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here i am

Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 6:52 am
by qviri
Hello,

I just downloaded and turned on F@H on SH30. This is an Athlon XP-M which I'm switching between 1.46 GHz and 1.83 GHz (133 and 166 MHz FSB).

I downloaded the graphical version, because it seems easier to use for a total newbie. I keep it hidden in tray most of time, though, and I hope it's not wasting time on graphics when it's not visible.

A really lame question :oops: , but I need to turn this computer off at night (a Seasonic PSU will only be here in a week or so...) and for various tweaks. If I just shut it down, will I lose anything that my computer has calculated, or will it just start where it left off after I power back up?

Also, I have a few really old machines (100~233 MHz), would they be of any valuable help or should I not bother? They would be a bit of work to set up, but it can be done.

Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 7:47 am
by phuntism
The program is supposed to periodically back-up (every 15 minutes by default?), so shutting down shouldn't be a problem. However, I have seen and heard of problems with the graphical client starting a new WU each time (also when logging out and back in as a different user), so I'd say check it a few times in the beginning to be sure.

I wouldn't run the old computers, I'd say it's not worth the electricity (pollution).

Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 3:16 pm
by furious
WELCOME TO TEAM SPCR FOLDING!

Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 3:25 pm
by qviri
For the record, I turned the program off, and while it took a while to read in the data when I fired it up again, it did start off where it was before.

So I hear this Folding thing is a pretty decent CPU stresser? I'm getting 51^C socket temperature on my mobile Athlon XP, in a rather thermally-unoptimised system, with the stock HS and fan @ 5V. I'm also not seeing any performance drop from any other apps (granted, I've yet to try games). My first WU is due to be done in 13 hours and I think I'm liking this :)

Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 3:54 pm
by teknerd
those temps aren't too bad, FAH does stress the cpu fairly well.
As far as impact on your other programs goes, FAH never affects them. the client simply uses up unused cpu cycles which would normally be taken up by the system idle process, which does nothing. Even with games, you computer will run fine.

Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2005 11:39 pm
by peteamer
qviri wrote:My first WU is due to be done in 13 hours and I think I'm liking this :)
Welcome to the addiction Fellow Folder. 8)

Measuring Folding@Home's performance impact
Can folding proteins slow you down?



Pete

Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2005 3:25 pm
by qviri
The time has come, my first WU is now done and qviri has contributed 69 points to team 31574.

On a related note, my temperatures actually go down if I fire up my trusty ol' FIFA '98. I guess the game can't stress the CPU as well as F@H does, but I just found it interesting.