Sorta Kinda -- Need Help Speeding Up this Slow i7 -- VMWARE question #2 -NOOBIE

[crazyodaz]

k -- maybe not slow -- but come on -- dang computer is over 5 years old!!!

one of these days / years -- i will prolly have to break down and buy a new MID-BUDGET computer -- but price per buck -- this lil ASUS P67 (previously recalled) -- is hanging right in there with some of the big boys --- granted, it can be OC'd bit more, -- dang video card might be lucky to play tetrus or asteroids -- but ya get my drift -- 5 years ago, this $700 computer upgrade is hanging in there.

THIS DANG UEFI CRuD --- IF i had a big electrical spike tommorow, and my computer got fried -- i would cry --- to be honest, I would not even know where to start looking for a replacement -- my current (and latest offered) bios is from 2012 --  back in the day, we did not ask questions, if we saw a UPDATE -- we did it, we trusted both computer manufactures and the Billy-Boy gates --- I swear to god, ever since Windows 10 release a year ago, I learned so much about my privacy and how i suddenly "DISPISE" Microsoft --- so yes -- Computer Nerd of "X" amount of years --- only 6 months under Linux

I've seen allot of changes since 1995 --- remember my first upgrade from the C64  back then -- wow --- and I know you saw it too --- computers ESCULATED so fast and so quick -- 5 year old computer ? --- UN-HEARD OF back then!!

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LETS END THIS MUMBO-JUMBO
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so that's my history, long time WINDOWS USER -- past 6 months under MINT when i suddenly found out that MICROSOFT and Win10 -- lets just say the immediate driver downloads last fall with my NVIDIA card - i was not a happy camper --- like most users I "UPGRADED" to windows 10 ---- ran good at first -- but WAIT........... I AM NERD.... HEAR ME ROAR!!! -- format, clean install Windows 10 -- make Windows 10 faster by formating and clean install that bitc.............

I rest my case --- clean formating install was the worst thing I could have done to my Windows 10 ---- I troubleshooted for a few months, but the more i researched, the more I learned --- I came over to your side of the world --- the LINUX SIDE

========= THERE YA HAVE IT .... LONG STORY SHORT

so now I've been playing inside MINT for the past 6 months or so,  learning new things, learning what it takes to actually be a "DEDICATED" computer user --- to throw in them extra commands at the terminal from time to time and yes --- i still got so much to learn.

http://sparkylinux.org/forum/index.php/topic,3576.0.html --- Ya see I sorta solved a "MINOR" issue with Sparky / Debian that I did not experience with mint -- thanks to the help of this board

being such a new linux user, I still rely on windows -- in my case i install both Win7 and XP in virtual machines from my Linux setup -- pretty much leaving Linux in control -- hell, once ya loose my trust its hard to get it back, and billy-boy gates lost my trust

but i need windows for some simple drivers mainly in the USB land --- hell, we all been there and done that -- I can't be the only one

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HERE IS MY RUN-DOWN

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1) run Linux --- (currently Sparky 4.3 / Debian) -- with the least amount of resources
2) Once inside Linux --- IF I CHOOSE --- run VMWARE (Vbox won't work because lack of USB driver support)

and do step #2 with memory and resources saved from running linux --- I have been contimplating on upgrading my DDR3 to 4x8gb -- still stuck if 1600 or 1866 will make a difference in my 2nd gen i7 --- the ASUS motherboard is good --- p8p67-pro rev 3.1 --- supports the XMP ram

I know the extra 16gb ram will help, specially while running VM's --- so this is on my list before Turkey-Day / Black Friday --- along with another HD for storage as KODI and video streaming takes allot when ya decide to save every episode :p

===== I guess my Main Question --- My Main concern -- would be to ask if there is a simple way to update these kernels --- Sparky's already to 4.6.x -- and I am stuck at 4.5.x -- because of my stuborness to leave VM's and Microsoft alone

here is screen shot when i try to run VMWARE from 4.6.x kernel


================= WHAT A MESS =======

YEA I know --- crazy --- and I did read somwhere that I might have to modify the "TAR" file to actually fix this --- but for some reason I cant get that to work -- maybe i gotta bring that "TAR" into the VM and use WINRAR -- but alias -- i cant start the VM ----

====================== 500,456,842 words later

guess all I am asking --- is does somebody have a simple way to update kernels and at the same time make VMWare happy ?

currently everything works --- buit I am stuck on kernel 4.5 -- had to use grub-customizer to backtrack my kernel update and automatically boot into old kernel ----

thanx --- sorry -- guess i like to ramble -- keeps me from getting old timers :p

[paxmark1]

Maybe not the reply you want, but I do have a satisfactory Windows 7 in virtualbox in Debian testing with LXDE.  It sounds like you have enough ram.  Question does your cpu have Vt-x (intel) or AMD-v on your cpu?  I myself use the command "inxi -f" to check.  You can also check that from your bios. 

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inxi -f
CPU:       Dual core Intel Core i3-4170 (-HT-MCP-) cache: 3072 KB
           clock speeds: max: 3700 MHz 1: 3700 MHz 2: 3700 MHz 3: 3702 MHz 4: 3700 MHz
           CPU Flags: abm acpi aes aperfmperf apic arat arch_perfmon avx avx2 bmi1 bmi2 bts clflush cmov
           constant_tsc cx16 cx8 de ds_cpl dtes64 dtherm dts eagerfpu ept erms est f16c flexpriority fma fpu
           fsgsbase fxsr ht invpcid lahf_lm lm mca mce mmx monitor movbe msr mtrr nonstop_tsc nopl nx pae pat pbe
           pcid pclmulqdq pdcm pdpe1gb pebs pge pln pni popcnt pse pse36 pts rdrand rdtscp rep_good sdbg sep smep
           ss sse sse2 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 syscall tm tm2 tpr_shadow tsc tsc_adjust tsc_deadline_timer vme vmx
           vnmi vpid xsave xsaveopt xtopology xtpr


The vmx flag confirms that I have virtual capability.  An intel core i3 is more than sufficient.  8GB ram is enough. There should be no difference for you between Sparky and a standard Debian testing install for virtualbox and probably none for vmware. 

Do you have Vt-x - vmx?

The 4.6.0 kernel has had problems for more than a few in Debian testing.  Staying with the 4.5 kernel for an older machine should be no problems, vmware will be slow to upgrade to newer kernels, their major profit for linux people buying the licensed version will be users on stable versions of linux.  Do you experience problems with the 4.5 kernel.  If not, maybe just wait. 

What are the specifications of your present computer?   I am fond of inxi as are others here in Debian Testing-unstable.    inxi -b would give more than enough info.  For me.

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inxi -b                                                                                                                                           
System:    Host: raunes Kernel: 4.6.0-1-amd64 x86_64 (64 bit) Console: tty 0 Distro: Debian GNU/Linux stretch/sid                                                   
Machine:   Mobo: Gigabyte model: H81M-S2H GSM v: x.x Bios: American Megatrends v: F2 date: 08/11/2015                                                               
CPU:       Dual core Intel Core i3-4170 (-HT-MCP-) speed/max: 3699/3700 MHz                                                                                         
Graphics:  Card: Intel 4th Generation Core Processor Family Integrated Graphics Controller                                                                           
           Display Server: X.org 1.18.3 drivers: intel (unloaded: fbdev,vesa)                                                                                       
           tty size: 165x47 Advanced Data: N/A out of X                                                                                                             
Network:   Card: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet Controller driver: r8169                                                                     
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 3500.7GB (18.0% used)                                                                                                                     
Info:      Processes: 158 Uptime: 32 min Memory: 4929.0/7446.8MB Init: systemd runlevel: 5                                                                           
           Client: Shell (bash) inxi: 2.3.0   

[crazyodaz]

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user@computer:~$ inxi -b
System:    Host: computer Kernel: 4.5.0-1-amd64 x86_64 (64 bit)
           Desktop: LXDE (Openbox 3.6.1) Distro: SparkyLinux Tyche
Machine:   Mobo: ASUSTeK model: P8P67 PRO REV 3.1 v: Rev 1.xx
           Bios: American Megatrends v: 3602 date: 11/01/2012
CPU:       Quad core Intel Core i7-2600K (-HT-MCP-) speed/max: 4289/5900 MHz
Graphics:  Card: NVIDIA GF116 [GeForce GTX 550 Ti]
           Display Server: X.Org 1.18.3 drivers: nouveau (unloaded: fbdev,vesa)
           Resolution: 1920x1080@60.00hz, 1920x1080@60.00hz
           GLX Renderer: Gallium 0.4 on NVCF GLX Version: 3.0 Mesa 11.2.2
Network:   Card: Intel 82579V Gigabit Network Connection driver: e1000e
Drives:    HDD Total Size: 15253.0GB (74.6% used)
Info:      Processes: 248 Uptime: 13:21 Memory: 1477.6/16018.7MB
           Client: Shell (bash) inxi: 2.3.0
user@computer:~$ inxi -f
CPU:       Quad core Intel Core i7-2600K (-HT-MCP-) cache: 8192 KB
           clock speeds: max: 5900 MHz 1: 4299 MHz 2: 4299 MHz 3: 4299 MHz
           4: 4299 MHz 5: 4299 MHz 6: 4299 MHz 7: 4299 MHz 8: 4299 MHz
           CPU Flags: acpi aes aperfmperf apic arat arch_perfmon avx bts
           clflush cmov constant_tsc cx16 cx8 de ds_cpl dtes64 dtherm dts
           eagerfpu epb ept est flexpriority fpu fxsr ht ida lahf_lm lm mca
           mce mmx monitor msr mtrr nonstop_tsc nopl nx pae pat pbe pcid
           pclmulqdq pdcm pebs pge pln pni popcnt pse pse36 pts rdtscp
           rep_good sep ss sse sse2 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 syscall tm tm2
           tpr_shadow tsc tsc_deadline_timer vme vmx vnmi vpid xsave xsaveopt
           xtopology xtpr



interesting -- yea I knew about the VMX -- just did not know the INXI -f was showed more info than -Fxx --- anyways, guess that pretty much my only gripe, just glad i was able to use grub-customizer to get around the 4.6 kernel update --- again like stated in previous post #1 -- VirtualBox is not a option for me as my internet phone uses some freaky USB driver that linux does not support, but works fine if plugged in via VMWARE --- stupid cheap MAGICJACK phone -- but I'm paid up till 2022 so I keep it --

guess ill just learn to have more patience with VMWARE and the update process ---- the 2600k that I have is outdated, it is 5+years old, but it is no slouch -- If I remember correctly Intel themselves kinda slowed down the 3rd and 4th gen chips just a tad because they made the sandybridges tad too well, -- i could be wrong, but even after all these years -- price point wise, i would not benifet that greatly from upgrading to the new skylake's mainly because i don't game that much-- worst I do is maybe some video editing very minor stuff

NOT SAYING A SKYLAKE would NOT IMPROVE MY LIFE --- just saying price wise, for new MB, DDR4, yada, yada, yada, --- just prolly be easider to either upgrade my old Nvidia 550TI -- or -- yank out the (4x4)--16gb ram, and throw in the max ASUS supported 4x8 (32gb) --- XMP ----- the 2600k I have now is watercooled -- and I keep a moderate 4.4ghz OC on it so that it lasts longer ---- no need to really push this CPU

this is why I enable the CPU throttling --- when at idle sticks around 1600mhz -- I love Linux for this, Windows Hates to Throttle Down like that -- when doing something throttles back up to 4400mhz ----- why inxi shows 5900mhz max is beyond me -- maybe i could push this 2600k up there if i wanted, both the ASUS P8P67-PRO and the i7-2600k are a perfect match for that, but I would prolly need better water cooler and maybe 2133 ram instead of the 1666 I have now  --- again really no point for such minor gain

anyways, thanx for the feedback ---- and sorry for the ramble's --- guess I am more than less just venting,  just hoping one of these days that a future kernel update would have support for my USB MagicJack Phone --- yea, good luck with that --- LOL

thanks again