- Joined
- Oct 31, 2001
- Location
- Lost Angeles
***I penned this thread in 09/03 and it was in need of a serious redo. Team member Dark_15 completed an exquisite monster edit and re-formatting recently (04/05). He also whipped up the .bat files for starting/stopping the service as well. My many thanks for his hard work.***
Since you have made the effort to come to our forum and want to install folding, here's the "How-To" for you. There are numerous ways to fold which can be as easy as downloading the program and running it or as complex as building a diskless farm (each cpu/mobo is without a HD) while pulling data from a server or using a CDROM based OS.
How simple or complex is all up to you. However, there are ways to fold which will result in less maintenance for you and a higher output from your machine. The following is a list that will explain the most widely used ways to install FAH and hopefully make it easier for the new team members to get started and the veterans to find tools to create that farm of all farms or stretch their mad skillz to new heights. If there is something discussed that you don't understand (flags, Core's, Diskless stuff etc) just read on as it will probably be explained below or you can always ask in the forum.
Essentially, the One-Click does everything in one click that you do long hand when you download the client, make the directories, hit "Start/Run/[some directory]/FAH502-Console.exe -config" and answer all the setup questions. In addition, the greatest benefit of the One-Click is that it sets FAH up as a service so when ever the computer is powered up, it's folding.
Most FAH veterans from our team carry the One-Click around on a floppy or USB pen drive with their client.cfg already edited. This enables a quick plug n' borg when you find a rig and have permission to install FAH.
The first four sections deal with the various version of the One-Click FAH Install program as the six versions are split into two categories, with or without the -advmethods flags. All versions have the four basic flags (-local -service -verbosity 9 -forceasm) as they seem to be a popular choice amongst the power folders.
Each version comes either with or without the -advmethods flag. The rule of thumb with the -advmethods flag is that if the rig has a cpu of greater speed than 2Ghz, use the -advmethods version, if the cpu is less than 2Ghz, use the regular, or non-advmethods version.
There is an extra edit required in the client.cfg if you want to fold BigPacket WU's. There has been ample discussion about this, but here's the basic rules: If you have more than 1GB of RAM per CPU, then you can fold BigPackets. If you want BigPackets, simply edit the client.cfg's to "bigpackets=yes". I find that most of my borgs are not worthy of BigPacket fun, so the default is set to "no".
These installs just like the installs listed above, but lacks the -advmethods flag. This is especially useful for sub 2ghz processors and other machines that have trouble with the -advmethods flag.
Say you're lucky enough to find yourself in the data center for your local school district and the admin is FAH friendly. You have 10 minutes to load FAH on as many computers as you can before he has to go reload on caffeine and Doritos, what do you do?
You have 4 options:
We have some sick talent on our team. Talent that makes American Idol look like the Gong Show. Arkaine, David, and Gator have worked for hours behind the flickering lights of their monitors to give us more choices for folding than there are reality TV shows on Fox. We also have some farmers that could rival the potatoe production of Idaho and I'm sure our creativity far exceeds those dirt guys as well. Here's a list of possible alternative solutions for FAH that include Linux and Farming.
Let's say you were brilliant enough to install FAH as a service so it runs 24/7 even when the computer is logged off but now you need an easy way to stop the service. I'm a team member of OCG (OverClocked Gamerz) and when ever I play a match I stop my service, turn off Anti-Virus, and pretty much stop every extra goody I have running. It probably does nothing to help, but I like to know that my computer is 100% focused on killing other people (virtually, of course).
We now have the Batch Files already pre-made for you! All you simply need to do is download one of the attached files at the bottom of this post.
Very Important!When you use the stop service it will take about 10 to 15 seconds to stop the service completely as the Core_XX.exe takes time to disengage. Do not start the service before it has completely stopped. This will cause WU corruption and your instance will just sit there with error messages in the log file. Check task manager to verify that the service has stopped prior to restarting.
The "sc" calls on sc.exe (which should be in your \Windows\System32 directory, if not, get it here. The program is merely a command line services control program that enables you to manage services from the cmd window.
Use this as a tool, but don't stop the service unless you need to as there are proteins to fold!
Thread on Flags
You'll notice that in the above registry export file under the second key (\FAH\Parameters) there is a little line called "AppParamters", herein lies the much talked about option flags for running FAH.
Here is your guide to the flags:
To set up FAH in the registry, you need to only make a handful of registry additions in one location. An example of an exported install reg file is located below (one could copy/paste this into notepad, save it as "FAH-Install.reg" and merge it if need be):
---copy below this line ----
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\FAH]
"Type"=dword:00000010
"Start"=dword:00000002
"ErrorControl"=dword:00000001
"ImagePath"=hex(2):22,00,44,00,3a,00,5c,00,50,00,72,00,6f,00,67,00,72,00,61,00,\
6d,00,20,00,46,00,69,00,6c,00,65,00,73,00,5c,00,46,00,41,00,48,00,31,00,5c,\
00,73,00,72,00,76,00,61,00,6e,00,79,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,22,00,00,00
"DisplayName"="Folding@Home 1"
"ObjectName"="LocalSystem"
"Description"="Uses your computer's spare CPU cycles to solve complex scientific problems."
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\FAH\Parameters]
"Application"="D:\\Program Files\\FAH\\FAH4Console.exe"
"AppDirectory"="D:\\Program Files\\FAH1"
"AppParameters"="-local -service -forceSSE -advmethods"
---copy above this line----
In the above settings, "Type", "Start", and "ErrorControl" are DWORD hex values. When you create the keys manually, you would use the actual values of:
Type: "16"
Start: "2"
ErrorControl: "1"
and Windows will convert them to hex values. Furthermore, "ImagePath" is a string value that should match the directory for your FAH installation, such as: "C:\Program Files\FAH\srvany.exe"
Note the reference to the 'srvany.exe' here, this is what kicks FAH into a service.
In addition, for additional client installs (dually/quad installs) the service name is changed in the registry from FAH to FAH1, FAH2 and so on. The appropriate paths would also have to be placed in the registry entries to point to directories such as C:\Program Files\FAH\FAH1 and FAH\FAH2 etc.
Since you have made the effort to come to our forum and want to install folding, here's the "How-To" for you. There are numerous ways to fold which can be as easy as downloading the program and running it or as complex as building a diskless farm (each cpu/mobo is without a HD) while pulling data from a server or using a CDROM based OS.
How simple or complex is all up to you. However, there are ways to fold which will result in less maintenance for you and a higher output from your machine. The following is a list that will explain the most widely used ways to install FAH and hopefully make it easier for the new team members to get started and the veterans to find tools to create that farm of all farms or stretch their mad skillz to new heights. If there is something discussed that you don't understand (flags, Core's, Diskless stuff etc) just read on as it will probably be explained below or you can always ask in the forum.
The One-Click Install
Essentially, the One-Click does everything in one click that you do long hand when you download the client, make the directories, hit "Start/Run/[some directory]/FAH502-Console.exe -config" and answer all the setup questions. In addition, the greatest benefit of the One-Click is that it sets FAH up as a service so when ever the computer is powered up, it's folding.
Most FAH veterans from our team carry the One-Click around on a floppy or USB pen drive with their client.cfg already edited. This enables a quick plug n' borg when you find a rig and have permission to install FAH.
The first four sections deal with the various version of the One-Click FAH Install program as the six versions are split into two categories, with or without the -advmethods flags. All versions have the four basic flags (-local -service -verbosity 9 -forceasm) as they seem to be a popular choice amongst the power folders.
Each version comes either with or without the -advmethods flag. The rule of thumb with the -advmethods flag is that if the rig has a cpu of greater speed than 2Ghz, use the -advmethods version, if the cpu is less than 2Ghz, use the regular, or non-advmethods version.
There is an extra edit required in the client.cfg if you want to fold BigPacket WU's. There has been ample discussion about this, but here's the basic rules: If you have more than 1GB of RAM per CPU, then you can fold BigPackets. If you want BigPackets, simply edit the client.cfg's to "bigpackets=yes". I find that most of my borgs are not worthy of BigPacket fun, so the default is set to "no".
Windows 2k/XP One-Click versions with -Advmethods
- Single CPU with -advmethods
This one-click installer is the simplest way to install FAH on any Windows 2000 or XP Machine. Includes -advmethods flag.
Installation Instructions:- Download the file listed above
- Edit the client.cfg file with NOTEPAD to your username and bigpackets answer ("yes" or "no" - default is "no").
- Run the *.exe file.
- The One-click will then create a directory (C:\Program Files\FAH), download the FAH console client, creates and installs FAH as a service in the registry, starts the FAH Service, and cleans up the extra download files after the install is completed.
- Dually/HT with -advmethods
This one-click installer is the simplest way to install FAH on a Windows 2000 or XP Machine that has either two processors or a single P4 Processor with Hyperthread enabled. Includes -advmethods flag.
Installation Instructions:- Download the file listed above
- Edit both client.cfg files with NOTEPAD to your username and bigpackets answer ("yes" or "no" - default is "no").
- Run the *.exe file.
- The One-click will then create a directory (C:\Program Files\FAH), download the FAH console client, creates and installs FAH as a service in the registry, starts the FAH Service, and cleans up the extra download files after the install is completed.
- Quad version with -advmethods
This one-click installer is the simplest way to install FAH on a Windows 2000 or XP Machine that has either Dual Processors with Hyperthreading or Quad CPU's. Includes -advmethods flag.
Installation Instructions:- Download the file listed above
- Edit all four client.cfg files with NOTEPAD to your username and bigpackets answer ("yes" or "no" - default is "no").
- Run the *.exe file.
- The One-click will then create a directory (C:\Program Files\FAH), download the FAH console client, creates and installs FAH as a service in the registry, starts the FAH Service, and cleans up the extra download files after the install is completed.
Windows 2k/XP One-Click versions without -Advmethods
These installs just like the installs listed above, but lacks the -advmethods flag. This is especially useful for sub 2ghz processors and other machines that have trouble with the -advmethods flag.
Windows 9x One-Click Version
- Windows 9x One Click
Nitro-Boie made this nice batch install for Win9x machines.
Installation Instructions:- Download the file and unzip it to the desktop.
- Run the *.bat file.
- Restart the machine.
- Download the file and unzip it to the desktop.
The ~UberBuzzard FAH Windows Installer Package
- UberBuzzard Installer
Buzzard from the OCAU team made an excellent install for people who want to chose all the options themselves (flags, run as a service, install directory etc).
FAH Network Installs
Say you're lucky enough to find yourself in the data center for your local school district and the admin is FAH friendly. You have 10 minutes to load FAH on as many computers as you can before he has to go reload on caffeine and Doritos, what do you do?
You have 4 options:
- Ultimate FAH Network Installer
Use the FAH Deployer that was originally created by Doc-of-FC (Brenton) of OCAU Forums and massively overhauled by Wedo. Then our own team member Dark_15 took the Deployer to new levels and solved some issues with domain networks.
And finally...
Helsyeah, another team 32 member, finished the whole thing off with his own improvements and changed the name to the not-very-original-but-very-descriptive title of "FAH_Network_Installer."
Installation Instructions:- Download and unzip the file.
- Read the README thoroughly!!
Pro's: Fast, easy, gets FAH installed on 10 to 10,000 computers in minutes.
Con's: There are no cons. This is THE best network installer available.
- DGROM's RemoteService Installer
Created by the folding god DGROMS of OCAU, this has been modified by Wedo to add the -advmethods and -forceSSE flags to the registry and also uses the FAH 4 client.
Installation Instructions:- Download and unzip the file.
- Read the README thoroughly!!
Pro's: Easy, with a little configuring you can get it to work with duallys too.
Con's: You have to make about four entries into a batch file for each client which can be a pain if you are installing to more than five machines. Uses the older FAH4 client.
- Microsoft Installer (MSI) FAH Installer
Uses an MSI Package on the network. If the network you are installing on has a domain controller and is running nt/w2k/w2k3, you can use the network install function with the One-Click's .msi file and push FAH out to each machine.
Installation Instructions:- Download and unzip the file.
- Read the README thoroughly!!
Pro's: Fast, gets FAH installed on 10 to 10,000 computers as soon as they all reboot.
Con's: Not all networks run a domain controller nor are all networks Windows-based. Requires some semi-advanced networking skills. Computers must be rebooted to start the client. Also uses FAH4 client and needs to be updated.
- Grab a floppy or pen drive and start running.
The last resort... and probably the most desperate...
Pro's: Easy as most people are probably more familiar with installing a borg from a floppy or pen drive.
Con's: 10,000 computers, one floppy. That's a lot of coffee.
Alternate Linux FAH Installs
We have some sick talent on our team. Talent that makes American Idol look like the Gong Show. Arkaine, David, and Gator have worked for hours behind the flickering lights of their monitors to give us more choices for folding than there are reality TV shows on Fox. We also have some farmers that could rival the potatoe production of Idaho and I'm sure our creativity far exceeds those dirt guys as well. Here's a list of possible alternative solutions for FAH that include Linux and Farming.
- Overfoldix
If I remember correctly, David took the work Gator did and in open source fashion created the original diskless client that is only 17MB and will run sans HD.
- Overclockix
Say you want to build a farm with as little hardware as possible, Arkaine has made the proggie for you. He crafted an install out of a Linux distro that will run from a CDROM so each layer of your farm needs only a CDROM drive in addition to the normal cpu, mobo, and memory.
How to Stop/Pause the FAH service for benchies and gaming
Let's say you were brilliant enough to install FAH as a service so it runs 24/7 even when the computer is logged off but now you need an easy way to stop the service. I'm a team member of OCG (OverClocked Gamerz) and when ever I play a match I stop my service, turn off Anti-Virus, and pretty much stop every extra goody I have running. It probably does nothing to help, but I like to know that my computer is 100% focused on killing other people (virtually, of course).
We now have the Batch Files already pre-made for you! All you simply need to do is download one of the attached files at the bottom of this post.
- If you have a single processor system, download the Single CPU Service FAH Controller
- If you have a dual processor or processor with hyperthread system, download the Dual CPU FAH Service Controller
- If you have a quad processor or dual processor with hyperthread system, download the Quad CPU FAH Service Controller
Very Important!When you use the stop service it will take about 10 to 15 seconds to stop the service completely as the Core_XX.exe takes time to disengage. Do not start the service before it has completely stopped. This will cause WU corruption and your instance will just sit there with error messages in the log file. Check task manager to verify that the service has stopped prior to restarting.
The "sc" calls on sc.exe (which should be in your \Windows\System32 directory, if not, get it here. The program is merely a command line services control program that enables you to manage services from the cmd window.
Use this as a tool, but don't stop the service unless you need to as there are proteins to fold!
The "Flags" explained
Thread on Flags
You'll notice that in the above registry export file under the second key (\FAH\Parameters) there is a little line called "AppParamters", herein lies the much talked about option flags for running FAH.
Here is your guide to the flags:
- -local
Used with multiple cpu rigs (dually, HT, quad cpus etc) to set up FAH as one client per one cpu. If this flag isn't used on a dually and two instances are running, your rig will show up as running at 50% in task manager as both instances will split the processing power of one cpu leaving the other to sit at idle.
- -service
Sets FAH as a service. Very important flag that will tell your rig to use srvany.exe to run FAH4Console.exe as a service instead of running the client in the console window. Thereby keeping your rig folding even when no one is logged on.
- -forceSSE
Forces SSE use for AMD's. P4's do not need this flag, but it doesn't hurt so it's including in most automated FAH installs like the One-Click.
- -forceasm
Forces the use of 3DNow and SSE. In some instances, if a power failure occured, your computer locks up (not due to FAH), or your kid brother kicks over your tower, FAH will restart in a form of "safe mode" that doesn't use 3DNow/SSE. This will cause your machine to fold much slower so this flag forces the higher setting on no matter how the client was turned off previously.
- -advmethods
The gromacs flag. This flag tells FAH to only seek out Gromacs (a type of protein) from the Stanford servers. Gromacs used to be the end-all-be-all of point production. However, recent changes to the point value for Tinkers have made this flag counter-productive on AMD rigs.
- -verbosity 9
Gives you the uber update in your log files. More info will be written in case your having issues or are just interested in what FAH is doing.
FAH in the registry
(Appropriate Disclaimer here: editing you registry can kill your OS, blow up your computer, and make your pets pee on your carpet. Wedo, The One-Click, and all partners therein are not responsible for your actions on your computer. Do so at your own risk)
To set up FAH in the registry, you need to only make a handful of registry additions in one location. An example of an exported install reg file is located below (one could copy/paste this into notepad, save it as "FAH-Install.reg" and merge it if need be):
---copy below this line ----
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\FAH]
"Type"=dword:00000010
"Start"=dword:00000002
"ErrorControl"=dword:00000001
"ImagePath"=hex(2):22,00,44,00,3a,00,5c,00,50,00,72,00,6f,00,67,00,72,00,61,00,\
6d,00,20,00,46,00,69,00,6c,00,65,00,73,00,5c,00,46,00,41,00,48,00,31,00,5c,\
00,73,00,72,00,76,00,61,00,6e,00,79,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,22,00,00,00
"DisplayName"="Folding@Home 1"
"ObjectName"="LocalSystem"
"Description"="Uses your computer's spare CPU cycles to solve complex scientific problems."
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\FAH\Parameters]
"Application"="D:\\Program Files\\FAH\\FAH4Console.exe"
"AppDirectory"="D:\\Program Files\\FAH1"
"AppParameters"="-local -service -forceSSE -advmethods"
---copy above this line----
In the above settings, "Type", "Start", and "ErrorControl" are DWORD hex values. When you create the keys manually, you would use the actual values of:
Type: "16"
Start: "2"
ErrorControl: "1"
and Windows will convert them to hex values. Furthermore, "ImagePath" is a string value that should match the directory for your FAH installation, such as: "C:\Program Files\FAH\srvany.exe"
Note the reference to the 'srvany.exe' here, this is what kicks FAH into a service.
In addition, for additional client installs (dually/quad installs) the service name is changed in the registry from FAH to FAH1, FAH2 and so on. The appropriate paths would also have to be placed in the registry entries to point to directories such as C:\Program Files\FAH\FAH1 and FAH\FAH2 etc.
Last edited:
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