access the VM enough to CMD+R. I posted another report, not sure if this will provide any new info....ID is 73026507
     
  12. marat_t

    marat_t Pro

    Messages:
    288
    what exactly you mean by unstable? what settings have you disabled?
     
  13. BrianF1

    BrianF1 Junior Member

    Messages:
    10
    I mean completely unresponsive for a minute at a time...like I click something on screen on the VM, if it does anything, it happens 1-2 minutes after I did it and PD itself is listed as "not responding." I've changed nothing besides removing the android from the list so I don't think that's the issue.
     
  14. mmika

    mmika Pro

    Messages:
    488
    Hello BrianF1,
    could you shutdown the VM, go to the config and remove USB controller?
    Then start VM and check for performance issues.
    If it won't help, please generate another report.
    Thank you.
     
  15. BrianF1

    BrianF1 Junior Member

    Messages:
    10
    Can you clarify how to remove the USB controller in config?
     
  16. mmika

    mmika Pro

    Messages:
    488
    In the Parallels Desktop Center window make a right click on the VM item and choose "Configure... " or press gear icon. Go to the "Hardware" tab ( computer memory board icon), select USB&Bluetooth and press square with a minus "-" sign (above a pad lock icon).
     
  17. BrianF1

    BrianF1 Junior Member

    Messages:
    10
    thanks, I will see how that works...however, I use a USB printer, USB flash drives, etc. so this is not a viable long term solution.
     
  18. mmika

    mmika Pro

    Messages:
    488
    Yes, it's a temporary solution. This a sort of big hammer. Actually I see a problem with your SAMSUNG android device.
    That is why I suggested to turn of USB, just not to miss other things.

    PS: could you check/replace USB cabel connected to this device or physical USB port.
     
  19. BrianF1

    BrianF1 Junior Member

    Messages:
    10
    sounds good. I will try this for a week or two and report back.
     

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