Actinic Memory usage

[stuartn]

Just to see if anyone else finds this -

We have the machine which contains Actinic running for several hours at a time - and during each session Actinic is running in the background. I would imagine that this is the normal usage for Actinic.

However during these sessions if I look in Task Manager at the memory usage, Actinic is using at least 150,000k and has been seen at over 260,000k. All this means is that any other application running on the machine freezes up as the 1gb of ram in this machine is being eaten up. The other applications are only things such as outlook, occasionally internet explorer so nothing extreme.

Also, from the moment Actinic is started on the machine (we are using Actinic v8.0.3) all actions which were previously very quick in v7 are now very very slow to the point where the hour glass is showing and it almost hits a state of not responding.

Does Actinic have known memory leaks? As it certainly doesnt seem to release memory after actions are taken. Whilst a 1Gb ram machine is by no means top spec, Actinic shouldn't really be pushing it to its limits.

What are anyone elses experiences - if indeed there are any?

[jont]

This was discussed in length when v8 first released.. may be worth doing a search to see what was said .... it is a weightier product but saying that I am currently on a spare machine 1gb RAM with v8.5.1, PhotoShop CS2, Dreamweaver v8, Firefox, IE6 and IE7 open and it is running with no delays... can't recall if the v8.5 upgrade was meant to fix the issues but in any case it is now safe to move to v8.5.0 or v8.5.1 from your v8.0.3 as loads of bugs have been fixed since.

[TraceyHand]

well I certainly find V8 much much slower...for everything!
Especially when adding components etc (no preview pane open) the whole thing stops dead for a while before recovering

Uploading is well documented in the forums as being snail's pace compared to previous versions... but are you saying that even "on tickover" (not working in it) it's still using a high amount of memory?
I just checked mine and it was using about 70,000...opening up the previww pane (which I never use) or the design tab added about another 10,000 to it..but I'd say that's normal?

I also had Firefox open but inactive and that was using 90,000

I don't know what is normal..but I do know tha my previous laptop with 512mb ram did struggle with Actinic/Stock control mole and additional use (photo editting/web browsing) all at once..but then I am something of a multi-tasker and usually have 3 or 4 things on the go...

[pinbrook]

at present i have FF, fireworks, excel, notepad, thunderbird and actinic 8.5.1 all open, i'm flitting through products adding page titles using the arrows to jump from one section to the next with no slowness

dual core, 1024 mem

[TraceyHand]

I certainly noticed a HUGE jump in performance between my old laptop (512) and the new one (1gb, dual core)...

Although, it still freezes momentarily when I add components 'n' stuff

[jont]

Dual core makes a huge difference to the Actinic performs

[stuartn]

Hmm - when I'm doing new products or other web work I have dreamweaver, photoshop, and IE open. When I do a simple task, such as adding a new component or attribute - it takes about 5 to 10 seconds from clicking the action on the menu.

[TraceyHand]

When I do a simple task, such as adding a new component or attribute - it takes about 5 to 10 seconds from clicking the action on the menu.

I have the same problem on my machine.
components, attributes and choices. I can click on add and enter the details fine..but as soon as I move onto the next thing (so, in effect, "applying" the change) it freezes for a short while.

Glad that's not just me. Rather annoying though as I do this a lot

[stuartn]

I have the same problem on my machine.
components, attributes and choices. I can click on add and enter the details fine..but as soon as I move onto the next thing (so, in effect, "applying" the change) it freezes for a short while.

Glad that's not just me. Rather annoying though as I do this a lot

Yeah, its really annoying. Happens with new product as well - just tried it and from clicking New Product in a fairly small section to the blank product appearing took 12 seconds.

[jont]

Do you have the preview window open when adding products? Try disabling this to see if that speeds things a little.

Which version of IE are you using? Do you use Spy Bot? There are reported issues (not on this forum) with Spy Bot causing delays via the IE rendering engine (typically Outlook) which Actinic also uses .. this is due to a recent windows update patch ... if you do run Spy Bot disable the Immunize function for IE first or uninstall .... just a thought....

[stuartn]

Thanks for taking the time again.

No, we have never used the preview pane - as we have been using Actinic since v4 so are happier without it!

The machine has IE7 installed, but we don't use Spy Bot - but thanks for the info.

[Mike Hughes]

Hi Stuart,

V8.0.4 addressed a lot of speed issues and is significantly faster than earlier versions. If I were you I'd try 8.5.1 and see if you find it any better.

Mike

[Duncan Rounding]

I'm running v850 (with modified catalog) and have no big issues with pauses or speed during normal use, even with the preview pane open - although I do keep it closed most of the time.

I normally have PS CS2, DW, Avant browser, Outlook, VNC and Excel open. I have a single core Asus 3.6 P4 but with max Ram of 4Gb (although Windows XP can only use I think max of 3.2Gb).

Dual core seems to be faster but single core with lots af RAM seems to be ok as well.

[Jan]

Actinic V8 does have very high memory usage for sites with lots of sections, this is due to the local data caches within the app. It doesn't have any memory leaks though.

I've just improved the performance of my developement machine by changing the visual effects setting (control panel, system, advanced, performance) from 'Adjust for best appearance' to 'Adjust for best performance', we've also done this on our Vista machines and seen a big improvement in speed.

Regards,

[TraceyHand]

that's interesting, Jan..might have a look at that

I never use my preview screen but the delay I get adding components etc is just like the rendering delay you get when it's refreshing a preview...only without the preview.. (and this is using 8.5.1)

Might have a play with the performance settings and see what effect that has.