Upgrading the garage cruncher. Help!

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Message 1269165 - Posted: 8 Aug 2012, 17:54:57 UTC - in response to Message 1269119.  

Most ethernet devices including onboard ethernet cards can sense if the cable is crossed or not and will switch the transmit and receive lines internally and automatically. Of course, this might not work with an old PC specially if it is a 10Mb only, ethernet card.

If one of the cards is 1Gbit, you can be sure not to need any cross-over cable, since the automatic detection is part of the 1Gbit specification. You can connect it than with an older 10 or 100 Mbit card, they don't need to support that, the 1Gbit card will take care of everything.

@T. Moe: did the installation of the optimized apps not work? I see you are still on the slow stock apps on both your computers.
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Message 1269214 - Posted: 8 Aug 2012, 19:34:01 UTC - in response to Message 1269165.  
Last modified: 8 Aug 2012, 19:35:01 UTC

Yeah I disabled it for now. I wasn't sure of some of the options that you had to choose from. Not sure which ones they were now. I think there was several options related to computer Os. I'd run it if I knew what I was doing. :-(>.
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Message 1269223 - Posted: 8 Aug 2012, 20:24:50 UTC - in response to Message 1268384.  
Last modified: 8 Aug 2012, 20:29:41 UTC

You can get a Zotac GT430 PCI card for $60-70 which will give you 2-3k RAC. I have three of them in an old E-Machines.
The cards are moderately OC'd and the box produces 7-8k crunching GPU only.

http://www.zotacusa.com/geforce-gt-430-zt-40605-10l.html

Combine that with the CPU upgrade that HAL9000 mentioned and you'll have a 3-4k box for under $100.

zotac gt 430 with 512 mb of video ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500221

You might need a new power supply. In the feedback for that card someone said you need 300 Watt power supply.
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Message 1269225 - Posted: 8 Aug 2012, 20:50:52 UTC - in response to Message 1269223.  

You can get a Zotac GT430 PCI card for $60-70 which will give you 2-3k RAC. I have three of them in an old E-Machines.
The cards are moderately OC'd and the box produces 7-8k crunching GPU only.

http://www.zotacusa.com/geforce-gt-430-zt-40605-10l.html

Combine that with the CPU upgrade that HAL9000 mentioned and you'll have a 3-4k box for under $100.

zotac gt 430 with 512 mb of video ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500221

You might need a new power supply. In the feedback for that card someone said you need 300 Watt power supply.

My Core2 machine crunching Einstein on a GT430 and Seti on the CPU draws less than 125 watts at the wall socket and is producing a bit over 10K RAC.
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Message 1269253 - Posted: 8 Aug 2012, 22:37:33 UTC - in response to Message 1269214.  

Yeah I disabled it for now. I wasn't sure of some of the options that you had to choose from. Not sure which ones they were now. I think there was several options related to computer Os. I'd run it if I knew what I was doing. :-(>.

If you will want to give it a try again, you can look in this user's profile, scroll down to "Easy 'quick instruction' for to install optimized project applications".

You can run down your cache before that, than you won't lost any WUs if something goes wrong.
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Message 1269256 - Posted: 8 Aug 2012, 22:54:51 UTC - in response to Message 1269253.  

Yeah I disabled it for now. I wasn't sure of some of the options that you had to choose from. Not sure which ones they were now. I think there was several options related to computer Os. I'd run it if I knew what I was doing. :-(>.

If you will want to give it a try again, you can look in this user's profile, scroll down to "Easy 'quick instruction' for to install optimized project applications".

You can run down your cache before that, than you won't lost any WUs if something goes wrong.


sse or sse3 for a intel celeron?
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Message 1269258 - Posted: 8 Aug 2012, 23:02:05 UTC - in response to Message 1269256.  

Yeah I disabled it for now. I wasn't sure of some of the options that you had to choose from. Not sure which ones they were now. I think there was several options related to computer Os. I'd run it if I knew what I was doing. :-(>.

If you will want to give it a try again, you can look in this user's profile, scroll down to "Easy 'quick instruction' for to install optimized project applications".

You can run down your cache before that, than you won't lost any WUs if something goes wrong.


sse or sse3 for a intel celeron?


To be sure, run the CPU-Z utility (http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html), it will list which features are available for your CPU...
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Message 1269304 - Posted: 9 Aug 2012, 2:03:40 UTC - in response to Message 1269258.  

Yeah I disabled it for now. I wasn't sure of some of the options that you had to choose from. Not sure which ones they were now. I think there was several options related to computer Os. I'd run it if I knew what I was doing. :-(>.

If you will want to give it a try again, you can look in this user's profile, scroll down to "Easy 'quick instruction' for to install optimized project applications".

You can run down your cache before that, than you won't lost any WUs if something goes wrong.


sse or sse3 for a intel celeron?


To be sure, run the CPU-Z utility (http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html), it will list which features are available for your CPU...

I second this. Use CPU-z and GPU-z to check your stuff.
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Message 1269306 - Posted: 9 Aug 2012, 2:10:33 UTC

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Message 1269327 - Posted: 9 Aug 2012, 4:13:36 UTC - in response to Message 1269088.  

Well if anyone has any Ideas how to get #2PC up and running I'm all ears.


If it's booting, getting a windows splash screen, then going blank(with any monitor) then Windows may just be horribly messed up. If you have a windows setup disc or a system recovery disc that matches that PC, now is the time to try that.

Get it running off that and reload windows from scratch again. It will probably then work fine, or at least you will get some clues as to what the fault is as you attempt to reinstall windows.

If you don't have a reinstall disc, you could always download a Linux CD. Even for trouble shooting it's handy. Boot Linux off the CD and see if the hardware is all working without touching the hard drive. Copy files you need off the hard drive etc under Linux. Heck, blow away the broken windows and Install Ubuntu instead and crunch using that if you want.

Ian
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Message 1269330 - Posted: 9 Aug 2012, 4:36:00 UTC - in response to Message 1269327.  

Well if anyone has any Ideas how to get #2PC up and running I'm all ears.


If it's booting, getting a windows splash screen, then going blank(with any monitor) then Windows may just be horribly messed up. If you have a windows setup disc or a system recovery disc that matches that PC, now is the time to try that.

Get it running off that and reload windows from scratch again. It will probably then work fine, or at least you will get some clues as to what the fault is as you attempt to reinstall windows.

If you don't have a reinstall disc, you could always download a Linux CD. Even for trouble shooting it's handy. Boot Linux off the CD and see if the hardware is all working without touching the hard drive. Copy files you need off the hard drive etc under Linux. Heck, blow away the broken windows and Install Ubuntu instead and crunch using that if you want.

Ian

Ian is suggesting a Linux Live CD. The operating system is run off the cd. On older systems it works, but it is horribly slow. On the other hand, it is free, so try it, it might work for you.

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Message 1269359 - Posted: 9 Aug 2012, 6:22:21 UTC - in response to Message 1269330.  

Exactly, use the live CD to test the hardware. If it wont run Linux either, then it's probably a hardware fault.

If it runs off the Linux CD you can then decide what to do, and one option is to blow away the broken Windows set up, and install the Linux to hard dish, and simply run that.

If the PC used to run XP it should run Linux reasonably well, once it's installed on the hard drive. The Live CD is usually a bit slow, but good for testing at least.
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Message 1269491 - Posted: 9 Aug 2012, 15:28:34 UTC

Yeah I tried the windows CD weeks ago. Won't boot from it. I spent four hours yesterday, and did not have any success. Very disapointing. I'm getting pretty burned out on it.
I cant get to safe mode, but once I hit enter it goes blank. The diagnostics says that drive C is clear. I did manage to trick it a few times and actually got some video, after safe mode, but when I tried to make any changes or go forward with starting up windows the PC shuts down everything except the power supply, and cpu fan.

I dont think it's going to run again. It's my fault. A few monthe ago I re-installed windows. Thats when this all started. I must have done something to the settings somewhere. I'm kicking myself.

I'm done for now with that one.

The reason I haven't run Lunatics Apps is because I dont feel comfortable with it. I've downloaded it twice ran it for awhile, but didn't understand it all. I deleated it off my PC's and I am running seti@home only. It works for me, and I don't feel like I'm going to make any changes that will disable them.

For now that's how I will compute data until further down the road, when I can examine Lunatics better, and install the right format. The old rig is working good, I've got a GPU and a case fan coming to me via UPS. I should have it running faster by next Tuesday.

I did download CPU-z, but all I got out of it was a utility that scaned the PC for faults in the drives. Never told me what I needed to know to run Lunitics Apps. Again probably something I did or didn't do correctly.

I'm ranting now I guess. I'm still pissed that all the clases I took didn't prepare me for any of this kind of stuff. Sure I can replace any piece of hardware, and install it correctly, test it, network,install a program or whatever, but We never really learned the stuff that I was there to learn. The exact thing that is happening now.
It's true that I really have only been maintaining my PC's over the years, and now that I have a better understanding, I seem to be getting into more trouble with my efforts.
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Message 1269495 - Posted: 9 Aug 2012, 15:32:53 UTC - in response to Message 1269306.  

According to this: http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim3000/en/SM/specs.htm You have Celeron D.

According to this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_Celeron_microprocessors#Celeron_D_.28single-core.29 Your Celeron D supports: SSE3.



Thanks for that. It's a step in the right direction. I set it up the first time for sse, 2nd time with SSE2.
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Message 1269499 - Posted: 9 Aug 2012, 15:36:08 UTC

I'm going out to split some fire wood. Take my mind off that Damm thing. I don't think I can break my splitting Maul. Ha Ha.
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Message 1269509 - Posted: 9 Aug 2012, 16:03:29 UTC

It's better to ask about a problem than just tossing up your hands and declaring failure.

The reason I haven't run Lunatics Apps is because I dont feel comfortable with it. I've downloaded it twice ran it for awhile, but didn't understand it all. I deleated it off my PC's and I am running seti@home only. It works for me, and I don't feel like I'm going to make any changes that will disable them.


again ask for help its not that big of a deal. Heck if you search a bit you'll find tutorials and numerous posts on "how to". Lunatics apps make a huge difference. a cut of 50% of run time or more in most cases.


For now that's how I will compute data until further down the road, when I can examine Lunatics better, and install the right format. The old rig is working good, I've got a GPU and a case fan coming to me via UPS. I should have it running faster by next Tuesday.


Whats to examine? its and installer just like any other program you put on your PC. The only things you need to know are 32 bit or 64 bit? SSE, SSE2, SSE3 SSSE3, or SSE4.1 for your CPU instructions in order of increased usefulness.

[url= http://www.cpuid.com/downloads/cpu-z/1.61-setup-en.exe]CPUZ link[/url] download and install. The CPU instructions (SSE etc) are found the very first tab.
The installer will install the optimized apps that you choose. So choose the one that has your top instruction set which I see you've already been told about
. You'll just have to decide on the Astropulse app as well. Some(many) do not like how long these WU's take so I'd uncheck that app for a slower CPU. After that its just a matter of a few clicks. Lunatics installs everything you need and boom you're off to the races.



I did download CPU-z, but all I got out of it was a utility that scaned the PC for faults in the drives. Never told me what I needed to know to run Lunitics Apps. Again probably something I did or didn't do correctly.

Link and explanation on how to use CPUz provided above. FYI the SSE instruction set is also known as PNI on CPUz

[url][/url]


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Message 1269552 - Posted: 9 Aug 2012, 17:47:50 UTC - in response to Message 1269509.  
Last modified: 9 Aug 2012, 17:51:39 UTC

It's better to ask about a problem than just tossing up your hands and declaring failure.

The reason I haven't run Lunatics Apps is because I dont feel comfortable with it. I've downloaded it twice ran it for awhile, but didn't understand it all. I deleated it off my PC's and I am running seti@home only. It works for me, and I don't feel like I'm going to make any changes that will disable them.


again ask for help its not that big of a deal. Heck if you search a bit you'll find tutorials and numerous posts on "how to". Lunatics apps make a huge difference. a cut of 50% of run time or more in most cases.


For now that's how I will compute data until further down the road, when I can examine Lunatics better, and install the right format. The old rig is working good, I've got a GPU and a case fan coming to me via UPS. I should have it running faster by next Tuesday.


Whats to examine? its and installer just like any other program you put on your PC. The only things you need to know are 32 bit or 64 bit? SSE, SSE2, SSE3 SSSE3, or SSE4.1 for your CPU instructions in order of increased usefulness.

[url= http://www.cpuid.com/downloads/cpu-z/1.61-setup-en.exe]CPUZ link[/url] download and install. The CPU instructions (SSE etc) are found the very first tab.
The installer will install the optimized apps that you choose. So choose the one that has your top instruction set which I see you've already been told about
. You'll just have to decide on the Astropulse app as well. Some(many) do not like how long these WU's take so I'd uncheck that app for a slower CPU. After that its just a matter of a few clicks. Lunatics installs everything you need and boom you're off to the races.



I did download CPU-z, but all I got out of it was a utility that scaned the PC for faults in the drives. Never told me what I needed to know to run Lunitics Apps. Again probably something I did or didn't do correctly.

Link and explanation on how to use CPUz provided above. FYI the SSE instruction set is also known as PNI on CPUz



Isn't that SSE3, also known as P(rescot) N(ew) I(nstruction)?!

That's also the only option you can use with the v40 installer, only
CPU capabillities. No CUDA(/OpenCL), yet without a proper GPU!
Can't be easier ;-)
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Message 1269557 - Posted: 9 Aug 2012, 17:58:27 UTC - in response to Message 1269552.  
Last modified: 9 Aug 2012, 17:58:58 UTC

Isn't that SSE3, also known as P(rescot) N(ew) I(nstruction)?![/url]
[url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prescott_New_Instructions]Yes.
But CPU-Z calls it SSE3, or to be more precise, it writes "SSE (1, 2, 3)", just tested it here.
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Message 1269563 - Posted: 9 Aug 2012, 18:05:01 UTC - in response to Message 1269557.  

thanks I get a bit confused. My claims to know-it-all far surpass me


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Message 1269564 - Posted: 9 Aug 2012, 18:06:35 UTC - in response to Message 1269491.  

I did download CPU-z, but all I got out of it was a utility that scaned the PC for faults in the drives. Never told me what I needed to know to run Lunitics Apps. Again probably something I did or didn't do correctly.


I guess you downloaded something else... In the CPU-Z page there are a lot of ads and banners that say "download now", the link to download the CPU-Z utility is at the right of the picture with the screen capture under a title that says "Download latest release", there are several options there, I guess the easiest one is the first of them (the one linked by skildude)

By the way, SSE3 is faster than SSE2 which in turn is faster than SSE.

But SSE3, SSSE3 and SSE4.x might be better depending on the CPU kind and generation.
For example SSE3 is ussually faster than SSSE3 on Core I(3/5/7)'s of first generation, and SSSE3 is faster than SSE3 on Core 2... If your CPU can handle anything above SSE3, to find which is best in your case you will need to test the performance by yourself (but if you dont want to spend time on that, just use SSE3)
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