Maximum PC

First a bit about this topic. The purpose of this thread It is not meant in any way to bash windows, nor am I a linux fanboy. For some background I have been working in the computer industry for the past 23 years and I am just taking some observations of my own past experiences and trying to look to the future. I am not pitting one OS against the other, each has its positives and negatives. I would just like to point out some of the positives for Linux (Ubuntu in particular, it is what I am most familiar with). While I may be pointing out some very obvious features to some, please hang in there. Also I hope that others will post and share their experiences, positive or negative. While everyone has differing levels of technical qualifications, I would like to keep this info as basic as possible to begin with and move up from there.

Is Linux for me?
Yes, it very well could be. If you are comfortable with installing windows from a CD and understand basic computer functions, you should be able to install Linux without too much trouble.

What does Linux offer?
Freedom and flexibility. With windows XP only on sale till June of next year, Microsoft is forcing users to adapt to *their* system, not the other way around. Considering the price of Vista is anywhere from $200.00 - $400.00 (that is a big chunk of money for just an OS, especially if it’s only going to be used as a dedicated folder). Ubuntu Linux is free. Free to use, free to give your CD to a buddy and have him install it and he can give it his buddy and so on.

OK, so what can I do with Linux?
That answer is easy. FOLD. You can install Folding@home and help to one day cure some of today’s most threatening illnesses.
The Linux client appears to be the most stable and offers the highest amount of science completed (and points) per CPU cycle.
If that wasn't enough Ubuntu gives you tons of applications to use, all for free. The following applications are all installed when you install the OS.
Firefox Internet Browser.
Evolution Email
Gimp: An Image editor similar to Photoshop
F Spot: A photo manager for tagging and sharing photos
Instant Messenger
Open Office: An awesome open source program suite that rivals Microsoft Office. Open it and you will instantly recognize many similarities (word processor, spreadsheets, database, slideshow presentations they are all there). Basically the same suite of programs Microsoft charges $400.00+ for. And the documents created in OpenOffice are compatible with their counterparts in the Microsoft Office Suite.
Movie Players
CD Extractor for ripping CD with *no* DRM crap attached to your files.
Rythmbox Music Player for playing all the files ripped with the CD Extractor.
Did I mention you could fold.

I had dabbled with Linux about 7 years ago when Red Hat was first introducing their Enterprise System and I found it very daunting especially with very untechfriendly forums. If you did not word a question in the correct manor you would get ripped for being a newb, told to get a clue and go back to windows. I wonder at times how it ever caught on. Ubuntu provides a whole different aspect for their support. Any question you have can be easily searched, asked and answered by a helpful and prompt support person. Today with the Gnome point and click GUI desktop environment you will see many similarities to windows.

The big downfall to Linux; no gaming. At first I was thinking there was no way I was going to load this on my main machine if I couldn't game whenever I wanted. Big issue for me, I love to game almost every evening. It is how I relax. Then I found this is no problem. When you install Linux it will create its own partition on the drive and install a bootloader (Grub) which will load prior to any OS and let you choose to run either Linux or Windows. It takes just a second to load, and off you can go in either direction. If I am in linux and want to game, a quick reboot and I am gaming, reboot when done gaming and I am back folding again.
At first anytime I was working on the computer I would be in windows and just switch over to Linux to fold. As time went by
though I started using all the programs mentioned above and I found myself liking them over the windows programs that I had paid money for. Linux recognized my camera, mp3 player, cd burner, flash drive; all without any intervention by me. I now do all my work in Linux and only use windows for gaming. One of the mistakes I made during my install was not to give enough disk space to Linux. I had a 300Gb hard drive and my thought was that I was only going to use linux to fold so I will give it 10Gb partition. While this was plenty to do the install, once I started doing everyday activities as loading all my photos and ripping CDs I started to fill that partition very quickly. While you are able to resize the partition (which I did) I recommend giving yourself enough room in the beginning.


Ok, you convinced me. How do I get started?
There are a couple of ways to begin. The Ubuntu download is about 700Mb so if you want you can order the CD. I believe the CD is free, you just have to pay shipping.
If you want to download it you just to to http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu
Download the ISO and burn it to a CD (using an ISO-burning capable program).
If you boot from the CD you can actually run it without installing. I did this first just to check it out to see if it was something that I actually wanted to install.
If you decide that you want to install it, I not just recommend; but insisting that you back up any important files on your windows partition beforehand. It is just good practice to back up important documents before you attempt to install a second OS. No matter what you install you never know what hardware could fail or just something plain bad happening. BACK UP YOUR DATA before installing!!
There are many users here with Linux experience who are very willing to help out as much as possible. While no OS is perfect for everybody, nor every situation, I believe that Linux is the future of the folding community and with the ability to run programs faster and more securely, it is a two thumbs up option that I wholly recommend for anyone interested in getting the most out of their computing experience.

Now let’s get out there and fold some proteins!!

P.S. If anyone has a better idea for a subject let me know and I will edit this one, but I am tired of typing right now

Great primer on Linux Thunar, thanks!

If we do go this route, I suggest a step by step folding guide for Linux 102

Install and update Ubuntu 64 from bootable disk. The first complete boot after installation should trigger the automatic updating feature in Ubuntu (if you’re using the desktop version). Update the entire system prior to proceeding. You will need to
have internet connectivity for the most up to date versions etc.

The ‘terminal’ is located at System>


Assumptions –

yourname = the name of your linux account, I will use Dread/dread in examples.
/home/dread/fah = the folder you will have the client running under. You can of course name it anything you want instead of using ‘fah’. I like to keep it simple and easy to remember. Be careful that you only use the prefix command of ‘sudo’ when required, NOT on every command that we’ll use. If you do use it all the time, everything that you make or alter will then be owned by the super-user and NOT you. Below we only use it when we have to in order to alter/create files that are already ‘owned’ by root/su.

After successfully installing the OS follow these steps from the terminal-
NOTE-[i]All items in ‘code’ format are typed exactly as seen, are to be followed by an “Enterâ€

Before I get in over my head (<--- linux noob) are the instructions you are listing valid for single core folding under linux?


P.S. I've sent in a request for a Linux Folding Section as you guys have discussed. I'll keep you posted as I get info.

With the new client (v6) the instructions are still valid, except drop the -smp flag.

What machine specs and what client and version of linux are
you trying to install Phred?

Yes, but for a single processor (single-core) you can drop the need to install the ia32-libs and not use the -smp flag on the client. All other commands will be the same, oops, no requirement to say 'yes' to work units greater than 5MB in the config either if your not using the SMP client, but you can use it
if you wish to, it'll just use beta work units when available, regular work units when not.

When using Ubuntu live disk, you can select "Use Safe Graphics" options
from the splash menu, that may help you get past the goofy screen res restrictions.

May I suggest you return to the Ubuntu 7.04 version
This is what I found out about the U 7.10.
I had 3 rigs over here I upgraded to Ver. 7.10 from 7.04, and they would no longer accept the folding programs.
Once I put the 7.04 version back on them,, I was able to install and run the F@H program with NO PROBLEMS Who knows WHY, They just did.
These rigs consist of a mix of duo-cores AMD & Intel, and some misc. single cores . Including a AMD athlon 3500.
I have no clue WHY, I don't know HOW,,and I don't care,,as long as they fold,, Thats all I care about..
This is just MY 2cents worth,, It MIGHT help, It may not
Good luck. And Fold till you can't

TOM,

I think you might be onto something here. Last night I upgraded 7.04 to 7.10. No problem - all settings imported just fine, including folding.

However, now that it's picked up a new 2653, the PPD has plunged from approx 2700 to 1800.



As soon as I have a few minutes, I'm gonna nuke this thing and reload 7.04, unless some of you wizards out there have an idea of what might be going on...

M1

As a follow up to my post before about the Ubuntu 7.10 may be cause of folding problems Be advised: AFTER reinstalling Ubuntu 7.04 MY rigs are now folding just fine
I even have my ethernet connection back on those rigs again
All I know is that when doing the upgrade to 7.10 it tells you that some programs are no longer supported and it will deleate them,,,MAYBE one of those MAY have something to do with all this
I do know it deleated some Libs files, maybe the ones needed for F@H
I don't know or understand any of this
BUT, my rigs are folding again.. Thats all I care about

I just installed Ubuntu 7.10 a few days ago and it's already working on it's second WU.

I'm only running the single core client though.

4 of my rigs are running Ubuntu 7.10 with zero problems.
I did fresh installs though, not the 'upgrade'.

I only have the 7.04 disc Ubuntu sent me, waitting for the new disc with 7.10 to arrive.
I unfortunetly, made the mistake of using the Upgrade from their update manager. I don't know WHY it did as it did. I don't understand those things.

Reminds me of Windows,, run the update, install the new stuff,
and then have to figure out why it quit working
I am the first to admit that I have NO CLUE what I am doing.
So, I find what does work,and stay with that.

Not that it helps ease your pain but I have been using kubuntu 7.10 for almost a month without any issues.
As you can see all is well. I changed the power options and disabled the screen saver. My monitor is set to turn off after 5mins. All the other "power saving features" are off/disabled.
If you have an Intel Quad core and 2Gigs of RAM then make sure you try this, It's very easy to setup. If you don't like the results then forget about the second client and the core assignment.

Edit: Updated Guide with FAHMON, Temp monitor & other tips

YEAH, Rub it in You Super Folder You

Yeah. When I get a new graphics card it won't be folding as much.
Give that guide and 7.10 a try and let us know if its helps.

BTW,, That guide from Tech Report is the exact same one I use.. Great guide..Thanks for the idea though.
Also checked my cd with the function at start up of Ubuntu,, says 1 file has errors..not which one,,just one..
Maybe it's because I'm starting out with corupted info in the first dang place
Who the heck knows ADEE DO !!!

The terminal in linux is essentially the same thing as a command window (think DOS) under Windows. The commands can be significantly different though.

An example to execute the fah client would be this:

(then hit your 'Enter' key)

Or to launch lmsensors:

(then hit your 'Enter' key)

To list the contenst of the current directory you could type:

(then hit your 'Enter' key)(thats a lower-case 'L')

or

(then hit your 'Enter' key)(just like in DOS)

Here is a fairly comprehensive list of linux commands. It's a generic list though. http://www.oreillynet.com/linux/cmd/#d