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folding GPU under linux?

C

CraftyOtter

Gawd
Joined
Jun 25, 2004
Messages
663
The pile of spare components I had somehow formed itself into another folding rig [while I was supposed to be cleaning out the basement :D] Shhh.

But ... my latest challenge is I have no spare WinXP/Win7 OS's to run on it. :rolleyes:

What's the general consensus on linux distro's for the GPU client?

setup:

MSI GA-P31 socket 775
Intel C2D 6750 Conroe @ 2.66
2 GB RAM
BFG 8800GTS (will overclock the snot out of it)

Are there any prepackaged ISO's for GPU folding under linux? I don't mind going will a full distro of Linux if need be [I've been looking for an excuse to write code using "vi" again for old time sakes]. But I just want this up and running ASAP.

Suggestions?
 
You can still run the RC win 7 for another 2 months or so.

You might be able to figure out something by then.
 
Hmm. Good point. Post some points and buy some time.

I was just looking at an old WinXP Home CD [used as a beer coaster] that dates back 5+ years but thinking about all the service packs [1-3] + patch downloads etc. gave me chills. Let alone finding the key.
 
Yeah but isn't the RC at the phase where it starts rebooting every few hours or something? If that's the case it would be pointless to run on a Folding machine now. :(
 
If you do go down the Linux route, this was a godsend to me...

http://foldingforum.org/viewtopic.php?f=54&t=6793&start=0

I went with 8.043 LTS Desktop, and the only real problem I had was something about a header showing a less recent version of the nVidia driver that needed uninstalled. Of course, this was after a couple of days of trying various other combinations with more recent versions of Ubuntu and the Cuda drivers/toolkit.
 
zero2dash said:
Yeah but isn't the RC at the phase where it starts rebooting every few hours or something? If that's the case it would be pointless to run on a Folding machine now. :(
Click to expand...

If I remember you have about 2 months before that happens.
 
I'm GPU folding under Ubuntu 9.04. It's been working pretty much flawlessly for me. To get it set up, just look at the thread that musky linked to (don't follow all the instructions; just the ones that apply to actually setting up WINE and F@H).
 
I'm a long time GPU folder on Linux via WINE. It works fine as others have said. Plenty of us here for support if the time comes for you to try it out.
 
Thank too all [as always]. And for the links.

This scrap rig is running on a budget so I'll chase the linux route.
 
Last edited:
How is the performance of the GPU client under WINE in Linux? Comparable to Windows? Also, how is GPU OC accomplished in Linux? Which OC tools are supported? Sorry for all the questions but I have absolutely no experience with GPU-related work in a Linux environment. :eek:

Tobit said:
NO :cool:
Click to expand...
Good! I hate when I have to do maintenance that requires removal of the plugs. Then you restart Windows forgetting to put the plugs back in and the client refuses to start. At which point you need to reconnect the plug, detect monitor, extend the desktop and restart the client.
 
APOLLO said:
How is the performance of the GPU client under WINE in Linux? Comparable to Windows? Also, how is GPU OC accomplished in Linux? Which OC tools are supported? Sorry for all the questions but I have absolutely no experience with GPU-related work in a Linux environment. :eek:
Click to expand...
Performance is very comparable. For overclocking, because I don't use a GUI in Linux, I find it easier to find a happy overclock in Windows using Precision or Riva Tuner and then I flash the cards with the OC. I've never had any issues doing this.
 
Tobit said:
Performance is very comparable. For overclocking, because I don't use a GUI in Linux, I find it easier to find a happy overclock in Windows using Precision or Riva Tuner and then I flash the cards with the OC. I've never had any issues doing this.
Click to expand...
I see, but I imagine it can be done without flashing if one decided to use a GUI DE?
 
APOLLO said:
I see, but I imagine it can be done without flashing if one decided to use a GUI DE?
Click to expand...
Yeah, the proprietary nvidia drivers for X11 has a tool that supports overclocking. It is called 'nvidia-settings' but you must have your X11 GUI configured to use the nvidia proprietary drivers.
 
rmdashrrootsplat said:
Do you need dummy plugs for gpu under linux? Most of my linux pc's are headless.
Click to expand...
You can hack your xorg.conf file with dummy monitors, which allows you to fold on cards without actual monitors connected.
APOLLO said:
I see, but I imagine it can be done without flashing if one decided to use a GUI DE?
Click to expand...
Like Tobit pointed out, you can. You can either use the Coolbits hack for Linux (which I prefer), or you can use nvclock. The downside is that you only have control over core and memory speeds, so to change the shader speed you have to adjust the core frequency as well which will probably limit your overclock.
 
It looks like nvidias tool for their X11 server also only allows you to tweak the core and memory speeds. It's been awhile since I last used it. I'm probably going to go back to a Linux desktop environment this coming weekend when I rebuild the farm with all the new parts I have coming.

screenshotnvidiaxserverns0.png
 
That's interesting information on Linux GPU OC. Thanks for the info, Tobit and Zero. I will probably attempt this with a native install of Xubuntu later this month and try WINE with one card to see how it goes.
 
Update: I followed the guide http://foldingforum.org/viewtopic.ph...t=6793&start=0 that musky linked to but only makes it a quarter of the way through the steps before the wheels fall off at step 13.

Code: 
13. Test to make sure the wrapper is properly linked:
Code: ldd ~/.wine/drive_c/windows/system32/cudart.dll
This fails with with a executable error (even using sudo) and does not generate the output that it should as outlined by the guide. Will goof around with this again tonight.

The guide speaks of Ubuntu Server version 8.04.3 but I could only find a newer version 9.10. The Kernel.org site just points back to Ubuntu's home page, didn't find any archives of older versions. Maybe this is factoring into the failure @ #13

If I can't get this to work in a reasonable amount of time, I'll probably just hold off on the Linux/GPU client until the rumored Linux/GPU2 comes out. :p
 
You'll need the newer Cuda drivers and Cuda toolkit with Ubuntu 9.10. I never was able to get it to work, but was able to get 8.043 LTS desktop top work based on the guide. I'll be trying again soon with 9.10 server + ubuntu-desktop, so maybe we can compare notes.
 
I'm using desktop Ubuntu 9.04 and the method in that guide worked fine for me.
 
Zero82z said:
I'm using desktop Ubuntu 9.04 and the method in that guide worked fine for me.
Click to expand...

With the 180.60 drivers and the 2.0 toolkit? I didn't think they worked with the newer kernels.
 
I think 9.04 might be using the older kernel. Either way, it works for me. My familiarity with Linux is just enough for me to get it up and running for F@H, so I haven't bothered to look into any of the technical aspects.
 
musky said:
With the 180.60 drivers and the 2.0 toolkit? I didn't think they worked with the newer kernels.
Click to expand...
9.04 ships with kernel 2.6.28 which still supports 180.60 driver. However, 9.10 ships with a kernel no longer compatible with 180.60. On my Linux boxen that run a custom 2.6.32 kernel, I run the 195.30 driver and 2.3 CUDA toolkit.
 
update #2:

@Zero82z Yeah it just didn't go smoothly on my end with 9.10 and it's been about 8 years since using *nix last. A bit rusty.

I ended up loading an old WinXP CD [circa 2002 - the one with service pack 0].

Add one more 6000+ PpD rig to meh farm and the [H]orde. :D

The only thing I had to update was DirectX, then FAH GPU was happy.

I'd be interested in a Linux GPU client in the future though, rumors pending.
 
190.53 drivers, 2.3 CUDA toolkit for Ubuntu 9.04, actual Ubuntu version 9.10 server with ubuntu-desktop. I keep getting the following:

Initializing Nvidia gpu library
Run: exception thrown during GuardedRun
[02:30:34] Tpr hash work/wudata_02.tpr: 1074900029 1715858895 1672287039 2441898466 2392715286
[02:30:34]
[02:30:34] Calling fah_main args: 14 usage=100
[02:30:34]
[02:30:34] Run: exception thrown during GuardedRun
[02:30:34] Run: exception thrown in GuardedRun -- Gromacs cannot continue further.
[02:30:34] Going to send back what have done -- stepsTotalG=0
[02:30:34] Work fraction=0.0000 steps=0.
[02:30:38] logfile size=4945 infoLength=4945 edr=0 trr=23
[02:30:38] + Opened results file
[02:30:38] - Writing 5481 bytes of core data to disk...
[02:30:38] Done: 4969 -> 1852 (compressed to 37.2 percent)
[02:30:38] ... Done.
[02:30:38] DeleteFrameFiles: successfully deleted file=work/wudata_02.ckp
[02:30:38]
[02:30:38] Folding@home Core Shutdown: UNSTABLE_MACHINE

Thoughts? I ran into this the last time I tried to set up GPU folding in Ubuntu 9.10. The cudart.dll test worked fine, so it has to be close.
 
musky said:
Thoughts? I ran into this the last time I tried to set up GPU folding in Ubuntu 9.10. The cudart.dll test worked fine, so it has to be close.
Click to expand...
It's your NV drivers. I experienced the same thing when I tried the 190 driver. You need to be using the 195.30 Beta driver with the 2.3 toolkit.
 
Yep, that was it. Looks like Nitrobass's old 275 runs like a champ under Linux! I may have to play with priorities a little, but she is running at least.
 
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