Folding@School

[dbc]

There are 150+ macs at my school (mixed g3s g4s) just begging to fold.... (assuming of course that I can get permission )
I know that others have tried already to get computers at their schools folding (with mixed results), but I believe that if I can show them that it can be easily done without much hassle, I have a fighting chance of getting some ghz folding.

now heres the rub...
The way the computers are set up, each student has an account that they can log into for classes, so every computer spends a good portion of the day doing nothing but displaying a login screen. My question is this: can the computers be set up to run F@H in the background while the login screen is being displayed?

All the macs are running the latest version of OSX , not sure exactly what V.

any input is appreciated.

 

[sigmend]

Heh, I have created a proggy to do just that. (see sig)

If you give me your info for the client (username etc) I can create a custom installer for you.
All it would require is to click on the package and, well, just keep clicking next. Or if your school has Apple Remote Desktop you can drop the package down

 

[amohedas]

I have been thinking about asking some people at my school to do the same thing. There are some Macs, but the vast majority of computers are PCs running XP, is there a similar program that will frun folding even when no one is logged in???

Thanks

 

[wraieghaeien]

I know if it is running XP
you can just install the no frills command line client.
part of the new 5.x clients ask you if you want to install
as a service, say YES!

That way even if nobody is on the computer it will fold away.

 

[sigmend]

I have been thinking about asking some people at my school to do the same thing. There are some Macs, but the vast majority of computers are PCs running XP, is there a similar program that will frun folding even when no one is logged in???

Thanks

(talking about macs here)
What I have done with my installer is, when the system is starting up, folding at home is loaded. Thereby letting you fold even if no one is logged into the GUI front.
This normally does not happen with the CLI client.
It is extremely easy to do if you run one of my installers, requires no work other than telling it your username.

 

[dbc]

Good news. I've spoken with the principal, who seemed to think it was a good idea. He said he needed more information about how feasible it would be to do, so I will write up a proposal to give him. Also, I spoke to some of the IT staff, their primary concern was making sure that it would not cause instabilities on any of the computers, since its a major problem when any of the labs are out of order. I suggested trying it on a few computers to start with, to see if there will be any problems. I still need to speak with the head IT guy, since he's the one who can give the OK.

sigmend: thanks for the program! I'll send you the user info once I get the OK.

 

[Mattman]

For standard, off the shelf desktop computers (like Macs, for instance) you should have no problems at all with stability. It is possible to run into issues with overclocked machines and laptops if the overclock is too high or if heat is not removed properly. Other than that, I think that FAH will perform well in any testing the IT staff will do. Good luck in the final phase of your project. If you're successful in getting Folding installed on all machines (and if they could run 24/7), they would be capable of doing a huge amount of work!