Recently I reinstalled several of my hosts. Previously they were running Linux and now are running some variant of Windows.

I can't merge the Linux version of the host with the Windows version because the site says they're incompatible.

Why should it make any difference? All I want to do is combine the credit for the two incarnations of the same machine. Is there any way to do this?

---

Merging hosts is limited because a few people out there have used the feature to artificially inflate their credit and RAC with a particular machine so as to gain ground in the standings.

Because of this, only machines with the same CPU & OS description are compatible and able to be merged.

---

However, if you had saved the data directory from Linux before installing Windows, you could just keep going like nothing happened and the OS portion of your host data listed on your computers page would be updated at the next server communication.

I know this works when you reinstall Windows, but I think it would work to/from Linux/Windows.

---

Linux laptop:
record uptime: 1511d 20h 19m (ended due to the power brick giving-up)

However, if you had saved the data directory from Linux before installing Windows, you could just keep going like nothing happened and the OS portion of your host data listed on your computers page would be updated at the next server communication.

I know this works when you reinstall Windows, but I think it would work to/from Linux/Windows.

Interesting. I'll remember that for the next machine for which I perform a brain transplant.

It sucks that we're unable to something that seems perfectly reasonable due to the actions of a (presumably) few, but I guess that's how it goes.

---

I recently was able to merge an abandoned host that the "Merge Hosts with the same name" function also stated was incompatible (create date apparently was a problem).

I went to the affected Host and manually selected "Merge Hosts" from there, at least it offered two viable other hosts that I could merge it onto.

May not help you in your case but worth a shot maybe...

---

However, if you had saved the data directory from Linux before installing Windows, you could just keep going like nothing happened and the OS portion of your host data listed on your computers page would be updated at the next server communication.

I know this works when you reinstall Windows, but I think it would work to/from Linux/Windows.

Interesting. I'll remember that for the next machine for which I perform a brain transplant.

It sucks that we're unable to something that seems perfectly reasonable due to the actions of a (presumably) few, but I guess that's how it goes.

I think most importantly out of anything is the client_state.xml and account_setiathome.berkeley.edu.xml are the two important ones needed for the transplant. client_state.xml might get a little upset if all the WUs disappear and the other files in the data directory, but this system was built to be fairly sturdy. It would figure out that the WUs are gone and basically start over, but that combined with the account file would keep the hostID active.

---

Linux laptop:
record uptime: 1511d 20h 19m (ended due to the power brick giving-up)

I upgraded an old machine's hard drive, in part to clearn it out of all the junk it had accumulated. I happened to also change the name on the home network. That alone kept me from merging the "old" machine with the "new". Everything else remainded the same, well, other than a new hard drive.

"Old" machine

"New" machine

Edit: just remember - also added a CUDA graphics card /edit

Regards,

---

This line looks weird in one System :

Microsoft Windows XP
Professional x86 Editon, Service Pack 3, (05.01.2600.00)

Note the "Editon" vs. the correct "Edition", this may be sufficient to block the Merge (not sure though)

Try temporarily removing the 2nd Video Card for a quick test (launch BOINC, Update SETI, then attempt manual merging).
Also, see if the Host Name (only visible to you) and IP address are really the same.

Other than that, looks like you used a different BOINC Version on the old Host (which did not report Driver Version).

If all else fails, you could temporarily give the new Host the old Host ID (requires manual edit of the client_state.xml - make a backup of it first).

Look for :
<project>
<master_url>http://setiathome.berkeley.edu/</master_url>
<project_name>SETI@home</project_name>
further down.....
<hostid>4734505</hostid>

After re-launching BOINC, updating Project SETI, then exiting BOINC again, it "should" be possible to manually merge the Hosts.
If even that doesn't work, I wouldn't know what would...

--------------------------------------------------
Short version :

0) Preparation : set BOINC run mode to "Suspend"
...otherwise the later write-protected client_state.xml might screw up WorkUnits just finishing or downloading, as BOINC can't update their status for the moment
1) exit BOINC
2) make backup of client_state.xml (BOINC data Directory)
3) edit Host ID into 4734505 (your old host's ID)
4) write-protect client_state.xml
5) launch BOINC, hit Update Project on SETI
6) after confirming your old Host now holding updated Info, Quit BOINC again
7) attempt to Merge Hosts again (try both "Merge with the same Name" and manual function "Merge this Host" with your old Host, bottom of screen in Host Details
8) un-writeprotect client_state.xml
9) re-edit client_state.xml for Host ID listed in SETI Computers Page (should be your current ID again)
10) done (hopefully)

---

This line looks weird in one System :

Microsoft Windows XP
Professional x86 Editon, Service Pack 3, (05.01.2600.00)

Note the "Editon" vs. the correct "Edition"

That is in the server code... He can't change that...

This line looks weird in one System :

Microsoft Windows XP
Professional x86 Editon, Service Pack 3, (05.01.2600.00)

Note the "Editon" vs. the correct "Edition"

That is in the server code... He can't change that...

The spelling was corrected a month ago.

See this thread Minor type "Editon".

That is in the server code... He can't change that...

Of course he can, albeit only temporarily.

client_state.xml
<os_version></os_version>

Shouldn't be needed though.

---

This line looks weird in one System :

Microsoft Windows XP
Professional x86 Editon, Service Pack 3, (05.01.2600.00)

Note the "Editon" vs. the correct "Edition"

That is in the server code... He can't change that...

The spelling was corrected a month ago.

See this thread Minor type "Editon".

Yeah right, NOT, Mine still says Editon.

Boinc 6.6.20 wrote:

5/29/2009 10:26:46 AM OS: Microsoft Windows XP: Professional x64 Editon, Service Pack 2, (05.02.3790.00)

The misstake is in the source code for BOINC, and it was fixed after 6.6.20 was released.

---

This line looks weird in one System :

Microsoft Windows XP
Professional x86 Editon, Service Pack 3, (05.01.2600.00)

Note the "Editon" vs. the correct "Edition"

That is in the server code... He can't change that...

The spelling was corrected a month ago.

See this thread Minor type "Editon".

Yeah right, NOT, Mine still says Editon.

Boinc 6.6.20 wrote:

5/29/2009 10:26:46 AM OS: Microsoft Windows XP: Professional x64 Editon, Service Pack 2, (05.02.3790.00)

That's odd, I just took a look at hostinfo_win.cpp and didn't find any typo 'Editon'.

This line looks weird in one System :

Microsoft Windows XP
Professional x86 Editon, Service Pack 3, (05.01.2600.00)

Note the "Editon" vs. the correct "Edition"

That is in the server code... He can't change that...

The spelling was corrected a month ago.

See this thread Minor type "Editon".

Yeah right, NOT, Mine still says Editon.

Boinc 6.6.20 wrote:

5/29/2009 10:26:46 AM OS: Microsoft Windows XP: Professional x64 Editon, Service Pack 2, (05.02.3790.00)

That's odd, I just took a look at hostinfo_win.cpp and didn't find any typo 'Editon'.

Ah, but look at the last changeset. Rom fixed it on 13 April.

I never even noticed it on my machine, both of my PC's are running 6.6.20. The iMac is running 6.6.29.

---

Edit: different host name and also a different IP I just noticed to... /edit

Try temporarily removing the 2nd Video Card for a quick test (launch BOINC, Update SETI, then attempt manual merging).
Also, see if the Host Name (only visible to you) and IP address are really the same.

Just noticed the video card difference. It's actually the same card, a dual card unit but I was having a problem getting the second one recognized at the time. I've since got it to recognize and use the second card in the unit. At the time I last tried merging, it was before I had got the unit working on both cards, so it "should" have appeared to be the same one - but don't quote me.

Other than that, looks like you used a different BOINC Version on the old Host (which did not report Driver Version).

Good catch. I have upgraded BOINC since then several times. I'm not sure when along the way I tried merging vs. when I upgraded.

If all else fails, you could temporarily give the new Host the old Host ID (requires manual edit of the client_state.xml - make a backup of it first).

Interesting pointer. I will try that and see where it gets me and report back!

Thanks for the tips.

Regards,

---

Recently I reinstalled several of my hosts. Previously they were running Linux and now are running some variant of Windows.

I can't merge the Linux version of the host with the Windows version because the site says they're incompatible.

Why should it make any difference? All I want to do is combine the credit for the two incarnations of the same machine. Is there any way to do this?

I had that problem when all the pending credit is granted on the first machine then try to merge again.