Performance problems in ApexSQL Log – the main grid is unresponsive

Applies to
ApexSQL Log 2014

Summary
This article explains what should be done when performance problems are encountered in ApexSQL Log

Symptoms
The ApexSQL Log GUI is slow or unresponsive during the data source reading

Cause
Reading large data sources – online transaction logs, transaction log backups and detached transaction logs, and showing a large number of transactions in the ApexSQL Log GUI requires a lot of free system memory, causing the GUI to become slow or unresponsive when OS manages available system memory

Workaround
While using ApexSQL Log:

  • Use the Export result to file option instead of Open result in grid view
  • Use the ApexSQL Log CLI for reading a large number of transactions. Please see the online guide on how to use the CLI options
  • Use as many filters as possible. Please refer to the Advanced filtering options knowledgebase article

If the above doesn’t help, you can send us the ApexSQL Log’s files for analysis. Use the Send logs option in the ApexSQL Log Resources tab. If the system where ApexSQL Log is installed has no email client,see below how to find the log files manually, then zip the files and send them to support@apexsql.com

Client-side logs are located in:
%AppData%\Local\ApexSQL\ApexSQLLog<major version>\LOG
(for Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1 and Windows Server 2008/2012)
or
%Application Data%\ApexSQL\ApexSQLLog<major version>\Logs
(for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003)

Server-side log file is located in:
%ProgramData%\ApexSQL\ApexSQLLog\<instance name>\LOG
(for Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1 and Windows Server 2008/2012)
or
%Application Data%\ApexSQL\ApexSQLLog\<instance name>\LOG
(for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003)

Note
As App/Application Data is a hidden folder, enable the Show hidden files and folders Windows option

In the Windows Explorer:

  1. Click on the View
  2. Select the Option
  3. Select the View card
  4. Select the Show hidden files and folders option

About ApexSQL Log
ApexSQL Log is a SQL Server Transaction Log reader that allows viewing transaction log data in read-friendly format. Audit and undo SQL database changes of your choosing. Determine who changed the data and when the change occurred. Read the transaction log to find out who created, changed, or dropped a database object