Slow program startup

vmelkon · 04-11-2021, 12:32 PM

Allo all,
I have been using Kubuntu 18.04 for a few months and then I switched to Kubuntu 20.10. Together, I have been using both since Jan 2020.
I find that when I open Brave, Chromium, Firefox, Steam, LibreOffice Writer, it takes a long while for them to open.
I don’t think that the version of these software matters. Steam upgrades itself often. Firefox upgrades itself once a month. For LibreOffice, I upgrade it manually.

Compared to Win 7 64 bit, it takes maybe 3 to 10 times the time. It is just too noticeable.
For example, I guesstimate that opening LibreOffice Writer on Windows takes 3 s. On Kubuntu, it is more like 15 s.
Steam is the slowest to open of the bunch or maybe it is Brave (but I never ran Brave on Win 7 64 bit).

I am running both OSes on the same PC.
Win 7 is on a 500 GB HDD and Kubuntu is on a 1 TB HDD.

I’m more interested in hearing experiences from folks who have HDD.
If you have SSD, I doubt that you will notice. I would not notice a difference between 1 ms and 10 ms startup time.

The Kubuntu is on
----------------------------------------
WD Caviar Blue 1 TB SATA3 6GB/s
7200 rpm
64 MB Cache
8.9 cm
MODEL = WD10EZEX
THE DRIVE HAS 4K SECTORS.

The Win 7 64 bit is on
----------------------------------------
SATA3 6GB/s
7200 RPM
16 MB cache
3.5 inch
8.9 cm
MODEL = ST500DM002
It has 1 disk
Average latency = 4.16 ms

~~~~vmelkon

translator1111 · 04-12-2021, 12:23 PM

Dear vmelkon,
a way to follow what happens when starting a program is to start it in the terminal.
For example:
you could type in the terminal "Brave", write down the time to launch it, and look into you terminal what operations are being carried out.

Probably has nothing to do, but I found in my /var/log/boot that system was looking to a recently deleted swap partition.
Your SPECS seems very powerful for being a problem related to performance of your System.

Only a hint.

Regards,
T

vmelkon · 04-14-2021, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by translator1111

Dear vmelkon,
a way to follow what happens when starting a program is to start it in the terminal.
For example:
you could type in the terminal "Brave", write down the time to launch it, and look into you terminal what operations are being carried out.

Probably has nothing to do, but I found in my /var/log/boot that system was looking to a recently deleted swap partition.
Your SPECS seems very powerful for being a problem related to performance of your System.

Only a hint.

Regards,
T

For Steam, I typed steam and looks like it launched it but I wouldn't know what to do with this

Code:

Running Steam on ubuntu 20.10 64-bit
STEAM_RUNTIME is enabled automatically
Pins up-to-date!
Steam client's requirements are satisfied
WARNING: Using default/fallback debugger launch
/home/john/.local/share/Steam/ubuntu12_32/steam
[2021-04-15 00:14:45] Startup - updater built Apr 12 2021 18:51:36
[2021-04-15 00:14:45] Opted in to client beta 'publicbeta' via beta file
You are in the 'publicbeta' client beta.
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
[2021-04-15 00:14:46] Loading cached metrics from disk (/home/john/.local/share/Steam/package/steam_client_metrics.bin)
[2021-04-15 00:14:46] Using the following download hosts for Public, Realm steamglobal
[2021-04-15 00:14:46] 1. https://cdn.cloudflare.steamstatic.com, /client/, Realm 'steamglobal', weight was 100, source = 'update_hosts_cached.vdf'
[2021-04-15 00:14:46] 2. https://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com, /client/, Realm 'steamglobal', weight was 100, source = 'update_hosts_cached.vdf'
[2021-04-15 00:14:46] 3. http://media.steampowered.com, /client/, Realm 'steamglobal', weight was 1, source = 'baked in'
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
[2021-04-15 00:14:46] Verifying installation...
[2021-04-15 00:14:46] Verification complete
Loaded SDL version 2.0.15-6484190
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
STEAM_RUNTIME_HEAVY: ./steam-runtime-heavy
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
CAppInfoCacheReadFromDiskThread took 225 milliseconds to initialize
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
[0415/001456.204053:INFO:crash_reporting.cc(247)] Crash reporting enabled for process: browser
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
[0415/001457.807674:WARNING:crash_reporting.cc(286)] Failed to set crash key: UserID with value: 0
[0415/001457.807734:WARNING:crash_reporting.cc(286)] Failed to set crash key: BuildID with value: 1618253516
[0415/001457.807740:WARNING:crash_reporting.cc(286)] Failed to set crash key: SteamUniverse with value: Public
[0415/001457.807745:WARNING:crash_reporting.cc(286)] Failed to set crash key: Vendor with value: Valve
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
CApplicationManagerPopulateThread took 9643 milliseconds to initialize (will have waited on CAppInfoCacheReadFromDiskThread)
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
[0415/001505.579569:WARNING:crash_reporting.cc(286)] Failed to set crash key: UserID with value: 0
[0415/001505.579626:WARNING:crash_reporting.cc(286)] Failed to set crash key: BuildID with value: 1618253516
[0415/001505.579635:WARNING:crash_reporting.cc(286)] Failed to set crash key: SteamUniverse with value: Public
[0415/001505.579644:WARNING:crash_reporting.cc(286)] Failed to set crash key: Vendor with value: Valve
[0415/001505.580200:INFO:crash_reporting.cc(247)] Crash reporting enabled for process: gpu-process
Proceed to auto login
Opted-in Controller Mask for AppId 0: 0
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)

(steam:3076): Gtk-WARNING **: 00:15:07.780: gtk_disable_setlocale() must be called before gtk_init()
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
roaming config store loaded successfully - 2704 bytes.
migrating temporary roaming config store
BRefreshApplicationsInLibrary 1: 53ms
[0415/001511.215678:WARNING:crash_reporting.cc(286)] Failed to set crash key: UserID with value: 0
[0415/001511.215738:WARNING:crash_reporting.cc(286)] Failed to set crash key: BuildID with value: 1618253516
[0415/001511.215744:WARNING:crash_reporting.cc(286)] Failed to set crash key: SteamUniverse with value: Public
[0415/001511.215749:WARNING:crash_reporting.cc(286)] Failed to set crash key: Vendor with value: Valve
[0415/001511.264394:INFO:crash_reporting.cc(247)] Crash reporting enabled for process: utility
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
[0415/001516.687432:INFO:crash_reporting.cc(270)] Crash reporting enabled for process: renderer
[0415/001517.458627:INFO:crash_reporting.cc(270)] Crash reporting enabled for process: renderer
[0415/001517.460316:INFO:crash_reporting.cc(270)] Crash reporting enabled for process: renderer
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
Failed to init SteamVR because it isn't installed
ExecCommandLine: "'/home/john/.local/share/Steam/ubuntu12_32/steam'"
System startup time: 41.47 seconds
[0415/001529.726298:INFO:crash_reporting.cc(270)] Crash reporting enabled for process: renderer
[0415/001529.730007:INFO:crash_reporting.cc(270)] Crash reporting enabled for process: renderer
BuildCompleteAppOverviewChange: 128
RegisterForAppOverview 1: 513ms
RegisterForAppOverview 2: 513ms
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
[0415/001535.757585:ERROR:frame_sink_video_capturer_impl.cc(206)] Invalid resolutions constraints: 0x0 must not be greater than 0x0; and also within media::limits.
[0415/001536.236219:ERROR:frame_sink_video_capturer_impl.cc(206)] Invalid resolutions constraints: 0x0 must not be greater than 0x0; and also within media::limits.
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)
Installing breakpad exception handler for appid(steam)/version(1618256785)

translator1111 · 04-16-2021, 04:41 AM

Dear vmelkon,
in your output
I can see:
"System startup time: 41.47 seconds"
but also
RegisterForAppOverview 1: 513ms
RegisterForAppOverview 2: 513ms

which value will you say is the approximate to reality?

I have not installed Steam, so I am not sure which value is valid and I am not sure if some of the errors are relevant
[0415/001535.757585:ERROR:frame_sink_video_capturer_impl.cc(206)]
Warnings, crash, ...
maybe not relevant though

the only think to consider is sometimes the error occurred but the application goes further running.
I am afraid I cannot help you more now, sorry
T.

vmelkon · 04-17-2021, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by translator1111

Dear vmelkon,
in your output
I can see:
"System startup time: 41.47 seconds"
but also
RegisterForAppOverview 1: 513ms
RegisterForAppOverview 2: 513ms

which value will you say is the approximate to reality?

I have not installed Steam, so I am not sure which value is valid and I am not sure if some of the errors are relevant
[0415/001535.757585:ERROR:frame_sink_video_capturer_impl.cc(206)]
Warnings, crash, ...
maybe not relevant though

the only think to consider is sometimes the error occurred but the application goes further running.
I am afraid I cannot help you more now, sorry
T.

The startup time is probably closer to 41.47 s. I measured it to be 1 min 20 s.
513 ms is not noticeable to me.
Alright, thanks for trying. I will ask in the gaming subforum.

~~~~vmelkon