Folding on a Dell....???

[aldamon]

So I got permission to run F@H on my new work computer (Dell E6700 @ Stock 2.67 GHz) during work hours and just giddily installed two instances of the regular console client. I realized beforehand that it was not going to produce many PPD running 8 hours a day, but I thought the performance would be better than this:

[14:35:04] Writing local files
[14:35:06] Completed 120000 out of 4000000 steps (3)
[14:35:08] Extra SSE boost OK.
[15:07:16] Writing local files
[15:07:16] Completed 160000 out of 4000000 steps (4)
[15:39:29] Writing local files
[15:39:29] Completed 200000 out of 4000000 steps (5)

32 minutes a frame for an E6700 on a regular 388-point, Gromacs 3408 work unit? WTH is going on? Can McAfee Enterprise or something else on a Dell cause this kind of slowdown or am I expecting too much at stock speeds?

 

[Xilikon]

So I got permission to run F@H on my new work computer (Dell E6700 @ Stock 2.67 GHz) during work hours and just giddily installed two instances of the regular console client. I realized beforehand that it was not going to produce many PPD running 8 hours a day, but I thought the performance would be better than this:

[14:35:04] Writing local files
[14:35:06] Completed 120000 out of 4000000 steps (3)
[14:35:08] Extra SSE boost OK.
[15:07:16] Writing local files
[15:07:16] Completed 160000 out of 4000000 steps (4)
[15:39:29] Writing local files
[15:39:29] Completed 200000 out of 4000000 steps (5)

32 minutes a frame for an E6700 on a regular 388-point, Gromacs 3408 work unit? WTH is going on? Can McAfee Enterprise or something else on a Dell cause this kind of slowdown or am I expecting too much at stock speeds?

That's pretty normal for a standard client as the deadlines is usually around 2 months. A SMP client would be faster and would produce more if you can live with a console window open in the taskbar.

 

[BLUEFISH44]

I dont think they would finish in time only running 8 hours a day, the SMP client that is.

 

[aldamon]

I dont think they would finish in time only running 8 hours a day, the SMP client that is.

Yeah, no chance and the SMP client doesn't like being shut down or run as a service either.

That's pretty normal for a standard client as the deadlines is usually around 2 months.

I just figured it would be faster than 32 minutes per frame. Six days is going to be a long time to wait for a work unit. Bummer.

 

[Pocatello]

every little bit helps said the old lady as she p*ssed in the sea.

 

[ND40oz]

Damn, that sucks it's only for work hours, can you get permission for all hours and then just set the smp to run as a service?

 

[aldamon]

Damn, that sucks it's only for work hours, can you get permission for all hours and then just set the smp to run as a service?

I thought about it but I don't feel right using their electricity 24/7.

And hey, the mod ruined the rhyme in my thread title

 

[BillR]

Damn, that sucks it's only for work hours, can you get permission for all hours and then just set the smp to run as a service?

I keep reading about running the win smp client as a service. This is from the readme file in the most current down load"

Running the client:
Run fah.exe to start the SMP client. You will get another pop-up firewall
window. Note: SMP does not currently allow running FAH as a service.

You may get it to load, but in most cases it just doesn't work well at all.

Luck

 

[ND40oz]

I keep reading about running the win smp client as a service. This is from the readme file in the most current down load"

Running the client:
Run fah.exe to start the SMP client. You will get another pop-up firewall
window. Note: SMP does not currently allow running FAH as a service.

You may get it to load, but in most cases it just doesn't work well at all.

Luck

Been running fine for me on multiple boxes for 3 months, a few hiccups here and there, but nothing a reboot didn't fix. The way you configure the client through the console does not allow you to specify accounts for services and this is probably why the readme says it isn't possible. It either needs to install the service during the initial install to allow this or they need to modify the console to allow you to specify a user name and password for the account. For now, manually editing the service properties for user and password works fine.

 

[Xilikon]

Been running fine for me on multiple boxes for 3 months, a few hiccups here and there, but nothing a reboot didn't fix. The way you configure the client through the console does not allow you to specify accounts for services and this is probably why the readme says it isn't possible. It either needs to install the service during the initial install to allow this or they need to modify the console to allow you to specify a user name and password for the account. For now, manually editing the service properties for user and password works fine.

Interesting.. Can you write a small guide for this then I would try to implement on some work PC I had permission so I can remove the cumbersome command line window ?

 

[ND40oz]

Once you've chosen run as a service when setting the client up, it will create a service for you. You have to edit that service, so:

Either right click on My Computer and choose manage or go into your control panel -> administrative tools and click services.

If you did manage, go to Services and Applications, expand it and click on services. If you went through the control panel, you should already see all your services.

Find the F@H SMP Service and right click it, choose properties.

Click on the Logon Tab and choose the radio button for This Account.

Put in the account you installed MPI under, it should look like Computername\Account or Domainname\Account and then the password.

Click apply, I believe the name defaults to .\Account if you used a local system account, but I'm not infront of any of my systems now to confirm that.

Now reboot your PC and monitor your task manager to make sure it's using 100% of your processor resources about a minute into boot, you can also check the log to make sure everythings working properly.

Once setup as a service, do not start the console client, it will mess everything up and cause your frame times to triple. If you do notice a problem, reboot the system and it usually corrects it, if it doesn't, a second reboot almost always does.

 

[aldamon]

LOL. I just talked to the IT guy again and he doesn't care if I leave the computer on. Many others do I guess. If Corporate complains, he'll get the call and I'll uninstall it. He doesn't think they will. So chalk up another SMP client for me.

 

[Xilikon]

Once you've chosen run as a service when setting the client up, it will create a service for you. You have to edit that service, so:

Either right click on My Computer and choose manage or go into your control panel -> administrative tools and click services.

If you did manage, go to Services and Applications, expand it and click on services. If you went through the control panel, you should already see all your services.

Find the F@H SMP Service and right click it, choose properties.

Click on the Logon Tab and choose the radio button for This Account.

Put in the account you installed MPI under, it should look like Computername\Account or Domainname\Account and then the password.

Click apply, I believe the name defaults to .\Account if you used a local system account, but I'm not infront of any of my systems now to confirm that.

Now reboot your PC and monitor your task manager to make sure it's using 100% of your processor resources about a minute into boot, you can also check the log to make sure everythings working properly.

Once setup as a service, do not start the console client, it will mess everything up and cause your frame times to triple. If you do notice a problem, reboot the system and it usually corrects it, if it doesn't, a second reboot almost always does.

I see now what you did so it's indeed easy And I tried on a computer and it indeed default to .\Account if you used a local account. I will finish to configure it as soon as it complete a WU to avoid losing one by accident.

I understand now why Stanford is trying to discourage ppl from trying... They didn't figure out how to setup the proper account as they have not setup a good installer for both mpiexec and the service. IMHO, this deserve to be added in the [H]orde central.



EDIT : Decided to copy the working folder somewhere safe then configured as service. It is now chugging happily so a big high five for your tip

 

[aldamon]

Damn, that sucks it's only for work hours, can you get permission for all hours and then just set the smp

Hehe, 14-15 mins a frame in SMP is much better.

[20:20:59] Project: 2608 (Run 0, Clone 328, Gen 8)
[20:20:59]
[20:20:59] Entering M.D.
[20:21:06] Protein: Protein
[20:21:06] Writing local files
[20:21:08] t)
[20:21:08] ra SSE boost OK.
[20:35:39] es
[20:35:39] Completed 5000 out of 500000 steps (1 percent)
[20:49:49] Writing local files
[20:49:49] Completed 10000 out of 500000 steps (2 percent)
[21:03:51] Writing local files
[21:03:51] Completed 15000 out of 500000 steps (3 percent)
[10:52:59] Completed 310000 out of 500000 steps (62 percent)
[11:07:03] Writing local files
[11:07:04] Completed 315000 out of 500000 steps (63 percent)
[11:21:06] Writing local files
[11:21:06] Completed 320000 out of 500000 steps (64 percent)
[11:35:09] Writing local files
[11:35:10] Completed 325000 out of 500000 steps (65 percent)
[11:49:25] Writing local files
[11:49:25] Completed 330000 out of 500000 steps (66 percent)