Under performing AthlonXP 2800+ Barton

[nickthechemist]

Hello everyone ~

I recently read a post concerning # of WU completed by various systems in a given day, and it seems that my system isn't performing on par with even the much older computers ~ any comments or suggestions are welcome I complete about 1 WU in 24 hours of CPU time.

Athlon XP 2800 Barton, 1GB PC3200, Nvidia Geforce4 MX 440, Asus Nforce2 Mobo (all the latest drivers and updates . . .)

Screen Shot: http://cb.recongamer.com/images/ss.JPG


Thank you for any suggestions.

 

[LaptopDude]

whoa...that rig should be getting at least 14 WU/day...umm hopefully one of the more "knowledgable" people will jump in and give you a hand...cos i can't think much without a bit more info from you...good luck anyway!

 

[nickthechemist]

Ah Hah, well here's the screen shot with a few stats, as a link this time: SCREENSHOT

Other possibly useful info:

Windows XP Home SP1
ASUS A8N8X-E Mobo (Sound onboard)
EVGA Nvidia Geforce4 MX 440, drivers 53.03
Western Digital 80GB/8MB/7200

And that's about it, it's a new system so I haven't added any expansion cards or much of anything to it yet. As far as I can tell the hardware is pretty mundane stuff - it's been out for a few months (or years) and their aren't any bugs associated with the major pieces.

 

[RaySun2Be]

Since it looks like you are running the GUI version of SETI, the 1st thing I would do is uninstall the GUI version of SETI and install the 3.03 CLI version. CLI is MUCH faster. There are add ons that you can use to check progress and display graphics.

2nd thing I would do is check to see if there are Power settings, or apps running that are sucking up resources.

Do you check for spyware/adware apps? If not, download AdAware or SpyBot, update to the latest config file, and run a scan of your hard drives. Things like Gator, Kazaa, My Buddy, Comet Cursor install spyware/ad server and tracking software that is notorious for installing hidden apps that really slow down the PC. (I have go over to a friends house about every other month and clean out the crap his kids install on his PC that makes it act like a P100).

3rd thing I would do is run Disk Cleanup, then CheckDisk, then Defrag the hard drive (right click on the drive in Explorer and choose Properties, then Tools)

Instructions for downloading and installing the 3.03 CLI version are here:

http://www.gygabite.com/smokeball/sigline.htm

 

[skrjones]

And your problem is that you are running the screensaver version of SETI.
The big boys run the commandline version (CLI) normally 3.03.

But if you are still running the ss version do you have it on all the time or is it jsut when the screen saver is activated. I think the option is to run in the background. With more than 256Mb Ram running XP you can do so any less and it might affect your system. The CLI uses 16Mb of memory to run.

Running the CLI is also handy as it allowsyou to use programs that allow morethan one WU to be stored so you don't have to be connected to the net when you finish, as it will just roll over to the next unit.

HTH.

 

[CyGoR]

You will be able to get like ~11 wu's / day with that system..

Download the client for Windows here, version 3.08

Good luck and happy crunching!!!

 

[RaySun2Be]

CyGoR, we usually recommend running the 3.03 version of the CLI, as it is faster than the 3.08.

 

[Smoke]

I think everyone covered "almost" everything.

The only thing not mentioned (unless my just-awake-still sleepy eyes missed it) was to make sure your system's POWER OPTIONS PROPERTIES are set to:

Turn off hard disks: NEVER
System standby: NEVER
System hibernates: NEVER

/me looks over thread one more time before transmitting/

Ack, I see where RaySun2Be mentioned the Power Settings. Good going to the Cane Whacker.

Well, I typed all of this so I might as well click the "Reply to Topic" button so I can up my post count.

CLICK

 

[nickthechemist]

Thanks guys, you all rock

I'm now running the command line version 3.08 and digging around for 3.03 as we speak.

Thanks again.

 

[Wolfsraider]

here is 3.03

 

[Smoke]

Don't dig, here it is.

 

[Smoke]

lol Wolfsraider beat me on that one.

 

[nickthechemist]

Wooo-Hooo This is like 10 times faster

 

[RaySun2Be]

Glad you got it figured out, Nickthechemist!

Originally posted by: Smoke
lol Wolfsraider beat me on that one.

heh. I beat you BOTH. The link I gave had the 3.03 download in it.



We are a competitive lot, aren't we?

 

[Polo]

 

[Smoke]

Originally posted by: RaySun2Be
Glad you got it figured out, Nickthechemist!

Originally posted by: Smoke
lol Wolfsraider beat me on that one.

heh. I beat you BOTH. The link I gave had the 3.03 download in it.

We are a competitive lot, aren't we?

That's not fair ... the file is on my website!

What's the location of that local "walking cane" shop that sells the really big ones? :|

/jack/ Competitive? Competitive? You can't live with Competitive! /jack/

Back to the weight room and a few good licks on the punching bag. Competitive? Me? Competitive?

I think I need some ice cream.

lol

 

[RaySun2Be]

That's not fair ... the file is on my website!

Heck, why re-invent the wheel?

What's the location of that local "walking cane" shop that sells the really big ones?

http://www.seniorshops.com/tallcane.html

http://www.houseofcanes.com/

http://www.canescanada.com/

http://www.msglobaldirect.com/html/spotlightcane.html

 

[Freewolf]

ya"ll old guys are a hoot with your " Who has the biggest cane thing "

 

[CyGoR]

nickthechemist, once you get to know these oldies, everything will sound normal

Cut it out guys! Your scaring the new one!!




"usually" we don't whack people with canes

 

[RaySun2Be]

Originally posted by: CyGoR
nickthechemist[/B

"usually" we don't whack people with canes

*whack*

Heh. "Usually" depends on what kind of mischevious or cantankerous mood I'm in.

 

[seaquake]

Also make sure that you don't run any CPU intensive screensavers. The best ones to run are blank screen or login box. Anything else will eat up CPU cycles and reduce your output.

I'd also recommend running SETI as a service. That way, you can log out of the system without affecting your production. I do this on both of my systems with firedaemon.

 

[kamper]

Originally posted by: RaySun2Be
http://www.seniorshops.com/tallcane.html

500lbs capacity? that is a serious cane!! Is that one in your collection Ray?

 

[Pokey]

OK guys, I just looked out of curiosity and found that I am running 3.08...........I had no idea it made a diff................so is there a trick to replacing 3.08 with 3.03? It looks so simple as to be a trap.

What is the "proper way to do this? My plan is to copy 3.03 into the existing seti directory and delete the 3.08 file. Do I need to reinstall seti driver? It has been so long since I had to do anything myself what with Windoz and all doing everything for me.

Anyway I thought I would ask before leaping.......................how weird is that?

 

[Pokey]

Somewhere there is a post similar to this and they are wondering what the heck I'M TALKING ABOUT.............I posted a question here but it didn't go here.

OK, guy's I looked at my version of Seti and I'm running 3.08. I didn't know any better..............

So now I have downloaded 3.03 and suddenly got cold feet. Is it as easy as copying 3.03 into the seti directory and deleting 3.08? Or do I need to "install" it? Anyway what IS the best way to plug in 3.03?

Please note I am asking BEFORE acting...........how weird is that?

 

[Pokey]

geesh................ ............there is another page..............