WCG-TPU Cruncher's Hardware/Tech Support Discussion Thread

[T.R.]

Just wait until Linux 4.15 is released.

 

[Arjai]

@blindfitter Sorry for the delayed response/ Challenges are run a couple, 3,4 times a year. They're friendly competitions between teams over the course of one to two weeks, or longer. Most are measured in Points, although occasionally, there will be one measured in # of results. TPU has random prize giveaways for those that contribute to the Team, during a Challenge run. They are always announced in the World Community Grid (WCG) forum, at least a week ahead of time. There should be one brewing, soon. @Norton ? Any clues to the timing of the next Challenge?

 

[Norton]

A Team challenge for the second half of February seems like a good time

 

[Aquinus]

Remember that the projects you select are the ones you want to give priority to. I'm pretty sure there is an option you can check off at WCG's website that does a "if none of your selected projects are available, grab anything else."

 

[Sasqui]

On one of my two rigs, the ASUS (see my sig), the wireless connection was interrupted over the weekend, and BOINC stopped.

Got the connection restarted (I'm typing on that rig right now). But for some reason, it won't restart work.

"No work available to process"

I did this:
1. restarted the machine and BOINC
2. Went to project commands and tried suspend then resume
3. Went to project commands and tried "Update", it says "Waiting to contact project servers", then "Retrieving current status"...
4. Also tried "reset project"

Same thing :"No work available to process" My other rig, the EVGA is still humming along fine.

 

[Norton]

@Sasqui -check time/date to make sure that's ok.

You can also remove project, restart PC, add project, and restart PC*
* once this is done you may only get a small number of tasks- this will increase to normal levels once the initial batch given is completed

Note that atm I don't know if WCG has an issue, that can also cause a problem

 

[thebluebumblebee]

Note that atm I don't know if WCG has an issue, that can also cause a problem

I'm running out of work, so it seems like a WCG problem.

 

[Sasqui]

@Sasqui -check time/date to make sure that's ok.

You can also remove project, restart PC, add project, and restart PC*
* once this is done you may only get a small number of tasks- this will increase to normal levels once the initial batch given is completed

Note that atm I don't know if WCG has an issue, that can also cause a problem

It finally got to the stage of "Downloading work from the servers", but has been stuck there for over an hour. I'll wait and see if it starts working this afternoon. If not, I'll try the "remove project" command and start back up.

I've had the wireless drop out for a day or so before, but never encountered this... so maybe on the WCG end like you say.

I'm running out of work, so it seems like a WCG problem.

That would explain it! Thanks Bruce

 

[stinger608]

That is very odd! I just looked and this PC and it seems to have a ton of work available. That could be due to me having 2 days worth loaded up on these systems. I'll check the other systems shortly to see if any of them are having issues on downloading work.

 

[phill]

@Arjai I guess i'm trying to run before walking first.

after being introduced to crunching by Phill, due to my lady being diagnosed with small cell cancer.

Glad I found your post you said about yesterday when we met up David Been away for the weekend as you know with Isabelle so, don't often get so much time on the laptop checking the forums or for emails which is a little bit of a shame but time with Isabelle is much more important...

As far as work tasks go, I'm guessing by the above, that there is a complete way of doing your system and making the most of it.. Bit like benching but I think slow and steady kinda of wins the race so to speak, that and a shed load of cores

If there are any guides for getting the most out of your system for crunching, would someone be able to do a sticky on it for us newbies?? Also is there a way of getting more people on to the team with all of todays hardware performance out there?? Surely we could try and spread the word a little more and get TPU up the ranks a little more??

 

[Sasqui]

I'm running out of work, so it seems like a WCG problem.

You still seeing the same problem? Came in and it's still downloading work.

Think I'll kill the project and re-log in, see what happens.

 

[jboydgolfer]

I'm running out of work, so it seems like a WCG problem.

There was a message in boinc , the server OS' were scheduled for upgrade, maybe itts related? apparently thats not until tomorrow, nvrmnd

Planned Maintenance on Wednesday, February 14

12 Feb 2018

Summary
We will be deploying an update to our servers on Wednesday, February 14 at 15:00 UTC.

We will be applying an update to our servers on Wednesday, February 14, beginning at 15:00 UTC. We anticipate that the work will take approximately one hour.
During this time, volunteers will not be able to upload or download new work. The website will not be accessible during this time. No action is required by volunteers, as devices will automatically retry their connections after the maintenance work is completed.
We appreciate your patience and participation.

 

[Sasqui]

There was a message in boinc , the server OS' were scheduled for upgrade, maybe itts related?

I killed the project, restarted, logged in and now it's back Crunching! Just needed a "reset"

 

[HammerON]

So I created a thread in the System Builder's Advice section in regards to an EPYC build I am thinking of doing. Please feel free to chime in on that thread
https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/new-epyc-crunching-build.241710/

 

[qu4k3r]

Hi, what would be the most efficient OS to run a cruncher vm on esxi, and would be the minimal ram to assing it?

Thanks in advance

 

[thebluebumblebee]

Linux, and the normal RAM recommendation is 0.5 GB/thread.

 

[qu4k3r]

OK thanks!
ubuntu, mint, other?

 

[Boatvan]

ubuntu, mint, other?

I use Ubuntu for mine because I am familiar with it, but it may be a little cumbersome for maximum efficiency. If you really are hard core you can skip the GUI... I am not that hardcore.

 

[Caring1]

I recently installed a Tesla GPU in my system just for appearances, to show through the side window, but wonder if it can be used as a co-processor for WCG, any ideas?

 

[stinger608]

I recently installed a Tesla GPU in my system just for appearances, to show through the side window, but wonder if it can be used as a co-processor for WCG, any ideas?

They don't have any work currently for GPU's. However, if you are wanting to put that puppy to work, you could always jump in with the folding team here:
https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/forums/folding-home.67/

 

[jboydgolfer]

I recently installed a Tesla GPU in my system just for appearances, to show through the side window, but wonder if it can be used as a co-processor for WCG, any ideas?

as Stinger said, F@H. There is an option for WCG GPU usage, but it has been abandoned afaik, although the option remains.

 

[stinger608]

WCG GPU usage, but it has been abandoned afaik, although the option remains.

Not sure why they haven't taken that off. It has been a few years now since they had it active.

 

[Nordic]

Not sure why they haven't taken that off. It has been a few years now since they had it active.

It was really hard to code for given their research. Essentially it was more work on the researchers part for not as much gain. Their opportunity cost better supports cpu work.

 

[jboydgolfer]

Not sure why they haven't taken that off. It has been a few years now since they had it active.

I thought the same thing when I noticed it was there a few years ago. It's like a superfluous nipple, or sixth toe

 

[Caring1]

Ok, time for another silly question
I'm retiring one of my systems and will be selling it off for parts but want to retain the Operating System for future use, if I roll back the O.S. to W7 does the W10 activation remain with the BIOS on the Motherboard?