Notice a lack of performance in your virtual server recently?
Can’t figure out why all those older Windows 98 or ME (cough) Virtual machines are slowing it down?
Having issues with idle machines using precious amounts of CPU power?
Maybe it is as simple as disabling the screen saver. Remember each virtual machine is a full computer, and like any desktop probably has a really stupid default screen saver loaded. Check each virtual machine next time your logged in and make sure it is either A) disabled or B) blank screen. Don’t waste your cpu cycles on a marque or bouncing box which no one will ever see.
Also while you are in there, take some time to look at other services which may be running on the virtual machines.
As a side note, if you want to go in the other direction, check out Ben’s post here:
http://blogs.msdn.com/virtual_pc_guy/archive/2006/04/26/581928.aspx
Sources:
http://www.mistywindow.com/windows/windows-setup/power-options.htm
May 18th, 2007 at 7:25 pm
Great point! While flying toasters were way cool, you bring up something that most people just take for granted. People should keep in mind that while virtual machines can be clones of their physical machines, you don’t want to always treat them in exactly the same way. Case in point, turn off those screen savers and conserve your CPU cycles!
May 21st, 2007 at 2:49 am
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