f@h runs at idle priority, so instead of the computer doing nothing when it's idle, it runs f@h. It backs off anytime anything else is ready to run. I've got several instances of it running on several different machines, with different operating systems and haven't had a problem like you describe yet.

The only time this might affect a user, is if you are running 2 f@h processes on a single hyperthreaded CPU. From the software POV, hyperthreaded cpus look like 2 logical CPUs, but they really aren't separate CPUs, so if your process is running on one thread and consumes lots of cpu cycles, the other cpu will still by "idle" from the sw point of view and f@h will continue to run on it if it's not doing anything else. Since there's really only one pipeline and one set of logic units that can run instructions, the second thread can interfere with the first. The solution is to only run one copy of f@h on a ht-enabled processor if that affects you. For most people, this doesn't affect performance, and running 2 instances of f@h will provide a 20% - 30% overall boost in work units processed over time, though each WU will be processed slower, the combination of doing 2 WUs in parallel provides the overall small boost in performance.

-David

Unfortunately, my favoured NM handle was not available, hence the FT_User name of F@H. My older PIII 800MHz clunker (IBM T21 laptop) takes about 2 weeks to complete a 400 frame W/U. It has only completed 2 out of my 21 WU's to date. The rest are from a IBM Thinkpad T41 (1.6GHz Pent-M). I didn't even bother loading it on the kids 300MHz PII (Toshiba Tacra 8000)!

Which is exactly how United Devices described their product. All I'm saying is that in my case, and I certainly was not along, there were times, many of them, it would not release when I wanted to do something, and since it was taking up 99% of the resources I had to go in and stop the processes. It's just something to be aware of.

Currently runing f@h on 5 machines of various flavors and have no problem with it "backing off". The algorithm they use is very good.

Ten CPUs? No wonder I'm trailing as only one of the CPUs is mine :p

My machine seems to be doing about 1% of this work unit I have every half hour, which means I should have my first work unit on the board about this time tomorrow. Hurray for me :p

Ha! No wonder you are catching up with me :D

Time to throw another machine or two into the mix!

Something tells me we need to keep ScottC otherwise occupied :eek:

Just added two more home machines, but one claims it will complete it's WU on Christmas day :rolleyes: :)

way to pour it on...!!
 

guys

Great to see the competitive juices come out. Seems like we now have 8 machines helping one Ft'r, and quite a few more for someone else! Way to go! Seems like FT'rs can do more than just talk, they can help out humanity. I think come early 05 I will be able to add about 10 new machines to the mix. And we have a new contibutor (welcome percussionking) . Knowing the competitive nature of us all, tell me Birdstrike doesn't check this at least a few times/week...?? What will it take Winkydink to catch up????

Glad to know we are doing possibly some good , while doing no harm to our computers & networks, and having fun at the same time. Who's next??

top 10% of teams after just a few months, not bad at all !! http://vspx27.stanford.edu/cgi-bin/m...&teamnum=39124

Flyer Talkers

Date of last work unit 2004-11-14 14:12:27
Active CPUs within 50 days 21
Team Id 39124
Grand Score 24911.0 (certificate)
Work Unit Count 236 (certificate)
Team Ranking (incl. aggregate) 2205 of 34362
Home Page http://www.myteam.com/


Team members
Rank
(within team) User Score WU
1 birdstrike 7440.2 79
2 WinkyDink 7137.0 77
3 FT_User 4754.0 34
4 tlglenn 2555.0 23
5 NickW 1979.76 11
6 elCheapoDeluxe 569.0 7
7 work2fly 258.0 3
8 percussionking 218.0 2

Hey! I'm only using 7! I may add some of the work machines at some point (must catch birdstrike... must catch birdstrike... must catch birdstrike...)

Seriously folks, if you haven't already joined us, please do. This plays very nice with your machine; you won't even notice it's there (except for the little red thingie in your system tray :) ).

SteveinSTL, thanks for the welcome.

I just downloaded the program on two additional computers in one of my school's computer labs. There are about sixty P4 2GHz computers there. If F@H is still there in a few days, I'll try to install it on some more, a little at a time. These things are running 16 hours a day on weekdays and some on weekends. I hope this works. . . .

SIXTY??!! ..... and you're welcome!!
 

Ummh, I'd think sixty would pretty quickly put you in the lead! Birdstrike? Birdstrike who?!! :D Guess my hope of 10 machines online in 05 won't quite be enough...! Looking forward to your vault to the top. Ok Birdstrike & Winkydink, how to overcome this newby?? :-:

Well, FT_User will probably drop back a few places as I will be traveling overseas for two weeks starting Monday. I'll try to leave the laptop running as much as I can, but may not have net access all the time to upload/download work units.

The second old klunker I have here might manage to complete one or two work units while daddy is away.

:( It didn't work. I think they reload an image every night so the computers are all the same.

300 unit threshold, and a footrace to boot!
 

^ Way to go FT'rs, you've used 22 computers to complete over 300 work units in just about a month. Not bad at all. And it seems that Winkydink has passed Birdstrike in total units, but alas, not in the all important rankings.... but he's might close! And PercussionKing, are you sure you cannot configure your 60 computers to somehow do this?? You'd be the man if you could! :eek:

Here's what's going on. Hey, anyone from FT got access to the servers?? Don't want to slow down our board...but... maybe they have some idle processing time too?

Team members
Rank (within team) User Score WU
1 birdstrike 9261.2 97
2 WinkyDink 9143.0 100
3 FT_User 5735.0 47
4 NickW 3082.64 17
5 tlglenn 3068.0 26
6 elCheapoDeluxe 1052.0 11
7 percussionking 459.0 3
8 work2fly 391.0 5

And we are almost up to the top 5% if teams! Currently at 5.4% by my calculations.