Computation errors

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Message 267631 - Posted: 24 Mar 2006, 5:17:21 UTC

I'm getting a "computation error" on my work. I get an "unrecoverabble error for result ..." in my messages. This started about a day ago, and I cannot receive and process any work. Anyone know what's going on?
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Message 267632 - Posted: 24 Mar 2006, 5:23:31 UTC

You should unhide your computers so we can look at the Errors and you need to use the following programs to check for stability.


Prime95 Torture test

Memtest86+
And the beat goes on
Sonny and Cher

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Message 268153 - Posted: 24 Mar 2006, 21:40:48 UTC - in response to Message 267632.  

You should unhide your computers so we can look at the Errors and you need to use the following programs to check for stability.


Prime95 Torture test

Memtest86+




and how do I unhide my computer, and when would anyone be looking into it?
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Message 268174 - Posted: 24 Mar 2006, 22:34:38 UTC - in response to Message 268153.  

You should unhide your computers so we can look at the Errors and you need to use the following programs to check for stability.


Prime95 Torture test

Memtest86+




and how do I unhide my computer, and when would anyone be looking into it?

You unhide your computer by going into your "preferences" page on this website and editing your personal preferences. You will not be giving access to any personal information by unhiding them. Feel free to click on my name at the left and see for yourself exactly what will be shown. The only thing that unhiding your computers does is lets people see some basic information about your computer, but most importantly to us is it shows the work units you have crunched recently. For instance if I am sharing the crunching of a wu with you, I can look at your past results to get an estimate as to how fast your computer returns results to know when to expect mine (ours) to be validated. But in this case, we could probably be able to look at your computer's results and tell you exactly what to do to fix your system to be able to crunch work units properly.Otherwise it would be nearly impossible. Once a work unit is uploaded to us it disappears from your computer so you could not copy the results to here so we can look at them. And with your computer hidden there is no way we can tell exactly what results you crunched to be able to look at them from here. There are millions of results on the system at any one time and it would be imposible to search through even a small percentage of them for the work units you crunched. If you unhide your computers the information is right there in front of us within a few mouse clicks.(I know I don't have that many results here to show but that's because my main crunching is done on the beta test trying to get the new enhanced application tested and ready for here.) As I said, feel free to look at anyone's computer you please. You will see that no personal information at all is given out, but it will make life a whole lot easier if you ever need help and it will also help trying to figure out problems with other's work units. Again another example, I am running Linux and I crunch a wu that gives problems. You are crunching the same computer and the result also gives problems but others do not. If I can look at your computers to see if you are running Linux also, then it may be a problem because we both are using the linux version of the program and te others are not.(Thinking beta test here, but the principle is the same) However if I see that you are running an entirely different system that would rule out a problem particular to a certain type of system and I would have to look somewhere else for the answer.
Jim

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Message 268732 - Posted: 25 Mar 2006, 18:27:19 UTC - in response to Message 268174.  

I also have this issue, one of the reasons I stopped using BOINC for a long time. I've decided to give it another try, but the same results occur *every* time my computer does work.

I have received NO credit, and no one seems to have an answer as to why every work set has an "unrecoverable error"

...makes me want to give my poor computer a break....again.
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Message 268734 - Posted: 25 Mar 2006, 18:45:02 UTC - in response to Message 268732.  

I also have this issue, one of the reasons I stopped using BOINC for a long time. I've decided to give it another try, but the same results occur *every* time my computer does work.

I have received NO credit, and no one seems to have an answer as to why every work set has an "unrecoverable error"

...makes me want to give my poor computer a break....again.


I notice you're using a Pentium 4M and I'm assuming this computer is a notebook. Some notebooks don't have adequate cooling and the excess heat can cause computational errors.

Have you tried using the Prime95 stress test and/or MemTest86?
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Message 268737 - Posted: 25 Mar 2006, 18:52:50 UTC - in response to Message 268734.  

I also have this issue, one of the reasons I stopped using BOINC for a long time. I've decided to give it another try, but the same results occur *every* time my computer does work.

I have received NO credit, and no one seems to have an answer as to why every work set has an "unrecoverable error"

...makes me want to give my poor computer a break....again.


I notice you're using a Pentium 4M and I'm assuming this computer is a notebook. Some notebooks don't have adequate cooling and the excess heat can cause computational errors.

Have you tried using the Prime95 stress test and/or MemTest86?


Ah, yes, it's a notebook. I didn't realize overheating would be a problem since my house is usually cool. What's Prime95 and MemTest86? Sorry, I'm not very computer savvy. Thank you for your reply! :-)

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Message 268777 - Posted: 25 Mar 2006, 19:47:49 UTC - in response to Message 268737.  

I also have this issue, one of the reasons I stopped using BOINC for a long time. I've decided to give it another try, but the same results occur *every* time my computer does work.

I have received NO credit, and no one seems to have an answer as to why every work set has an "unrecoverable error"

...makes me want to give my poor computer a break....again.


I notice you're using a Pentium 4M and I'm assuming this computer is a notebook. Some notebooks don't have adequate cooling and the excess heat can cause computational errors.

Have you tried using the Prime95 stress test and/or MemTest86?


Ah, yes, it's a notebook. I didn't realize overheating would be a problem since my house is usually cool. What's Prime95 and MemTest86? Sorry, I'm not very computer savvy. Thank you for your reply! :-)

The programs you mentiopn test your computer and memory for problems. I see some of your returned work units have access violation errors which sounds like it may have to do with your memory timings. However it could also be the cpu overheating or some other problem. Running the two programs mentioned will check your computer under actual operating conditions to see if there is a problem. For instance the "memory test" your computer does at bootup will tell if you have definately bad memory, that can't be read or written to at all, but it can't tell if it fails to read and write consistently when running at full speed. The Memtest program OzzFan mentioned will check this under actual working conditions. The other program tests the cpu and other parts of your system in the same way.
BTW, this exact problem happened to another person just a few weeks ago and it was found that his memory access speeds were different than what they were supposed to be. Don't remember the specifics, but when he changed his memory timings his computer started crunching perfectly. The memtest program will help you in this. Run the program and change the memory timings until you get it to run as fast as possible without producing errors. (If it is found that it really is your memory in this case. It could be something different.)
Jim

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Others live life day by day and look back at the wealth of experiences and enjoyment they've had.
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Message 268852 - Posted: 25 Mar 2006, 22:53:05 UTC - in response to Message 268174.  

You should unhide your computers so we can look at the Errors and you need to use the following programs to check for stability.


Prime95 Torture test

Memtest86+




and how do I unhide my computer, and when would anyone be looking into it?

You unhide your computer by going into your "preferences" page on this website and editing your personal preferences. You will not be giving access to any personal information by unhiding them. Feel free to click on my name at the left and see for yourself exactly what will be shown. The only thing that unhiding your computers does is lets people see some basic information about your computer, but most importantly to us is it shows the work units you have crunched recently. For instance if I am sharing the crunching of a wu with you, I can look at your past results to get an estimate as to how fast your computer returns results to know when to expect mine (ours) to be validated. But in this case, we could probably be able to look at your computer's results and tell you exactly what to do to fix your system to be able to crunch work units properly.Otherwise it would be nearly impossible. Once a work unit is uploaded to us it disappears from your computer so you could not copy the results to here so we can look at them. And with your computer hidden there is no way we can tell exactly what results you crunched to be able to look at them from here. There are millions of results on the system at any one time and it would be imposible to search through even a small percentage of them for the work units you crunched. If you unhide your computers the information is right there in front of us within a few mouse clicks.(I know I don't have that many results here to show but that's because my main crunching is done on the beta test trying to get the new enhanced application tested and ready for here.) As I said, feel free to look at anyone's computer you please. You will see that no personal information at all is given out, but it will make life a whole lot easier if you ever need help and it will also help trying to figure out problems with other's work units. Again another example, I am running Linux and I crunch a wu that gives problems. You are crunching the same computer and the result also gives problems but others do not. If I can look at your computers to see if you are running Linux also, then it may be a problem because we both are using the linux version of the program and te others are not.(Thinking beta test here, but the principle is the same) However if I see that you are running an entirely different system that would rule out a problem particular to a certain type of system and I would have to look somewhere else for the answer.


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Message 268853 - Posted: 25 Mar 2006, 22:54:12 UTC - in response to Message 268174.  

OK - I have unhidden my computer. If you find anything, let me know at arsailman1@yahoo.com. Thanks. Al






You should unhide your computers so we can look at the Errors and you need to use the following programs to check for stability.


Prime95 Torture test

Memtest86+




and how do I unhide my computer, and when would anyone be looking into it?

You unhide your computer by going into your "preferences" page on this website and editing your personal preferences. You will not be giving access to any personal information by unhiding them. Feel free to click on my name at the left and see for yourself exactly what will be shown. The only thing that unhiding your computers does is lets people see some basic information about your computer, but most importantly to us is it shows the work units you have crunched recently. For instance if I am sharing the crunching of a wu with you, I can look at your past results to get an estimate as to how fast your computer returns results to know when to expect mine (ours) to be validated. But in this case, we could probably be able to look at your computer's results and tell you exactly what to do to fix your system to be able to crunch work units properly.Otherwise it would be nearly impossible. Once a work unit is uploaded to us it disappears from your computer so you could not copy the results to here so we can look at them. And with your computer hidden there is no way we can tell exactly what results you crunched to be able to look at them from here. There are millions of results on the system at any one time and it would be imposible to search through even a small percentage of them for the work units you crunched. If you unhide your computers the information is right there in front of us within a few mouse clicks.(I know I don't have that many results here to show but that's because my main crunching is done on the beta test trying to get the new enhanced application tested and ready for here.) As I said, feel free to look at anyone's computer you please. You will see that no personal information at all is given out, but it will make life a whole lot easier if you ever need help and it will also help trying to figure out problems with other's work units. Again another example, I am running Linux and I crunch a wu that gives problems. You are crunching the same computer and the result also gives problems but others do not. If I can look at your computers to see if you are running Linux also, then it may be a problem because we both are using the linux version of the program and te others are not.(Thinking beta test here, but the principle is the same) However if I see that you are running an entirely different system that would rule out a problem particular to a certain type of system and I would have to look somewhere else for the answer.


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Message 268858 - Posted: 25 Mar 2006, 23:11:55 UTC

thanks, Al.
I would prefer to answer you here so others can benefit from the answer.
Yes I do see something. The last time I saw something like this was an error in the memory timings for the computer. Have you changed anything about the configuration on the computer on the 22nd? I see two results that returned good on the 22nd and everything after that has the same error. I will suggest to you the same procedure as the other gentleman that posted in this thread for an answer. There is definately something wrong with your computer. Boinc uses every bit of a computer that it can. Normal use may not show up certain problems but they become apparent when boinc and the seti application are running. As with the mismatched memory timings, in normal operation it may not show up as a problem.
I suggest getting the two programs mentioned in this thread and use them. They will test your system and see what the problem may be. BTW, it is also possible that your cpu may be overheating. If this computer has a little age on it, it might be worthwile to remove the cover and clean the heat sink and cooling fans. Dust builds up there very quickly and even a small layer of dust can drastically affect the cooling efficiency of the heat sink/fan assembly. I've seen both problems cause the results you are getting and there might be other things that can cause it, but those are two that I have seen right here from helping others with this problem. Get those two programs mentioned and check out your system and one or the other of them should tell you what the problem is.
Good luck
Jim

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Message 268915 - Posted: 26 Mar 2006, 1:32:03 UTC

Al, here is a link to some details on running memtest
Jim

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Message 268919 - Posted: 26 Mar 2006, 1:41:13 UTC - in response to Message 268858.  

I will suggest to you the same procedure as the other gentleman that posted in this thread for an answer.



*chuckles* Um...last time I checked, I'm female.

Well, I've been running the MemTest86, but it just runs and runs and runs for hours at a time without booting up. Does that mean there's a problem?
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Message 268926 - Posted: 26 Mar 2006, 1:57:51 UTC

Well, I've been running the MemTest86, but it just runs and runs and runs for hours at a time without booting up. Does that mean there's a problem?


I'm sorry, that was a little unclear. Is MemTest86 running for hours or is it not booting up? If MemTest86 loads successfully, you should see a blue screen with your computer information and a progress indicator showing that it is testing your memory. Is that what you see?
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Message 268928 - Posted: 26 Mar 2006, 2:02:14 UTC - in response to Message 268926.  


I'm sorry, that was a little unclear. Is MemTest86 running for hours or is it not booting up? If MemTest86 loads successfully, you should see a blue screen with your computer information and a progress indicator showing that it is testing your memory. Is that what you see?



It's all good. Yes, I do see a blue screen and it runs and tests. I have seen up to test #8 (?) and definitely over 60% on the top line, but after an hour or two it's back down to test #3 (or something) and 20% total completed.

Am I just being impatient, or is two hours sufficient time to realize there's a problem?
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Message 268937 - Posted: 26 Mar 2006, 2:32:35 UTC - in response to Message 268919.  
Last modified: 26 Mar 2006, 2:33:10 UTC

I will suggest to you the same procedure as the other gentleman that posted in this thread for an answer.



*chuckles* Um...last time I checked, I'm female.


Oops, My apologies! In a place like this you can't tell! Haha!

Jim

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Message 268945 - Posted: 26 Mar 2006, 3:02:11 UTC - in response to Message 268928.  

It's all good. Yes, I do see a blue screen and it runs and tests. I have seen up to test #8 (?) and definitely over 60% on the top line, but after an hour or two it's back down to test #3 (or something) and 20% total completed.

Am I just being impatient, or is two hours sufficient time to realize there's a problem?



There should be a line that tells how many passes the test has completed. Once the tests complete at 100%, they'll automatically and infinately loop back to the beginning and re-test your computer until you hit escapte to reboot, all the while increasing the number of passes by one until you reboot. If no errors are listed on the bottom half of the screen, then your memory should be fine.

If your memory turns up OK, then try Prime95. That will stress test your CPU to see if it can handle a full load (which all CPUs are designed to do, but if the cooling is faulty or poor, errors will ensue).
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Message 268951 - Posted: 26 Mar 2006, 3:13:30 UTC - in response to Message 268945.  

It's all good. Yes, I do see a blue screen and it runs and tests. I have seen up to test #8 (?) and definitely over 60% on the top line, but after an hour or two it's back down to test #3 (or something) and 20% total completed.

Am I just being impatient, or is two hours sufficient time to realize there's a problem?



There should be a line that tells how many passes the test has completed. Once the tests complete at 100%, they'll automatically and infinately loop back to the beginning and re-test your computer until you hit escapte to reboot, all the while increasing the number of passes by one until you reboot. If no errors are listed on the bottom half of the screen, then your memory should be fine.

If your memory turns up OK, then try Prime95. That will stress test your CPU to see if it can handle a full load (which all CPUs are designed to do, but if the cooling is faulty or poor, errors will ensue).


Ahhh...okay, I've passed at least 5 times. Currently running Prime95 with no problem. I really hope SETI works after all this. Thank you all for your help so far. :-)

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Message 269116 - Posted: 26 Mar 2006, 13:22:10 UTC - in response to Message 268951.  

I've tried both Prime95 and Memtest86 without problems, but SETI still has computation errors. What else can I do to make it right?
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Message 269141 - Posted: 26 Mar 2006, 13:53:45 UTC - in response to Message 269116.  
Last modified: 26 Mar 2006, 14:01:34 UTC

I've tried both Prime95 and Memtest86 without problems, but SETI still has computation errors. What else can I do to make it right?


Puzzling...
I just read in another post that this could be a problem with the graphic card drivers. It is a known bug with older ATi drivers. Try turning off the screensaver and see if that works. If it does, update your graphics card drivers and try again. You may have to run without a screensaver for now.

If that doesn't work....

Ok, lets start trying some drastic things here.
Set the project to "no new work" (click on the no new work tab until it says "allow new work").
Let any wu's you have now finish.
Hit "update" to make sure all of them have been reported right.
Hit "reset the project"
Detach from the project
reattach to the project
Change all your settings back to allowing work, let it download one result then hit "no new work" again.
Crunch that wu and return it to see if this corrects the problem.

What I'm thinking in the above is that something might have corrupted one of your files, either the main SETI application or one of the support files. The above procedure will assure that everything is cleaned out and reported then will erase everything and start new. It will download a new application and start again.

If this doesn't work, the next thing I would suggest is that since I see you are just running the standard SETI application, you could try one of the other applications out there. I personally suggest Crunch3r's enhanced application.

If you need to do this and need some help on it, let us know here and we will step you through it. (You have to add a "app_info.xml" file to the seti directory to prevent the boinc client from running the standard application and letting it run the new app instead.)

Good luck and let us know how it turns out. If you have any questions about the above procedure let us know.
Jim

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Questions and Answers : Windows : Computation errors


 
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