Been a while so a couple Q's

[ToiletDuck]

I just purchased a Dual Core AMD 2.0ghz laptop with 2gb memory. I don't use it for much besides internet so I'll just let the folding run.

Is F@H not multi core? I only get a max usage of about 50%. I know it use to be single core and you had to alter files to get it to run more than one instace but was just checking.

Also are there no 64bit versions? I figure since I have a 64bit processor and am running 64bit vista, which is running excellent I might add, I figured a 64bit verison of the program would help it crunch the numbers faster. Am I wrong on this assessment?

[Adak]

The SMP client is multi-core, the other FAH clients, are single-core, which obviously you have.

The SMP client is 64 bit, with it's 4 threads, but it also has a 32 bit client.

[Adak]

The questions for a laptop used for folding are:

1) How's the temps? Some laptops handle the heat really well. Others have trouble with it.
(I suspect this was more a problem with the very smallest of the laptops, but haven't been able to test it)

2) Did you go into advanced settings and tell the client to stop folding when the laptop is running on batteries? There's a set up question just for that.

When you're ready to maximize the points and production on that folding laptop, let us know. We'll help you through the change over to SMP.

[ToiletDuck]

Hi Adak. The laptop runs fine. I just left it going for 8hrs while I flew today. My laptop is a Toshiba Satellite A215. I bought it because it's very cheap but came with the components I wanted. It isn't as tough a book as my sony Vaio was so I'm being more careful with it but it does run cooler. It's slightly thicker and the exhaust port is out the side so the air isn't restricted. So far so good. I'm ready to get this thing pumping out. I'll start researching what you've said now. Just for reference I would like something with a GUI as I don't want to mess with DOS.

PS what does GPU support do? Are they able to use your GPU to help crunch now? Awesome

[ToiletDuck]

Ok I had found the beta SMP one. I installed. Went through all the questions in the DOS menu, it downloaded something but gave an error about the Folding@home core. I don't know what this means. I hit cntrl/alt/del and in the processes it showed it as fah.exe*32 so I'm thinking I had the wrong client?

[Alpha_One]

Actually, all the F@H cores are 32-bit. The Linux SMP client requires 64-bit, but the Windows one doesn't. You'd actually get better performance if you run the Linux client inside a low-priority VMWare instance, though I don't know how to set one up, I don't run 64-bit.

Yes, you can fold on GPUs now, but currently only on the discrete X-series Radeons. It's not worth it either, the client is too buggy, and it has a tendency to kill your card. Video cards aren't exactly designed for 24/7 operation...

[ToiletDuck]

how much of a boost would I see? I wouldn't mind tossing a light distro on here if I could get it up and running. I'm ready when you guys are if someone can get me setup. If it's not much of a boost then I'll just keep it the way it is. Also what matters most the ghz or the cache. Would a celeron running at a high mhz be better than an opteron running at half that speed?

[Alpha_One]

I haven't used the Linux SMP under VMWare in Windows yet, but there are some here who do, and they claim 5-10% improvement even with the overhead. Actually, the main reason you'd want to do SMP under Linux in VMware isn't the performance. WinSMP is extremely buggy. The client would stall if you lost your connection (which is particularly bad if you're using wireless). It would also stall or even lose its work for seemingly no reason at all. Especially in Vista.

Guide to setting up the VMWare stuff... (http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=494925)

Some of the WU's are heavily cache dependent, so a big cache would be a huge advantage. You say the Celeron is clocked twice as high as the Opty, is it a NetBurst? I'm not sure which Celeron you're referring to, but the NetBurst ones generally suck for folding compared to everything else. If that was the case, I'd use the Opty. Or Both. :D

I'm not really familiar with AMD hardware after the Socket A ones. What Opty exactly? vs. which Celeron?

[jintatsu]

I think it would be better to run it using the opteron. netburst sucks.

[ToiletDuck]

Well I have a 160opty with 1gb memory and a 256mb vid card just sitting in my room. I haven't turned on that desktop in months. One reason is I don't have wireless connection available. It is dual core and OCed but I can't remember at what speed.

I did just make it back home where I have my old laptop with the busted screen. I plugged it into my desktop monitor and installed F@H on it. It's a 1.73ghz penitum M with 2gb memory. Since it's obviously wireless I can just leave it in my old room at my parents and leave it running. So I guess I'm up to 2rigs. I'm about to put it on my mother's PC as well so that makes 3 rigs. It's only an athlon XP +2000. I'd put it on my desktop in my room but don't feel like buying a wireless card for it at the moment.

Since I wouldn't get THAT big of a performance increase I'll just run two instances of it on my dual core laptop I just purchased. So I guess I'm back in the game now :D

[Adak]

Ok I had found the beta SMP one. I installed. Went through all the questions in the DOS menu, it downloaded something but gave an error about the Folding@home core. I don't know what this means. I hit cntrl/alt/del and in the processes it showed it as fah.exe*32 so I'm thinking I had the wrong client?

OK TD, it's question time:

1) do you have an administrative account with full privileges, AND a password?

2) did you check that you had .net framework version 2.0 or higher, installed?

3) were you signed into your full privileged account when you tried to run install.bat?

Some Vista user's have said they had to turn off UAC first, before they could get Vista to accept the smp install.

Some just made sure they were signed into their account with their password, and re-installed it, and it worked fine.

I'd give that a shot. If it doesn't work, and all the above has been dealt with correctly, then give me all you have for any error messages, and I'll see what I can find for you on the main FAH forum.

[ToiletDuck]

I'll give that a shot. No I was logged in as my name but I have administrative privileges. I do have a password on it.

I'll have to check on the .net framework. I want to say yes though because I did install all current updates for the system from M$'s website.

I'll get back to you.
Duck

[ToiletDuck]

Ok I was an idiot. I've only used the GUI version before, never a console version. I didn't know about running the install.bat file. I did that. She's up and running now lol. I'm sorry for your headache. Now she's running at 100% :D

[Adak]

TD, glad you got it all working.

We've all been there on something or other to do with FAH. No worries, bro.