11 replies to this topic

[bthlonewolf]

I upgraded to 9.03 and everything works, but noticing in task manager the CPU usage is really high, averaging around 20-25%. This is even outside a game, just loading it with nothing else. Debug is currently 0. Any recommended troubleshooting steps? 

 

EDIT: rolled back to 9.01 and CPU is fine with that version,

Edited by bthlonewolf, 30 August 2025 - 11:11 PM.

[DDH69]

Just saw this post.  My excuse is that I'm away and it slipped through the cracks.

 

I have changed some of the FX, M and IMP event processing in 9.03.  It will consume higher CPU but this should drop quickly, ie < 1 second if no game is being played.  Do you have any other information you can offer?

[bthlonewolf]

No worries, figured you'd look whenever. I tried rolling forward 9.01 -> 9.03 again, and had the same high CPU (consumes around 25% idle, doesn't change much). When I roll back, it drops. Pasting my config file below, though aside from adding the LINX stuff, haven't touched it since... well it looks like Nov 16 2024. Potentially some legacy stuff in there I don't use.

Nothing noteworthy about the config - I do have 2 pinscape devices, but my second device isn't really used for anything than me tinkering, extra buttons etc. The colors file is a copy of the original but scaled back brightness to dim it down. Anything jump out? 

######
# DOFLinx Configuration Tool generated DOFLinx.INI file at 1:50:07 PM Saturday, November 16, 2024
######


DEBUG=0


#COLOUR_FILE=C:\DirectOutput\config\directoutputconfig51.ini
COLOUR_FILE=C:\DOFLinx\colors_10.ini
DIRECTOUTPUTGLOBAL=C:\DirectOutput\config\GlobalConfig_b2SServer.xml
PATH_B2S_SERVER=C:\vPinball\VisualPinball\Tables\
PATH_FX=C:\DOFLinx\FX\
PATH_FX_B2S=C:\DOFLinx\B2S\


PATH_FX2=\
PATH_FX2_B2S=\


PATH_FX3=C:\DOFLinx\FX3\
PATH_FX3_B2S=C:\DOFLinx\B2S\


FP_ATTEMPT_LINK=1


# When to activate, and what is the MAME process to kick things off
PROCESSES=Mame64,PinballFX-Win64-Shipping,Pinball FX3,Future Pinball,Pinball FX2,Pinball FX2.exe,ZaccariaPinball,PinballWicked
MAME_PROCESS=Mame64
PROCESSES_LINX=PinballM-Win64-Shipping


#LINX file locations
PATH_LINX=C:\DOFLinx\Linx\
PATH_LINX_B2S=C:\DOFLinx\B2S\


SSF_ENABLED=1
SSF_SOUND_PATH=C:\DOFLinx\Sounds\
SSF_DEVICE=-1


#---
L_FLIPPER_OUTPUT=118
R_FLIPPER_OUTPUT=119
MAX_FLIPPER_ON=5000
#---


# The keyboard hex code for the key that is used for each flipper from https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/dd375731(v=vs.85).aspx
# Left Shift = A0, Right Shift = A1


L_FLIPPER_KEY=J0102
R_FLIPPER_KEY=J0105


LINK_LF=118,50,10000,255
LINK_RF=119,50,10000,255
LINK_LS=120,50,1000,255
LINK_RS=121,50,1000,255
LINK_ML=122,50,1000,255
LINK_MC=123,50,1000,255
LINK_MR=124,50,1000,255
LINK_BL=125,50,1000,255
LINK_BC=126,50,1000,255
LINK_BR=127,50,1000,255


LINK_FLOL=101
LINK_FLIL=104
LINK_FLCN=107
LINK_FLIR=110
LINK_FLOR=113


# Device and Ports for the shaker, gear motor, knocker, beacon, strobe, fan


LINK_SH=131,1000,5000,255
LINK_GR=133,70,10000,255
LINK_KN=117,120,500,255
LINK_BK=132,ON,0,255
LINK_SR=116,ON,200,50
LINK_FN=1045,100,1000,255


RGB_OUTPUT=1028
RGB_TRIGGER=TIME
RGB_STYLE=RANDOM


#!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
# Manual Entries Section
PIXELCADE_MENU_HISCORE=1
RGB_TRIGGER=TIME
RGB_MIN_TIME=8000


JOY_PORT=1
JOY_X_OFFSET = 32767
JOY_Y_OFFSET = 32767
NUDGE_LEFT_POINT = -2000
NUDGE_RIGHT_POINT = 2000
NUDGE_FORWARD_POINT = 2000
NUDGE_LEFT_KEY = 4C
NUDGE_RIGHT_KEY = 52
NUDGE_FORWARD_KEY = 20
PLUNGER_JOYSTICK_NUMBER=1
PLUNGER_AXIS=Z
PLUNGER_KEY=0D
PLUNGER_PULL_POINT=50000
PLUNGER_RELEASE_POINT=35000


AUTO_MX=1
OUTPUT_GAME_NAME=1


SETTING_ACTIVATE=A0,A1,A2,A3
SETTING_UP=A0
SETTING_DOWN=A1
SETTING_CHANGE=31
SETTING_EXIT=32
SETTING_MESSAGE=L Flipper = Up, R Flipper = Down, Start = Change, EB = Exit
SETTING=UnderCab,115,Under cabinet lighting disabled,Off,Y,114,150
SETTING=Addressable,119,Addressable LEDs Enabled,On,Y,118,50
SETTING=NIGHT,,Night Mode,Off,Y


#!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


######
GAME_COLOUR = AdventureLand,Red,Cyan,Yellow,White,Medium_orchid,Aqua,Dark_turquoise,Medium_purple
GAME_COLOUR = AlienIsolationPinball,Medium_Blue,Lime,Dodger_Blue,Lime_Green
GAME_COLOUR = AliensPinball,Medium_Blue,Dark_Golden_Rod,Dodger_Blue
GAME_COLOUR = AlienvsPredatorPinball,Medium_Blue,Lime_Green,Dodger_Blue,Yellow_Green
GAME_COLOUR = AmericanDadPinball,Medium_Blue,Lime_Green,Dodger_Blue,Yellow_Green
GAME_COLOUR = ArcherPinball,Medium_Blue,Yellow,Dodger_Blue,Blue_Violet
GAME_COLOUR = BacktotheFuture,Light_steel_blue,White,Crimson,Gray,Teal,Yellow,Dodger_blue
GAME_COLOUR = BallyCreatureBlackLagoon,Light_Pink,Green_Yellow,Medium_Sea_Green,Silver,Steel_Blue,Forest_Green,Golden_Rod,Light_Cyan,Orange_Red,Lawn_Green
GAME_COLOUR = Biolab,Dark_Red,Lime,Blue,Cyan,Blue_Violet,Yellow
GAME_COLOUR = Blade,Blue,Blue_Violet,Salmon
GAME_COLOUR = BobaFett,Lime,Golden_Rod,Blue_Violet
GAME_COLOUR = BobsBurgersPinball,Medium_Blue,Lime_Green,Dark_Red,Dodger_Blue,Yellow_Green
GAME_COLOUR = CaptainAmerica,Blue,Dark_Red,Dodger_Blue,Gold
GAME_COLOUR = CastleStorm,Blue,Gold,Lime,Dodger_Blue,Orange,Lime_Green
GAME_COLOUR = CivilWar,Blue,Dark_Red,Dodger_Blue,Light_Salmon
GAME_COLOUR = Deadpool,Dark_Red,Blue,Medium_slate_blue,Dodger_Blue
GAME_COLOUR = DoomPinball,Yellow,Silver,Gray,Dark_Orange,Dim_Gray,Orange_Red,Peru,Crimson
GAME_COLOUR = DoctorStrange,Dark_Red,Blue,Gold,Lime_Green,Dark_Violet,Orange,Dodger_Blue,Lime,Medium_Slate_Blue
GAME_COLOUR = EarthDefense,Dark_Red,Blue,Gold,Dark_Violet,Orange,Dodger_Blue,Lime
GAME_COLOUR = ElDorado,Orange,Lime_Green,Yellow,Coral,Lime,Yellow_Green,Cyan
GAME_COLOUR = EpicQuest,Lime_Green,Dodger_Blue,Yellow_Green,Cyan
GAME_COLOUR = ET,Yellow,Amber,Sky_blue,Sienna,Aqua_marine,Slate_gray,Dark_olive_green
GAME_COLOUR = Excalibur,Dark_Red,Blue,Lime,Dodger_Blue,Cyan
GAME_COLOUR = FalloutPinball,Crimson,White,Red,Brown,Light_Steel_Blue,Slate_Blue
GAME_COLOUR = FamilyGuyPinball,Dodger_Blue,Lime_Green,Salmon,Dark_Violet,Yellow_Green
GAME_COLOUR = FantasticFour,Blue,Yellow,Dodger_Blue,Orange_Red
GAME_COLOUR = FearItself,Dark_Red,Blue,Yellow,Lime,Dark_Violet,Orange
GAME_COLOUR = GhostRider,Dodger_Blue,White,Yellow,Light_Salmon,Orange_Red
GAME_COLOUR = GuardiansoftheGalaxy,Dodger_Blue,Orange,Medium_Purple
GAME_COLOUR = IRONMAN,Blue,Dark_Red,Dodger_Blue,Gold
GAME_COLOUR = Jaws,Dark_turquoise,Gray,White,Salmon,Light_coral,Tan,Papaya_whip,Peru
GAME_COLOUR = JurassicMayhem,Sandy_brown,Forest_green,Dark_green,Dark_olive_green,Dark_khaki,Peru,Tan,Navajo_white,Beige,Dark_golden_rod,Corn_silk
GAME_COLOUR = JurassicPark,Lawn_green,Amber,Yellow,Light_slate_gray,Cadet_blue,Black,Rosy_brown,Light_steel_blue,Medium_sea_green,Silver
GAME_COLOUR = JurassicWorld,Light_steel_blue,Silver,Tan,Forest_green,Gray,Cadet_blue,Yellow_green,Teal,Bisque
GAME_COLOUR = Mars,Blue,Yellow,Deep_sky_blue,Gold
GAME_COLOUR = MarvelsAntMan,Medium_Blue,Dark_Red,Dodger_Blue
GAME_COLOUR = MarvelsAvengersAgeofUltron,Dark_Red,Dodger_Blue,Lime_Green,Light_Salmon,Cyan
GAME_COLOUR = MarvelsTheAvengers,Blue,Dark_Red,Dodger_Blue,Gold
GAME_COLOUR = MarvelsWomenofPowerAForce,Red,Lime,Gold,Slate_Blue,Tomato,Silver,Dark_Orchid,Spring_Green
GAME_COLOUR = MarvelsWomenofPowerChampions,Dodger_Blue,Yellow,Red,Gray,Golden_Rod,Crimson,Orange
GAME_COLOUR = MidwayDrDude,White,Orange_red,Red,Yellow,Forest_green,Crimson,Coral,Medium_turquoise,Golden_rod
GAME_COLOUR = MoonKnight,Dodger_Blue,Blue,Cyan,Royal_Blue
GAME_COLOUR = MsSplosionMan,Dodger_Blue,Pink,Medium_Blue,Purple,Royal_Blue
GAME_COLOUR = Paranormal,Lime_Green,Dodger_Blue,Yellow_Green
GAME_COLOUR = Pasha,Dark_Violet,Golden_Rod,Dodger_Blue
GAME_COLOUR = PlantsVSZombies,Lime_Green,Yellow_Green,Dodger_Blue
GAME_COLOUR = Portal,Dodger_Blue,Yellow_Green,Medium_Blue,Yellow
GAME_COLOUR = Rome,Dark_Red,Gold,Dodger_Blue,Light_Salmon,Yellow_Green,Orange
GAME_COLOUR = SecretsoftheDeep,Blue,Yellow,Dodger_Blue
GAME_COLOUR = Shaman,Dark_Red,Blue,Gold,Dark_Violet,Orange,Dodger_Blue,Lime
GAME_COLOUR = SonofZeus,Dark_orange,Silver,Dark_salmon,Amber,Sienna,Light_steel_blue,Firebrick
GAME_COLOUR = SorcerersLair,Blue,Blue_Violet,Dodger_Blue,Slate_Blue
GAME_COLOUR = SouthParkButtersVeryOwnPinballGame,Dark_Red,Blue,Gold,Dark_Violet,Orange,Dodger_Blue,Lime_Green
GAME_COLOUR = SouthParkSuperSweetPinball,Dark_Red,Lime,Blue,Gold,Dark_Violet,Orange,Dodger_Blue,Lime_Green,Yellow_Green
GAME_COLOUR = SpiderMan,Dark_Red,Lime,Blue,Gold,Dark_Violet,Orange
GAME_COLOUR = StarWarsAhchToIsland,Peru,Tan,Light_Slate_Gray,Light_Golden_Rod,Turquoise,Deep_Sky_Blue,Spring_Green,Steel_Blue
GAME_COLOUR = STARWARSDARTHVADER,Light_sky_blue,Dark_Red,Cyan
GAME_COLOUR = StarWarsEpisodeVTheEmpireStrikesBack,Medium_Blue,Yellow,Dark_Red,Dodger_Blue
GAME_COLOUR = StarWarsEpisodeVIReturnoftheJedi,Slate_Blue,Golden_Rod,Medium_Blue,Lime_Green,Dodger_Blue,Yellow
GAME_COLOUR = StarWarsLastJedi,Gold,Orange_Red,Aqua,Coral,Dark_Khaki,Light_Steel_Blue,Yellow_Green,Steel_Blue
GAME_COLOUR = StarWarsPinballDroids,Medium_Blue,Yellow,Orange,Navy,Gold,Orange_Red
GAME_COLOUR = StarWarsPinballEpisodeIVANewHope,Cyan,Golden_Rod,Dodger_Blue,Yellow
GAME_COLOUR = StarWarsPinballHanSolo,Dodger_Blue,Royal_Blue,Antique_White
GAME_COLOUR = StarWarsPinballMastersoftheForce,Medium_Blue,Salmon,Dodger_Blue,Purple,Cyan,Dark_Red
GAME_COLOUR = StarWarsPinballMightoftheFirstOrder,Light_sky_blue,Dodger_Blue,Dark_Red,Cyan
GAME_COLOUR = StarWarsPinballRogueOne,Gray,Silver,Light_Sky_Blue,Teal,Beige,Bisque,Aqua_Marine,Slate_Gray,Dark_Orange
GAME_COLOUR = StarWarsPinballStarWarsRebels,Medium_Blue,Yellow,Royal_Blue,Orange_Red,Purple,Lime_Green
GAME_COLOUR = StarWarsPinballTheForceAwakens,Dark_Red,Medium_Blue,Blue_Violet
GAME_COLOUR = StarWarsStarfighterAssault,Medium_Blue,Dodger_Blue,Dark_Red
GAME_COLOUR = StarWarsTheCloneWars,Dark_Red,Pink,Medium_Blue,Medium_Turquoise,Lime,Lime_Green
GAME_COLOUR = SuperLeagueASRoma,Lime_Green,Orange,Lime,Yellow,Red
GAME_COLOUR = SuperLeagueZenStudiosFC,Lime_Green,Orange,Lime,Yellow,Red
GAME_COLOUR = SuperLeagueArsenalFC,Lime_Green,Orange,Lime,Yellow,Red
GAME_COLOUR = SuperLeagueLiverpoolFC,Lime_Green,Orange,Lime,Yellow,Red
GAME_COLOUR = SuperLeagueJuventus,Lime_Green,Orange,Lime,Yellow,Red
GAME_COLOUR = SuperLeagueACMilan,Lime_Green,Orange,Lime,Yellow,Red
GAME_COLOUR = SuperLeagueRealMadridCF,Lime_Green,Medium_Blue,Lime,Yellow,Red
GAME_COLOUR = SuperLeagueFCBarcelona,Slate_Blue,Lime_Green,Yellow,Blue_Violet,Lime,Red
GAME_COLOUR = Tesla,Lime_Green,Yellow_Green,Dodger_Blue,Golden_Rod
GAME_COLOUR = TheElderScrollsVSkyrimPinball,Light_Slate_Gray,Gold,Golden_Rod,Dark_Sea_Green,Peru,Tan
GAME_COLOUR = TheInfinity Gauntlet,Dark_Red,Blue,Gold,Dark_Violet,Orange,Dodger_Blue,Lime
GAME_COLOUR = TheWalkingDead,Lime_Green,Royal_Blue,Yellow_Green
GAME_COLOUR = Thor,Dark_Red,Blue,Gold,Dark_Violet,Orange,Dodger_Blue,Lime
GAME_COLOUR = V12,Dark_Red,Blue,Gold,Dark_Violet,Orange,Dodger_Blue
GAME_COLOUR = Venom,Dark_Red,Blue,Dark_Violet,Dodger_Blue
GAME_COLOUR = WildWestRampage,Yellow_Green,Dodger_Blue,Royal_Blue
GAME_COLOUR = WMSFishTales,Forest_green,Medium_spring_green,Pale_green,Aqua,Blue,Golden_Rod,Dark_turquoise,Gold,Deep_sky_blue,Sandy_brown,Green
GAME_COLOUR = WMSFunHouse,Blue,Amber,Dark_green,Dodger_blue,Yellow,Red,Green,Peru,Orange_red,Golden_rod
GAME_COLOUR = WMSGetaway,Red,Steel_blue,Dim_gray,Navy,Dark_red,Teal
GAME_COLOUR = WMSHurricane,Gray,Lawn_Green,Slate_Gray,Dark_Orange,Dark_Blue,Medium_Blue,Cyan,Orange_Red,Papaya_Whip
GAME_COLOUR = WMSJunkyard,Amber,Lawn_green,Burly_wood,Orange,Peru,Dark_turquoise
GAME_COLOUR = WMSMedievalMadness,Yellow,Amber,Rosy_brown,Firebrick,Forest_green,Gray,Dark_salmon,Dark_orange
GAME_COLOUR = WMSMonsterBash,Lime,Amber,Dark_Turquoise,Sky_Blue,Lawn_Green,Orchid,Deep_Pink,Thistle,Light_Sky_Blue
GAME_COLOUR = WMSRedAndTedRoadShow,Yellow,Orange,Orange_Red,Forest_Green,Yellow_Green,Blue,Navy,Magenta,White
GAME_COLOUR = WMSSpaceStation,Red,Dim_gray,Orange,Dark_orange,Medium_blue,Silver
GAME_COLOUR = WMSWhiteWater,Peru,Blue,Royal_Blue,Light_Steel_Blue,Sienna,Aqua,Turquoise,Yellow,Beige
GAME_COLOUR = Wolverine,Dark_Red,Medium_Blue,Yellow,Dark_Violet
GAME_COLOUR = WorldWarHulk,Lime_Green,Yellow_Green,Dodger_Blue,Lime,Yellow
GAME_COLOUR = XMen,Blue,Blue_Violet,Gold,Dodger_Blue,Slate_Blue,Orange

[DDH69]

Thanks for the details, helpful.

 

The issue is all about trying to make the table event listening and processing go faster for the really fast bits of Pinball M.  I've attached a beta that I believe resolves the high CPU when not playing or idle.  If you are OK to try it an report back that would be great, otherwise I'll leave it until the next full round of testing.

Attached Files

•  DOFLinx_V904_B2.zip   486.88KB   3 downloads

[bthlonewolf]

Tried it and seems to work! I did not try it with Pinball M but can do that tomorrow. When idle/desktop the cpu drops to near zero. I’m sure this is intentional as a test version but does open the debug window. If there is a scenario that needs testing let me know. 

[DDH69]

Thanks. Yes all Beta versions run with full debugging and visible.  Let me know how it goes with Pinball M.

[bthlonewolf]

OK ran it a bit in FX and M. The CPU goes really high (25% -- which may just be maxing out whatever core it's on, though I didn't switch to individual processor view) when in those games. That seems really high -- it's higher than Pinball FX and M themselves except for occasional spikes. I know you mentioned needing to process faster for some of the multiballs, but still seems super high.  

[bthlonewolf]

Hey again -- so, I ran 9.0.1 but this time watched CPU while playing FX. It too was using around 25% CPU, so could be "normal" and I just never had cause to notice because I wasn't in the game. So bottom line, I don't think this is new to 9.0.3 -- not sure if it's new to 9.0.1.

 

All that said though, it's kind of strange that DOFLinx is using more CPU than PinballFX (or Pinball M); I realize most of the games are going to be GPU bound, but even so wanted to mention. 

[andrew00252025]

High CPU usage outside of gameplay is often linked to background services, driver-level polling, or shader/cache rebuilding after an update, especially if FX or input event processing was changed. I’d recommend checking per-core usage, disabling unnecessary startup tasks, and monitoring whether the load shifts once the engine finishes its initial processing cycle. In many cases, this points to a CPU–GPU workload imbalance rather than a pure software bug, and understanding CPU bottleneck issues can help identify whether the processor is being overutilized before the game loop fully stabilizes. Also worth testing with V-Sync or frame caps enabled to reduce unnecessary CPU scheduling overhead.

[DDH69]

@andrew00252025 welcome to the forums.

 

While I do not doubt what you say, this was in fact a software bug fixed in a subsequent release.  From the release note below.

 

 

9.05 2/10/25

- Resolve issue with Pinball FX, M and IMP event queue not pausing at the correct time causing too much CPU usage

 

 

[digitalarts]

@DDH69
afaik this "user" is a bot, with ai-generated answer, relating the last post, and as usual with a link to a suspicious website...

[DDH69]

@DDH69
afaik this "user" is a bot, with ai-generated answer, relating the last post, and as usual with a link to a suspicious website...

 

Thanks for the "heads up", I clearly missed that point and fell for that one while trying to be nice to a new user!  Sadly, more vigilant next time.