Confused newcomer.
Gareth
Wales
I've been looking at the download section of the Stanford site and was about to download the Graphical Client . I'm running Windows XP and am confused by this message.....
Note: Windows 2000/NT/XP users should use a separate screensaver-only version of Folding@home (see below) if they require screensaver functionality. If you do not require the screensaver functionality, just install the client and start folding!
When they talk about screensaver functionality do they mean the folding screensaver or any screensaver.
I normally have my XP screensaver set to "blank" after 5 mins and monitor to "standby" after 10 mins.
If I d/l the graphical client can I still do that or must I use "Screensaver Client" or "Console" ?
Sorry if it's a basic question for you guys but I'm a bit confused.
Thanks.. Gareth
Note: Windows 2000/NT/XP users should use a separate screensaver-only version of Folding@home (see below) if they require screensaver functionality. If you do not require the screensaver functionality, just install the client and start folding!
When they talk about screensaver functionality do they mean the folding screensaver or any screensaver.
I normally have my XP screensaver set to "blank" after 5 mins and monitor to "standby" after 10 mins.
If I d/l the graphical client can I still do that or must I use "Screensaver Client" or "Console" ?
Sorry if it's a basic question for you guys but I'm a bit confused.
Thanks.. Gareth
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Comments
Incidentally, if you've never run any version of F@H before, keep the following in mind:
1. The screensaver is bad. The graphical client is marginally better, but since it's a pain to set up the console as a service, I generally run the graphical client anyhow. The more time the program spends drawing pretty images, the less time it spends folding.
2. Once you get the graphical client installed, before you run it, go to it's start menu folder, right click on it's icon, hit properties, and under the "target" line, add the following on to the end of what's already there: (space)-advmethods(space)-forceasm
Note that (space) = , not the text "(space)"
Do the same for it's icon under the startup folder.
Then run the program. Our team # is 93.
Set the molecule draw rate to the lowest possible setting, uncheck "logos enabled" and if you've got a decently recent machine (anything over like 500MHz should be fine), set the client type to "Folding @ home". If you've got anything under ~800MHz tho, and it's NOT on all the time, set it to either "no preference" or "Genome @ home".
Does it matter if I shut the machine down overnight ?
i.e. will it loose the work unit or does it just pick up from where it left off ?
If I find that the cpu is getting too hot, can I turn it down to use less than 100% of spare processing. Thanks again.. Gareth
(hey Al, you stole my post!
Is that yes it matters and yes I will loose the work unit.
or is it yes It picks up from where it left off and yes I can use less cpu % ?
You have to be very clear when dealing with a Welsh man !
Haha, sorry. That's yes it will not lose the work unit and you will just start where you began. Also, yes you can change the cpu usage by following the directions in my previous post.
I'll try running on my amd 1600xp for a few days. Once everything is sorted I'll return for more advice about installing on my P4 H.T.
I know it's a case of installing something twice BUT don't try to explain it to me just yet or I'll only get more confused. We can deal with that at a later date.
Thanks.. Gareth
I really need to keep the noise down as low as possible. This is why I am a bit concerned about running cpu at 100%. During normal operation the cpu runs at 49'C. During the very hot summer weeks it went up to about 58'C.
The P4 has a Zalman 7000CU in the same sort of case and same cooling. That one runs at about 34'C.
Also, have you thought about getting one of the Zalman CNPS7000A-ALCU or 7000A-CU heatsinks for the AMD?
I hadn't thought of getting another heatsink for the AMD, but I am thinking of building another P4 H.T. and selling the AMD !
After about an hour the CPU temp has gone from it's normal 49'c to 59'c and the case temp from 33'c to 37'c , so I'm quite happy with that.
Just a couple of questions for now ...
what does the (-advmethods -forceasm) do ?
If I hover over the icon I get 20/500 , does that mean it's done 20 out of 500 somethings in the work unit ?
That's all for now, no doubt there will be more questions in the coming days.
Thanks... Gareth aka Gareth_R
What advmethods is doing is to try to take advantage of newer tech ability to use vectors to calculate things, in essence model in a way that newer processors and decent amounts fo RAM can take advantage of. Older machines cannot hack this, newer ones work FASTER with the switch on (boht AMD and Intel boxes). AMD boxes can take advantage of the forceasm switch also, while P4's go into emulation mode at about PIII level and slow down work on Folding work units.
The 20/500 is 20 complete frames of 500 total, comes out to about 4% done. Workunits come in 400 frame and 500 frame kinds, the 500 framers do not always take much longer on one box versus the others, essentially the 500 frames run each frame faster on one box as they are less complex. Others will or have told you about which kind of workunit you want, but basic box specs would be the best way to get settings that give you the most out of the box fastest as each box has its own folding personality.
John.
Good Job John
advmethods will get you 'beta' work units. They have gone thru an internal Stanford test, a beta team test, and now a public beta test. They are not quite as stable and can crash once in awhile. Right now and mostly in the past they have been gromacs which give a higher point/hour ratio than tinkers.
I take it that I don't use forceasm on the P4 then ?
On the P4 box I beleive I have to install it twice. Is that correct ?
Can someone give me some clear instruction on what to do to set up the P4 HT. (Create a folder called xyz run abc etc)
Also do I use the same username of Gareth_R ?
Thanks for your patience.... Gareth
Install the GUI or console on FAH.
Make a shortcut to the exe and put advmethods in the target.
Set it up just like you did your other machine.
Use the same name and team #93.
If you use the console say yes to more options and set it to machine ID 1.
For the second client you can use the console or GUI and in FAH2 folder.
Make a shortcut to the exe and put advmethods in the target.
Same username and team ID.
If you choose the console say yes to more options and make it Machine ID 2.
If you use the GUI, install it and close it right away after its installed. You must go into the client.cfg file and change machine ID to 2.
So basically different folders with the second client having machine ID 2. Advmethods is a good choice. Same name in all clients. Must be exactly the same or it will be a different name. Caps matter.
BTW this IS freeware, or at least it WAS. I think it was released under the GNU, but hey, I forget, it's been awhile!
I tried that and it still won't work.
Haven't tried this with the GUI client, but it may work.