Hello,

Newbie-trying-to-get-the-hang-of-it back again!

Since I believe in the science of what Rosetta is trying to accomplish, and personally view credits merely as confirmation that work units have been properly executed and reported, I would like to consider adding an "older" laptop to join my desktop.

My laptop does meet min specs (Athalon XP-M 1.8, 512MB, 120GB), but I do have some questions / concerns:

(1) Fear of laptop cpu overworking / overheating. I know in the Rules and Policies sections, it talks about using a utility program to limit cpu usage, and includes a hyperlink. For me at least, this hyperlink appears dead.

What has been other peoples experience using laptops?

(2) I'm still a little uncertain about "merging" computers. Is this what I need to do when adding a second computer to my userid?

(3) Since I use the laptop sporadically / infrequently, I would set Rosetta work units very small (1-2 hours) to ensure they meet deadlines (are they being extended from 1 to 2 weeks?).

Are there any recommendations for other projects with "low" system requirements and not-as-critical deadlines?

Thanx!

Hello-

1) In my limited knowledge, overheating can be limited by keeping the laptop up to let heat come off the keyboard. Also, you can buy a fan-pad to put under the laptop. It costs about $25 at any office supply or computer store, and will move air under the laptop to let the heat escape.

2) Merging computers is only if you have the same computer show up twice in your list. You can merge them to show up as one.

Adding a second computer is easy. Just attach to projects using the same email address as your account.

3) Yes, that's a good idea. I would hate for you to get a larger work unit and send it back late. Your work will have been for naught.

---

This thread has a bit of laptop info:

https://boinc.bakerlab.org/forum_thread.php?id=2130

2. Merging isn't used for a 2nd computer, sometimes you have to reinstall boinc and to the project it looks like a new (2nd) computer. . this command combines them so you have all the credits in one entry.

3. That sounds like a great idea.

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(1) Fear of laptop cpu overworking / overheating. I know in the Rules and Policies sections, it talks about using a utility program to limit cpu usage, and includes a hyperlink. For me at least, this hyperlink appears dead.

I don't have a link available for "threadmaster", but you could google for it.

(2) I'm still a little uncertain about "merging" computers. Is this what I need to do when adding a second computer to my userid?

No need for merging. boinc was designed to let you add as many "hosts" to your existing account as you like. When you install boinc on that laptop, an attachment wizard should start. Type in "https://boinc.bakerlab.org/rosetta" into the URL line. continue on a few pages and you'll be asked whether to "start new account" or "use existing account". Select "Use existing account", then type in your email addy and password (you should have already created, if not visit "your account" from the front page and create one). You're all set.

(3) Since I use the laptop sporadically / infrequently, I would set Rosetta work units very small (1-2 hours) to ensure they meet deadlines (are they being extended from 1 to 2 weeks?).

Setting your "cpu run time" preference small might be a good idea until you figure out how much it can do. I would also recommend you go to "general preferences" under "your account" and set the "connect to" preference low as well, maybe 1 day, so you don't get 7 days worth of work, but only have your laptop on 3 days worth of time.

Are there any recommendations for other projects with "low" system requirements and not-as-critical deadlines?

Rosetta will run your CPU at 100 percent, heat is an issue. With proper maintenance of your cooling fans it should be OK. Instead of buying a "laptop cooling" pad, you might just elevate it with pencils, CDs, or an inexpensive cookie cooling rack.

Thanx!

you're welcome
tony

---

Thanx for info, I am adding BOINC/Rosetta to my laptop.

Can I set run preferences seperately for my desktop (i.e. 6 hours) and laptop (i.e. 1 hour)? Or since they're under the same userid, must they each have the same run length?

When you go to "your account", "General preferences" you'll see you can set different "global" prefs for "default", "home", "work", and "school". I assume your first puter is under default "---". Set up preference for one of the other catagories. "work" for example, then after you attach your laptop, go to "your account", "Computers on this account-view", scroll to the bottom and you can change your laptop to "work" preferences.

tony

(1) Fear of laptop cpu overworking / overheating. I know in the Rules and Policies sections, it talks about using a utility program to limit cpu usage, and includes a hyperlink. For me at least, this hyperlink appears dead.

I don't have a link available for "threadmaster", but you could google for it.

http://threadmaster.tripod.com/

ThreadMaster needs a little registry tweaking to setup, which can put people off. I've used it before to change the CPU load at different times of the day (100% at night, 50% during the day, etc) by writing batch files to stop ThreadMaster, import a custom reg file, then restarting ThreadMaster.

I believe a future version of BOINC itself (5.6?) will have a CPU throttle option built-in.

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The "cpu throttle" in a future "undetermined" version will basically turn on and off the application. I.E on for .5 seconds, off for .5 seconds, depending on the setting. I've not even seen it tested yet and I am a boinc alpha tester. It remains to be seen how effective it might be.

thanks for the link

tony

The "cpu throttle" in a future "undetermined" version will basically turn on and off the application. I.E on for .5 seconds, off for .5 seconds, depending on the setting. I've not even seen it tested yet and I am a boinc alpha tester. It remains to be seen how effective it might be.

thanks for the link

tony

It is already implemented in BOINC 5.5 to be released in 5.6, and the granularity is one second (i.e. 50% is one second on one second off. 99% is 99 seconds on, one second off).

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BOINC WIKI

John, I don't see it on 5.5.13 (the latest alpha build). Can you help "the bad penquin" get it working for his laptop? Is it in an xml? What's the tag name?

mmciastro, it's configured through the BOINC General preferences. Not all projects let you configure this yet, but Rosetta@home is one that does. Look for the "Use at most" CPU setting.

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bye gosh it is there. Bad penquin, you now have another option to keep your laptop cool, and I have learned something.

thanks Marky

I really like the "community" here.

Thanx to all! I'll go look at the "use at most" setting.

A "newbie", but always eagar to learn!

mmciastro, it's configured through the BOINC General preferences. Not all projects let you configure this yet, but Rosetta@home is one that does. Look for the "Use at most" CPU setting.

It can also be added to a global_prefs_override.xml file if you are not attached to a project that allows setting this.

<global_preferences>
...
<cpu_usage_limit>100</cpu_usage_limit>
...
</global_preferences>

---

BOINC WIKI

Hey again!

What, if anything, did I do wrong when setting up my laptop? Pls adv.

The only difference I am aware of is my desktop is Boinc 5.4.9, and Laptop is 5.4.11.

Are there problems with 5.4.11?

My first work unit on laptop returned:

Computer ID 288734
Report deadline 26 Aug 2006 16:43:15 UTC
CPU time 6166.837477
stderr out <core_client_version>5.4.11</core_client_version>
<message>
Incorrect function. (0x1) - exit code 1 (0x1)
</message>
<stderr_txt>
# random seed: 1660561
# cpu_run_time_pref: 21600
# cpu_run_time_pref: 7200
ERROR:: Exit at: .dock_structure.cc line:401

</stderr_txt>


Validate state Invalid

Hey again!

What, if anything, did I do wrong when setting up my laptop? Pls adv.

stderr out <core_client_version>5.4.11</core_client_version>
<message>
Incorrect function. (0x1) - exit code 1 (0x1)
</message>
<stderr_txt>
# random seed: 1660561
# cpu_run_time_pref: 21600
# cpu_run_time_pref: 7200
ERROR:: Exit at: .dock_structure.cc line:401

Nothing. error messages with 'xxx.cc line: yy' indicate a problem with the rosetta software. It is either a problem with the type of workunit or the rosetta program itself.

Is this something I need to let someone know about? Or, when they examine all the results that come in, they'll see the error and debug themselves?

[quoteNothing. error messages with 'xxx.cc line: yy' indicate a problem with the rosetta software. It is either a problem with the type of workunit or the rosetta program itself.[/quote]

1tit__BOINC_BACKBONE_HN_PENALTY_ABRELAX_SAVE_ALL_OUT__1175_470
I posted two of the errored WUs that my machine ran across in the 5.25 error thread. Yours is yet another. If we post the errors, they'll track down the errant WUs and send them back out with the problem taken care of. (If it included the wrong file, for example.)

---

Thanx! I was going to post it, but see that you've already assisted. Much appreciation!

1tit__BOINC_BACKBONE_HN_PENALTY_ABRELAX_SAVE_ALL_OUT__1175_470
I posted two of the errored WUs that my machine ran across in the 5.25 error thread. Yours is yet another. If we post the errors, they'll track down the errant WUs and send them back out with the problem taken care of. (If it included the wrong file, for example.)

Ethan alerted me to this and I just sent an email to Rhiju who is the one that submitted the jobs. The results coming in seem okay to me so it doesn't look like a major problem.