So then I reverted to a previous working version of Boinc, and the problem went away. Sorry, I don't remember exactly which one, but I strongly suspect that it was 6.10.58. However, this was a 32-bit version of Boinc, inherited from an older machine that I "migrated" to this machine from (using the Windows migration utility).

Getting brave, I decided to try the 32-bit version of 6.10.60, and that version runs without any problems as well.

So for me, it appears that any recent 32-bit version of Boinc works fine, but the 64-bit version of 6.10.60 (and possibly others, my test case cannot say) has an unrecoverable timeout in it somewhere that basically locks it up.

This can easily be explained.

Windows 64bit divides 64bit programs from 32bit programs in their own distinct Program Files directories. The 64bit programs go into C:\Program Files\, the 32bit go into C:\Program Files (x86)\

By default 32bit programs installed in the 64bit directory will run without trouble as 32bit can easily be emulated under 64bit. But 64bit programs can't be run from the 32bit directory, since 32bit cannot run 64bit programs.

And so we come to that point where you have installed BOINC. Most people, once they have installed BOINC at least once, click through the installer without giving it a second glance. For most people that's fine as well.

The problem starts when you're using 64bit BOINC. BOINC remembers where it put itself, through keys in the registry. This makes it easy to install BOINC on a next occasion, as you don't have to think and remember where BOINC or its data directory was parked. The installer will do that for you.

However the installer doesn't know if it has a 32bit or 64bit version of BOINC included in its MSI database. It doesn't need to know this, as there's the human factor watching what's happening. You are watching, right?

And so it comes to the 3rd screen in the installer, the places where we're going to install BOINC to are shown. Your first version was a 32bit version, you're now installing a 64bit version.

The default places to install BOINC and its data directory to are shown as C:\Program Files (x86)\BOINC\ and C:\ProgramData\BOINC\ ...

And that's where you're going wrong. This BOINC should be installed to C:\Program Files\BOINC\ as else its 64bit parts will not be allowed to work correctly. As you're starting them from the 32bit program directory.

So you should've clicked the Advanced button and in the next screen changed the path to the BOINC programs directory from C:\Program Files (x86)\BOINC to C:\Program Files\BOINC\

And I bet you that then everything will work out of the box. :-)
Your problem is starting a 64bit program from a Windows defined and protected 32bit program directory. Of course that doesn't work. :)

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