Unbelievable, I went innocently, to install a distributed computing software to share some of my humble computing power to a good purpose, and BOINC 5.2.6 has crashed and caused problems in all of them.

Have a look for yourselves and maybe I'll be back if you solve the problem. I'm quite upset:

1 -http://setiathome.berkeley.edu/show_host_detail.php?hostid=1630736 - Great resources consumption, even when not allowed to work except on idle, it keeps my laptop's fan-cooler spinning as crazy the whole day. Even when boinc has no project "running".

2 - http://setiathome.berkeley.edu/show_host_detail.php?hostid=1630691 - The application has crashed once, and I suspect boinc as the reason of a complete computer crash (never happened before for months).

3 - http://setiathome.berkeley.edu/show_host_detail.php?hostid=1630600 - Computer crashes every 10 minutes or automatically reboot. After uninstalling boinc, it didn't crash anymore.

Am very sad I had to uninstall Boinc and might not come back to distributed computing.
I have to mention that I shared seti's with einstein's project (you never know).

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Simply giving us links to your computer IDs doesn't help us diagnose the individual problems with each machine.

My guess is that there is incompatible drivers on the system, overclocking a system, an overheated system, failing hardware component(s), improperly installed software, etc. The problems number in the dozens, and the solutions to each problem have multiple steps - all of which cannot be listed here as an all inclusive list since that is beyond the scope of these forums and would be a waste of time for the helper due to which you might only need one solution out of the dozens.


My challenge to you is this: Why does BOINC run successfully on tens of thousands of computers without a hitch, but crash all of yours? Generally speaking, software doesn't crash a system unless it's improperly installed or reveals a weakness in another conflicting peice of software. I have BOINC running on several systems ranging in hardware (see my list of computers by clicking on my account name to the right), and it runs flawlessly on every system - without the need to constantly keep an eye on each system.

I would hope you want to actually work to resolve the issues, but it almost appears as if you've already made up your mind. I hope I'm wrong about that. To resolve this for you will require lots of patience and taking things slowly (i.e. one step at a time).

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I have no disagreement with OzzFan, we can't do much with such sketchy information and you do seem decided. But your first point I can address, at least a bit:

1 -http://setiathome.berkeley.edu/show_host_detail.php?hostid=1630736 - Great resources consumption, even when not allowed to work except on idle, it keeps my laptop's fan-cooler spinning as crazy the whole day. Even when boinc has no project "running".

From the Rules and Policies Page:

Is it safe to run SETI@home ?
....
The applications run by SETI@home may cause some computers to overheat. If this happens, stop running SETI@home or use a utility program that limits CPU usage.

I had to take BOINC off a laptop and one desktop because it caused the CPU to overheat. It's working without causing the fan to spin at all on another machine. A fourth always runs its fan even without BOINC. The heat issue will depend on the CPU, heatsink, fan, other hardware and software in your set up. It's your call whether to run it or not.

MJ

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I would have to guess heat issues too. Get some canned air and chase the dust bunnies out of your computers.

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BOINC WIKI

BOINCing since 2002/12/8

Sorry guys, all so cute, so lucky your thousands of puters run all fine. I've been running seti@home old project for years with no problem, I'm a software developer and I've been installing software and operating systems on different types of computers for years, I can say what is causing a problem and what is not. All my drivers are fine, all working fine, until BOINC came around.
I don't use S*** on my installations, one of them is almost barebones regarding software installed.

If I'm going to share my computer to a good purpose I expect, AT LEAST, that purpose to be non-invasive. I want to share, not to be taken over.

As I said before, BOINC does so to my laptop EVEN WHEN NO PROJECT IS RUNNING, resulting in the fan-cooler to sound like to take off.

I just want to share my CPU, which is what these projects need, isn't it?
I don't want to see graphics, I'll survive without statistics, I don't need to feel I'm saving the world. I just want to share CPU with a project is asking for... CPU. And I expect that project to take its share as quietly as possible.

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Sorry guys, all so cute, so lucky your thousands of puters run all fine. I've been running seti@home old project for years with no problem, I'm a software developer and I've been installing software and operating systems on different types of computers for years, I can say what is causing a problem and what is not. All my drivers are fine, all working fine, until BOINC came around.
I don't use S*** on my installations, one of them is almost barebones regarding software installed.

If I'm going to share my computer to a good purpose I expect, AT LEAST, that purpose to be non-invasive. I want to share, not to be taken over.

As I said before, BOINC does so to my laptop EVEN WHEN NO PROJECT IS RUNNING, resulting in the fan-cooler to sound like to take off.

I just want to share my CPU, which is what these projects need, isn't it?
I don't want to see graphics, I'll survive without statistics, I don't need to feel I'm saving the world. I just want to share CPU with a project is asking for... CPU. And I expect that project to take its share as quietly as possible.

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I am aware that as a software developer you know next to nothing about hardware and need to listen to those that do.
1. Seems to be an heat issue as MJ said pull it apart and clean it just in case wont hurt!! New Notebook ? Check all the settings just might be something you missed.
2. Never seen boinc cause a crash by itself only in conjunction with video driver issues. As OzzFan1 said could be multipul issues fairly old equipment but I run boinc on a AMD k6 450 no problems only slow.
3. This sounds like a classic memory problem. Dodgy module only surfaces when under load from boinc and Winxp reboots. Have had same issue with a computer myself. Try a different module.
4. Ow there isnt a problem with number 4. Appeared to work fine but hasnt been connected since Feb 05

Just maybe you need to just spend some time thinking about the cause of the problems more and not blame just the software I'm sure all your software works perfectly first time everytime on all the different systems in the world.

And for your info I'm a hardware tech. and deal with these problems everyday and more often than not it is a hardware issue with old equipment.

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3. This sounds like a classic memory problem. Try a different module.
Just maybe you need to just spend some time thinking about the cause of the problems more and not blame just the software

Are you serious? Do you think I'm going to go through the inconvenience of trying different memory modules to my laptop ONLY because Boinc is not happy with it? Sorry I have other businesses.
Guys, I know many of you spend not only time but loads of money buying the state of the art computer, with as many CPUs inside as possible, only to run Boinc, that's fine.
Is not my case though, and I think is not the case of the average user with a minimum of concience to give away.
As I said before, I'm not going to do anything further than installing the software and letting it to take its share of resources as quietly as possible. I don't want to deal with its problems, at all.

I'm not an expert, but I thought millions of average computers were more worthy than a bunch of little crays.

I love the idea of distributed computing. I'd love to see everyone doing it, I even think such software should be bundled with the operating system. Please tell boinc developers to reduce their software's appetite, because is too much.

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I love the idea of distributed computing. I'd love to see everyone doing it, I even think such software should be bundled with the operating system. Please tell boinc developers to reduce their software's appetite, because is too much.

Contact

:-/= Greybeard

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All about BOINC: BOINC-Wiki (by Paul D. Buck)

Contact

:-/= Greybeard

Don't they read the forum? :) Fine, thanks, I'll send them my original message then.

PS: Thank you all guys, and... keep on adding credits, your stats look so good!

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Hehe, highly predictable.

Contact? Well, that's rather a gallery of names. Should I check the phone directory to find them? What in heaven a "contact" page is supposed to be??? Christ.

I used to love seti@home... but this boinc, is not of my beloved ones.
Only GUI functionality is nice and fully featured, my applause to the GUI designers.

Bye, I'm out of distributed computing (credits to BOINC).

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Has anyone thought of a much simpler solution? Get ThreadMaster and throttle down BOINC's usage. If this is a heating problem, and it sounds like a classic case to me, then this should fix the problem.

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Sorry guys, all so cute, so lucky your thousands of puters run all fine. I've been running seti@home old project for years with no problem, I'm a software developer and I've been installing software and operating systems on different types of computers for years, I can say what is causing a problem and what is not. All my drivers are fine, all working fine, until BOINC came around.
I don't use S*** on my installations, one of them is almost barebones regarding software installed.

So, you have come to the conclusion that it must be BOINC since that is the last piece of software you installed. Fair enough, but you didn't ask enough questions. I didn't tell you that BOINC was running thousands of computers just to brag, the next question you should've asked yourself is why BOINC crashes just yours. You can simply chalk it up to the software being crap, as you've done, or you can dig deeper and find out what is different about your hardware that it allegedly makes yours crash.

All I am telling you is that your conclusion is incomplete.

If I'm going to share my computer to a good purpose I expect, AT LEAST, that purpose to be non-invasive. I want to share, not to be taken over.

As I said before, BOINC does so to my laptop EVEN WHEN NO PROJECT IS RUNNING, resulting in the fan-cooler to sound like to take off.

I just want to share my CPU, which is what these projects need, isn't it?
I don't want to see graphics, I'll survive without statistics, I don't need to feel I'm saving the world. I just want to share CPU with a project is asking for... CPU. And I expect that project to take its share as quietly as possible.

So then turn off the graphics. Or install it as a system service. There are options. I don't use the graphics on any of my systems and the software isn't invasive as you imply. You wouldn't even know it's installed on any of my systems unless you looked. How's that for non-invasive?

Are you serious? Do you think I'm going to go through the inconvenience of trying different memory modules to my laptop ONLY because Boinc is not happy with it? Sorry I have other businesses.

If your system is not working as intended, then perhaps some investigating is necessary. If you can't be bothered, then don't help. It's your choice. I'm sorry to see that you've had such problems with your setup, but it amazes me that you can come to the conclusions you have without even being more curious about it. Everyone just wants their computers to work, but that isn't always the case and it isn't always the fault of the particular software you're using. It is my professional opinion that it is a hardware problem, and that comes from over 14 years of experience, and it's just a hunch going off of what little you've told us.

Guys, I know many of you spend not only time but loads of money buying the state of the art computer, with as many CPUs inside as possible, only to run Boinc, that's fine.
Is not my case though, and I think is not the case of the average user with a minimum of concience to give away. As I said before, I'm not going to do anything further than installing the software and letting it to take its share of resources as quietly as possible. I don't want to deal with its problems, at all.

I don't have loads of money to buy the latest state-of-the-art systems with any of the exotic options you mentioned. I actually have a "Museum" of computers ranging from an 80286 (with 80287!) all the way up to a P4 3.0GHz HT computer with just about every stop inbetween. Most were donated to me, a few I've built myself. They all range in software for my own amateur computer programing debuging purposes running all sorts of OSes and software. I also use it to test all sorts of software I download from the internet from diagnostic programs to AV programs to Web browsers.

My point is, I love computers, they are my hobby and my profession. Yes, we might be different in that you call yourself a casual user, but the issue is still the same regardless - my experience is telling me that it's your hardware and not this software as you are claiming it to be.

Sometimes, things will go wrong, and the first and easiest answer isn't always the correct answer. I'm merely trying to challenge you to dig deeper into the situation. If you can't be bothered, then that's your choice. But know that the conclusion you came to has a high probability of being incorrect, so walk away with that.

I'm not an expert, but I thought millions of average computers were more worthy than a bunch of little crays.

And they are. But sometimes the people running those average computers really don't know what they're doing and blame it on the technology when sometimes it isn't the techs fault at all. Does that mean that there's still room for development? Yes. It can always be easier. But how can they make it easier? The only way to answer that is by getting to the bottom of the problem, and if you're not willing to do it, then you are really not helping at all, but instead just complaining.

I love the idea of distributed computing. I'd love to see everyone doing it, I even think such software should be bundled with the operating system. Please tell boinc developers to reduce their software's appetite, because is too much.

Well, you need to quantify what is "too much". Merely stating so would be an opinion, further debate and an overview of today's "average" computer would be a starting point.

If BOINC only needs perhaps 8MB of RAM to run it's GUI, and each project sets their own requirements, how is it that BOINC is taking too much?

Further, SETI itself, the only project I actually use and can speak on from experience, only needs 24MB of RAM per thread. If you only have a single processor, non-HT system, then that would bring your total to 24MB of RAM. SETI is programmed to check your system to see if 64MB of free RAM is available, and last time I checked, a computer bought in 1996 had this much. That was nine years ago. The "average" computer has 128MB or more. This doesn't seem "too much" at all, but quite the opposite.

Alas, it's your choice. You can either decide to investigate or you can walk away. We're here to help if you're willing to do the legwork. We can help you figure out the source of the problem and fix it. It's up to you.

PS: Thank you all guys, and... keep on adding credits, your stats look so good!

Your implication that we're all in it for the credits is unappreciated, as well as your sarcastic humor towards us when we're merely trying to help. You don't have to be an ass about it.

Bye, I'm out of distributed computing (credits to BOINC).

If BOINC gets rid of more sarcastic individuals like yourself, then I give lots of credit to BOINC as well, and my thanks. Just because you're a volunteer, doesn't give you the right to be a jerk about it.

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Thanks OzzFan1 great reply
If this guy had bothered to look my computers are far from state or art as are most.But it does not mean I can just leave them to go their merry way they need some attention now and then as all electronic systems do.
This guy is full of IT.
And we are better of without him.

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So then turn off the graphics. Or install it as a system service. There are options.

Actually I hate those graphics, they don't make me feel I'm helping "more". I was not using the graphics I just had a quick look to see what was that about.

If your system is not working as intended, then perhaps some investigating is necessary. If you can't be bothered, then don't help. It's your choice. I'm sorry to see that you've had such problems with your setup, but it amazes me that you can come to the conclusions you have without even being more curious about it.

Back in 2001, seti had an excellent, non-invasive, very light product (I think it was below 1mb, compared with this heavy 12m's boinc) to do their computations. Far better and quieter than this Boinc.

What you have to understand is, most of the people want to give a share of their resources, but that's all. Did you ever seen a person begging for a coin and then, when that coin is given, they asking "can you come shopping with me now?". If people is going to give, give is enough. I'd actively advice all of my friends and family to use boinc if it were an "invisible" application. I don't want to be bothered, and to be honest, I think most of the people doesn't. I'm not talking about the extraterrestrial matter's fan, I'm talking about the average person who owns a computer, sees as logic and unharm sharing their unused resources for a good cause, but... with no additional annoyance, at all.

My system was working as intended, then I installed Boinc.

Sorry about my sarcastic humor, is my nature.

People doesn't need to believe in ufos, nor to think what are they going to wear in their first turistic trip to andromeda as soon as we receive a first signal of intelligent life, in order to help. I don't actually believe in anything I'm not able to see, but still want to help because I'm amazed at this inedit (for human beings), uncomparable power of joining millions of computers and where that power can lead us, humans.

My call is: make it simpler and lighter, more people will use it. Maybe I'm wrong... who knows.

Thanks a lot.

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Back in 2001, seti had an excellent, non-invasive, very light product (I think it was below 1mb, compared with this heavy 12m's boinc) to do their computations. Far better and quieter than this Boinc.

Well, my BOINC has 294912 bytes (boinc.exe). My optimized seti client has 1974272 bytes. That's not that big. There's no real need of the BOINC Manager and its a "manager" and nothing else.

My call is: make it simpler and lighter, more people will use it. Maybe I'm wrong... who knows.

It already is. The old seti produced tons of unusable results (it's so much they can't be validated for years), was cheatable, required extra software to manage it and was limited to Seti@home only. All of these issues have been solved: approx. ten different projects from different organisations use the BOINC framework, so we only have to use ONE application to crunch in MANY projects. Writing two separate applications for the "single project" and "multi project" users (to get a lighter version) is therefore a real waste of resources.

There's an other big advantage: Berkeley will release a new Seti core v4 soon that crunches way longer on a single WU. So, how would you inform all the crunchers to use the new clients without that framework if there are so many invalid email addresses?!? The users then crunch for nothing if the old core client isn't supported anymore, because they can't be informed then. BOINC helps here: it itself uses the new core client automatically if it is released.

You can be sure: if the guys from Berkeley believe the old seti client is working well, they wouldn't change it. The fact that they've changed it is enough that the old seti client is NOT working fine.

CPU's and RAMs running at full throttle of course can cause the machine reboots you were talking about. What does the Windows EventLog say here? Does it claim paging errors?

Ok RRipley, thanks for your message. But you are telling me their issues. In the other hand there is user's issues.
Follow me for a second. Think of an application so transparent, quiet and smart that the user wouldn't even notice of its existance unless he wants.

Think of that application bundled into every operating system installed and, as they ask you to donate your organs, the operating system would ask you "would you want to donate spare resources while you use this computer?".

Let's say we can develop something like that. Don't you think that would be very very different than to be tunning your computer, "CPU's and RAMs running at full throttle", or any other thing a donor doesn't really care about?

How many people uses their computers: not to develop software, not to do science, not to worry at all about hardware details? How many? Some? Millions?

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You want a software on every computer sold. Hrm, how LARGE would Seti and other projects have to be to allow this? Right now it is on a volunteer basis that is reasonable. If you "force volunteer" people, that's not necessarily a good thing, it would mean that Seti would need what, 10 times or more the equipment and resources it has now, just to keep up. And then where would we be, since all the work would be done. The ones who WANT to volunteer would be without work and not happy.

I think the current way is correct. Let people who want to volunteer do so. Let them find it by word of mouth, via accidentally finding it on the web, etc. The projects just do not have the money or resources to give the ability to the masses. The idea just does not sound feasible.

The program runs on 7 machines for me, from Celeron 500 to P4s. I have not had it cause me any problems that were not machine related (I had one bad processor, but that is getting repaired). I set it and forget it, except to look at the websites of my projects to see where I am, and what people are talking about. Give an opinion or some help here or there, and enjoy life.

I hope you get your machines working, and are a happy cruncher at some time. Good luck in what you do, and all your future endevors.

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My movie https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/502242

I'm speechless.

Don't worry, there could be plenty of managers, forums, graphics and fun for people like you, with your preferences. That's not a problem. But could you consider leaving people who doesn't find their fun doing this, finding it somewhere else, while giving away their spare resources?

This is a bit more sophisticated than a club of buddies. This has potential to solve serious human issues worldwide, at least, and giving human being the chance to take enormeous, unimaginable steps for the future.

Are you telling me that having fun is more important? No, I know you aren't.

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OK, come up with the model to make this possible. You want action, take it. I just do not see the ability to see it work. The gauntlet has been placed in your court, and now your turn to do something with it, or sit on it. Find the companies willing to donate the hardware to make it run, find all the money needed to get it off the ground.

Again, I suspect you will hit a brick wall, if you try. It's just not going to happen. The people who do these projects have a hard enough time to get the money for what they do. They do not have unlimited funds. Most do not even get government help. It's public and private donations that run this type of thing, and it will never fly.

So, again, I urge YOU to try. You want it done, you can do the legwork to get something done about it, and not just talk about how it should be done.

My life is a little more reasonable than that.

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My movie https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/502242