Im running Windows 7 64Bit, and boinc 6.10.18.

I've setup boinc to only run when computer is idle (this includes the GPU tasks) but once a GPU task is executed (whilst my PC is idle), and then on going back to a busy state, the GPU task though saying suspended, isnt actualy suspended.

I know this because the clock timer continue's ticking for the task, and my PC's performance takes a big knock.

I've tried forcing all tasks to suspend without much luck, the only luck i've had is to close the boinc manager.

Any idea's on when this bug could be resolved?

Confirmed!

I have the same problem on my Dell 1720 notebook with the following specs:

Latest BIOS (07/11/08) A09
32bit Windows XP SP3
Nvidia Mobile Driver (6.14.11.9156 + CUDA) (00.08.1029 PhsyX)
BOINC 6.10.18 (W 2.8.10)

Intel Core2Duo T7300 (2x2,0 Ghz)
Intel Crestline-PM PM965 Motherboard
4096MB Transcend DDR2-800 RAM
500GB Seagate 7.200UPM 16MB
Nvidia Geforce 8600M GT (256MB DDR2 + 768MB VRAM) (Two screens connected)

It is really annoying when it enables itself after a while even if you are working currently at the PC because it slowdown the system a lot when CUDA is active. It mostly happens when it changed a few times from idle to active and back.

So far I can use only "non-CUDA" projects else I have to disable BOINC completely. That's sad cause even my "old" 8600M GT gets 130 GFlops~ average and I was impressed how fast it is processing the projects.

So far I can use only "non-CUDA" projects else I have to disable BOINC completely.

Or you can disable CUDA. Either through the project preferences or by telling BOINC not to go look for a GPU upon start-up. Please check out my FAQ on the GPU subject which will explain why you have these slowdowns, as well as give lots of solutions.

A laptop/notebook is already notorious for heating up just by running the CPU under load; you'll only make it worse by adding strain with a GPU.

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Neither of you said what project this is on,
are you sure the app isn't computing until the next checkpoint, then stopping?,

Claggy

Thank you for your fast replies!

I thought already that you can disable CUDA somehow but without CUDA the related projects need way more time if they run only on the CPU.

The Dell 1720 has a good cooling system and I have it now nearly two years running without any bigger break then a few minutes, the average temperature of the GPU goes rarely over 50°C because the coolers are designed for way stronger cards. You can even overclock it to the 8700 clocktime without problems, but that is of course not healthy for a notebook.

Anyway a friend of me who also tested Boinc got the same issue on his notebook, there seems to be defiantly a bug related with mobile graphic cards and the idle mode of Boinc (I haven't marked of course the "Run while you work" fields, just to make that clear and it doesn't stop at the next checkpoint).


The issue appears with the "SETI@home" project, "Rosetta@home" works without problems cause it doesn't use CUDA yet.

How have you set 'Suspend GPU work while computer is in use? Enforced by version 6.7+', is it from the Computing Preferences on Seti's website?,
have you got the Computer set at the same location as the preferences you're trying to use? (ie Default/Home/School/Work)

or is from Boinc's own Local preferences at Advanced/Preferences/processor usage, then untick 'use GPU when computer is in use', then O.K, Note: this over-rides the web preferences.

I've just tried it on my Laptop on Boinc 6.10.25, using Seti's Preferences and the Boinc's Local preferences, and my GPU's Collatz task stops after about 5 seconds, it is available here:

http://boinc.berkeley.edu/dl/?C=M;O=D

Boinc 6.10.25 also has a new snooze GPU function, which will snooze the GPU for an hour, while letting the CPU carry on computing.

Claggy

Yes, the related fields are not marked so it shouldn't use the GPU while I'm at the computer. I also tested Version 6.10.25 but the task continue even if it says "Task stopped", I used the computer 10 minutes now and its still running and slowdown the graphic related tasks a lot.

So in my opinion it seems to be a bug else the program wouldn't say "Task stopped" but let it run anyway and even if the percent bar gets filled slowly.

I have the same problem. Using Dual Geforce 275's, on a Intel Core i7 920. I have it set via website pref's and local prefs to NOT use GPU (cards overclocked and want to reduce heat) but it continues to process 6.09 CUDA files (2 of them) which bog my computer down till I kill those threads via Task Manager. Win 7 x64 Ultimate.

Crogge and Merek,

what have you got 'Activity' set to?

Claggy

Crogge and Merek,

what have you got 'Activity' set to?

That would be in BOINC manager's Activity menu.

I think Crogge has correctly set "Run based on preferences" otherwise the task wouldn't show as stopped/suspended.

Gruß,
Gundolf

Run based on preferences. It really sucks because after over 7 years with seti I think I am going to have to uninstall it, its causing my GPU's to run into the 70's for temp.....

Then set your prefs to not get gpu work until you get better cooling.

Then set your prefs to not get gpu work until you get better cooling.

Dude, really? Can you not read the thread... I am TRYING to set my prefs to not use GPU, I have clicked everything but it continues to recieve CUDA work.

Use NVIDIA GPU if present
(enforced by 6.10+ clients) no (community prefs)

Use NVIDIA GPU if present
(enforced by 6.10+ clients) No (seti prefs)

On my project, (cpdn), the server software isn't up to the version which shows gpu options.
However on our test site which is more up to date, there's this in the project prefs. (The 3rd one, caled: Resource share and graphics): Use Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) if available

And the there's still the <no_gpus>1</no_gpus> option in the cc_config.xml file to tell BOINC not to use your GPU(s) at all.

Gruß,
Gundolf
[edit]Are you using 3rd-party applications (app_info.xml)?[/edit]

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Computer sind nicht alles im Leben. (Kleiner Scherz)

And the there's still the <no_gpus>1</no_gpus> option in the cc_config.xml file to tell BOINC not to use your GPU(s) at all.

Gruß,
Gundolf
[edit]Are you using 3rd-party applications (app_info.xml)?[/edit]

On my project, (cpdn), the server software isn't up to the version which shows gpu options.
However on our test site which is more up to date, there's this in the project prefs. (The 3rd one, caled: Resource share and graphics): Use Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) if available

Both are already done. I have also update to boinc 6.10.29, so hopefully one of these will fix this issue.

Why is GPU usage defaulting to ON in a release version which doesn't give the option to actually set it to OFF?

We shouldn't have to load a Beta version just to be able to use our graphics cards when we want to use them.

It would also be useful to add this information (i.e., that if you want to use your GPU while BOINC is installed, you need the Beta) to the wiki at http://boinc.berkeley.edu/wiki/BOINC_Help

Also, it is not readily apparent from the download page that there is a 64-bit Windows version (at least not in Firefox). Such an addition would also be helpful.

Further more, in order to actually log in to the message boards to make this post, I had to edit a local copy of the login page to fix an error before it would even let me log in.

Here I was thinking a new GPU would make my PC easier to use. Serves me right I guess.

Forgive my sarcasm and terse attitude. Being a programmer myself, I understand the effort it takes to make things work, however I am also upset at the monumental damage this will do to BOINC's reputation among non-techies who purchase new GPU hardware that supports CUDA. They will see their computer slowing down after installing the current version of BOINC, or their new hardware, and will then immediately uninstall it and never look back because they don't know it's even possible to run beta software, much less how to do the research needed to realize they need it.

Hi,

i have same problem on Windows 7 32 bits.

bye

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Hi,

i have same problem on Windows 7 32 bits.

bye

Which Boinc version?, Which Project?, what app version?, What GPU?, have you checked both your Web based computing preferences, and your Local preferences (which over-ride Web preferences)

Claggy