"Tools" NOT saving value in cc_config BOINC 7.2.42 (X64)

Questions and Answers : Windows : "Tools" NOT saving value in cc_config BOINC 7.2.42 (X64)
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Darrell Wilcox Project Donor
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Message 1517255 - Posted: 16 May 2014, 23:51:51 UTC

I use <start_delay> to allow a high priority process to get initialized after booting before letting BOINC start all the crunching tasks. I recently used the "Tools" option to set a preference to NOT use the iGPU when running a particular program. The previously set value of <start_delay> from cc_config that I entered manually was NOT saved, and a value of "0" (zero) was stored in its place.

How do I report this to the development team?

(I have a kludge to work around, but would prefer a clean fix).

System: Win7, BOINC 7.2.42 (X64)


BEFORE setting prefences via "Tools":

<cc_config>
<options>
<start_delay>45</start_delay>
<use_all_gpus>1</use_all_gpus>
</options>
</cc_config>


AFTER setting:

<cc_config>
<log_flags>
<file_xfer>1</file_xfer>

[snip]

<skip_cpu_benchmarks>0</skip_cpu_benchmarks>
<simple_gui_only>0</simple_gui_only>
<start_delay>0</start_delay>
<stderr_head>0</stderr_head>
<suppress_net_info>0</suppress_net_info>
<unsigned_apps_ok>0</unsigned_apps_ok>
<use_all_gpus>1</use_all_gpus>
<use_certs>0</use_certs>
<use_certs_only>0</use_certs_only>
<vbox_window>0</vbox_window>
</options>
</cc_config>
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Message 1517328 - Posted: 17 May 2014, 5:13:51 UTC - in response to Message 1517255.  
Last modified: 17 May 2014, 5:18:21 UTC

As far as I know, the "Set dialog flags" option isn't available in 7.2.42, but is instead available since BOINC 7.3.14

So with that in mind, what are you using?
7.2.42 and then setting something through the "exclusive applications" option of Tools->Computing Preferences?
Or 7.3.14 or 7.3.15 and setting some flag through Tools->Diagnostic Flags?
You aren't using 7.3.19 (the latest available development version) as there these flags changed to Advanced->Event Log Diagnostic Flags. Perhaps you should update to that version first.
(All of these write to cc_config.xml)

In any case, when you save the cc_config.xml file manually, where did you save it to? C:\Program Files\BOINC\ or C:\Programdata\BOINC?
Where is your BOINC Data directory at? Check yourself in the registry, or read it from BOINC Manager->Advanced->Event Log, 6th line from the top.
After you saved the cc_config.xml file, did you make BOINC used it at least once, by either exiting & restarting BOINC, or by going Advanced->read config files?

Having run all these checks, and since you're running a development version, you can find how to get into contact with the developers at http://boinc.berkeley.edu/trac/wiki/AlphaInstructions.
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Message 1517424 - Posted: 17 May 2014, 13:57:21 UTC - in response to Message 1517328.  

As far as I know, the "Set dialog flags" option isn't available in 7.2.42, but is instead available since BOINC 7.3.14


I don't mention "Set dialog flags" in my post. What are you looking at?


So with that in mind, what are you using?


As I stated in my post, Win7 BOINC 7.2.42 (X64). No mods, production code.

In any case, when you save the cc_config.xml file manually, where did you save it to? C:\Program Files\BOINC\ or C:\Programdata\BOINC?


I save it into the standard directory. On my computer it is P:\ProgramData\BOINC. It works fine until I use the Tools->Computing Preferences to add an exclusive application. Then the value saved is NOT the value I put in it. Note, though, that the "<use_all_gpus>1</use_all_gpus>" WAS saved properly.

After you saved the cc_config.xml file, did you make BOINC used it at least once, by either exiting & restarting BOINC, or by going Advanced->read config files?


I have used it both ways. Initially, I used Advanced->read config files, and then after each reboot, BOINC is restarted.

Having run all these checks, and since you're running a development version, you can find how to get into contact with the developers at http://boinc.berkeley.edu/trac/wiki/AlphaInstructions.


I am NOT using a development version, unless Berkley is pushing them down somehow. I use the standard BOINC install package for the manager.

Thank you for the address at which I can properly report problems.
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Message 1517530 - Posted: 17 May 2014, 16:26:05 UTC - in response to Message 1517424.  

I don't mention "Set dialog flags" in my post. What are you looking at?

Confusion.
You said I recently used the "Tools" option to set a preference to NOT use the iGPU when running a particular program, to which I assumed you meant the Dialog Flags option, which is new.

You either meant Tools->Computing preferences->processor usage->uncheck "Use GPU while computer is in use", or something else, although I wouldn't know what the other thing could then be as there are no other options one can set to use/not use the (i)GPU. The exclusive applications tab in Computing preferences is for CPU only, GPU exclusives (which only suspend GPU calculations) will be added some time in the future with the new UI.

It works fine until I use the Tools->Computing Preferences to add an exclusive application. Then the value saved is NOT the value I put in it.

Yeah, I see that as well with 7.3.19, so it's a bug. Thumbs up. :-)
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Message 1517711 - Posted: 18 May 2014, 0:30:28 UTC - in response to Message 1517530.  
Last modified: 18 May 2014, 0:33:42 UTC

You either meant Tools->Computing preferences->processor usage->uncheck "Use GPU while computer is in use", or something else, although I wouldn't know what the other thing could then be as there are no other options one can set to use/not use the (i)GPU.


Ahh, a slight misspeaking. I should have used "Tools->Computing Preferences" instead of "Tools Options" in my post. There is a switch in "Activity->Use GPU based on preferences" that activates the preference to NOT use the GPU when an exclusive application is running.

See this thread http://setiathome.berkeley.edu/forum_thread.php?id=74079&postid=1477402 for why I know how it works the way it does.

[Edit] My problem was not about making the GPU work or not, but about the fact that setting an exclusive application reset my start_delay value in cc_config.

[Edit #2] I have reported this problem to RWATSON.
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Message 1517744 - Posted: 18 May 2014, 1:32:18 UTC - in response to Message 1517711.  

[Edit #2] I have reported this problem to RWATSON.

Hope you mean Rom Walton, as else you sent it to the wrong person. ;-)

But I've heard from the developers already that they're checking into it.
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Message 1517784 - Posted: 18 May 2014, 3:41:08 UTC - in response to Message 1517744.  

Hope you mean Rom Walton ...


Indeed I did. I must watch too many Elementary and Sherlock episodes on TV. :-)

I just finished checking 7.3.19 and it has a worse behavior. Not only did it not save my start_delay, it failed to save my use_all_gpus as well.
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Message 1517789 - Posted: 18 May 2014, 5:12:46 UTC - in response to Message 1517784.  

OK, you found a bug in BOINC - which is good so it can be fixed.

But maybe it's easier to just edit cc_config.xml with Notepad

Or use this program:
http://code.google.com/p/boinc-client-configuration/

I don't know how good/convenient it is at setting <exclusive_app>filename.exe</exclusive_app> and <exclusive_gpu_app>important.exe</exclusive_gpu_app>
 


- ALF - "Find out what you don't do well ..... then don't do it!" :)
 
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Message 1517978 - Posted: 19 May 2014, 1:22:58 UTC - in response to Message 1517789.  
Last modified: 19 May 2014, 1:23:47 UTC

OK, you found a bug in BOINC - which is good so it can be fixed.

But maybe it's easier to just edit cc_config.xml with Notepad


Fixing the bug is best because my "find" may just indicate another, bigger problem. The developers will determine that when analyzing it. I already know version 7.3.19 does not handle the "use_all_gpus" value correctly.

I agree - using Notepad is easy. I just hate to have to redo cc_config every time I use the GUI to tweak some little thing. And don't even ASK my wife to do it on her computers!
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Message 1518611 - Posted: 20 May 2014, 6:26:54 UTC - in response to Message 1517978.  

You say "I have a kludge to work around, but would prefer a clean fix"

What is the "kludge"?
Probably some scheduled .cmd file that parses and recreates cc_config.xml if needed?
 


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Message 1519723 - Posted: 22 May 2014, 12:03:11 UTC - in response to Message 1518611.  

You say "I have a kludge to work around, but would prefer a clean fix"

What is the "kludge"?
Probably some scheduled .cmd file that parses and recreates cc_config.xml if needed?


That's a pretty good guess, but I made a CMD file executed from the C:\Users\Darrell\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup, and contains the following:

ping localhost -n 35 >nul
cd /d "P:\Program Files\BOINC\"
"P:\Program Files\BOINC\boincmgr.exe"

This delays starting the BOINC manager after a reboot long enough for my high priority tasks to get going. It acts somewhat similar to startup_delay. As I wrote, it is a kludge but I don't have to mess with cc_config every time I tweak it.
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Questions and Answers : Windows : "Tools" NOT saving value in cc_config BOINC 7.2.42 (X64)


 
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