Windows is slow when unzipping rar files?

Robert · 19 Nov 2006 at 14:10

When I'm unzipping a 700mb rar file, windows becomes really slow? I'm using a Core 2 Duo - I was expecting windows to stay responsive? I'm quite stumped by this or is this how it is?

modo77 · 19 Nov 2006 at 14:11

depending on what app your using to extract you can normally set how much cpu it uses.

Robert · 19 Nov 2006 at 14:14

I'm using winrar at the moment.

modo77 · 19 Nov 2006 at 16:14

lanch winrar, options, settings, general, tick low priority

marc_howarth · 19 Nov 2006 at 18:37

I didn't think uncompressing things used up that much CPU usage

I always thought that the HD speed was always the limiting factor

dirtydog · 19 Nov 2006 at 18:40

Why is Windows becoming slow - is your cpu usage spiking, or is it because of the HDD access?

bigmouse64 · 19 Nov 2006 at 18:44

It depends on the compression method.

Clarkey · 19 Nov 2006 at 18:52

i thought the whole point of a dual core cpu was to prevent this kind of thing :confused:

Steve09 · 19 Nov 2006 at 19:03

I was using WinRar to unRar a 3.46GB file, it stayed responsive and I could do other things too, just like I normally would have.

Robert · 19 Nov 2006 at 19:20

7-zip is fine. I just put winrar back on and "multithreading" along with "low priority" is ticked. The system is slow compared to using 7-zip.

NathanE · 19 Nov 2006 at 20:46

Try it without multithreading ticked...

Caged · 19 Nov 2006 at 21:04

Robert said:
When I'm unzipping a 700mb rar file, windows becomes really slow? I'm using a Core 2 Duo - I was expecting windows to stay responsive? I'm quite stumped by this or is this how it is?

Just a minor point that I keep seeing appearing in threads - most of those sentences aren't questions, and neither is the thread title

bledd · 20 Nov 2006 at 10:11

Robert said:
7-zip is fine. I just put winrar back on and "multithreading" along with "low priority" is ticked. The system is slow compared to using 7-zip.

yup

i've found 7zip to be a really quick unrarer (new word?

), and if you're on a rubbish pc, you can set the priority to background, so pc is still useable

for new 7zip icons, use my dll patcher http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=72869

run the 7zipicons.exe file and it'll do it all for you (providing your 7zip install is in %programfiles%\7-zip (default))

Robert · 23 Nov 2006 at 16:48

Does anyone recommend anything other than 7zip and winrar? I'm having some issues with 7-zip and rar files.

MadMatty · 23 Nov 2006 at 22:14

maybe cool n quiet if you have it is enabled ? ive found that for some reason, unraring with winrar doesnt always bring cpu out of low power mode so its being maxed out and slowing windows as well as slow unpacking.

snowdog · 23 Nov 2006 at 23:37

Disable multithreading in winrar options, if still lags then its ** hdd...