OK my new PC is up & running, started folding but I notice that CPU usage is only 50% which seams to me that its only using 1 core.

I'm running the graphical client - wonder if switching to the service would allow it to use both cores ??

AMD 64X2 4400

I think it does.

This is where that machine ID setting comes into play I think,

You need to install FAH for each CPU you're using on a multi-CPU system. So you'll end up with it installed in C:\FAH and C:\FAH2 (for example). I'd use the console version for this. Go into advanced options each time, select Machine ID 1 then first time, and 2 the second

Steve

Please note that you can still install as a service as well in that situation.

It is VERY important that you use different IDs (machine ones) as Wardy says. If you don't do this, the two cores will access the same work units and this will lead to a lot of CPU use as per normal, but a corruption will be guaranteed & the WU will get discarded.

I will start pushing for a more friendly multi-core solution, it's been pushed for since Intel released Hyperthreading. HT doesn't give as much benefit for FAH as a proper dual core. These days with both Intel and AMD doing proper multi-core, it will increase in importance to make this an 'easy-install' option IMHO.

I think SkodaW is planning to be the "Bill Gates" of the folding world:thumbup:

My machines are still not all back up and running - was suprised to see i'm still 10th this morning, thought you may have taken me out over the w/e

I think SkodaW is planning to be the "Bill Gates" of the folding world:thumbup:

My machines are still not all back up and running - was suprised to see i'm still 10th this morning' date=' thought you may have taken me out over the w/e [/quote']

whilst building this new one, I've only had one of 3 PC's at home running :P

Mine wont let me set the affinity to either core. get an access denied error when trying to move on of the folders to the second core. Logged in as admin too. I am sure it let me do this before. I was gonna give the dual core flding a go but it looks like its a no no for me at the moment.

EDIT: it only does this if starting both services. If I double click on the console and boot them up this way it lets me change what cpu each one uses

I will start pushing for a more friendly multi-core solution' date=' it's been pushed for since Intel released Hyperthreading. HT doesn't give as much benefit for FAH as a proper dual core. These days with both Intel and AMD doing proper multi-core, it will increase in importance to make this an 'easy-install' option IMHO.

[/quote']

You're right, multi-CPU systems can only become more popular IMO. As far HT is concerned it's a waste of time IMO, at least in the work environments I've seen it in. I haven't an app that's written to take advantage of it, and most of the time the system slows because of it! That's my experience with AutoCAD 2005 anyway. I turn it off on new systems that arrive.

Nice idea, but the sooner proper twin setups become more popular, twin CPU boards become a little more mainstream, and prices fall, the better

Steve

I'm trying to set up dual core folding on my PC just now and ready for hoying it the bin. It's an Intel Core 2 duo 2.4Ghz with 1GB of RAM running Vista

I've installed the graphic client in C:/program files/folding at home. i tried it and it quoted 8 days to fold a 4000 WU. so I've switched it off. I made a shortcut to the desktop and included the -local flag in the target box in properties. i then accessed the config file in the folding @ home folder and made sure the machine ID was set to 1

So I've optimised my settings, then downloaded the console version to

C:/program files/F@HConsole. i again made a shortcut to the desktop and included the -local flag in the target box. This version works OK but I can't seem to access the config aspect of this version to change the machine ID. In really simple terms, how do i do it? I'm stuck.

First ignore the 8 day estimate, its always waaay out and will take far less.

To change the config, drop to a command prompt and type

c:

cd \program files\f@hconsole

fah504-console -configonly

This will bring up the configuration wizzard, when prompted for advanced settings you need to enter Y to get the cpu id. Enter 1.

Now to get the second one going, make another folder call F@Hfolding2.

copy fah504-console to this folder, only this and nothing else, then

c:

cd \program files\f@hfolding2

fah504-console -configonly

enter the settings as before, and also select Y for the advanced settings.

when prompted for the CPU ID, this time enter 2.

You may also want to run each as a service so that FAH runs when windows starts, to do this when it asks to run as a service just enter Y.

Thanks Manny I'll give it a go...

Sorry for straying off topic, but I've been wondering about this for a while.....

The client offers 1-8 as machine IDs... what do you people with more than 8 machines/processors do???

Whhops hit "thanks" instead of quote

The machine ID thing only relates to a single console, so it can distinguish between 2 CPUs on a dualie one. If you have a whole host of PCs with single CPUs they can all have machine ID 1. It only matters on the same PC when doing it dualie style.

I think I may have done it. Had to completely uninstall the GUI client and install two console versions instead. Created two directories, 1 for each console, but I did have to restore the Core 78 Application from the recycle bin and copy it to both directories before it would work.

How do you know it's working in console mode though? How often does the screen refresh?

Whhops hit "thanks" instead of quote

The machine ID thing only relates to a single console, so it can distinguish between 2 CPUs on a dualie one. If you have a whole host of PCs with single CPUs they can all have machine ID 1. It only matters on the same PC when doing it dualie style.

Thanks! I'll say thanks to you too.

I thought that might be the case, but was a little confused as it's called "machine ID" rather than "processor ID".

I think I may have done it. Had to completely uninstall the GUI client and install two console versions instead. Created two directories, 1 for each console, but I did have to restore the Core 78 Application from the recycle bin and copy it to both directories before it would work.

How do you know it's working in console mode though? How often does the screen refresh?

If you are running as a service then you wont see anything, but each folder will contain a file called fahlog . This file contains the progress of your WU's.

The time betweek % varies acording to the WU, and should update somewhere between every 10-40 mins.

There is also a notepad file in there called "unitinfo" which is a simple % log of completion.

The fahlog actually tells you the time it finishes each 1% though

It's still working on both cores in normal mode as opposed to service mode so I'll just keep an eye on it from there I think. I'm sure I'll be pestering you lot with more questions when it fails to upload WU's.

The PS3 is far easier to work. You just switch it on and let it do it's thing. I'll try and comandeer SWMBO's lap top later on. heh heh heh.

The PS3 is far easier to work. You just switch it on and let it do it's thing. I'll try and comandeer SWMBO's lap top later on. heh heh heh.

:eek: I'm going to have to get a few more machines folding or your'll be catching me up quite soon...

Dont forget to put a name and also the team number in otherwise all your completed WU's will go into a generic pot.

Dont forget to put a name and also the team number in otherwise all your completed WU's will go into a generic pot.

Yes, collar and cuffs on PS3 and PC.

Managed to get Mr's P's dual core lappy folding on both CPU's as well. It's making a terrible racket though. I'll be able to dry my washing next to the fan exhaust.

Managed to get Mr's P's dual core lappy folding on both CPU's as well. It's making a terrible racket though. I'll be able to dry my washing next to the fan exhaust.

Might be worth removing one of the clients, or setting both down to 80%. I know you have to go through the dos config stuff to set the CPU usage. 80% might ease the workload.