Phreddo

Q: Why is ATH.exe using 50% of my CPU?

This started recently, I think there was some quicktime upgrade that happened.  I've rebooted my computer and the problem persists.  I've found similar discussions referring to AppleMobileDeviceService, but I don't know if this is that issue or something else.

Running Windows 7 64 bit.

 

Only antivirus is MS security essentials and TrustedID SecureScan (made by Immunet?).  TIA

 

Process explorer shows PID 7988

Windows 7

Posted on Sep 17, 2012 8:46 AM

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Q: Why is ATH.exe using 50% of my CPU?

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  • by boxner1,

    boxner1 boxner1 Sep 23, 2012 3:50 PM in response to Phreddo
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 23, 2012 3:50 PM in response to Phreddo

    One more vote for the same problem.  Win 7, iTunes 10.7.0.21, iPad 3.  ath.exe takes up almost 50% of my CPU and it's been driving me crazy.  I took the suggestion above to turn off wireless sync, so we'll see if that solves it.

  • by MBuff,

    MBuff MBuff Sep 24, 2012 11:36 AM in response to Phreddo
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 24, 2012 11:36 AM in response to Phreddo

    I had 4 processes running at 25% each.

  • by drmcclin,

    drmcclin drmcclin Sep 25, 2012 4:49 AM in response to Phreddo
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Sep 25, 2012 4:49 AM in response to Phreddo

    Same problem here, on Windows 7 64-bit.

     

    AppleMobileDeviceService.exe and ATH.exe are hogging up my CPU time and causing my fans to kick into overdrive.  Seems like it started happening with the latest iTunes update (10.7.021)

     

    Please fix this Apple.

  • by Seb17,

    Seb17 Seb17 Sep 25, 2012 7:28 AM in response to Phreddo
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 25, 2012 7:28 AM in response to Phreddo

    I was experiencing the exact same problem and turning off the "sync over wi-fi" for my Ipod Touch (4thgeneration, I guess we should start being specific) did fix the problem.

     

    However, it would be nice to be able to use it and not turn one of my CPUs into a space heater.

     

    I had the same problem with the Firefox browser. It grabbed 50% of my CPU processing power and didn't let it go until I went and manualy shut down several "procesus" (Sorry, stuck with french language Windows 7 and I don't have the english equivalent on hand atm). I was never able to find the cause so it lead to my switching to another primary browser. I would hate to have to do that with ITunes as I am just getting used to it.

     

    So, in short, shutting down "sync over wi-fi" works perfectly as an immediate fix.

     

    Thanks for the solution.

  • by drmcclin,

    drmcclin drmcclin Sep 25, 2012 7:31 AM in response to Seb17
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Sep 25, 2012 7:31 AM in response to Seb17

    That's not a fix, it's a workaround. Disabling wifi sync sets us back about 2 years and we shouldn't have to live in the dark ages.

  • by fbara,

    fbara fbara Sep 25, 2012 7:36 AM in response to drmcclin
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Sep 25, 2012 7:36 AM in response to drmcclin

    I agree with drmcclin, that's not a fix.

     

    Apple made a big deal out of wireless sync and it worked, more or less, when it was introduced.  Now, with the last iTunes update, it's broken.

     

    I have an iPhone and two iPod Touch's in my house.  Keeping those all in sync by connecting them to the computer is not the best solution.  It would be nice if Apple at least acknowledged there's a problem and they're looking into it.

  • by Mark J P,

    Mark J P Mark J P Sep 25, 2012 7:54 AM in response to fbara
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Sep 25, 2012 7:54 AM in response to fbara

    I agree completely.

     

    They have introduced a problem for Windows 7 x64 users (at least) with the most recent version of iTunes.  It was previously working okay but now I have no choice but to disable wireless sync it I wish to use iTunes and in-fact use my computer.

     

    Hopefully Apple will aknowledge and resolve the problem.  It feels like it shouldn't be a huge task for them to replicate and resolve.

  • by chriskeeble,

    chriskeeble chriskeeble Sep 25, 2012 9:37 AM in response to Mark J P
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Sep 25, 2012 9:37 AM in response to Mark J P

    I'm having exactly the same problem (ath.exe using 50% + CPU constantly) - I'm also on Windows 7 64-bit.

     

    Have also disabled Wireless Sync now in the hope that it resolves.

     

    (Been getting lots of choppy playback in iTunes when playing music as well)

     

    Unfortunately Apple doesn't monitor these threads closely (if at all) so unless some kind souls are prepared to raise support tickets with Apple and get it prioritised, it may well go unnoticed...

  • by 3G working on iOS4,

    3G working on iOS4 3G working on iOS4 Sep 25, 2012 10:06 AM in response to chriskeeble
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 25, 2012 10:06 AM in response to chriskeeble

    using my complimentary 90 days to bring it to their attention ....

  • by 3G working on iOS4,

    3G working on iOS4 3G working on iOS4 Sep 25, 2012 10:26 AM in response to 3G working on iOS4
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 25, 2012 10:26 AM in response to 3G working on iOS4

    ok setup a case for this. somebody else do it too so we can get this fixed.

  • by DagDog,

    DagDog DagDog Sep 26, 2012 3:28 AM in response to Phreddo
    Level 1 (78 points)
    iTunes
    Sep 26, 2012 3:28 AM in response to Phreddo

    I have a ticket open on this issue as well.

    229521968

     

    I heard back from iTunes Store support yestserday :  " .... just to give you an update, our engineering team is working on the issue you have reported. We will follow up with you as soon as further information is available. ..."

  • by Seb17,

    Seb17 Seb17 Sep 26, 2012 3:44 AM in response to drmcclin
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 26, 2012 3:44 AM in response to drmcclin

    I agree. I misspoke

     

    I meant that it was a "immediate fix" in the way that it "fixed" what didn't work, albeit temporarily, and made it so i could resume my work with normal cpu usage. "workaround" actually described it better.

     

    Thanks to those who oppenned support tikets.

     

    I'm not familiar with Apple customer support, does "working on the issue" mean that they are actually actively looking for a permanent fix, or is it their way of saying "yeah, we know. Don't call us, we'll call you"?

  • by scauley,

    scauley scauley Sep 26, 2012 2:10 PM in response to Phreddo
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 26, 2012 2:10 PM in response to Phreddo

    I am also having issues with the ath.exe process running away; basically brought my machine to its knees. I believe this started with a very recent upgrade to iTunes 10.7.0.21.  I have disabled wireless sync to both of my iPhone devices and that seems to have resolved the issue for now.  I did confirm that when I disabled wireless sync on my wife's iPhone, I watched the ath.exe process end realtime, so I can confirm that the process is related to wireless sync.  I am going to downrev to the previous iTunes release until this issue is resolved.  I will report back if the issue persists on the downrev version as a data point.

  • by fbara,

    fbara fbara Sep 26, 2012 6:35 PM in response to DagDog
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Sep 26, 2012 6:35 PM in response to DagDog

    Thanks DagDog, please keep us informed if there's any more updates from Apple.

  • by mwgillenwater,

    mwgillenwater mwgillenwater Sep 28, 2012 11:21 AM in response to Phreddo
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 28, 2012 11:21 AM in response to Phreddo

    Also having same problem.  Why do we praise Apple so much if they don't do the most basic good business of acknowledging mistakes and commiting to fix them.  No one would get upset if they were just a little humble and honest.

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