Using BOINC version 6.10.18

I recently purchased a GTS250 CUDA video card. I have two CUDA capable video cards in this one unit. Before when I had two CUDA capable video cards in this unit, BOINC used both video cards GPUs for BOINC.

Now only one of the cards (the GTS250) is being used for GPU calculation - the Messages log in Boinc Manager lists both video cards and capabilities, but one says "used" the other says "not used".

The second video card is the same one that was working in tandem before???

Why isn't Boinc using both video card GPUs like before? Is there something I have to set somewhere in Boinc or in the video card?

You'll have to create a file named cc_config.xml in the BOINC data directory. I'll cite from NVIDIA GPU 1 (not used):

Boinc 6.10.x only uses the most Capable GPU by default, to enable the other GPU, you'll need to make a cc_config.xml file, copy the following and paste it into Notepad, then save it as cc_config.xml making sure it doesn't have a .txt extension, then drop the file in your Boinc Data folder, and restart Boinc.

You should get a line in Boinc's messages saying: Config: use all coprocessors

<cc_config>
  <options>
    <use_all_gpus>1</use_all_gpus>
  </options>
</cc_config>

Claggy

Gruß,
Gundolf

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Computer sind nicht alles im Leben. (Kleiner Scherz)

I have a similar problem:
I presently have 2 GT240s working and crunching, but the motherboard (K9A2 Plat. MS7276, 790FX) has 4 PCIE slots so I want to use the others as well. When I put in 2 other cards Boinc does not reccognise them. The system can see the cards, as does GPUZ NVidia control panel and EVGA Precision, but Boinc just wont pick them up.
Using Vista 64bit Ult. 4GB RAM, 1TB drive, up to date system, drivers and Boinc. Created the CC file as above and got Boinc to read it successfully:

18/04/2010 16:48:53 Config: use all coprocessors

Restarted Boinc, rebooted system and even tried the latest Beta - Boinc just cant see them.

Any suggestions?
Thanks,

I have a similar problem:
I presently have 2 GT240s working and crunching, but the motherboard (K9A2 Plat. MS7276, 790FX) has 4 PCIE slots so I want to use the others as well. When I put in 2 other cards Boinc does not reccognise them. The system can see the cards, as does GPUZ NVidia control panel and EVGA Precision, but Boinc just wont pick them up.
Using Vista 64bit Ult. 4GB RAM, 1TB drive, up to date system, drivers and Boinc. Created the CC file as above and got Boinc to read it successfully:

18/04/2010 16:48:53 Config: use all coprocessors

Restarted Boinc, rebooted system and even tried the latest Beta - Boinc just cant see them.

Any suggestions?
Thanks,

Try uninstalling and reinstalling the drivers, (you might have to uninstall several versions), it might be that windows has picked up an old pre-185.85 driver for your two new GPU's,
then if that doesn't work, try a different version driver,

You don't say what version drivers, or Boinc you're running, up to date can mean the latest Release version of Boinc (6.10.43), or it could be the the latest Development version (6.10.45),
and when you say you tried the latest Beta, are talking about drivers? or Boinc?

Claggy

Presently using the latest NVidia drivers 19745 (Not the Microsoft update one).
Tried Boinc 6.10.43 and then the 6.10.45 Beta.

I would prefer not to try to uninstall, reboot, install random past drivers, reboot and then try the Boinc software again. There are many version of NVidia drivers and it would take a long time, and probably to no avail.

PS. Already used 2 NVidia drivers as well!

Thanks for the advice anyway.

What does GPU-Z say about driver versions across the different cards? same?

Claggy

Same cards. GPU-Z can see each different card.

<cc_config>
<options>
<use_all_gpus>1</use_all_gpus>
</options>
</cc_config>

Thanks,

Don't sweat it,
I can put the cards into other systems. It really could be anything (Bios, firmware, driver, OS, Boinc).

Thanks again.

Same cards. GPU-Z can see each different card.

But does GPU-Z say the same driver version on each card?

Claggy

Is anything attached to all those video cards? A monitor or a VGA dummy?

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Same driver for each card.
Video is attached to the top card, which is one of the cards seen by boinc. No games played, and no videos get watched.
The 2 cards that are not picked up by Boinc are in the lighter coloured PCIE ports that are supposed to be used as the 3rd and 4th slots, and cause the system to drop to X8, for all cards when 4 cards are in use.

I will try again in 2 days, when I have more time. If I cannot get it to work then I will just put them into other systems.

Thanks for your suggestions & advice,

Same driver for each card.
Video is attached to the top card, which is one of the cards seen by boinc. No games played, and no videos get watched.
The 2 cards that are not picked up by Boinc are in the lighter coloured PCIE ports that are supposed to be used as the 3rd and 4th slots, and cause the system to drop to X8, for all cards when 4 cards are in use.

I will try again in 2 days, when I have more time. If I cannot get it to work then I will just put them into other systems.

Thanks for your suggestions & advice,

Then you need to attach Monitors or dummy plugs to them to get them recognised,
then extending the Desktop across them may or may negate the need for Monitors or dummy plugs,

Claggy

What do you mean by dummy plugs?
Just a cable or some other physical device...

Odd that I dont have to use a monitor with the 2nd card, that is crunching.
The dummy plug option (whatever that is) sounds easier to achieve than buying 3 monitors :)

The cards have HDMI connections, could they be used with a TV instead of a monitor/dummy (I know they do work with my TV in a single card setup).

Thanks,

OK, I know what a VGA dummy is now!
I might try to make a couple if I cannot pick them up for cheap.

Jord,
I tried creating a cc_config.xml file like the one shown in this thread. Mine is shown below:

<cc_config>
<options>
<use_all_gpus>1</use_all_gpus>
</options>
</cc_config>

But something is still missing (I'm a novis) because I'm getting this message when starting BOINC:

4/19/2010 12:16:51 PM Missing start tag in cc_config.xml

What am I missing? Thanks in advance for the help.
Rick

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That happens sometimes when you do not save it as an ANSI file. So edit it with Notepad, then do File->Save As.. and make sure that the coding is set to ANSI, then save the file, overwriting the old one.

If that doesn't work, delete the file and make it anew from scratch.

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Jord,
Thank you SO MUCH!!! It worked and I'm very excited to use all of my new GPU's. Thanks again.
Rick

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Tried using two different powered KVM switches, but no joy.
The computer (device manager) can see all 4 cards and that they have the same driver. GPUZ can see them as can NVidia Control Panel, but Boinc is blind.
Could this be a Boinc issue?

msattler at Seti had this same problem, ask him how he fixed it.

Claggy

msattler, msattler,
how did you fix it?

Well, I dont know him so I cant PM the guy!

I expect I will just end up swapping cards around.
At this stage it would be easier to buy a new board with 2 working PCIE slots and stick in an old CPU!