Fell at the first hurdle!

Danthus · 10 Jan 2011 at 12:00

I am trying to install the SMP console client.

I have downloaded the latest version, extracted it to c:\FAH and renamed the .exe to fah6.exe.

I ran fah6 -configonly -smp

I get an error:

mpiexec is not recognised.

I am running Windows 7 32bit.

dekez · 10 Jan 2011 at 12:14

If I was you I'd let this program sort it out for you: http://fahtracker.com/

There is a thread on it here on it, much easier to set up and it hides the console window and gives you options to pause folding as well, very handy.

If you'd rather stick to the console if you paste the log up it will be easier to work out what has gone wrong

Danthus · 10 Jan 2011 at 12:19

where is the log kept?

This is the screen output.

c:\FaH>fah6 -configonly -smp

Note: Please read the license agreement (fah6 -license). Further
use of this software requires that you have read and accepted this agreement.

Folding@Home User Configuration

2 cores detected
'mpiexec' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.
[12:18:39] Error running mpiexec. Please check your configuration and re-run in
stall.bat if necessary

Biffa · 10 Jan 2011 at 12:22

1. Which exe did you rename? Should have been [email protected]
2. I never bother to rename it not for years. Unnecessary.
3. Where did you download it from? Should have been this: http://www.stanford.edu/group/pandegroup/folding/release/FAH6.30-win32-SMP.zip from here

Danthus · 10 Jan 2011 at 12:33

Right I have just downloaded the file you linked too and ran it and it took me through the config.

SiriusB · 10 Jan 2011 at 12:46

I think you snagged an old version, as the newer clients don't require the install.bat business your output referred to.

I take it everything is working now?

Danthus · 10 Jan 2011 at 12:50

I think so, although looking at the log 9 retries and no work units.

Danthus · 10 Jan 2011 at 15:01

Right everything appears to be running but only 50% CPU is being used?

Am I right in saying I need two instances of FAH running, create a new folder copy fah.exe to it and run the config again?

Biffa · 10 Jan 2011 at 15:09

not for the smp client. But you have to run it with the -smp flag.

What CPU is it?

To start with I would use:

[email protected] -smp -verbosity 9

Depending on the CPU you have you could use -smp x where x is the number of cores you have.

e.g.
Q6600 (4 cores) -smp 4
i7 920 (4 cores with hypterthreading) -smp 8

Also depending on the cpu and what you use your rig for you may want to check out bigadv folding but not until you have done 10 regular units.

Also you will need to setup a passkey which you put in when you run the -configonly flag. You can get a passkey here

A passkey gives you added security on your account and also lets you tap into extra bonus points if you decide to run the more advanced work units. It doesn't hurt to have it if you just run normal units either.

Danthus · 10 Jan 2011 at 15:15

I thought it ran as a service, I am confused now!

Biffa · 10 Jan 2011 at 15:40

Yes you can run it as a service. But its reccomended to get it running just in the console first while you are tweaking it and getting it setup. During the -configonly session you can add the command line options if you go into the Advanced part of the config. Then it will put the command line options in for you when you start the service.

robj20 · 10 Jan 2011 at 15:40

You need to add the flag -smp in the config bit as well and make sure its set to big units.

I never understand the -smp X bit i only use -smp and it runs perfectly on my quad.
Whats -verbosity 9 about?

Biffa · 10 Jan 2011 at 15:41

Just give you more info in the log file.

You might want to use smp x if you are having problems with just -smp or if you want to use less cores than you have, say if you want to assign one core for your GPU's.