Working app_info files

[StitchExperimen]

jeanguy and retro I don't remember to much but there was something I read about Windows 8 and boincs latest version as not vetted (or worse) and to use an earlier version of boinc with Win 8. Which version I can't remember... I dismissed keeping the information as I was going to run Win 7.

Stitch

[jeanguy2]

jeanguy and retro I don't remember to much but there was something I read about Windows 8 and boincs latest version as not vetted (or worse) and to use an earlier version of boinc with Win 8. Which version I can't remember... I dismissed keeping the information as I was going to run Win 7.

Stitch

Thanks for input Stitch, Retro77 has previously tried the latest stable BOINC manager V7.0.28 (recommended) as well as v7.0.36 beta...

Jean-Guy: To answer your questions:

1- Have you fully stress tested your whole sytem? (memtest86+ and Prime 95)? Nope
2- Whitout app_info, can you run 7 CPU WUs and one (ATI GPU hcc1) WUs? I don't think I've tried with out app_info

I would try the easy possible fix first:

1- if video card OC return it to stock and see if it will run. It's a stock OC from ASUS
2- raise pwr setting on video card do this in the BIOS?
3- switch to BOINC Beta v7.0.36 I'm running 7.0.36
4- Update video driver from 12.10 to latest 12.11 beta (12.11 beta 4 is positively commented upon by BOINC crunchers) I'm running 12.10 as I've heard they work with someone else running W8. I've tried 12.11 beta4 and beta 8. Video driver crashes after about 11 seconds.

I have zero experience with running WIN 8 and BOINC. I do not believe that the video card lock up problems your are experiencing are app_info file related. I see that you have already tried to resolve this issue in the "Who is crunching with Win 8" thread in this forum. I kindly suggest that you go back to that thread to find an answer to your pesty video snag. Folks like "Bum-Bun" and "Yeron" are succesfully running Win 8 and happily crunching away on WCG. PM them and enlist their support.

Try to adopt a logical methodology to resolve this issue,my suggestions:

1- Triple check your video power connections and then run BOINC without app_info, with GPU crunching enabled in your online WCG preferences, see if video card crashes or run at least one ATI_hcc1 v7.05 WU;
2- If it does not work try video card in another rig to confirm it works; (if video card OK)
3- Do a full stress test your W8 system

Here is how I do a full stress test on my rigs:

1) Set OC in BIOS. Save BOIS and Exit
2) Boot to memtest+86 (using memtest86+ boot CD that is already in CD drive) [Run for 8 to 12 Hours for final test only 2 full passes for trial OCs]
3) Exit memtest86+ & re-enter BIOS, remove memtest boot CD & then save and exit from BIOS
4) Boot up to Windows (first real test)
5) Verify OC with CPUz or AIDA64
6) Open up CoreTemp or RealTemp and run IBM Burn Test (IBT) for 6 passes on Very High (takes about 5 minutes). If stable, move onto next step, if not, go back to 1) and repeat steps 1) to 6)
7) Prime95 on blend for 8 hours. If this passes, I assume my OC is stable. 

IBT usually spots the obvious . P95 will find the small weaknesses in the OC

I then use 3Mark or Heaven Benchmark for stressing GPUs.

WARNING keep a very close eye on temps with IBT running, keep at least 20-30C under Tmax (unless you have very deep pockets...)

You can get IBT from http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/...BurnTest.shtml and google for CoreTemp and RealTemp if you do not have them already.

FYC,
Jean-Guy

[StitchExperimen]

So I got 12 cores o/c to 4.2 Ghz. and one 7950 video card (the other 7950 the fans spun nicely was all) got an RMA to replace it.
So far I'm finishing a wu in 2 1/2 minutes only half of the duty cycle is in the cpu. I have o/c the card to 1,000 and underclocked the memory. but the fans run only 30%. and GPU temp is 36.

So I need the app_info for this setup.
Thanks,
Excited Stitch

[bluestang]

To run 12 GPU HCC...

<app_info>
<app>
<name>hcc1</name>
<user_friendly_name>Help Conquer Cancer</user_friendly_name>
</app>
<file_info>
<name>wcg_hcc1_img_7.05_windows_intelx86__ati_hcc1 </name>
<executable/>
</file_info>
<file_info>
<name>hcckernel.cl.7.05</name>
<executable/>
</file_info>
<app_version>
<app_name>hcc1</app_name>
<version_num>705</version_num>
<platform>windows_intelx86</platform>
<plan_class>ati_hcc1</plan_class>
<avg_ncpus>1.0</avg_ncpus>
<max_ncpus>1.0</max_ncpus>
<coproc>
<type>ATI</type>
<count>.083</count>
</coproc>
<file_ref>
<file_name>wcg_hcc1_img_7.05_windows_intelx86__ati _hcc1</file_name>
<main_program/>
</file_ref>
<file_ref>
<file_name>hcckernel.cl.7.05</file_name>
<open_name>hcckernel.cl</open_name>
</file_ref>
</app_version>
</app_info>

[jeanguy2]

Stich,

Look at the very first post in this thread by OldChap. There are various app_info file in there to choose from. Make sure you follow the app_info install instructions.

If you want the folks to post a specific app_info file for you, state what you want to do: ATI GPU hcc only; or ATI GPU with a X number of other CPU WUs? If you elect to do CPU WUs using app_info, specify which one"s". (HCC, DSFL...)

If you are not chasing badges, "ATI GPU hcc only" will be more efficient.

Happy crunching...

[StitchExperimen]

I names the file app_info.xml
I put it in ProgramData\boinc\projects\www.worldcommunitygrid.org\

I had wu and now they are gone.

When I go to "Projects" then "properties" it says "Don't fetch tasks for AMD/ATI GPU"

Any help

also I don't know what hcc is. I was hoping to do more wu than cores.

Stitch

[retro77]

May sure that the WCG Device Profile is set to do GPU and Help Conquer Cancer selected

Check the event log within the BOINC client for clues as to why it's not pulling WUs. And when you put in or take away the app_info, it does wipe the queue.

[StitchExperimen]

11/27/2012 8:14:31 AM | World Community Grid | update requested by user
11/27/2012 8:14:36 AM | World Community Grid | Sending scheduler request: Requested by user.
11/27/2012 8:14:36 AM | World Community Grid | Not requesting tasks: don't need
11/27/2012 8:14:39 AM | World Community Grid | Scheduler request completed

Here is my app_info file

<app_info>
<app>
<name>hcc1</name>
<user_friendly_name>Help Conquer Cancer</user_friendly_name>
</app>
<file_info>
<name>wcg_hcc1_img_7.05_windows_intelx86__ati_hc c1 </name>
<executable/>
</file_info>
<file_info>
<name>hcckernel.cl.7.05</name>
<executable/>
</file_info>
<app_version>
<app_name>hcc1</app_name>
<version_num>705</version_num>
<platform>windows_intelx86</platform>
<plan_class>ati_hcc1</plan_class>
<avg_ncpus>1.0</avg_ncpus>
<max_ncpus>1.0</max_ncpus>
<coproc>
<type>ATI</type>
<count>.083</count>
</coproc>
<file_ref>
<file_name>wcg_hcc1_img_7.05_windows_intelx86__a ti _hcc1</file_name>
<main_program/>
</file_ref>
<file_ref>
<file_name>hcckernel.cl.7.05</file_name>
<open_name>hcckernel.cl</open_name>
</file_ref>
</app_version>
</app_info>

Stitch

[StitchExperimen]

11/27/2012 8:30:03 AM | | No config file found - using defaults
11/27/2012 8:30:03 AM | | Starting BOINC client version 7.0.36 for windows_x86_64
11/27/2012 8:30:03 AM | | log flags: file_xfer, sched_ops, task
11/27/2012 8:30:03 AM | | Libraries: libcurl/7.25.0 OpenSSL/1.0.1 zlib/1.2.6
11/27/2012 8:30:03 AM | | Data directory: C:\ProgramData\BOINC
11/27/2012 8:30:03 AM | | Running under account Bruce
11/27/2012 8:30:03 AM | | Processor: 12 GenuineIntel Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3930K CPU @ 3.20GHz [Family 6 Model 45 Stepping 7]
11/27/2012 8:30:03 AM | | Processor: 256.00 KB cache
11/27/2012 8:30:03 AM | | Processor features: fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 clflush dts acpi mmx fxsr sse sse2 ss htt tm pni ssse3 cx16 sse4_1 sse4_2 syscall nx lm vmx tm2 dca popcnt aes pbe
11/27/2012 8:30:03 AM | | OS: Microsoft Windows 7: Professional x64 Edition, Service Pack 1, (06.01.7601.00)
11/27/2012 8:30:03 AM | | Memory: 15.95 GB physical, 31.90 GB virtual
11/27/2012 8:30:03 AM | | Disk: 238.25 GB total, 189.10 GB free
11/27/2012 8:30:03 AM | | Local time is UTC -7 hours
11/27/2012 8:30:03 AM | | ATI GPU 0: AMD Radeon HD 7900 series (Tahiti) (CAL version 1.4.1741, 3072MB, 3032MB available, 8064 GFLOPS peak)
11/27/2012 8:30:03 AM | | OpenCL: ATI GPU 0: AMD Radeon HD 7900 series (Tahiti) (driver version 1016.4 (VM), device version OpenCL 1.2 AMD-APP (1016.4), 3072MB, 3032MB available)
11/27/2012 8:30:03 AM | World Community Grid | Found app_info.xml; using anonymous platform
11/27/2012 8:30:03 AM | World Community Grid | File referenced in app_info.xml does not exist: wcg_hcc1_img_7.05_windows_intelx86__ati_hcc1
11/27/2012 8:30:03 AM | World Community Grid | File referenced in app_info.xml does not exist: hcckernel.cl.7.05
11/27/2012 8:30:03 AM | World Community Grid | [error] State file error: missing application file wcg_hcc1_img_7.05_windows_intelx86__ati_hcc1
11/27/2012 8:30:03 AM | World Community Grid | URL http://www.worldcommunitygrid.org/; Computer ID 2236802; resource share 100
11/27/2012 8:30:03 AM | World Community Grid | General prefs: from World Community Grid (last modified 27-Nov-2012 08:30:04)
11/27/2012 8:30:03 AM | World Community Grid | Host location: none
11/27/2012 8:30:03 AM | World Community Grid | General prefs: using your defaults
11/27/2012 8:30:03 AM | | Reading preferences override file
11/27/2012 8:30:03 AM | | Preferences:
11/27/2012 8:30:03 AM | | max memory usage when active: 6533.20MB
11/27/2012 8:30:03 AM | | max memory usage when idle: 9799.80MB
11/27/2012 8:30:03 AM | | max disk usage: 10.00GB
11/27/2012 8:30:03 AM | | (to change preferences, visit the web site of an attached project, or select Preferences in the Manager)
11/27/2012 8:30:03 AM | | Not using a proxy
11/27/2012 8:30:31 AM | World Community Grid | update requested by user
11/27/2012 8:30:34 AM | World Community Grid | Sending scheduler request: Requested by user.
11/27/2012 8:30:34 AM | World Community Grid | Not requesting tasks: don't need
11/27/2012 8:30:37 AM | World Community Grid | Scheduler request completed

[bluestang]

Did you allow 1 WU to run before suspending and using the app_info?

[StitchExperimen]

I clicked file exit boinc manager and checked the box that says "Stop running tasks when exiting Boinc manager."

[Sparky]

Gotta let it download the stuff first. Note it says the files don't exist, so it won't get any units. For some reason if the files listed in app_info don't exist yet, BOINC won't go fetch them. Seems odd

Pull the app_info out, run BOINC, and let it download a few HCC units and the program files. Then what I did (otherwise it tends to screw up later) is tell BOINC to not get any more tasks and let it crunch and finish all the current tasks it downloaded. Once the queue has emptied out, shut down BOINC, put the app_info back, start BOINC back up, and tell it to get tasks again.

[StitchExperimen]

OK, its up and running.
Now how do I determine how far I can o/c the 7950? Presently I have it at 1,000 at stock voltage and GPU temp is 49. Fan speed is at 30%. I have underclocked the memory to 950 and can go lower.

Stitch

[Snow Crash]

I would step up the OC immediately to 1100 and then wait to make sure that the WUs processed at that speed turn to "Valid" on the WCG site (easiest to check by time returned). After that I would start stepping up small increments (say 50 at a whack) and follow the same pattern of checking the WCG site. I have not yet crashed a WU completely on my 7850 although I did push it far enough for a "driver reset" to occur. I just bumped the volts a hair and am currently running 1250 for about 6 hours. 4.2 on the CPU is good but these WUs do really benefit from higher OC there as a good deal of processing happens on the CPU at each start (depending on CPU and RAM anywhere from 12-42 seconds) and about 23 times longer at the each end of a WU. Keep in mind that these tasks actually have 2 WUs wrapped up inside so you'll see a pause at in the middle also (49.707%).

[Movieman]

Here's where I get to say Thank you to OldChap..
Many Thanks pal!

[OldChap]

Looking good Mr H. You are more than welcome



Don't forget that I am only the collator of this information.... the hard work and perseverance was done by others here. (those with more than my two brain cells to rub together)

[Movieman]

Looking good Mr H. You are more than welcome



Don't forget that I am only the collator of this information.... the hard work and perseverance was done by others here. (those with more than my two brain cells to rub together)

Don't be so humble. You add more than you think.
We all have our parts to play in this game and you add much more than you realise.
My Thanks again..

[StitchExperimen]

Do you think I can increase the count? and if so how do I do it so I don't flush my cache?
Right now my processor fluxuates from 30% to 80% on 12 threads.
WU times are about 8 minutes. I only have one 7950 (the other one was a dud).
<count>0.0830000</count>

going for dinner
thanks for the knowledge and input.
Stitch

[Snow Crash]

I think you would be better served by leaving it at 12 threads but turning HT off ... you could clock the cpu a bit higher so and the cpu portions of the WUs will go much faster.

[StitchExperimen]

OOPS just googled it and found out how. ........... What is turning off HT? Hyper Threading is what comes to mind. So how do I turn off HT?

Right now the CPU is clocked at 4.2 at stock voltage and run at full load under Intel burn test at 4.5 I got thermal spikes on some of the cores of jumps of 3 degrees using water cooling that wasn't for me. Maybe after the thermal compound is set in use for 100 hours I'll consider 4.3. But summer will raise the temps and cooling in the 60's will go higher.

Stitch

[retro77]

You turn off HyperThreading in the BIOS

[StitchExperimen]

This is a Intel Socket 2011 perhaps you can't turn off HT or this Gigabyte motherboard can't.

[retro77]

Hmm...whats model of board?

[StitchExperimen]

X79-up4

[StitchExperimen]

Global thanks
Thanks retro77
Thanks Snow Crash
Thanks OldChap
Thanks Sparky
Thanks bluestang
Thanks jeanguy2
Thanks nanoprobe