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Laptop problems

T

twiztidn8v

macrumors member
Original poster
My P4 laptop is not working right. I looked at the log and it keep starting up folding at home and quitting and starting and quitting... Any ideas?

Could it be overheating? I noticed the other day that the NIC card quit working and i had to shut down and wait a while before it started working again. The guy I bought it from confirmed that it has done that since he bought it from Dell about a year and a half ago or so.

Could it be advmethods? forceasm?

It processes for a while, then quits, then it doesn't do any work for a while.... just starts and quits...

Thanks in advance!
 
Re: Laptop problems

Originally posted by twiztidn8v
(snip)Could it be advmethods? forceasm?(snip)
Click to expand...

twiztid -- I'd try turning at least the forceasm flag off. Stanford warns that when you invoke that flag, things can go wrong especially if your PC is overclocked. It appears that they check for the "safety" of using SSE (don't have a clue, but I think it's hardware acceleration, perhaps using the video card?) and if it isn't a good idea, will not do so. The forceasm flag overrides that safety.

From the download:

"-forceasm

Instruct the core to use SSE/3DNow assembly instructions if possible, even if it has previously made the determination that the machine may not be handling this well.-"

The advmethods flag is probably ok to leave on, it means you might get experimental cores and such. I personally would, however, turn it off as well since it overrides your preference for fah or gah work units. gah work units score pitifully for members of fah teams.

Good luck --- and kudos for very impressive production!
 
thanks for the info jbeetz, i'll try it and post back!

Oh and thanks on the props man! Just trying to do my little bit! ;-)
 
Re: Laptop problems

Originally posted by jbeetz
It appears that they check for the "safety" of using SSE (don't have a clue, but I think it's hardware acceleration, perhaps using the video card?) and if it isn't a good idea, will not do so. The forceasm flag overrides that safety.
Click to expand...

SSE = Streaming SIMD Extensions

It's the SIMD unit that is in many x86 processors; not unlike AltiVec on the G4/G5.
 
It still appears to be doing it... I'll post my logfile here, so you get an idea of what it appears to be doing...

I have deleted a large portion [where my laptop was at home, but not connected to the internet and it just tried to connect over and over....]


--- Opening Log file [February 20 03:47:38]


# Windows Console Edition ##########################################

Folding@home Client Version 4.00

http://folding.stanford.edu

##########################################

Arguments: -local -advmethods

[03:47:38] - Ask before connecting: No
[03:47:38] - User name: twiztidn8v (Team 3446)
[03:47:38] - User ID = 7FBD5CB1098BB8BA
[03:47:38] - Machine ID: 1
[03:47:38]
[03:47:39] Loaded queue successfully.
[03:47:39] + Benchmarking ...
[03:47:41]
[03:47:41] + Processing work unit
[03:47:41] Core required: FahCore_78.exe
[03:47:41] Core found.
[03:47:41] Working on Unit 08 [February 20 03:47:41]
[03:47:41] + Working ...
[03:47:41]
[03:47:41] *------------------------------*
[03:47:41] Folding@home Gromacs Core
[03:47:41] Version 1.55 (December 22, 2003)
[03:47:41]
[03:47:41] Preparing to commence simulation
[03:47:41] - Looking at optimizations...
[03:47:42] - Files status OK
[03:47:43] - Expanded 373128 -> 1859169 (decompressed 498.2 percent)
[03:47:43]
[03:47:43] Project: 849 (Run 3, Clone 57, Gen 19)
[03:47:43]
[03:47:45] Assembly optimizations on if available.
[03:47:45] Entering M.D.

Folding@home Client Shutdown.


--- Opening Log file [February 20 03:47:58]


# Windows Console Edition ##########################################

Folding@home Client Version 4.00

http://folding.stanford.edu

##########################################

Arguments: -local -advmethods

[03:47:58] - Ask before connecting: No
[03:47:58] - User name: twiztidn8v (Team 3446)
[03:47:58] - User ID = 7FBD5CB1098BB8BA
[03:47:58] - Machine ID: 1
[03:47:58]
[03:47:58] Loaded queue successfully.
[03:47:58] + Benchmarking ...
[03:48:00]
[03:48:00] + Processing work unit
[03:48:00] Core required: FahCore_78.exe
[03:48:00] Core found.
[03:48:00] Working on Unit 08 [February 20 03:48:00]
[03:48:00] + Working ...
[03:48:01]
[03:48:01] *------------------------------*
[03:48:01] Folding@home Gromacs Core
[03:48:01] Version 1.55 (December 22, 2003)
[03:48:01]
[03:48:01] Preparing to commence simulation
[03:48:01] - Looking at optimizations...
[03:48:01] - Files status OK
[03:48:01] - Expanded 373128 -> 1859169 (decompressed 498.2 percent)
[03:48:01]
[03:48:01] Project: 849 (Run 3, Clone 57, Gen 19)
[03:48:01]
[03:48:02] Assembly optimizations on if available.
[03:48:02] Entering M.D.

Folding@home Client Shutdown.


--- Opening Log file [February 20 03:48:03]


# Windows Console Edition ##########################################

Folding@home Client Version 4.00

http://folding.stanford.edu

##########################################

Arguments: -local -advmethods

[03:48:03] - Ask before connecting: No
[03:48:03] - User name: twiztidn8v (Team 3446)
[03:48:03] - User ID = 7FBD5CB1098BB8BA
[03:48:03] - Machine ID: 1
[03:48:03]
[03:48:03] Loaded queue successfully.
[03:48:03] + Benchmarking ...
[03:48:06]
[03:48:06] + Processing work unit
[03:48:06] Core required: FahCore_78.exe
[03:48:06] Core found.
[03:48:06] Working on Unit 08 [February 20 03:48:06]
[03:48:06] + Working ...
[03:48:06]
[03:48:06] *------------------------------*
[03:48:06] Folding@home Gromacs Core
[03:48:06] Version 1.55 (December 22, 2003)
[03:48:06]
[03:48:06] Preparing to commence simulation
[03:48:06] - Looking at optimizations...
[03:48:06] - Files status OK
[03:48:06] - Expanded 373128 -> 1859169 (decompressed 498.2 percent)
[03:48:06]
[03:48:06] Project: 849 (Run 3, Clone 57, Gen 19)
[03:48:06]
[03:48:07] Assembly optimizations on if available.
[03:48:07] Entering M.D.

Folding@home Client Shutdown.


--- Opening Log file [February 20 03:51:44]


# Windows Console Edition ##########################################

Folding@home Client Version 4.00

http://folding.stanford.edu

#########################################

Arguments: -local -advmethods

[03:51:44] - Ask before connecting: No
[03:51:44] - User name: twiztidn8v (Team 3446)
[03:51:44] - User ID = 7FBD5CB1098BB8BA
[03:51:44] - Machine ID: 1
[03:51:44]
[03:51:44] Loaded queue successfully.
[03:51:44] + Benchmarking ...
[03:51:51]
[03:51:51] + Processing work unit
[03:51:51] Core required: FahCore_78.exe
[03:51:51] Core found.
[03:51:51] Working on Unit 08 [February 20 03:51:51]
[03:51:51] + Working ...
[03:51:52]
[03:51:52] *------------------------------*
[03:51:52] Folding@home Gromacs Core
[03:51:52] Version 1.55 (December 22, 2003)
[03:51:52]
[03:51:52] Preparing to commence simulation
[03:51:52] - Looking at optimizations...
[03:51:52] - Files status OK
[03:51:53] - Expanded 373128 -> 1859169 (decompressed 498.2 percent)
[03:51:55]
[03:51:55] Project: 849 (Run 3, Clone 57, Gen 19)
[03:51:55]
[03:51:56] Assembly optimizations on if available.
[03:51:56] Entering M.D.
[03:52:17] (Starting from checkpoint)
[03:52:17] Protein: p849_p53dimer849
[03:52:17]
[03:52:17] Writing local files
[03:52:17] Completed 160000 out of 500000 steps (32)
[03:52:17] Extra SSE boost OK.
[04:03:52] Writing local files
[04:03:54] Completed 165000 out of 500000 steps (33)
[12:05:14] Writing local files
[12:05:16] Completed 500000 out of 500000 steps (100)
[12:05:16] Writing final coordinates.
[12:05:16] Past main M.D. loop
[12:06:16]
[12:06:16] Finished Work Unit:
[12:06:16] - Reading up to 1027284 from "work/wudata_08.arc": Read 1027284
[12:06:16] - Reading up to 0 from "work/wudata_08.xtc": Read 0
[12:06:17] goefile size: 0
[12:06:17] logfile size: 46766
[12:06:17] Leaving Run
[12:06:18] - Writing 1081190 bytes of core data to disk...
[12:06:18] ... Done.
[12:06:18] - Shutting down core
[12:06:18]
[12:06:18] Folding@home Core Shutdown: FINISHED_UNIT
[12:06:20] CoreStatus = 64 (100)
[12:06:20] Sending work to server


[12:06:20] + Attempting to send results
[12:06:21] - Couldn't send HTTP request to server
[12:06:21] + Could not connect to Work Server (results)
[12:06:21] (171.67.89.150:8080)
[12:06:21] - Error: Could not transmit unit 08 (completed February 20). Keeping unit in queue.


--- Opening Log file [February 20 13:15:28]
 
sorry guys, here's the rest....

# Windows Console Edition ##########################################

Folding@home Client Version 4.00

http://folding.stanford.edu

##########################################

Arguments: -local -advmethods

[13:15:28] - Ask before connecting: No
[13:15:28] - User name: twiztidn8v (Team 3446)
[13:15:28] - User ID = 7FBD5CB1098BB8BA
[13:15:28] - Machine ID: 1
[13:15:28]
[13:15:28] Loaded queue successfully.
[13:15:28] + Benchmarking ...
[13:15:30] - Preparing to get new work unit...


[13:15:30] + Attempting to send results
[13:15:30] + Attempting to get work packet
[13:15:30] - Connecting to assignment server
[13:15:30] + Could not connect to Assignment Server
[13:15:30] + Could not connect to Assignment Server 2
[13:15:30] + Couldn't get work instructions.
[13:15:30] - Error: Attempt #1 to get work failed, and no other work to do.
Waiting before retry.
[13:15:30] - Couldn't send HTTP request to server
[13:15:30] + Could not connect to Work Server (results)
[13:15:30] (171.67.89.150:8080)
[13:15:30] - Error: Could not transmit unit 08 (completed February 20). Keeping unit in queue.

Folding@home Client Shutdown.


--- Opening Log file [February 20 13:15:33]


# Windows Console Edition ##########################################

Folding@home Client Version 4.00

http://folding.stanford.edu

##########################################

Arguments: -local -advmethods

[13:15:33] - Ask before connecting: No
[13:15:33] - User name: twiztidn8v (Team 3446)
[13:15:33] - User ID = 7FBD5CB1098BB8BA
[13:15:33] - Machine ID: 1
[13:15:33]

Folding@home Client Shutdown.


--- Opening Log file [February 20 15:47:39]


# Windows Console Edition #########################################

Folding@home Client Version 4.00

http://folding.stanford.edu

##########################################

Arguments: -local -advmethods

[15:47:39] - Ask before connecting: No
[15:47:39] - User name: twiztidn8v (Team 3446)
[15:47:39] - User ID = 7FBD5CB1098BB8BA
[15:47:39] - Machine ID: 1
[15:47:39]
[15:47:39] Loaded queue successfully.
[15:47:39] + Benchmarking ...
[15:47:41] - Preparing to get new work unit...


[15:47:41] + Attempting to send results
[15:47:41] + Attempting to get work packet
[15:47:42] - Connecting to assignment server
[15:47:42] - Successful: assigned to (171.64.122.124).
[15:47:42] + News From Folding@Home: v.4 client available
[15:47:43] Loaded queue successfully.
[15:48:10] + Closed connections
[15:48:10]
[15:48:10] + Processing work unit
[15:48:10] Core required: FahCore_78.exe
[15:48:10] Core found.
[15:48:10] Working on Unit 09 [February 20 15:48:10]
[15:48:10] + Working ...
[15:48:10]
[15:48:10] *------------------------------*
[15:48:10] Folding@home Gromacs Core
[15:48:10] Version 1.55 (December 22, 2003)
[15:48:10]
[15:48:10] Preparing to commence simulation
[15:48:10] - Looking at optimizations...
[15:48:10] - Created dyn
[15:48:10] - Files status OK
[15:48:10] - Go method
[15:48:10] - Expanded 354115 -> 1760809 (decompressed 497.2 percent)
[15:48:11] - Starting from initial work packet
[15:48:11]
[15:48:11] Project: 520 (Run 245, Clone 287, Gen 1)
[15:48:11]
[15:48:11] Assembly optimizations on if available.
[15:48:11] Entering M.D.
[15:48:17] Protein: p520_BBA5_pf
[15:48:17]
[15:48:17] Writing local files
[15:48:18] Extra SSE boost OK.
[15:48:19] + Results successfully sent
[15:48:19] Thank you for your contribution to Folding@home.
[15:48:19] + Number of Units Completed: 8

[15:48:20] Writing local files
[15:48:22] Completed 0 out of 500000 steps (0)
[15:59:16] Writing local files
[15:59:18] Completed 5000 out of 500000 steps (1)
[16:10:01] Writing local files
[16:10:03] Completed 10000 out of 500000 steps (2)
[22:42:52] Writing local files
[22:42:54] Completed 200000 out of 500000 steps (40)

Folding@home Client Shutdown.


--- Opening Log file [February 20 22:44:39]


# Windows Console Edition ##########################################

Folding@home Client Version 4.00

http://folding.stanford.edu

##########################################

Arguments: -local -advmethods

[22:44:39] - Ask before connecting: No
[22:44:39] - User name: twiztidn8v (Team 3446)
[22:44:39] - User ID = 7FBD5CB1098BB8BA
[22:44:39] - Machine ID: 1
[22:44:39]
[22:44:39] Loaded queue successfully.
[22:44:39] + Benchmarking ...
[22:44:41]
[22:44:41] + Processing work unit
[22:44:41] Core required: FahCore_78.exe
[22:44:41] Core found.
[22:44:41] Working on Unit 09 [February 20 22:44:41]
[22:44:41] + Working ...
[22:44:41]
[22:44:41] *------------------------------*
[22:44:41] Folding@home Gromacs Core
[22:44:41] Version 1.55 (December 22, 2003)
[22:44:41]
[22:44:41] Preparing to commence simulation
[22:44:41] - Looking at optimizations...
[22:44:41] - Files status OK
[22:44:41] - Go method
[22:44:42] - Expanded 354115 -> 1760809 (decompressed 497.2 percent)
[22:44:42]
[22:44:42] Project: 520 (Run 245, Clone 287, Gen 1)
[22:44:42]

Folding@home Client Shutdown.


--- Opening Log file [February 20 22:44:44]


# Windows Console Edition ##########################################

Folding@home Client Version 4.00

http://folding.stanford.edu

##########################################

Arguments: -local -advmethods

[22:44:44] - Ask before connecting: No
[22:44:44] - User name: twiztidn8v (Team 3446)
[22:44:44] - User ID = 7FBD5CB1098BB8BA
[22:44:44] - Machine ID: 1
[22:44:44]
[22:44:44] Loaded queue successfully.
[22:44:44] + Benchmarking ...

Folding@home Client Shutdown.



My only guess could be overheating... i hear the fan turning off and on... if anybody has any clue, please let me know! Thanks!
 
that's probably a reasonable guess (overheating) since temperature changes affect the timing of the circuits and if timing is marginal... bad things can happen. However. Hardware related problems should happen to all programs, not just FAH. Have you tried increasing the verbosity to highest?

-verbosity x

Sets the output level, from 1 to 9 (max). The default is 3. This option should be used if the user wishes to see more detailed client output, particularly useful if there is a problem which needs to be reported to the F@H client development team.

Have you tried other PC diagnostics? If you wander around the overclocking sites, they are always dealing with razor thin timing margin problems and tend to have a number of tools to find and identify such issues. I'd suggest a little tour to see if you can find a hardware problem. Often, some marginal RAM is the culprit.
 
does anyone know what this means?

[21:02:12] ***** Got a SIGTERM signal (2) from OS

Folding@home Client Shutdown.

i used verbosity 9 flag and that's what I got probably yesterday at some time, it seems to be more stable now that I've bought an antec laptop cooler, but I'll need more test time to know for sure....
 
Originally posted by twiztidn8v
does anyone know what this means?

[21:02:12] ***** Got a SIGTERM signal (2) from OS

Folding@home Client Shutdown.

i used verbosity 9 flag and that's what I got probably yesterday at some time, it seems to be more stable now that I've bought an antec laptop cooler, but I'll need more test time to know for sure....
Click to expand...

sigterm -2 is a message from the OS that says "die, stop, quit, kaput". Similar to force quit, except not as "immediate". Traditionally, you send a -3 with force quit. Don't quite know how you get the OS to terminate a process all by itself, unless something is seriously wrong and the OS has decided that it must end the culprit.

-signal_number
A non-negative decimal integer, specifying the signal to be sent
instead of the default TERM.

The following pids have special meanings:
-1 If superuser, broadcast the signal to all processes; otherwise
broadcast to all processes belonging to the user.

Some of the more commonly used signals:
1 HUP (hang up)
2 INT (interrupt)
3 QUIT (quit)
6 ABRT (abort)
9 KILL (non-catchable, non-ignorable kill)
14 ALRM (alarm clock)
15 TERM (software termination signal)

Some shells may provide a builtin kill command which is similar or iden-
tical to this utility. Consult the builtin(1) manual page.

for some reason, the OS has had it with fah and wants it to terminate.
 
oh, one other small note... sigterm has traditionally been a unix thing, and I'm not at all familiar with the inner workings of windoze so my above information may have nothing to do with your problem. I don't know why windoze would send a sigterm or if it means the same on a PC as it does on a *nix box.
 
I bought an antec laptop cooler, and the problem seems to have all but dissapeared. I haven't had it on long, but so far I've seen it happen not once, so I'm crossing my fingers!
 
I believe i've found out why, it appears to do it every time I shutdown or restart. But I didn't have the -service flag in firedaemon, so when I would shutdown or restart, it cause a hang or something. and it would try to shutdown/restart again... and again.... I seem to remember sometimes i took a long time for windows to shut down... I read on the stanford site somewhere that if you run it as a service this does tend to happen, so this must be what it is..

does it make sense jbeetz? It does to me!

And now everything seems fine!
 
It kind of does, especially if Stanford didn't intend for it to be a service. I'm pretty sure that services don't quit normally (or at least normal in the eyes of a typical user) and are only terminated by windoze directly. And, as far as I know, they run and run and run until a restart.

Works for me!
 
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