On Einstein@Home we have "sticky" files, i.e. files that are used for several Tasks and thus stay on the participants machines for quite some time (some of them may be more than a year old).

Our S5R2 App suffers from various Client Errors some of which we could track to come from corrupted files, in particular the ones that are pretty old ("earth" and "sun" ephemeris files). We do some sanity checking of the files in the App, but all it can do if it finds a file being broken is to terminate with a client error.

Therefore we now enabled verify_files_on_app_start. With BOINC Core Client verion 5.6 or newer the Client will check the consistency (length, md5 sum) every time before starting a new task (and should download a file again if it's found to be corrupted).

So people observing mysterious client errors (especially if the first one happens after restarting in the middle of a task and every following task terminates with a client error in the very first seconds) are encouraged to upgrade to a recent Client.

BM

"Signature verification failed for einstein_S5R2_4.24_windows_intelx86.exe"
All I changed was the "AuthenticAMD" to "AuthenticABC" in the file so I don't get that 30% penalty running an AMD cpu versus an Intel. What a waste of computing power resources and energy when I loose 1/3 of it. Could you guys maybe fix that from your end since you tight our hands now with this md5 verification?
____________

The main reason for the "penalty" has been eliminated in App version 4.24. Manually patching an App 4.24 or newer should give an effect below 5% in speed. See the old 4.24 thread.

If you think you need to, I suggest to patch the current Beta 4.30 and run it with the app_info.xml of the package on anonymous platform.

BM

I have 10 machines running full time. All are running XP except one runs Vista. When that machine restarts (Microsoft automatic update or power failure) the current Einstein task fails with a client error, none of the others does. Is this a problem with Vista, or BOINC, or what?
____________

Is this a problem with Vista, or BOINC, or what?

Client Error. I have been running Einstein for some time without problems. However, it has recently stopped crediting me with units after completing W.U.'s. The Results page:- http://einstein.phys.uwm.edu/results.php?userid=124514 indicates a Client Error.

I am running Boinc 5.2.7 and OS = Win XP.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Disa.
____________

Hi,
I am running Einstein @ home on my Vista laptop, BOINC client 5.10.30, and have had my last few Einstein results fail because of client error. Checking the messsages, I found that the "Output file" is "absent".

I had had some similar problem with a variety of BOINC projects so I let the work units I had finish up, installed the latest version (I had been using 5.10.28) and reset each project, hoping that would fix things.

Any ideas?
Thanks
Matt
PS -- I just installed the BOINC FAQ reg entry about preventing too-fast shutdowns, but I don't know yet whether it will make a difference.

12/14/2007 5:54:32 PM||Starting BOINC client version 5.10.30 for windows_intelx86
12/14/2007 5:54:32 PM||log flags: task, file_xfer, sched_ops
12/14/2007 5:54:32 PM||Libraries: libcurl/7.17.1 OpenSSL/0.9.8e zlib/1.2.3
12/14/2007 5:54:32 PM||Data directory: C:\\Program Files\\BOINC
12/14/2007 5:54:32 PM||Processor: 2 AuthenticAMD AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor TK-53 [x86 Family 15 Model 104 Stepping 1]
12/14/2007 5:54:32 PM||Processor features: fpu tsc pae nx sse sse2 pni 3dnow mmx
12/14/2007 5:54:32 PM||OS: Microsoft Windows Vista: Home Edition, (06.00.6000.00)
12/14/2007 5:54:32 PM||Memory: 958.00 MB physical, 2.12 GB virtual
12/14/2007 5:54:32 PM||Disk: 66.42 GB total, 18.81 GB free
12/14/2007 5:54:32 PM||Local time is UTC -8 hours


12/14/2007 5:55:06 PM|Einstein@Home|Computation for task h1_0595.30_S5R2__149_S5R3a_2 finished
12/14/2007 5:55:06 PM|Einstein@Home|Output file h1_0595.30_S5R2__149_S5R3a_2_0 for task h1_0595.30_S5R2__149_S5R3a_2 absent
12/14/2007 5:56:12 PM|Einstein@Home|Sending scheduler request: To fetch work. Requesting 2858 seconds of work, reporting 1 completed tasks
12/14/2007 5:56:16 PM|Einstein@Home|Scheduler request succeeded: got 1 new tasks
12/14/2007 5:56:16 PM|Einstein@Home|Got server request to delete file h1_0595.30_S5R2
12/14/2007 5:56:16 PM|Einstein@Home|Got server request to delete file l1_0595.30_S5R2

____________

Matt,

Try moving the entire BOINC directory out of C:\\Program Files\\.

Completely shut down BOINC. Uninstall BOINC. Move the directory to almost anywhere else (I put it right in C:\\ so that it's C:\\BOINC\\). Reinstall BOINC pointing the installer to the new location.

The fast shut down issue can be minimized with the registry hack you read about or by remembering to completely shut down BOINC before shutting down your computer.
____________
Kathryn :o)
The BOINC FAQ Service
The Unofficial BOINC Wiki
The Trac System
More BOINC information than you can shake a stick of RAM at.

Hi Kathryn,

That seems to have worked! Thank you for your help! (I am delayed in responding as I was watching the performance for awhile and looking for errors.)

As I write this, I realize that you have helped me several times before through the general Boinc help site, so thanks *again*.

~~ Matt

Matt,

Try moving the entire BOINC directory out of C:\\Program Files\\.

Completely shut down BOINC. Uninstall BOINC. Move the directory to almost anywhere else (I put it right in C:\\ so that it's C:\\BOINC\\). Reinstall BOINC pointing the installer to the new location.

The fast shut down issue can be minimized with the registry hack you read about or by remembering to completely shut down BOINC before shutting down your computer.

You're very welcome. I'm glad it was a simple fix. Vista is full of quirks.
____________
Kathryn :o)
The BOINC FAQ Service
The Unofficial BOINC Wiki
The Trac System
More BOINC information than you can shake a stick of RAM at.

I'm getting that "Output file is absent" error message. Running Ubuntu Linux 8.04, and BOINC client/manager 5.10.45. SETI was running fine, but since attaching to Einstein, it hasn't run any files.
EDIT: Correction, SETI had run a file, but was showing only 22 seconds of computing, and .24% complete.

I'm getting that "Output file is absent" error message. Running Ubuntu Linux 8.04, and BOINC client/manager 5.10.45. SETI was running fine, but since attaching to Einstein, it hasn't run any files.
EDIT: Correction, SETI had run a file, but was showing only 22 seconds of computing, and .24% complete.

I'm getting that "Output file is absent" error message. Running Ubuntu Linux 8.04, and BOINC client/manager 5.10.45. SETI was running fine, but since attaching to Einstein, it hasn't run any files.
EDIT: Correction, SETI had run a file, but was showing only 22 seconds of computing, and .24% complete.

Both of the results from your P4 crashed before completing, but for different reasons. This and the problems with SETI together seem to suggest that there might be a hardware problem with that particular PC.

CU
Bikeman

Since late August seeing about 75% failure due to compute error. This is on 3 machines 1 Vista, 1 XP, 1 Win 2000. Upgraded Vista machine to latest BOINC in last 18 hrs. Still had 2 failed results on this machine so far.

Ideas?

Clay
Team NAVY

Hi!

Are you using "CPU throttling", that is, have you configured BOINC to use only a certain percentage of idle cylces (see the: web preferences, setting: "Use at most XXX percent of CPU time"). BOINC seems to have difficulties with this setting, I would suggest to set this to "100%" and see if the problem goes away.

CU
Bikeman
____________

Interesting will give that a go. I have machines set to about 75% to cut heat. TNX

Clay

Hi!

Are you using "CPU throttling", that is, have you configured BOINC to use only a certain percentage of idle cylces (see the: web preferences, setting: "Use at most XXX percent of CPU time"). BOINC seems to have difficulties with this setting, I would suggest to set this to "100%" and see if the problem goes away.

CU
Bikeman

For multicores, you could limit the numbers of CPU per host instead if you feel heat or responsiveness is an issue.

CU
Bikeman
____________

Hi,
I am running Einstein @ home on my Vista laptop, BOINC client 5.10.30, and have had my last few Einstein results fail because of client error. Checking the messsages, I found that the "Output file" is "absent".

Hi,
I have the same issue but I'm running BOINC 5.10.45 on XP SP3. Since I've installed SP3 I experience this problem of the missing output file on the Einstein project only, all other projects are running fine.
Would you recommend doing the same procedure as you've done so for the above Vista machine?

Thanks a lot!

Bikeman,

Looks like that was part of the fix. Ran throttles to 100% and made some other adjustments back toward default values and the computation errors ceased. Note also that Vista has too rapid a shutdown cycle. So I upped the write to disk to 1:45 sec. This permits better recovery should the system trip off line. So far so good. Temperatures on the large systems are tollarable at about 40 - 45C.

Clay

For multicores, you could limit the numbers of CPU per host instead if you feel heat or responsiveness is an issue.

CU
Bikeman

...
Note also that Vista has too rapid a shutdown cycle. So I upped the write to disk to 1:45 sec. This permits better recovery should the system trip off line...

I'm running BOINC 5.10.28 on a laptop with Windows XP OS with SP 2. Over a year, it has done its work properly, but just a few minutes ago I saw this:

05.10.2008 16:36:26|Einstein@Home|Task h1_1052.65_S5R4__940_S5R4a_1 exited with zero status but no 'finished' file
05.10.2008 16:36:26|Einstein@Home|If this happens repeatedly you may need to reset the project.
05.10.2008 16:37:09|Einstein@Home|Task h1_1052.65_S5R4__940_S5R4a_1 exited with zero status but no 'finished' file
05.10.2008 16:37:09|Einstein@Home|If this happens repeatedly you may need to reset the project.
05.10.2008 16:37:10|Einstein@Home|Restarting task h1_1052.65_S5R4__940_S5R4a_1 using einstein_S5R4 version 604


What can I do? Do I really have to reset the project - means to remove it, as far as I understand it - from my computer? What about my account then?
Kind regards,

Gunnar
____________

I'm running BOINC on a laptop with Windows XP OS. Over the years, it has done its work properly, but just a few minutes ago I saw this:

05.10.2008 16:36:26|Einstein@Home|Task h1_1052.65_S5R4__940_S5R4a_1 exited with zero status but no 'finished' file
05.10.2008 16:36:26|Einstein@Home|If this happens repeatedly you may need to reset the project.
05.10.2008 16:37:09|Einstein@Home|Task h1_1052.65_S5R4__940_S5R4a_1 exited with zero status but no 'finished' file
05.10.2008 16:37:09|Einstein@Home|If this happens repeatedly you may need to reset the project.
05.10.2008 16:37:10|Einstein@Home|Restarting task h1_1052.65_S5R4__940_S5R4a_1 using einstein_S5R4 version 604


What can I do? Do I really have to reset the project - means to remove it, as far as I understand it - from my computer? What about my account then?
Kind regards,

Gunnar

I'm running BOINC on a laptop with Windows XP OS. Over the years, it has done its work properly, but just a few minutes ago I saw this:

05.10.2008 16:36:26|Einstein@Home|Task h1_1052.65_S5R4__940_S5R4a_1 exited with zero status but no 'finished' file
05.10.2008 16:36:26|Einstein@Home|If this happens repeatedly you may need to reset the project.
05.10.2008 16:37:09|Einstein@Home|Task h1_1052.65_S5R4__940_S5R4a_1 exited with zero status but no 'finished' file
05.10.2008 16:37:09|Einstein@Home|If this happens repeatedly you may need to reset the project.
05.10.2008 16:37:10|Einstein@Home|Restarting task h1_1052.65_S5R4__940_S5R4a_1 using einstein_S5R4 version 604


What can I do? Do I really have to reset the project - means to remove it, as far as I understand it - from my computer? What about my account then?
Kind regards,

Gunnar

Hi!

Please press the "Update" button which will transmit der output from the failed jobs to the server immediately so we can have a look.

CU
Bikeman

Done, did you have a look already?

Can't acquire lockfile - exiting
FILE_LOCK::unlock(): close failed.: No such file or directory

Hi,

I've been running einstein@home on two computers (both of which are on more or less permanently) for years now. I rarely look at detailed statistics because if I see general progress being made on the boinc statistics tab, then I am happy. But today I just chanced to look in detail at my einsteing@home results for both computers and was somewhat disturbed to see the majority of work unites on both machines seem to fail with a client error (and have been doing for some time). Please see below for the error nformation but the gist seems to be that something is locking a file and various waits occur as retries are made and then eventually the whole thing times out.

Clearly, with all of these exit (0) going on, Something seems to be locking a file einstein@home is trying to write to. I can only imagine that it is either Norton 360 antivirus or einstein@home itself. Both machines are running vista 32 bit on Intel core due processors. Both machines have two processors and I have been allowing up to 100% cpu on each processor, so i guess there is some possibility of a deadlock condition between two running instances of einsteing@home?

Anyway, for the momet I have restricted boinc so that it can only use one processor on each machine and I will see how that plays out. Any help or advice would be much appreciated though because this problem has resulted in the loss or waste of many weeks of cpu time which is very disappointing.

Many thanks
Keith

core_client_version>6.6.36</core_client_version>
<![CDATA[
<message>
too many exit(0)s
</message>
<stderr_txt>
application '..\..\projects\einstein.phys.uwm.edu\einstein_S5R5_3.05_windows_intelx86_2.exe'.
Activated exception handling...
22:14:36 (7216): Can't acquire lockfile (32) - waiting 35s
22:15:11 (7216): Can't acquire lockfile (32) - exiting
22:15:11 (7216): Error: The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process. (0x20)
2009-07-17 22:15:13.4570 [normal]: This program is published under the GNU General Public License, version 2
2009-07-17 22:15:13.4590 [normal]: For details see http://einstein.phys.uwm.edu/license.php
2009-07-17 22:15:13.4600 [normal]: This Einstein@home App was built at: Apr 10 2009 17:21:18

____________

Every work unit sent has abended.
See below:

<core_client_version>6.2.18</core_client_version>
<![CDATA[
<message>
process exited with code 255 (0xff, -1)
</message>
<stderr_txt>
Detected CPU type 2
execv returned: -1

</stderr_txt>
]]>
Using client 6.2.18 on Ubuntu with an AMD dual core processor with 3G of RAM.

What am I doing wrong? I run Seti and Rosetta with no problems.

Cheers,

Harry <hlmyers@yahoo.com

You started with process exited with code 22 which means you are running a 64bit operating system and expect Einstein to provide you with a 64bit application. Einstein only has 32bit applications, so you need to have the 32bit compatibility libraries installed to be able to run32bit apps on your OS.
____________
Jord

-The BOINC FAQ Service
-CUDA/CAL Stream FAQ

You started with process exited with code 22 which means you are running a 64bit operating system and expect Einstein to provide you with a 64bit application. Einstein only has 32bit applications, so you need to have the 32bit compatibility libraries installed to be able to run32bit apps on your OS.

1. Open a terminal.
2. Enter

Forgive be for being dense, but where does one find these 32bit compatibility libs? Einstein appears to be running fine under a stock 64bit processor using a Kubutu (KDE) interface on another machine.

1. Open a terminal.
2. Enter

sudo apt-get install ia32-libs libstdc++6 libstdc++5 freeglut3