Help a newb get started please

[KD28]

Hiya guys, started folding 2 days ago. Been looking thru the FAQ and the Horde Central sticky on this forum but not finding an easy 'how to' guide to walk me thru this stuff. I've downloaded the graphical client originally. I've been reading that the SMP client would yield much better results and I'll install that when I get home instead. Of couse I'd like to maximize the folding output of my rig (specs in my sig)

Now, questions (the 'advanced tips and tricks' didnt help enough):

- are there other programs I can run to help the folding? (i keep seeing vmware and ubuntu referred to)
- I may set up some borgs, that advanced tips and tricks refers to setting them up as clients in win98/me... would this be same for XP?
- How much does folding affect your cpu's performance
- - - - I wouldnt wanna set up borgs that'll affect other peoples comps too much
- - - - Do I need/should I turn off folding when I'm gaming, etc? or will folding take a back seat to my other applications (ie scale itself down)?

Been googling without much luck. Thanks!

 

[ICE_9]

No additional programs will speed up the folding. You can use additional ones to monitor it, but only overclocking and such will make it go faster.

You borgs will be computer specific. My recomendation is to do what you want, with what you have. If you borg a computer that you do not see on a regular basis (weekly), set it up with the basic console program. It is reliable and will require minimal interaction on your part.

Folding is designed to be ran on idle CPU time. If a process should start and request CPU time, the folding program will allow for it to run without slowdown or interruption.

Best suggestion is to setup the system to run at full processor. Let the user have their system, if problems should arise, you can turn down the ammount of CPU usage in the -configonly setup menu.

 

[Xilikon]

Don't forget the [H]orde central is a bit outdated currently so it's normal the infos isn't accurate now.

To answer your questions :

-vmware and ubuntu is just a way to run a SMP client on a linux 64 bits OS. Usually, it's done to get a slighty better ppd (points per day) output due to the higher efficiency. However, it's not a perfect solution because vmware will slowdown your computer a bit. However, for a dedicated folder, it's better to install a native linux 64 bits like Ubuntu 64 or Fedora. This can shave 1-3 mins off each frame, which can yield a few hours each WU.
-Setting up borgs is the same as setting it up on your main pc. The OS doesn't matter but if you want a dedicated folding borg with nothing else, it's better to setup a linux version for a better ppd output like noted above. However, it's your choice and it's better to use a OS you feel comfortable with.
-Folding won't affect the cpu performance with the exception of a vmware server running Ubuntu 64. The rest will gracefully release cpu cycles as soon as you sollicit the cpu for any needs (encoding, gaming, zipping, etc...). ICE_9 already explained this
---To avoid affecting oters too much, use the most stable client, which is the console version. This one can be setup so you can leave it running for months. SMP is still beta so it require a regular check and/or reboot to keep it running.
---Like I said above, the client is very very good at releasing cpu cycles when you need it, 100% automatically so don't worry.

Hope ICE_9 and mine help answer your questions

 

[aldamon]

However, it's not a perfect solution because vmware will slowdown your computer a bit. However, for a dedicated folder, it's better to install a native linux 64 bits like Ubuntu 64 or Fedora. This can shave 1-3 mins off each frame, which can yield a few hours each WU.

-Folding won't affect the cpu performance with the exception of a vmware server running Ubuntu 64.

Yeah, I couldn't stand the lag with Ubuntu/VMWare. I use Windows SMP exclusively.

 

[KD28]

Ah that does answer alot of my questions. Also, the advanced FAQ mentioned setting up folding as a service? how does that help if at all or was this something thats also outdated since it was refering to win98/me?

Thanks again

 

[Xilikon]

Ah that does answer alot of my questions. Also, the advanced FAQ mentioned setting up folding as a service? how does that help if at all or was this something thats also outdated since it was refering to win98/me?

Thanks again

With W2K, XP and Vista, it's the same way. Just execute with the -configonly option and when it ask if you want it to be run as a service, say yes and it will setup itself as a service. When it's done, just reboot and you should be folding

However, don't try this with the SMP client since it will cause lots of problems. It is possible but you need to configure everything the proper way with account/password set correctly both in installer.bat and in the new service.

 

[Pocatello]

Welcome to the [H]ardest Team in the World!

KD28 .... nice to have you here.

Now go get some points, and find yourself a badge.

 

[KD28]

hmm alright, I 'think' things are moving along. BUT still need couple of items clarified...

1) when I installed the SMP client, I did choose to run it as a service. When I open task manager (in vista) it IS listed as a service and my core 1 and 2 are constantly running around 50%. SO, did I do this right?

2) If so, how do I open the console so that I can monitor whats going on? I've double clicked that FAH.exe and it does open the console but my cores imediately go to 100% each. Did I just open up a second instance? Is that a nono?

3) Is there a 'user manual' that I can d/l lol. I cant seem to find one. -_- sorry for all the questions. Thanks in advance.

 

[Xilikon]

hmm alright, I 'think' things are moving along. BUT still need couple of items clarified...

1) when I installed the SMP client, I did choose to run it as a service. When I open task manager (in vista) it IS listed as a service and my core 1 and 2 are constantly running around 50%. SO, did I do this right?

2) If so, how do I open the console so that I can monitor whats going on? I've double clicked that FAH.exe and it does open the console but my cores imediately go to 100% each. Did I just open up a second instance? Is that a nono?

3) Is there a 'user manual' that I can d/l lol. I cant seem to find one. -_- sorry for all the questions. Thanks in advance.

With the SMP client, you normally don't enable the service mode because it isn't running well. To make the service run fine, you need to go in the services mmc, click on the FAH SMP service properties then enter the same account and password you used when you ran install.bat.

When a SMP client is running, you are normally supposed to see Fahcore_A1.exe 4 times with a average of 25% each in addition of mpiexec.exe and smpd.exe. Yours may not be running right.

For checking the progress when the client is in service mode, you need to go in the client folder and open FAHLog.txt, which contain the whole crunching progress. You can also use a monitoring software like fahspy or EMIII. I'm short in time currently but I'm sure someone will provide you with the links to those software

 

[aldamon]

hmm alright, I 'think' things are moving along. BUT still need couple of items clarified...

1) when I installed the SMP client, I did choose to run it as a service. When I open task manager (in vista) it IS listed as a service and my core 1 and 2 are constantly running around 50%. SO, did I do this right?

2) If so, how do I open the console so that I can monitor whats going on? I've double clicked that FAH.exe and it does open the console but my cores imediately go to 100% each. Did I just open up a second instance? Is that a nono?

Something isn't right but that's because it's not a good idea to install SMP as a service. Just as others have said, SMP is beta. Just run it in a window and be happy if it works.

You can monitor progress with a program like FAHMon or by opening the log file.