SMP 6.22 installation

[Insidious]

6.22

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1. The initial release is a *replacement* for your current 5.91 SMP client. We will have a fresh install version soon. Before the current client expires?
2. Make a backup of a working FAH Windows/SMP installation. Install into your current SMP working directory Does this say copy my working SMP installation into my current working directory? WTF?
3. Unzip the 5.92 file in your test directoryWhat test directory? You forgot to tell me about this mystery repository
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.
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Following these directions verbatum without "filling in the blanks" is not possible!!!!

Please consider writing instructions that could lead to a successful conversion to the latest version without interpretation or searching for omitted information.

[ChelseaOilman]

Did you read through this thread?
Windows SMP v6.22beta2 client released!

I think it will help answer some of your questions.

[7im]

Most people seem to have completed the upgrade without problems so far. If you have an example of the improvements to the instructions, then please post them instead of your typical complaints without any suggestions. That would be really helpful. Thanks.

[Xilikon]

What he probably mean is that a clean installation is not clearly explained. Actually, it's very simple :

-Make a new FAH directory on C: or any other drive.
-Unzip the package in the new folder you just created.
-Open the command prompt window (you can type cmd.exe in the search box). Under Vista, you need to either disable UAC or run as Administrator to make it work.
-Move to the folder with CD.
-First run install.bat to instal MPICH.
-Type "Folding@home-Win32-x86.exe -configonly" (personnally, I like to first rename the exe to fah6.exe to make less typing) then configure it to your needs.
-Start the client with "Folding@home-Win32-x86.exe -smp". The -smp flag is necessary unless you already added it in the advanced flags during configuration.

A full installer just merely create a new folder, add the executable and add a uninstaller.

For the upgrade :

-Stop the current client by pressing CTRL+C.
-Open your current folder (that you used to run 5.91/5.92 smp client).
-Either rename or delete the old Fah executable.
-Unzip/copy the new 6.22beta2 executable in the same folder.
-run the new executable with the -configonly flag then check the config (there are some new fields to add).
-Restart the client as usual.

A test folder is just the folder where you run the smp. Since each user name the folder differently, that explain why Peter told that. I guess that if you need the full instructions, please refer to the 5.91/5.92 instructions available in the wiki or in the forum.

[jrweiss]

For the upgrade :

-Stop the current client by pressing CTRL+C.
-Open your current folder (that you used to run 5.91/5.92 smp client).
-Either rename or delete the old Fah executable.
-Unzip/copy the new 6.22beta2 executable in the same folder.
-run the new executable with the -configonly flag then check the config (there are some new fields to add).
-Restart the client as usual.

OK... That part was not clear at all in any of the forums or FAQs...

For an SMP install, will an upgrade like that work, without using any new MPI or Deino stuff? I understand I will have to run or re-create the config and add -smp to my shortcuts.

[Insidious]

Thanks Xilikon

Yes, I was suggesting that the developers of this software surely are able to specify how to use their creations in a manner that a user can simply follow thoughtfully prepared directions, and participate in the science of this project.

7im: Many people simply quit before spending hours of reading post after post to find out how it is really done after trying and failing to guess correctly at the gaping holes in the instructions provided. Many also give up here and flock to forums like the one I regularly participate in and ask us how to run the F@H project. The author(s) of the instructions currently in place at the Folding at Home software download site have sluffed off a very important part of getting increased participation. I think it is a mistake and have no remorse or embarrassment at pointing out that opinion of mine.

7im, sorry don't mean to hurt your feelings, but I do not see it as my responsibility to provide documentation for this software. I stand by my examples and my complaint that the developers have dropped this ball. I think it is somewhat obvious that if the Stanford team can spend the endless hours they do developing this stuff and asking us to use it..... they can dern well step up and spend a little more time and energy making it clear how to do so.

-Sid

[7im]

No hurt feelings here. Sorry, but IMO, beta testers need to show a little more initiative, and a little less whining. Until the client is a little more stable, and a little more polished, the instructions probably won't be either. Stanford is still too busy with the software to write documentation. Everyone is more than welcome to contribute to the FAH WIKI. I've often seen well written instructions over there get copied to the Stanford site.

If you want newbie level instructions, then beta testing is NOT the place to be IMO. Run the CPU client instead.

And to help out the next beta tester lacking initiative or even just time, I'll add a link to Beberg's announcement pointing them to Xilikon's instructions.

But I don't speak for the project, so Stanford may be of a different position.

[Mr. Scary]

I don't have a problem with beta testing for stanford, but by the same token if for whatever reason i'm not following(my fault, i.e. not sure of this 'flag' stuff) the directions(poor or not) and it's not working out for me, then being able to stick with the 5.91 until it's 'a little more polished', should be an option. wu's will still be getting put in and the 'science' will continue, right? or after the deadline they won't be able to utilize a 5.91 wu that's done? that just seems like poor planning. either way i'll figure the 6.22 out and run it, that's what i'm in this for! NOT to fold just a cpu! although i have a couple old relics and old lappy's doing that asa well. just my .02 no offense intended.

M$

ps-as a side note, not to jack this thread, but can you run 2 6.22's side by side like i'm doing with the 5.91's? without running either as a service?

tx

M$

[Jeannie]

I'm running 5.91 with Windows Vista. This thread says I can essentially replace my executable with 6.22, or I can do a full install of 6.22.

Since I never went through the steps to move to 5.92, I'm sure the new 6.22 won't work for me with the -deino (?) flag. Will it work if I do the FULL install of 6.22, or do I need to follow the steps to upgrade 5.91 to 5.92 before changing to 6.22 (and then will the 'simply change the exectuable' work for me)?

Question withdrawn - I reread the announcement and it seems I can download a 6.22 package specifically for deino, and do a full install.

[jrweiss]

For the upgrade :

-Stop the current client by pressing CTRL+C.
-Open your current folder (that you used to run 5.91/5.92 smp client).
-Either rename or delete the old Fah executable.
-Unzip/copy the new 6.22beta2 executable in the same folder.
-run the new executable with the -configonly flag then check the config (there are some new fields to add).
-Restart the client as usual.

OK... That part was not clear at all in any of the forums or FAQs...

For an SMP install, will an upgrade like that work, without using any new MPI or Deino stuff? I understand I will have to run or re-create the config and add -smp to my shortcuts.

Well, no confirmation from anyone, so I tried it and it's working.

Seems the easiest upgrade, if MPI is working with v5.91 on XP Pro, is to just replace the executable, run -config, and add -smp to the shortcuts. I don't have the slowdown I saw with my initial upgrade attempt (complete uninstall of 5.91), either...

[MtM]

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/sho ... p?t=196769

Sc00p from XS has a nicely illustraded upgrade guide done, well maybe not totally done but I think it's enough to ensure an easier upgrade?

[jrweiss]

Nice, but doesn't cover the unpredictable failures...

Why does a complete uninstall and re-intstall (5.91 to 6.22 on XP Pro) sometimes cause a slowdown of the same WU?

Why does a change from MPI to Deino sometimes corrupt the WU AND the entire installation?

Why does an upgrade of the Client Executable ONLY work better that a complete uninstall/re-install?

Maybe these are unanswerable questions, but they're part of this whole beta scene. Not a complaint -- just an observation.

[MtM]

Yes true, but no one is stopping you from asking them in the thread itself and thereby making it more complete. Some questions seem pretty impossible to answer unless you know the source code for the clients and are willing to debug it and I don't think you're allowed to do such a thing.

Also, some of those questions don't belong in a tutorial thread but in a general discussion thread imho, but that's totally individual offcourse.

[Mr. Scary]

7im,

Apologies if you were offended by my post. Having some limited exp with programers as well as end users, i feel your pain. That being said, maybe this will help the masses. Insidious if this don't work for ya, pm me and we'll find something that does. This is what i posted on RSF and i hope it helps. All for the cause/cure, keep your focus!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Peace!

Well ok, here goes. with credit from MG, CHSI, Turbo, HenryC, et al....
apologies if i left you out::: Especially my neighbor Stich(the dos wiz).

this is for setting up dual smp 6.22 clients.

PREFACE: i'm a noob so take this for what it's worth. This is for anyone running Vista 32bit. Also, i'm sure i have extra or usless steps in here, BUT, this is what worked for me, safely! Guru's, feel free to post up what those useless steps are and i'll edit the how to.


1. Crack open a BL or your favorite flavor, or blend a marg up.
2. Gulp, Gulp, Gulp.
3. Close office door, shut phones off, and tell kids/whoever to leave you alone.
4. Get serious!
5. Go here and download 6.22beta2 for MPICH to your DESKTOP!
http://folding.stanford.edu/English/DownloadWinOther
6. Open windows explorer, and your C: drive
7. Create 2 folders, i called my F@H3 & F@H4(you'll know why shortly)
8. go back to desktop and double click smp client you just downloaded
9. save/extract to first folder you created F@H3. at this point it's possible you will get a message that says you have an older version of a smp client do you want to replace. i said NO.
10. follow the prompts in the setup wizard until you get to were you need to install it. browse to F@H3 folder and double click/select. finish prompts.
11. in windows explorer double click on F@H3 folder.
12. right click the install 'batch file' and either run as admin or just open.
13. click unblock at both prompts if they show up.
14. hit enter, as your username for the computer should already be there. type your password twice, carefully. note; you won't see your password being typed. close window.
15. right click and open or run as admin the mpiexec 'application' file
it should or could open and then close quickly.
16. right click and open/run as admin the smpd 'application' file. it will open a window and just sit there. close window.
17. right click on the folding@home-win32-x86.exe file and click pin to quick launch. a cute colorful atom icon will appear down in the bottom lower left area of your screen(quick launch area).
18. right click on that icon and go to properties.19. in the properties window you should see in the target area C:\F@H3\Folding@home-Win32-x86.exe at the end of this line hit: SPACE BAR ONCE then type -smp and click ok
19. now you can launch the smp client from the quick launch area. NOTE: you may also right click on the Folding@home-Win32-x86.exe in your F@H3 folder and create a shortcut. if you like drag the shortcut to your desktop. then do the same steps in properties and click ok. this will let you launch from a cute little icon on your desktop as opposed to the quick launch area. either way it's your call, i just don't like a bunch of clutter on my desktop(MG not cracks even though you've seen my desktop, it's cleaned off now:)
20. launch your application from either spot and follow the prompts in setting up the usual way. with the following changes only!

change work unit size acceptance to 'big'
change advanced options? YES
interval between checkpoints, change to 30
set -advmethods flag always,........ YES
machine id 3
additional client parameters? type -smp

hit enter one more time for the last question of ip address and, BOOM, you should be off and running.
21. LAST, right click the quick launch icon in the bottom left and rename it F@H3 or SMP3 either one. That way when you drag the pointer over it to start you'll know which one it is.

IF SO Then, continue here::::::::::

Rinse and Repeat!!!!!!!!!

Double click on the desktop icon and run/save it in F@H4.
follow the above steps the same way and you'll have 2 6.22 smp's running.

IF SO Then continue here:::::::

crack open more BL, your favorite flavor, or blend more margs.

Shutting down both clients:
Here's what i do and i'm anal. others have found different ways that work as well. here's mine.

For now create 2 folders on your desktop.
1. F@H3 backup
2. F@H4 backup

-next open 2 windows explorer windows.
-click on the F@H3 folder that has your 'work' folder in it.
-right click and copy
-in the other windows explorer window find the F@H3 backup folder
-right click and paste
-do the same for F@H4
NOW here's the tricky part.
-open task manager and locate the 2 mpicexe processes running(keep window open and handy)
-go back to your console window of F@H3 and control c
-quickly switch to task manager and end process on one of the mpiexec processes
-change to console window of f@H4
-control c
switch to task manager and end process on the other mpiexec(you may or may not have a second one to locate, if not don't sweat it.

Your clients are safely stopped!!!!!!!!!

Starting them back up::::::::::::

-go to your c: drive and locate your F@H 3&4 folders
-delete the 'work' folder only in both folders
-go to your F@H 3&4 backup folders and copy and then paste each perspective 'work' folder into your F@H 3&4 folders.
-right click each of the quick launch icons for both clients in the lower left of your screen and run each client as admin.

you should be safely folding both smp's just about right where they left off when you closed them.

BTW, the reason i named the folders etc. F@H3&4 is, 3 ryhmes with smp and also i like to have both clients together 3,4 when i see them and when i view them in fahspy. no other reason. you name them whatever you want, but that works for me. then i have my gpu's labeled gpu 1&2. the most ppd producers are in the order numerically that they happen. like i said, i'm kinda anal! Sue me:)

Well i think that's about it. If you have any questions feel free to ask me or shoot me a pm. If you have any comments, cracks or criticisms, feel free to keep them to your own D@MN self!!! I'm just kidding! Knock yourselves out. I'll gladly tweak the above for any streamlining purposes.
Again, this is what works and does work for ME. Your mileage may vary.

With best folding wishes,

Mr. (finally done, NOT!) Scary



ps- BURP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
pss-continue celebrating your ppd crackin' another BL, your favorite flavor, or blending!!!

g
_________________
The 'Rock' & 'Nekid'
QX6850's/8800GT's/Raptors/OCZ1000&1066/3.33ghz/4smp's/4gpu's

SBF! & GCC!
Short Bus Folding
in association with
The Garbage Can Club!

[theo343]

This is a great thread. Im gonna stick to mpich or what its called.

set -advmethods flag always,........ YES

Is that correct? I was recently told here not to us it in 5.91.

Edit:
I would like to unzip the darn thing, do i have to install it? Tried with both winrar and winzip

EDIT2:
Got it "installed" on one computer so i could get the files, only the exe and readme seems to be updatet from 5.91 for the MPICH version. Thanks Now i can easily upgrade others with just the exe and config.

EDIT3:
Working like a charm so far, thanks Pande Group, for making it easy and keeping the MPICH version for us.

EDIT4:
I was a bit early... why does it start 8 instances of a1 core when run with -smp'?

EDIT5:
Got that corrected. If used -smp in client.cfg it did start 8 instances of A1 core, if i removed it from client.cfg and put it in commandline instead it only start 4 instances as it should. Problem solved.