In message , Paul
writes:
J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:
[]
I was referring to the suggestion someone made that most AV 'wares these
days assume they're on a multicore system, and cause heavy load if run
on a single-core system. I was wondering if they might have a setting to
prevent them trying to multiprocess. (Probably not, as presumably it
should be possible to do it - the detection of whether multicore or not
- automatically, so if they don't, they're not going to bother.)

In Windows, you can use Task Manager and the "Affinity" setting,
to force an executable to stay on a particular core. On a multicore
system, that would effectively reduce the loading on the system.
On a single core system, Affinity is not going to help you as
you only have one core to begin with.
[]
I was saying that if software is written to multiprocess, i. e. assume
that it has multiple cores to run on, then running it on a single core
will make it run inefficiently - and I was saying that ideally the
software ought to run in a different _way_ - one thing at a time - if it
is told (or, ideally, detects) that it is running on a single-core
system.

Obviously, if it _doesn't_ have a single-processor mode, then as you say
"Affinity" won't help (it won't help on a single core no matter what! IF
anything it'll slightly reduce efficiency just because it'll waste time
trying to move one counter around).
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G.5AL-IS-P--Ch++(p)Ar@T0H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

I am what I am - I am my own special creation;
I am what I am, and what I am needs no excuses.