Windows SMP Open Beta

[SPIKE09]

get your dual/quad cored windows boxes fired up folks.
http://forum.folding-community.org/viewtopic.php?t=18531&highlight= :D

[Leonardo]

YES! Ah, some of us live for developments like this!

EDIT: In case you are reading this thread and wonder what "SMP" is, it is Symmetric Multi Processing. What SMP accomplishes for Folding@Home synchronize both cores of a dual core CPU or two CPUs in a dual-CPU computer to work on the same work unit.

[mirage]

Thank you for the heads-up. I am testing now on one of the two dual-core Windows machines. :D

[Thermalfish]

Yup, chewing along here.
SMP gromacs working well on this new Intel-based macbook.

[Ultra Nexus]

Now there are no more excuses! Lets get SM´s PPD boosted again! :D

[Leonardo]

I've got SMP for Windows installed on my System No. 3 now. We'll see how it goes.

[primesuspect]

added my 5000+

will add a C2D E6700 on Monday.

Thanks for the heads up, spike!

[Leonardo]

Lets get SM´s PPD boosted again!Let's hope so, but keep in mind the Windows SMP client is beta. It may just be Stanford's disclaimer, but they have warned us to expect bugs and incomplete work unit processing.

Now, what Folding monitor will work correctly with SMP? I am currently running both FAHMon and EMIII.

EMIII: the EMIII panel does not correctly identify the protein, and does not register points, elapsed frames, or time remaining. Maybe WeatherMan will update it soon. The FAHLog is displayed correctly, but then, it's a simple .txt file.

FAHMon v2.1.5: displays the FAHLog.txt correctly

I am addicted to accurate monitors. I'm like a floor worker at a stock exchange watching the stock issues monitor.

[Gargoyle]

Hey Leo, do you have Hyper-Threading enabled? I think I read somewhere that the SMP client prefers 4 logical processors whenever its available.

[Leonardo]

No, my home computers all have D9xx series CPUs. They are dual core, 65nm, but do not have HT. HT went out the window with the advent of Conroe, except for Xeon Conroe-based dual core CPUs have HT, and I think also the EE edition(s).

At this time, Stanford is recommending against enabling hyperthreading. Some users though, are reporting success with HT enabled.
I think I read somewhere that the SMP client prefers 4 logical processors whenever its available.
That may be. Task Manager, on the system in which I have SMP installed, shows four four FAH executables, for total CPU utilization of about 98-99%.

[Gargoyle]

No, my home computers all have D9xx series CPUs. They are dual core, 65nm, but do not have HT.Ah, I was wondering about that. I looked up the Pentium Ds on Wikipedia, but it didn't say if Preslers had HT or not.

Found that passage I was looking for in the SMP faq:
The SMP client was originally intended for multi-core CPUs, which generally do not support HT. For machines with 2 physical CPUs, we do recommend enabling HT for the SMP client as this presents the operating system with what looks like 4 logical processors (and our SMP client is intended for 4 processors). If you have 4 physical CPUs, we do not recommend using HT, as this presents the operating system with 8 logical processors, which will make the SMP client run inefficiently (especially since the logical processors coming from HT run much slower than the normal ones).Off the top of my head, I think the only dual core CPUs out there with HT might be Extreme Editions. Maybe some Xeons, too? I sort of tuned out on CPU tech after Athlon XPs. :)

[Leonardo]

I sort of tuned out of CPUs until after dual core caught on with the D8xx series. Then with the die shrink to 65nm (Presler core/D9xx) I really became a fan.

The dual core Xeons are, for a fact, HT. A dual core Xeon will run four threads with relative ease, but of course, not as well as a four-core CPU.

Thanks for posting the quote. Informative.

[Leonardo]

Monitor Windows SMP Folding Production:

Go here (http://forum.folding-community.org/viewtopic.php?p=172424#172424) for instructions

Go here (http://fahmon.fahinfo.org/) for the necessary FAHMon version 2.1.5b.5 (customized)

[Donut]

When somebody knows, could they post the points difference between the 64-bit Linux client vs. the Windows client? I've got 2 rigs here that could be switched back to Windows if I don't loose to much production. Me + Linux=DUH!

When this shut-down season winds down I'll install on my dual Xeon rig.

[primesuspect]

I can't use it at all on my X2/5000+ system. It errors out constantly and re-downloads units, as well as hard-locking my system once :(

No SMP for me, yet...

[Gargoyle]

So far so good for me, but I've only been running it for a couple of hours. About 32 minutes/frame on my 2.4ghz Opty.

Does anyone know if the Windows client has a problem with resuming work after the console is closed? Apparently that used to be a problem with the Linux client.

[mirage]

When somebody knows, could they post the points difference between the 64-bit Linux client vs. the Windows client? I've got 2 rigs here that could be switched back to Windows if I don't loose to much production. Me + Linux=DUH!

When this shut-down season winds down I'll install on my dual Xeon rig.

Comparing running P2605 (1760 points) on Linux and P2610 (1523 points) on Windows, they both take 25m per frame on 2.6GHz Opty165 (Linux) and 2.8 GHz Opty165(Windows). Based on the points and slightly faster processor of Windows, I would expect P2610 to be running faster. The point assignments might be off, but I have the impression that WinSMP is not as efficient as LinuxSMP. Just an initial impression, but I recommend hanging on Linux, at least for now.

Okay okay, let me say this way: please don't leave Linux pleaaaaase. :bigggrin:

[mirage]

So far so good for me, but I've only been running it for a couple of hours. About 32 minutes/frame on my 2.4ghz Opty.

Does anyone know if the Windows client has a problem with resuming work after the console is closed? Apparently that used to be a problem with the Linux client.

I am shutting down the Windows computers every night. They restarted the SMP jobs in the morning normally. And yes, I will catch the tight deadlines as well.

[Sledgehammer70]

will slam it on my work PC's in the morning :) well atleast one for testing :)

[Leonardo]

Now there are no more excuses! Lets get SM´s PPD boosted again! :D Boosted indeed.:D:D I've started a production thread (http://www.short-media.com/forum/showthread.php?p=470931#post470931) for Windows SMP. Go on over and post your results.

[Sledgehammer70]

Something isn't right :(

OpenSCManager failed:
Access is denied. (error 5)
Unable to remove the previous installation, install failed.
account (domain\user) [Sledgelappy\Sledgehammer70]:
password:
confirm password:
Password encrypted into the Registry.
Unable to connect to 'Sledgelappy:8676',
sock error: generic socket failure, error stack:
MPIDU_Sock_post_connect(1228): unable to connect to Sledgelappy on port 8676, ex
hausted all endpoints (errno -1)
MPIDU_Sock_post_connect(1275): unable to connect to Sledgelappy on port 8676, No
connection could be made because the target machine actively refused it. (errno
10061)
Press any key to continue . . .

[mirage]

Something isn't right :(

I think you need allow mpiexec in your internal software firewall settings, or open up that specific port for mpiexec. :)

[Sledgehammer70]

Firewall is turned off, and all ports are open... well they should be for the most part.

[mirage]

Firewall is turned off, and all ports are open... well they should be for the most part.

:scratch: But the error message is complaining about accessing the ports, something is stopping it. If not firewall, can it be a virus scanner? some of them control the ports as well.

[Sledgehammer70]

I think this is a bad error in the first place

OpenSCManager failed:
Access is denied. (error 5)
Unable to remove the previous installation, install failed.
account (domain\user) [Sledgelappy\Sledgehammer70]:

I know it is a MPI error as in the readme it says if you see a -1 in the report it means the mpi isn't configured right. here is my F@H log


Note: Please read the license agreement (fah.exe -license). Further
use of this software requires that you have read and accepted this agreement.

2 cores detected
No directory settings found in registry. Using current directory...


--- Opening Log file [March 19 19:48:40]


# SMP Client ##################################################################
###############################################################################

Folding@Home Client Version 5.91beta

http://folding.stanford.edu

###############################################################################
###############################################################################

Launch directory: D:\Program Files\Folding@Home Windows SMP Client V1.01
Executable: D:\Program Files\Folding@Home Windows SMP Client V1.01\fah.exe


[19:48:40] Configuring Folding@Home...

User name [Anonymous]? sledgehammer70
Team Number [0]? 93
Opening Service Manager failed (5)
Windows denied access for this operation.
You must be logged on with Administrator privileges.
Launch automatically at machine startup, installing this as a
service (yes/no) [no]? no
Opening Service Manager failed (5)
Windows denied access for this operation.
You must be logged on with Administrator privileges.
Ask before fetching/sending work (no/yes) [no]? no
Use Internet Explorer Settings (no/yes) [no]?
Use proxy (yes/no) [no]?
Allow receipt of work assignments greater than 5MB in size (no/yes) [no]?yes
Change advanced options (yes/no) [no]?

[19:49:02] - Ask before connecting: No
[19:49:02] - User name: sledgehammer70 (Team 93)
[19:49:02] - User ID: 32C0DEB9361E7ED5
[19:49:02] - Machine ID: 1
[19:49:02]
[19:49:02] Work directory not found. Creating...
[19:49:02] Could not open work queue, generating new queue...
[19:49:02] - Preparing to get new work unit...
[19:49:02] + Attempting to get work packet
[19:49:02] - Connecting to assignment server
[19:49:04] - Successful: assigned to (171.64.65.64).
[19:49:04] + News From Folding@Home: Welcome to Folding@Home
[19:49:04] Loaded queue successfully.
[19:51:11] + Closed connections
[19:51:11]
[19:51:11] + Processing work unit
[19:51:11] Core required: FahCore_a1.exe
[19:51:11] Core not found.
[19:51:11] - Core is not present or corrupted.
[19:51:11] - Attempting to download new core...
[19:51:11] + Downloading new core: FahCore_a1.exe
[19:51:18] + 10240 bytes downloaded
[19:51:18] + 20480 bytes downloaded
[19:51:19] + 30720 bytes downloaded
[19:51:19] + 40960 bytes downloaded
[19:51:19] + 51200 bytes downloaded
[19:51:19] + 61440 bytes downloaded
[19:51:20] + 71680 bytes downloaded
[19:51:20] + 81920 bytes downloaded
[19:51:20] + 92160 bytes downloaded
[19:51:21] + 102400 bytes downloaded
[19:51:21] + 112640 bytes downloaded
[19:51:22] + 122880 bytes downloaded
[19:51:22] + 133120 bytes downloaded
[19:51:22] + 143360 bytes downloaded
[19:51:22] + 153600 bytes downloaded
[19:51:23] + 163840 bytes downloaded
[19:51:23] + 174080 bytes downloaded
[19:51:23] + 184320 bytes downloaded
[19:51:23] + 194560 bytes downloaded
[19:51:23] + 204800 bytes downloaded
[19:51:24] + 215040 bytes downloaded
[19:51:24] + 225280 bytes downloaded
[19:51:25] + 235520 bytes downloaded
[19:51:25] + 245760 bytes downloaded
[19:51:25] + 256000 bytes downloaded
[19:51:26] + 266240 bytes downloaded
[19:51:26] + 276480 bytes downloaded
[19:51:26] + 286720 bytes downloaded
[19:51:26] + 296960 bytes downloaded
[19:51:27] + 307200 bytes downloaded
[19:51:27] + 317440 bytes downloaded
[19:51:27] + 327680 bytes downloaded
[19:51:27] + 337920 bytes downloaded
[19:51:28] + 348160 bytes downloaded
[19:51:28] + 358400 bytes downloaded
[19:51:28] + 368640 bytes downloaded
[19:51:28] + 378880 bytes downloaded
[19:51:29] + 389120 bytes downloaded
[19:51:29] + 399360 bytes downloaded
[19:51:29] + 409600 bytes downloaded
[19:51:29] + 419840 bytes downloaded
[19:51:29] + 430080 bytes downloaded
[19:51:30] + 440320 bytes downloaded
[19:51:30] + 450560 bytes downloaded
[19:51:30] + 460800 bytes downloaded
[19:51:30] + 471040 bytes downloaded
[19:51:31] + 481280 bytes downloaded
[19:51:31] + 491520 bytes downloaded
[19:51:31] + 501760 bytes downloaded
[19:51:32] + 512000 bytes downloaded
[19:51:32] + 522240 bytes downloaded
[19:51:33] + 532480 bytes downloaded
[19:51:33] + 542720 bytes downloaded
[19:51:33] + 552960 bytes downloaded
[19:51:34] + 563200 bytes downloaded
[19:51:34] + 573440 bytes downloaded
[19:51:34] + 583680 bytes downloaded
[19:51:34] + 593920 bytes downloaded
[19:51:35] + 604160 bytes downloaded
[19:51:35] + 614400 bytes downloaded
[19:51:35] + 624640 bytes downloaded
[19:51:36] + 634880 bytes downloaded
[19:51:36] + 645120 bytes downloaded
[19:51:36] + 655360 bytes downloaded
[19:51:37] + 665600 bytes downloaded
[19:51:37] + 675840 bytes downloaded
[19:51:37] + 686080 bytes downloaded
[19:51:38] + 696320 bytes downloaded
[19:51:38] + 706560 bytes downloaded
[19:51:38] + 716800 bytes downloaded
[19:51:39] + 727040 bytes downloaded
[19:51:39] + 737280 bytes downloaded
[19:51:40] + 747520 bytes downloaded
[19:51:40] + 757760 bytes downloaded
[19:51:40] + 768000 bytes downloaded
[19:51:40] + 778240 bytes downloaded
[19:51:41] + 788480 bytes downloaded
[19:51:41] + 789667 bytes downloaded
[19:51:41] Verifying core Core_a1.fah...
[19:51:41] Signature is VALID
[19:51:41]
[19:51:41] Trying to unzip core FahCore_a1.exe
[19:51:41] Decompressed FahCore_a1.exe (2035712 bytes) successfully
[19:51:41] + Core successfully engaged
[19:51:46]
[19:51:46] + Processing work unit
[19:51:46] Core required: FahCore_a1.exe
[19:51:46] Core found.
[19:51:46] Working on Unit 01 [March 19 19:51:46]
[19:51:46] + Working ...
[19:51:54] CoreStatus = FFFFFFFF (-1)
[19:51:54] Client-core communications error: ERROR 0xffffffff
[19:51:54] Deleting current work unit & continuing...
[19:52:02] - Preparing to get new work unit...
[19:52:02] + Attempting to get work packet
[19:52:02] - Connecting to assignment server
[19:52:03] - Successful: assigned to (171.64.65.64).
[19:52:03] + News From Folding@Home: Welcome to Folding@Home
[19:52:04] Loaded queue successfully.

[mirage]

Yeah, it looks like a serious error. First, you will install the WinSMP package you have downloaded. Then, you need to execute an installation script (BAT file) in the installation directory. During execution of this script I was asked by Windows' default firewall to allow mpiexec. Did you go through similar steps? If you can not uninstall, maybe you can try re-installing over the current one

[Sledgehammer70]

I wonder if it is because of Vista?

Yes it asked to allow with firewalls and I said yes, and see them in the list of enabled actions under the firewall settings...

[Leonardo]

Sledge, I don't know know much about Vista's composition, so I may be off on this. With Windows XP, .Net framework (sp?) 2.0 must be installed for the MPI to function/access properly. Does Vista have .net 2.0 or the equivalent?

[mirage]

I wonder if it is because of Vista?
Most likely. It is probably trying to protect you from mpiexec by assuming it to be spyware, etc. Do you have a security-center-like control panel in Vista? Maybe you can disable security components one at a time to find which one is causing this.

[Sledgehammer70]

Vista has 2.0 built in standard... as for security senter I have disabled everything and turned things back on one at a time and get nothing there.

[mirage]

If you look at the following link, http://folding.stanford.edu/FAQ-SMP.html

I am quoting a section from that page below

**NOTE** The username and password you provide for mpiexec should be your Windows login that you will run the client under. This is used for authentication on your local machine. It is cached in encrypted form in your Registry and is not transmitted to FAH servers.

Then, it might also be related to user access rights and/or incorrect password.

[Sledgehammer70]

well I am using the account info and it is the admin on this laptop... Not to sure It can get more admin access than it has now.

[mirage]

well I am using the account info and it is the admin on this laptop... Not to sure It can get more admin access than it has now.

It is not security blocking, user access rights are granted, required software is installed. Well, I can not think of anything else right now :( I will let you know. You also let us know, if you solve the problem, okay?

[Sledgehammer70]

well I am working on it.. can't really think of anything else it could be.

[SPIKE09]

you have to switch off UAC on vista when running the install.bat
http://forum.folding-community.org/ftopic18556.html

[Sledgehammer70]

Trying it now.....

[Sledgehammer70]

I have to say Spike your find has paid off! It is chewing its first SMP WU

[SPIKE09]

No Problemo, ignore my team SM stats I have brought my home team from nowt to nearly top 100 in 14 months. I read the FCF daily:eek:

[DanG]

I just installed the client on my core duo laptop at work and can't seem to connect to the assignment server. Setup was the same config as my service installs on this one, but it tries to connect and then fails :(
Anyone got any ideas?

[Leonardo]

Don't know how much you've read, so forgive me if you the rest below:

- do NOT install as service
- must have .net Framework 2.0 installed
- must have installed on an account that is password protected (User Profiles)

[DanG]

I had chosen the option for service, which I just removed when I reinstalled. I do have .net installed (3.0 IIRC), and my account has local admin rights on my laptop.

23:28:48] + Attempting to get work packet
[23:28:48] - Connecting to assignment server
[23:29:09] - Couldn't send HTTP request to server
[23:29:09] + Could not connect to Assignment Server
[23:29:09] - Successful: assigned to (0.0.0.0).
[23:29:09] + News From Folding@Home: Welcome to Folding@Home
[23:29:09] Work Unit has an invalid address.
[23:29:09] - Error: Attempt #1 to get work failed, and no other work to do.
Waiting before retry.
[23:29:17] + Attempting to get work packet
[23:29:17] - Connecting to assignment server
[23:29:38] - Couldn't send HTTP request to server
[23:29:38] + Could not connect to Assignment Server
[23:29:39] - Successful: assigned to (0.0.0.0).
[23:29:39] + News From Folding@Home: Welcome to Folding@Home
[23:29:39] Work Unit has an invalid address.
[23:29:39] - Error: Attempt #2 to get work failed, and no other work to do.
Waiting before retry.


That's what I'm getting.

Any ideas?

[Gargoyle]

I believe you have to also have .NET 2.0 installed. Different versions can co-exist, so installing it shouldn't cause a problem. I'm pretty sure I read something about this issue in particular.

[Leonardo]

my account has local admin rights on my laptop.That's not relevant. The account under which Windows SMP is installed must be an account that is accessed through a password. It will NOT work if the account is not password protected. Logical or illogical, it's a fact.

Also, download and install .NET 2.0. Don't want to be a pain here, but I'm pretty sure the above steps will bring you success.

[DanG]

In add/remove programs under updates, I show .net 1.1, hotfix for .net 1.1, .net 2.0, a pair of updates for .net 2.0 and .net 3.0.

Oh, and my account does have a password.

I'll try downloading the .net 2.0 again and reinstalling it.

[SPIKE09]

this message indicates no WU's available for the way you have the client configured server 0.0.0.0 is a dummy to avoid things like Me getting a Linux wu on an XP PC happened a month or so back.3:29:38] - Couldn't send HTTP request to server
[23:29:38] + Could not connect to Assignment Server
[23:29:39] - Successful: assigned to (0.0.0.0).

[DanG]

came in this morning to find my laptop is 18% done a 2610, currently working at about 30 minutes per frame.

[Sledgehammer70]

OKay I got SMP Client running again without an extra options changed, by doing this I got a new work unit and it is chugging away. 4 CPU's under 1 project :) woot... lets see if it finishes.

Here is the break down:

2130/60 = 35.5 Hours = 32.33 points per hour or 776.11 point per day.. seems kind of low for 4 CPU's crunching, I'll let it pass into it 2nd WU before hosing this down...

[Gargoyle]

22x100=2200/60 = 36.6 Hours = 31.36 points per hour or 752.78 point per day.. seems kind of low for 4 CPU's crunching, I'll let it pass into it 2nd WU before hosing this down...

Is this on your 2xXeon with HT? I think my Opteron is crunching the on the same project at home (it's getting about 20min/frame, too).

I think those are actually pretty good points. I don't think running four regular clients would get you more points than that.

[Sledgehammer70]

on average 4 clients running 396 point projects take 2 1/2 days. I guess it is a fair trade... and maybe a bit faster :)

[EyesOnly]

ok my client is up and running. I hope i used the correct settings. Was i supposed to set adv-methods on always. I didn't do that. I sure hope em3 is updated soon, had to install fahmon that seems to be working but i'm more used to em.

Status is that i'm folding a 2652 at 1% finished, the temp is at 53C and the 4 cores seem to use about 100MB of ram. So far so good. I'll post back when i get an eta.

[EyesOnly]

Ok then. ETA 1 day 13 hours at 9% complete. Looks like i'm gonna make the deadline with time to spare, at least this time. My computer is idling at the moment.

[Gargoyle]

I just had a WU that was 56% done crash on me. The only reason I even noticed was because my CPU temp was reading really low. The console didn't report an error, but all four instances of the folding core had shut down.

When I restarted, I had four notices from Windows that my system had recovered from a serious error. Grr. :mad:

[Leonardo]

I just lost a unit that was 90% complete. I had just installed some video drivers and needed to reboot, so I shut down Folding properly (Ctrl+C). When I rebooted the computer and restarted Folding, it downloaded a new unit. The log showed that the previous unit was shut down properly. Beats me! Just one of those beta things.

[Gargoyle]

Man, I just lost another one. This one at 48%. My computer restarted spontaneously when some static electricity zapped the USB port. When it restarted, the client said that checksums didn't match. Started over. :(

Not that any of this helps the Stanford people, because it didn't communicate with the server to say a WU didn't complete. It just started over on the same one I had. Same thing it did last time I lost a WU partway.

[edcentric]

My first one is up and running. I'll be keeping an eye on this.
My stock speed E6300 C2d is running a 2651 at 20 min/frame.

[Sledgehammer70]

I got SMP running on the Laptop again, this time it is a new core and she is at 13% so I beat the 8% evilness thus far, I think on my way home I will leave it turned on just incase a restart was the issue :)

It looks to be pushing out 1% every 18 minutes...

[Leonardo]

Let us know what work unit that is, when you have the opportunity to check it.

please :)

[EyesOnly]

I now know why people mention 2610 so much, it's really heavy on the ram. Each core takes up 85MB. It seems to take about 40 min per frame.

If my computer can fold even a wu as heavy as this without issues i can prolly stop worrying. :) Those above my in the ranks though should start. :fold: :rarr:

[Leonardo]

85MB? I'm running three 2610s right now, two desktops and one laptop. They are all using more than 600MB of memory.

[Gargoyle]

85MB? I'm running three 2610s right now, two desktops and one laptop. They are all using more than 600MB of memory.

That's your whole system, though. If you look at your process tab, it'll list the memory usage for each folding core. My system uses about 200mb on its own.

[Sledgehammer70]

Yeah Windows XP SP2 will consume 300~330MB by itself... let alone if you have any background programs running.

Core for the lappy is a 2651 - 1760 points

My system PF is in the 840's but than again it is Vista and looking at the sweet Resource monitor in Vista I can see the FahCore sucking up 270MB of memory :)

[Leonardo]

I'm at work right now, so I'm not going to analyze the details. That screen shot was not from the computer from which I was writing, but was from a machine that was doing nothing but running Folding. So, suffice it to say that Folding was requiring somewhere between 400 to 500(+) MB of physical memory.

[edcentric]

I like the points. Just saw my first 1760 come through. It took a long time to show in the point count.
I am running a fairly striped down w2k install. Memory usage shows as 500k, my OS is less than 200k of that.

[Leonardo]

It took a long time to show in the point count.The points counts are taking much longer now because of all the new initiatives involved with Windows SMP and PS3.

[EyesOnly]

All cores took up 340 megs in total and that's alot. I'm currently waiting for the next wu.

The points counts are taking much longer now because of all the new initiatives involved with Windows SMP and PS3.

That explains why i haven't seen my points move. I was beginning to think that i typed in the wrong name. :eek:

[EyesOnly]

Ok got a new one but the log shows some troubling stuff. Have a look at 11:07:38 and 11:07:44.

[11:07:20] - Starting from initial work packet
[11:07:20]
[11:07:20] Project: 2652 (Run 0, Clone 232, Gen 6)
[11:07:20]
[11:07:21] Assembly optimizations on if available.
[11:07:21] Entering M.D.
[11:07:38] ial work packet
[11:07:38]
[11:07:38] Project: 2652 (Run 0, Clone 232, Gen 6)
[11:07:38]
[11:07:38] 652 (Run 0, Clone 232, Gen 6)
[11:07:38]
[11:07:38] Entering M.D.
[11:07:44] Rejecting checkpoint
[11:07:45] Protein: Protein
[11:07:45] Writing local files
[11:07:46] Extra SSE boost OK.
[11:07:46] Writing local files
[11:07:46] Completed 0 out of 1000000 steps (0 percent)

I'll post back if i see any more strange things.

[csimon]

Ok got a new one but the log shows some troubling stuff. Have a look at 11:07:38 and 11:07:44.

[11:07:20] - Starting from initial work packet
[11:07:20]
[11:07:20] Project: 2652 (Run 0, Clone 232, Gen 6)
[11:07:20]
[11:07:21] Assembly optimizations on if available.
[11:07:21] Entering M.D.
[11:07:38] ial work packet
[11:07:38]
[11:07:38] Project: 2652 (Run 0, Clone 232, Gen 6)
[11:07:38]
[11:07:38] 652 (Run 0, Clone 232, Gen 6)
[11:07:38]
[11:07:38] Entering M.D.
[11:07:44] Rejecting checkpoint
[11:07:45] Protein: Protein
[11:07:45] Writing local files
[11:07:46] Extra SSE boost OK.
[11:07:46] Writing local files
[11:07:46] Completed 0 out of 1000000 steps (0 percent)

I'll post back if i see any more strange things.

I see your concern but I don't think it's anything to worry about. What is your checkpoint interval setting in the config?

[SPIKE09]

I'ts nothing to worry about, it is a common problem, You should see some of the tripping over its own feet it does at the start of runs:smiles:

[edcentric]

Some of them are hashed up a lot more than that.
My C2D box shut down last night, it doesn't like any power disruption, like turning the lights off.
This morning it resumed just fine.

Finally I am back to making some points. My production has been in the tank for the last two weeks. The huge WUs now make it tough to get back into steady output.

[EyesOnly]

Ok so it's ok then. The interval is set at 15 minutes if i remember correctly. Don't recall changing it. :cool:

The wu is at 18% and completing a frame every 26 minutes. That reminds me about the 346 pointers of regular wu that needed 3 days to complete at 50 mins a frame and now i have another 1K points in a day or 2. :eek: :tongue: :bigggrin:

Edit

I forgot. Just how long does it take after a smp wu is completed before you can see the results? It's been like 3 days before my first smp wu was done yet my points hasn't changed. :(

[EyesOnly]

Some of them are hashed up a lot more than that.
My C2D box shut down last night, it doesn't like any power disruption, like turning the lights off.
This morning it resumed just fine.

Finally I am back to making some points. My production has been in the tank for the last two weeks. The huge WUs now make it tough to get back into steady output.

Sounds like you should get an UPS. :wink:

[Sledgehammer70]

My points were posted within 20 minutes on the F@H site and on the Extreme OC site when it updated...

[EyesOnly]

I must have missed some points then because as you said eoc showed the points.

[Leonardo]

The updates are only posted three times daily now, if I'm correct. Check your logs. If your computer uploaded the completed work units, you should have received credit.

[EyesOnly]

Only? :tongue: Didn't know how often it updated before. I used to check my sig to see if the points had increased and it hadn't until today hence why o worried. I do check the logs just so i will know what the client does.

[EyesOnly]

Ok now i'm angry. The client has been trying all day to download wus but failed each time. :rant: What is going on? :sad2: :mouldy:

[Leonardo]

Would you please post a log. Also, have you installed, as a separate download, .Net Framework 2.0? Concerning 2.0 Framework, do not assume that a previous Windows update is sufficient. I had to install install it on one of my machines, even though it had been installed a while back through Windows Updates.

[EyesOnly]

Hey leo if you had seen my previous posts you would know that i have already folded 3 wus with the smp so it has been working until now which makes me think that something is up with the assignment server.

But if you want a log then here's one. Not that i think it will help. It usually doesn't take more than a couple of hours before the client gets a new wu but now it's been more than 12. :rant:

[16:27:12] + Attempting to get work packet
[16:27:12] - Connecting to assignment server
[16:27:13] - Successful: assigned to (171.64.65.64).
[16:27:13] + News From Folding@Home: Welcome to Folding@Home
[16:27:13] Loaded queue successfully.
[17:07:18] + Could not get Work unit data from Work Server
[17:07:18] - Error: Attempt #12 to get work failed, and no other work to do.
Waiting before retry.
[17:55:24] + Attempting to get work packet
[17:55:24] - Connecting to assignment server
[17:55:25] - Successful: assigned to (171.64.65.64).
[17:55:25] + News From Folding@Home: Welcome to Folding@Home
[17:55:25] Loaded queue successfully.
[18:35:30] + Could not get Work unit data from Work Server
[18:35:30] - Error: Attempt #13 to get work failed, and no other work to do.
Waiting before retry.
[19:23:37] + Attempting to get work packet
[19:23:37] - Connecting to assignment server
[19:23:38] - Successful: assigned to (171.64.65.64).
[19:23:38] + News From Folding@Home: Welcome to Folding@Home
[19:23:38] Loaded queue successfully.

[csimon]

Try adding -advmethods as a startup flag ...this should force the client to another server. It may work.

[Leonardo]

+ Could not get Work unit data from Work ServerThe problem appears not to be at your end, but at the server end.Try adding -advmethods as a startup flagYou can add that as a -flag in your startup shortcut or turn it on in the client.cfg file.

[EyesOnly]

Thanks for the hints but it's working now. Must be beta servers as well. :rolleyes:

[csimon]

Thanks for the hints but it's working now. Must be beta servers as well. :rolleyes:Glad you got it sorted out. Sometimes the servers will have issues over the weekend and get sorted out sometime the following week.

[edcentric]

Well, I gave up on GPU folding on my X2 box and loaded winSMP client.
My X1950pro was thrashing and not getting much done.

It is running proj 2610 and taking about 40 min/frame. Does this sound right?

[Gargoyle]

What's it clocked at? Seems a bit high regardless, though.

[csimon]

What's it clocked at? Seems a bit high regardless, though.
It does seems a bit high ed ...make sure you have "Extra SSE boost OK"

[edcentric]

The box is running 200x10.
I have std loops, extra SSE boost.
It does seem slow. My E6300 is running 20min/frame.
Any other thoughts?

[Gargoyle]

I have std loops, extra SSE boost.
Maybe I'm wrong about the terminology, but I thought "standard loops" meant that it wasn't running with SSE on. Have you tried running it with the -forceasm flag? The FAQ recommends it, and it saved me from dumping a WU once.

Since you asked for recommendations, I recommend you OC your A64 a bit more. You know, for science :D

[csimon]

at 2ghz that might be on par.

[Gargoyle]

I just got home and checked my log - for project 2610 it took me 32.5 minutes/frame. My Opty is running at 2475 Mhz, so I suppose 40 min/frame on a 2000 Mhz is about right.

Just to reiterate, I would definitely advise using -forceasm, not just because a lack of optimizations might be slowing you down (if not now, it might later), but it helped me recover from an error that crashed the folding cores once.

[Leonardo]

It is running proj 2610 and taking about 40 min/frame. Does this sound right? If that's an AMD dual core at 2000MHz with 1GB DRAM, 40 minutes/frame sounds about right.

If it's a Core 2 Duo at 2GHz with 1GB DRAM, it should be about 29-30min/frame. [EDIT: OK, so I was WAY off on this estimate!]

Pentium D9xx at 4GHz is 18-19min per

C2D @ 3GHz is about 14min per

[edcentric]

OK, at least I haven't lost it yet.

AX2, 200x10 = 2.0GHz, 2GB ram, 39 min/frame
C2D, 275x7 = 1.925GHz, 2GB ram, 21 min/frame

Maybe I should shop for some faster CPUs :)

[EyesOnly]

My A64 3800+ at stock speed gets around 44 mins a frame so it checks out.

[DanG]

My Core Duo 1.83 is running about 32 minutes a frame and my C2D box at home is right around 11:30 (2.4@3.2).

[FoldingAddict]

Right on. SM25 is clocked at 2.97GHz and is churning a 2610 at right around 12 minutes per frame.

~FA

[Gargoyle]

Right on. SM25 is clocked at 2.97GHz and is churning a 2610 at right around 12 minutes per frame.

~FA

So that's why it's on my thread list ;D

[DanG]

Right on. SM25 is clocked at 2.97GHz and is churning a 2610 at right around 12 minutes per frame.

~FA



WTF is in SM25 to be getting that kind of speed?

[FoldingAddict]

It's an E6300. It's clocked at 3.2, I thought it was 2.97 but it's not. I may try to juice more out of her this weekend.

~FA

[Donut]

Thought I'd report in. The SMP client won't fly on my dual Xeon rig. It won't finish the 2610's in time. (at least I tried) Right now I'm running on a dual Opty rig, about 25 min per frame on a 2610. This machine has been running the Linux client, but a hard drive failure yesterday made me switch. It will be going back to the Linux client when I get a little time.

Folding Addict- sweet times on SM25.

[mmonnin]

EM3 will tell you if you are not going to make it on time.

[Qeldroma]

Is there still time to get on this bus? Is the Windows Beta nearly not beta now? I might jump on in a week or two if it's still hot.

It takes time to wind down my current WUs. I've been away a while to so should I-

1. Terminate my current processes as a service then
2. Command line> FAH504-Console.exe -pause for each core.
3. Of course then wait for both cores to finish before I install the new client.

Yes?

Thanks for any input.

[Donut]

I'm not sure about the command line and as a service. You should be able to shut them down and add the -oneunit flag and restart, the client should shut down when finished. you can then uninstall the old client.

The Windows client is still beta, fwiw the XP Graphical client (5.04?) is still listed as beta.

[mmonnin]

Yay time to join the fun. Just bought a used Opty 165 to slap in my DFI SLI-DR.

[DanG]

Anyone know if this will run on an old P4 that supports hyperthreading and is only single core? I'm thinking of doing that to get away from these god awful wu's that they have been pushing out.

[Leonardo]

It probably wouldn't meet deadlines unless you've got a high, rock-stable overclock. What CPU are you intending for this?

[DanG]

2.8ghz prescott. stock dell, can't be overclocked.

[Leonardo]

I really doubt it could meet the deadlines, but you can try it. I'd search first at the Folding Community forums. I'm sure someone has already tried it and documented their results.

[FoldingAddict]

Anyone know if this will run on an old P4 that supports hyperthreading and is only single core? I'm thinking of doing that to get away from these god awful wu's that they have been pushing out.

I tried it on a HP Pavillion P4 2.8HT and it didn't meet the deadlines. It's a pretty junk computer though, so maybe your results will be better.

~FA

[Qeldroma]

I'm not sure about the command line and as a service. You should be able to shut them down and add the -oneunit flag and restart, the client should shut down when finished. you can then uninstall the old client.

The Windows client is still beta, fwiw the XP Graphical client (5.04?) is still listed as beta.

Thanks for that, Do. Yeah, I also noticed that the SMP Beta client is on the main downloads page ( http://folding.stanford.edu/download.html) now too ... 5.91 :) .

[Leonardo]

I tried it on a HP Pavillion P4 2.8HT and it didn't meet the deadlines. It's a pretty junk computer though, so maybe your results will be better. Assuming the same processor model, about the only thing that would make a difference, Brand A computer versus Brand B would CPU clock speed. I suppose an elevated FSB would help some, but SMP Windows Folding is essentially a CPU brute force proposition. Onboard cache is important too. You didn't state which core your P4 was. If it was a Northwood, that has less L2 cache than the Prescott. But still, it's doubtful DanG's HT 2.8 could complete the work units on time. Slow computer or fast computer - mainly irrelevant. It's mainly a factor of the CPU specifications and the clock speed.

[edcentric]

Now I am getting "assigned to server 0.0.0.0"
I guess that why it is in beta.
Maybe it will work tomorrow.

[FoldingAddict]

Assuming the same processor model, about the only thing that would make a difference, Brand A computer versus Brand B would CPU clock speed. I suppose an elevated FSB would help some, but SMP Windows Folding is essentially a CPU brute force proposition. Onboard cache is important too. You didn't state which core your P4 was. If it was a Northwood, that has less L2 cache than the Prescott. But still, it's doubtful DanG's HT 2.8 could complete the work units on time. Slow computer or fast computer - mainly irrelevant. It's mainly a factor of the CPU specifications and the clock speed.

It was a Northwood.

~FA

[Leonardo]

Anyone know if this will run on an old P4 that supports hyperthreading and is only single core?Apparently, some users are making a success of Windows SMP with P4 HT processors. Check it out here (http://forum.folding-community.org/ftopic19175.html) at the Folding-Community.org. Please read the whole thread if you are serious about HT-SMP folding.

Dan, ensure your motherboard will turn on hyperthreading. A lot of the OEM machines from the P4-HT era did not have a BIOS option to allow HT!

[Donut]

Thought I'd report in. The SMP client won't fly on my dual Xeon rig. It won't finish the 2610's in time. (at least I tried)


I was about 4 hours shy of finishing the 2610's. My processors are clocked at 2.9ghz., HT turned off. It picked that wu as its first. (512 cache)

[Leonardo]

Why not try it with HT turned on? Two virtual and two real cores for four SMP threads.

[Gargoyle]

Is the server down? My client has been trying to send results all morning.

[edcentric]

Mine finally sent a bit ago.

[SPIKE09]

Yup folks major problems server side at Stanford.
http://forum.folding-community.org/viewtopic.php?t=19230&highlight=

[Oriane]

Yes.

And there are (were?) more down for maintenance (http://forum.folding-community.org/viewtopic.php?p=178453&highlight=vspmf95#178453).

They should be back on-line very soon. I still have quite a backlog built up. I think edcentric's news is hopeful. :)

[Donut]

Why not try it with HT turned on? Two virtual and two real cores for four SMP threads.

Somewhere in my reading, (I think it was the Folding Forum) somebody tried this on a pair of 2.8 Xeons and I believe it ran slower with HT enabled. (IIRC like 6 mins. per frame). I tried to run the client on mine hoping the extra 100mhz and the increased fsb would help. ( I believe the 2610's like the larger cache)

After I ran the client a few hours, I did try with HT enabled and it was noticeably slower. I only let it go a few hours before I switched HT back off, so I didn't get a real accurate gauge of the time difference.

[mmonnin]

I have 2 waiting to send...

[sgstair]

Regarding using the SMP client as a service:
As I really like this feature, I managed to make it work, here's now:
First, configured the client via -configonly in the commandline, told it to install as a service... then in the "Services" manager, I edited the properties of the new service. In the "Log On" tab of the properties you can change the account the service logs on as, I changed that to the account I gave to the install.bat. After that, start the service, and it works as it is supposed to (yeah I tried a few times running as a service without changing the username and it didn't work - but this is working quite well, and makes me very happy :) )

[Leonardo]

I'm impressed! It's not documented to run as a service. You are a hacker - a white hat type. :D

OK, have you actually completed work units with this configuration. (Sorry, I had to ask.) Once you are convinced it's stable, you should post this information over at the Folding Community Forums (http://forum.folding-community.org/forums.html) in the Windows SMP Client sub-forum (http://forum.folding-community.org/forum60,smp-for-windows-beta.html).

[sgstair]

Indeed I haven't yet completed a unit, but it's working exactly as it did in the command window, so I expect it will work properly. Also since it's running under my username, rather than the generic SERVICES username, I don't see anything that would prevent it from woeking.

Either way, we'll know in about a day, I'll post when the first unit gets completed. :)

[Leonardo]

I'll post when the first unit gets completed. Please do. Ensure you save copies of logs (or that logs aren't overwritten with new ones) to document your success. Good work.

[7im]

Yes, please do add any additional suggestions you have to this Folding Forum thread...

I'm running Windows SMP client as a service!!!
(http://forum.folding-community.org/ftopic20147.html)

[scott]

I too have been running as a service. ( on Vista to boot ) No problems. I also used the same method. I found the same method in the thread that 7im linked to. I have completed 14 work units "as a service"

NOTE
The important thing to remember here is this is a beta client that will stop working after a month or so. So be sure that you are monitoring the client on a daily basis at least, to catch any troubles or stoppages.


Scott

[sgstair]

Ok, nice - Yeah, I have been and will continue to monitor the client very closely (via fahmon as well as the logfiles) - I just really dislike having the command window open all the time. (yeah, I know there are other solutions to that...)
I see this service arrangement is indeed in circulation, I posted my notes here because I didn't see anything else around about it... but I haven't generally been on the larger folding boards about it.

[Leonardo]

Oh, high 7im, thanks for dropping in!

You are always welcome here. We have many dedicated Folders here that care deeply about the research. Many of us have been Folding since nearly the beginning of the project's release to the public. (Team 93...low number.) Our community, although serious about what we do, is fairly easy going and quite friendly. Hope you can feel at home here, whether your visits are regular or occasional.

[sgstair]

In other news, my SMP client has successfully turned in it's first WU now - +1760 points :) So far so good...

[Leonardo]

sgtstair, scott, when you are sure the SMP service is stable, please document it over at Folding Community. That valuable information that will help make a difference in future Folding clients.

[sgstair]

Leonardo: never mind that 7im's link -was- to Folding community, where it is most certainly documented as well as I could hope for. ;)