Posts by Chas Woodhams

1) Questions and Answers : Windows : DLL initialization error (Message 19489) Posted 18 Apr 2008 by Chas Woodhams Post: Hi, Neasan, Thanks for paying attention ;) For what it's worth, the problem happens on another of my BOINC apps - Climate Prediction - but nothing like so bad. It starts my PC processing at glacial speeds for a few minutes (ie: hogging everything), then spits out a DLL related error message (sorry, no copy) then carries on as "normal". Fortunately, the CPDN hiccups are irregular and well spread out in time - unlike the LHC, which seems to spit on every calculation. Cheers, mate.
2) Questions and Answers : Windows : DLL initialization error (Message 19329) Posted 10 Apr 2008 by Chas Woodhams Post: Hi, Neasan, Just to let you know, Professor Ray is not the only person suffering with this bug "in sixtrack" (Seti@Home and Climate Prediction run trouble-free). I started getting the same problems about two weeks ago. Reboot - no joy; update BOINC - no joy; yada yada; tried to get help - website down! OK, I accept it's not your problem as such but is there any way you can rattle somebody's cage over in Berkley? I'm getting weary from manually scheduling (Suspend / Resume) project, so that it runs overnight, when the "treacle time" processing doesn't affect what I'm doing. Sample log: 02/04/2008 20:15:04\|\|Starting BOINC client version 5.10.45 for windows_intelx86 02/04/2008 20:15:04\|\|log flags: task, file_xfer, sched_ops 02/04/2008 20:15:04\|\|Libraries: libcurl/7.18.0 OpenSSL/0.9.8e zlib/1.2.3 02/04/2008 20:15:04\|\|Data directory: C:\\Userapps\\BOINC 02/04/2008 20:15:04\|\|Processor: 1 GenuineIntel Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.40GHz [x86 Family 15 Model 2 Stepping 9] 02/04/2008 20:15:04\|\|Processor features: fpu tsc sse sse2 mmx 02/04/2008 20:15:04\|\|OS: Microsoft Windows XP: Home Edition, Service Pack 2, (05.01.2600.00) 02/04/2008 20:15:04\|\|Memory: 510.00 MB physical, 1.22 GB virtual 02/04/2008 20:15:04\|\|Disk: 37.21 GB total, 14.51 GB free 02/04/2008 20:15:04\|\|Local time is UTC +1 hours 02/04/2008 20:15:04\|\|Version change (5.10.30 -> 5.10.45) 02/04/2008 20:15:04\|climateprediction.net\|URL: http://climateprediction.net/; Computer ID: 309830; location: home; project prefs: default 02/04/2008 20:15:04\|lhcathome\|URL: http://lhcathome.cern.ch/lhcathome/; Computer ID: 88193; location: home; project prefs: default 02/04/2008 20:15:04\|SETI@home\|URL: http://setiathome.berkeley.edu/; Computer ID: 1939205; location: home; project prefs: default 02/04/2008 20:15:04\|\|General prefs: from climateprediction.net (last modified 01-Mar-2008 12:22:30) 02/04/2008 20:15:04\|\|Host location: home 02/04/2008 20:15:04\|\|General prefs: no separate prefs for home; using your defaults 02/04/2008 20:15:04\|\|Reading preferences override file 02/04/2008 20:15:04\|\|Preferences limit memory usage when active to 255.00MB 02/04/2008 20:15:04\|\|Preferences limit memory usage when idle to 484.50MB 02/04/2008 20:15:04\|\|Preferences limit disk usage to 14.42GB 02/04/2008 20:15:04\|\|Running CPU benchmarks 02/04/2008 20:15:35\|\|Benchmark results: 02/04/2008 20:15:35\|\| Number of CPUs: 1 02/04/2008 20:15:35\|\| 1237 floating point MIPS (Whetstone) per CPU 02/04/2008 20:15:35\|\| 2102 integer MIPS (Dhrystone) per CPU <snip> 02/04/2008 21:20:51\|lhcathome\|Restarting task w2_lhc270_7__10__s__64.28_59.31__16_18__5__75_1_sixvf_boinc44838_4 using sixtrack version 467 02/04/2008 21:23:34\|lhcathome\|Task w2_lhc270_7__10__s__64.28_59.31__16_18__5__75_1_sixvf_boinc44838_4 exited with a DLL initialization error. 02/04/2008 21:23:34\|lhcathome\|If this happens repeatedly you may need to reboot your computer. 02/04/2008 21:23:34\|lhcathome\|Restarting task w2_lhc270_7__10__s__64.28_59.31__16_18__5__75_1_sixvf_boinc44838_4 using sixtrack version 467 02/04/2008 21:26:11\|lhcathome\|Task w2_lhc270_7__10__s__64.28_59.31__16_18__5__75_1_sixvf_boinc44838_4 exited with a DLL initialization error. 02/04/2008 21:26:11\|lhcathome\|If this happens repeatedly you may need to reboot your computer. 02/04/2008 21:26:11\|lhcathome\|Restarting task w2_lhc270_7__10__s__64.28_59.31__16_18__5__75_1_sixvf_boinc44838_4 using sixtrack version 467 02/04/2008 21:27:48\|lhcathome\|Task w2_lhc270_7__10__s__64.28_59.31__16_18__5__75_1_sixvf_boinc44838_4 exited with a DLL initialization error. 02/04/2008 21:27:48\|lhcathome\|If this happens repeatedly you may need to reboot your computer.
3) Message boards : Number crunching : Please note: this project rarely has work (Message 17087) Posted 23 Jun 2007 by Chas Woodhams Post: FYI: 21.06.2007 10:20 BST {That's 21 June 2007 @ 09:20 UTC} So the move has been made and the system is up and running. Alex is ironing out some tiny little bugs and we are waiting on some jobs to run. Neasan thinks he has finished the new look for the site and forum and that will go live soon once he's happy with it. We know it's frustrating waiting for WUs to crunch but we are happy that soon the drought will be a flood. As always thanks for hanging on in there. Alex and Neasan It's getting closer ..... can you feel it?
4) Message boards : Cafe LHC : no work units ? (Message 17086) Posted 23 Jun 2007 by Chas Woodhams Post: "Front page" wrote: 21.06.2007 10:20 BST So the move has been made and the system is up and running. Alex is ironing out some tiny little bugs and we are waiting on some jobs to run. Neasan thinks he has finished the new look for the site and forum and that will go live soon once he's happy with it. We know it's frustrating waiting for WUs to crunch but we are happy that soon the drought will be a flood. As always thanks for hanging on in there. Alex and Neasan Bring it on
5) Message boards : Number crunching : Because you asked.... (Message 16902) Posted 15 May 2007 by Chas Woodhams Post: k00k whiner Ooops! My apologies to Dag (and the kcuf wits, who can reasonably feel insulted by me). No problem. So nice of you to post an apology. So sad the KWs have detached and quit else they could read your kind words too. Oh well, maybe when they're done sulking they'll come out and play again. Hey, life's too short to get knotted in your own umbilicus - spread a little happiness, that's what I say. ..... ah, maybe that's why they've stopped the whinging .... Time to let my processor get back to CPDN (geez, how much resource can it eat?).
6) Message boards : Number crunching : Because you asked.... (Message 16893) Posted 14 May 2007 by Chas Woodhams Post: k00k whiner Ooops! My apologies to Dag (and the kcuf wits, who can reasonably feel insulted by me).
7) Message boards : Number crunching : Because you asked.... (Message 16891) Posted 14 May 2007 by Chas Woodhams Post: ... Anyway, "DH" is obvious but just what is a "KW"? My best (only) guess is ... a kcuf wit as in a f** wit* but really backward
8) Message boards : Number crunching : Because you asked.... (Message 16863) Posted 11 May 2007 by Chas Woodhams Post: Hello... The transition is progressing. Hope to have some more concrete information on the front page soon. The project has been through a number of admin's hands and so information has been spread thinly. Thinks have taken time as I have had to scrape the information together and when I find something out it solves 1 problem but reveals 2 more... I know a number of you are feeling frustrated about this... if it is any comfort so am I!!! Bye for now Alex Owen LHC@Home Server Admin Much thanks, Alex .... and welcome to the grand old Guild of Worm-can Openers and Labellers
9) Message boards : Number crunching : Because you asked.... (Message 16854) Posted 9 May 2007 by Chas Woodhams Post: The admins should post stating they are rewriting the entire server side code in a new language called ANAL (a non algorithmic language), developed at QMC just for BOINC Server scripts, which uses COMEFROM instead of GOTO for flow control. Would be fun to watch the KKBs (k00ky kiddie brats) rush off to the other forums and repeat the kewl news for geek points.
10) Message boards : Number crunching : Because you asked.... (Message 16845) Posted 8 May 2007 by Chas Woodhams Post: Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Way back when, this thread was about ... This is our current To Do List: * Database backup and restore * Server backup * Get test system working * Find and compile and test: - Transitioner - Validator - Assimilator - File deleter * Ensure e-mail is working properly * Test migrate * Real migration * Solve any other problems that come up! Cheers, Neasan and Alex. Hmm ok.. So that's a pretty large 'To-Do' list. What's been done already? Anything? I will refer you to this post: http://lhcathome.cern.ch/forum_thread.php?id=2406&nowrap=true#16298 ... which says .... Neasan, should we start a "let's collect money so we can buy valium for the members that only want stats" thread here? Valium Over Talent :-D Arguably, though, looking at how long the move takes, it seems they either travelled and transported everything by foot, or they're getting their entire TeraByte Storage transferred to the UK via 56k. Otherwise, it should be a matter of days, not months... You do know we are doing a hell of a lot more than just copying the old server's files on to a new one right? If we did that nothing would get fixed and it would be pointless. I know this is all taking a long time for your perspective but while we have a lot more time to dedicate to this than the guys at CERN did we do occasionally have to do other work. We aren't employed to work on LHC@home alone we have other concerns. So, a couple of observations for those who can't be arsed with fact finding for themselves.... 1. There has always been a drip-feed of work for this project - that's why it's good to use within BOINC, you can always do something else in times of "famine". 2. The move from CERN to QMC is a NON-trivial exercise. What knowledge is not currently still in the Alps has been scattered around the world. Only the data and the problems have been migrated to the UK. 3. The "Stats" fault has been in existence for ages (before the migration). It has no scientific significance whatsoever - therefore, it has a priority of "<=0" (that isn't a smiley but it should be ;-) ). No matter how long or loud the whinges, it ain't going to change anytime soon, so get over it. Now, can we please get back to co-operation
11) Message boards : Number crunching : LHC credits not showing up in cross-project stats (Message 16351) Posted 15 Feb 2007 by Chas Woodhams Post: Where is my pony? :*( it doesn't work if you tell your wish before you get it Here: Satisfied?
12) Message boards : Number crunching : LHC credits not showing up in cross-project stats (Message 16319) Posted 13 Feb 2007 by Chas Woodhams Post: *Hear, hear* ... and keep taking the tablets
13) Message boards : Number crunching : LHC credits not showing up in cross-project stats (Message 16307) Posted 13 Feb 2007 by Chas Woodhams Post: it's S@H and CPDN that appear {actually, they don't appear} to be missing their updates ... no change for ages, now Might check your CPID at those projects. I haven't been having any problem with either one. If it is a CPID issue that way to fix it is to have at least one box that has all three projects on it, and let it run all three projects till they converge on a single CPID. When that happens BoincStats will either show all the projects or none. If none, the you have to go into the search page and find your new ID. I know that some other stats use the same CPID mechanism so this advice might be relevant. Or might be a total red herring if your stats site does things differently. Spot the difference? @River~~ I only have the one box (single core, too) and have been running all three projects for well over a year ... Munday shows all three; BoincStats only shows LHC ... What's wierder, I have the Firefox-Boinc extension, which gives the following: Boinc total = 7,333.00 CPDN = 32,034.41 LHC = 11,747.47 S@H = 45,901.61
14) Message boards : Number crunching : LHC credits not showing up in cross-project stats (Message 16300) Posted 12 Feb 2007 by Chas Woodhams Post: when will LHC ever export stats again.....if ever? not in your lifetime! I think Neasan should give us a warning before exporting Stats. Some members here are so desperately waiting for the stats export, they might suffer a heartattack when they finally find their stats being exported. Neasan, should we start a "let's collect money so we can buy valium for the members that only want stats" thread here? Cheers, Sysfried Here's my contribution .... Counter-gripe for some reason, beyond my low-tech understanding, my cross-project stats have been screwed for ages. Nothing to do (directly) with LHC - it's S@H and CPDN that appear {actually, they don't appear} to be missing their updates ... no change for ages, now Ah, well, WTF, as long as the WU's are being processed
15) Message boards : Number crunching : /stats/ empty (Message 15832) Posted 19 Dec 2006 by Chas Woodhams Post: "idahofisherman2 wrote: I just sent an email to the press department at QMUL asking them to update the website as to the status of the project and resolution of the problems. Hopefully this will get some reaction. If they answer my email request I will post it on this thread. "LHC@home homepage" wrote: 22.11.2006 13:21 UTC More news on LHC@home server support: it is currently planned to have the migration to Queen Mary College effective in January 2007. Until then, very little admin effort is available and work units will be available from the project only intermittently. I'd expect a response in about 4 weeks time .... give them a break until then, it is Christmas
16) Message boards : Number crunching : /stats/ empty (Message 15432) Posted 12 Nov 2006 by Chas Woodhams Post: I'm putting this bit up front because I don't want to be accused of stirring it - # No messages whose only intention is to annoy or antagonize other people. # No messages that are deliberately hostile or insulting. However, I think it is worth pointing out the objective of BOINC and LHC is to further science ... producing stats has little or nothing to do with the science. OK, I am getting bored with a flatline progress on the BOINC Stats graphics, too, but I can live with it. If it is vital to the existence of a Team that it's stats need to be updated, well, maybe the team admins should be grabbing individual member stats and summarising them ... just a thought. For my part, I can and will sit patiently until the new "management" get on top of things - 'till then, I'll grab what WU's are there and process what I can. That's it, end of whinge @River^^ Sorry if I've repeated what you said way back but I thought it was worth saying it again - some folk seem to have missed/ignored your wise words.
17) Questions and Answers : Windows : Requesting 0 seconds of work, returning 0 results (Message 9446) Posted 16 Aug 2005 by Chas Woodhams Post: <blockquote>... Correct</blockquote> Thanks, again, John. Going totally-off-topic ... looked at your profile and thought I had a magic mirror - "That's me, twenty years ago ... or is it Kev?" - if you haven't looked at my profile, Kev is my doppleganger pal who works at CERN, so I guess that means your are a trippleganger?
18) Questions and Answers : Windows : Requesting 0 seconds of work, returning 0 results (Message 9437) Posted 16 Aug 2005 by Chas Woodhams Post: <blockquote>... Reducing your queue size is the best thing you can do. That reduces the chance that a project will get more than it's fair share of CPU time. My general advice is take the longest you expect a local outage (not project) to last and divide that by the number of projects you are attached to.</blockquote> Thanks, John K, (this could get confusing - too many Johns?) To clarify (for my simple mind) - I originally set up BOINC for SAH (when the server went "missing" every weekend) to buffer the workload on my system) and set up prefs: Connect to network about every 4 days (determines size of work cache; maximum 10 days) reckoning that would give me enough WUs to keep going. Since then, I have joined ClimatePrediction and LHC - both with the 4 day "work cache". As I undersatnd it, what I should do now is to cut back on the "work cache" size (1 day?) so that any "missing server" is covered by the WUs for "other" projects ... right or wrong?
19) Questions and Answers : Windows : Requesting 0 seconds of work, returning 0 results (Message 9404) Posted 15 Aug 2005 by Chas Woodhams Post: Thanks, John,, I suspect this is the most likely cause ... <blockquote>.... 3) A project that has had more than its share of CPU time recently. </blockquote> ... so my next question is "How does this happen?" - or more to the point, how do I stop it happening? ... what parameters in my preferences can I tweak?
20) Questions and Answers : Windows : Requesting 0 seconds of work, returning 0 results (Message 9389) Posted 14 Aug 2005 by Chas Woodhams Post: Like Sarah, I have zero second requests ... but only from the LHC process. After several "Update"s, I tried "Reset"ting the project ... which kind-of worked - reloaded all project software and 4 WU's. After all 4 WU's completed, back to zero requests!!! Did the "reset" thing again with remakably similar results. So, LHC is doing nothing at present but SETI and ClimatePredictor are chugging away quite happily. Anybody got any ideas????

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