No problems

Message boards : Number crunching : No problems

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Krunchin-Keith [USA] Send message Joined: 17 May 07 Posts: 512 Credit: 111,288,061 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 978 - Posted: 15 Mar 2008 \| 12:38:03 UTC
	My PS3 and me are as happy as can be. All is running smoothly now and I still have not touched a thing on the unit in at least 90 days. After the last fix for the checkpoint problem in cellmd5.03 tasks it has gone back to normal operation. I see no errors in the log for at least the last 5 days. Only 1 http error. It has run 1 ga5.04 and 9 cellmd5.03 since the fix, 1 simap and 6 yoyo tasks and at least 1 benchmark test. The times for the cellmd have been extremely consistent between 23:07:39 and 23:08:52 I\'m running the 60GB version PS3 but running off of a MemoryStickPro and not a USB stick. Temperature here these last 10 days have been fluctuating between about 11C-20C. It has been hot inside my room during the day some days and the temperature has not affected performance of the PS3, usually warmer inside than out by as much as 10C. -- I got to thinking. Could some problems other people are having be related to the USB device. I know BOINC can be rather read/write intensive at times, maybe some slower or cheaper made devices cannot handle the constant load and overheat. All USB drives or devices are not created equal. I had tried using a USB drive for BOINC on a regular PC at one time, figuring that it would save wear on the hard drive. I started to get lots of errors in work and performance for several projects, where I had none before. I switched back to a hard drive and all on that machine went back to normal. I never did any further testing to prove it, but figured it was the USB drive (or bus) causing all the problems in some way. Cheers from USA ____________ Alpha Tester ~~ BOINCin since 10-Apr-2004 (2.28) ~~~ Join team USA
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GDF Volunteer moderator Project administrator Project developer Project tester Volunteer developer Volunteer tester Project scientist Send message Joined: 14 Mar 07 Posts: 1957 Credit: 629,356 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 980 - Posted: 15 Mar 2008 \| 13:47:23 UTC - in response to Message 978.
	My PS3 and me are as happy as can be. All is running smoothly now and I still have not touched a thing on the unit in at least 90 days. After the last fix for the checkpoint problem in cellmd5.03 tasks it has gone back to normal operation. I see no errors in the log for at least the last 5 days. Only 1 http error. It has run 1 ga5.04 and 9 cellmd5.03 since the fix, 1 simap and 6 yoyo tasks and at least 1 benchmark test. The times for the cellmd have been extremely consistent between 23:07:39 and 23:08:52 I\'m running the 60GB version PS3 but running off of a MemoryStickPro and not a USB stick. Temperature here these last 10 days have been fluctuating between about 11C-20C. It has been hot inside my room during the day some days and the temperature has not affected performance of the PS3, usually warmer inside than out by as much as 10C. -- I got to thinking. Could some problems other people are having be related to the USB device. I know BOINC can be rather read/write intensive at times, maybe some slower or cheaper made devices cannot handle the constant load and overheat. All USB drives or devices are not created equal. I had tried using a USB drive for BOINC on a regular PC at one time, figuring that it would save wear on the hard drive. I started to get lots of errors in work and performance for several projects, where I had none before. I switched back to a hard drive and all on that machine went back to normal. I never did any further testing to prove it, but figured it was the USB drive (or bus) causing all the problems in some way. Cheers from USA Well, we do save quite frequently. A fast usb pendrive should help. The vast majority of the users are using the pendrive edition. GDF
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Bender10 Send message Joined: 3 Dec 07 Posts: 167 Credit: 8,368,897 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 982 - Posted: 15 Mar 2008 \| 15:27:54 UTC Last modified: 15 Mar 2008 \| 15:31:19 UTC
	Hi Keith, On USB Thumb Drives... When I first started PS3Grid, I used the USB drive configuration. It worked ok, but I was using that as a stepping stone prior to installing YDL on my PS3. Since running BOINC on YDL, I have only seen the same type of WU problems that you get on other BOINC projects during start-up and testing. And the PS3Grid Team is handling those problems just fine, from what I see. I have 12 or more Thumb Drives (pendrives) in use all the time, from 64 mb to 4 gig, and around 4 that I carry with me. Mostly I hand them out to friends with a copy of D2OL or TSC on it. I talk them into running it for as long as they can, and let them keep the drive when they get tired of running the software. I rarely get a call \"My computer does not \'see\' your pendrive\". Although, I have connected a pendrive to multiple computers (installing software for friends), and then out of nowhere, the next computer will not \'see\' the drive. This has happened to only a few of my pendrives, and does not seem to be \'brand\' specific. Scheduled Laugh Break: I have a \'no name\' cheep pendrive that works in every computer I have ever jammed it into. I thought I had lost it a few months ago, when my wife asked me \"what is this?\". She had a hand full of dryer lint in her hand, which contained my missing pendrive!! It had gone through the washer and dryer. I jammed it into a computer and Bam Zoom!! It still werked!! And it even had all it\'s data intact!! I still have it and use it all the time...... Back to USB Drives: I have had 4 (Boinc PE) computers \'booted\' using pendrives with no problems over the last 8-12 months running 24/7. If PS3Grid BOINC on a pendrive is anything like BOINC PE on a pendrive, people should have very few \"drive\" problems. In fact, it seems PS3Grid (pendrive) has had software problems, not hardware problems. I have only had one (Boinc PE) pendrive failure. This occured during a Re-boot. On investigation, the OS boot image was corrupt. That pendrive is still in use (not as a boot drive) to transfer data. I have narrowed down my choice of pendrives to PNY if I can fine them for a good price, or whatever else is cost effective (cheep) when I need to order more. But everyone has their favorites. There is no wrong choice, if it works for you. So, I agree with you, not all USB Thumb drives are created equal. But, don\'t judge a drive by it\'s wrapper (price). ____________ Consciousness: That annoying time between naps...... Experience is a wonderful thing: it enables you to recognize a mistake every time you repeat it.
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sslickerson Send message Joined: 18 Nov 07 Posts: 57 Credit: 4,319,898 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 983 - Posted: 15 Mar 2008 \| 15:33:22 UTC - in response to Message 980.
	Well, we do save quite frequently. A fast usb pendrive should help. The vast majority of the users are using the pendrive edition. GDF I\'m not though (at least not since SONY made the firmware update and trashed my PS3). I\'m nearly certain that my problems stem from bad utilization of the SPE\'s. It should not be possible for two projects to crunch during the same time but whenever yoyo and PS3GRID crunch together all they do is fight and thus trash the BOINC manager. Nothing short of a complete reinstall of BOINC solves this problem. This happened for the last time about a week ago and since then I have turned my PS3 off and will not turn it on again until this problem is fixed by either BOINC, yoyo, PS3GRID or some other party. This project is one with very much potential but the wasted cycles do nothing but drive my electricity bill up. I\'ll keep watching the boards but enough is enough as far as I\'m concerned. Timothy
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Krunchin-Keith [USA] Send message Joined: 17 May 07 Posts: 512 Credit: 111,288,061 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 984 - Posted: 15 Mar 2008 \| 15:36:50 UTC - in response to Message 980.
	Well, we do save quite frequently. A fast usb pendrive should help. The vast majority of the users are using the pendrive edition. GDF Don\'t forget the BOINC core client writes to it\'s log file and other files too, all the messages for communications and such. For comparison heres what I got. I found out the \'X\' rating is 1X = 150KB (kilobytes) per second USB 2.0 is good up to 480bps (bits) = 60MBps = 61440KBps = 409X Actual speed will depend on drivers and the USB bridge and of course the device used for read/writes. My 512MB SanDisk Memory Stick Pro card is rated at 130X write, read is probably faster but I found no information on that. I chose this at the time, because it was faster and less costly at the time I bought it. When I tested before a USB drive, I used a 2GB Corsair Flash Voyager. I could not find the specs on it but it could be as high as 12MBps write (rating on the 8GB model) which is 80X write approx. I tested before on a newer 512MB CF card, but I do not know the rating, as it was borrowed and I only ran on it for 2 days, but it did work at that time without errors. I also have a 2GB Crucial Gizmo which is rated at 10MBps write and 15MBps read which is approx 68X - I did not test on the PS3, but this was the one I had a problem with on my PC. SD cards can be slower but I have seen some recently rated at 130X. Most do not give the rating. I tried a 512MB SD card, but when formatted it was 1MB short of allowing the image file to be written to it. That was the only card I had at the time, but since then I have some 2GB SD Cards at 1.5MBps write = 10X. At some time in the future I can try to use a 512MB Compact Flash card at 12X and see if this slower speed affects performance, this card is many years old. No after all those conversions, my brain hurts, time for some more coffee.
	ID: 984 \| Rating: 0 \| rate: / Reply Quote

Bender10 Send message Joined: 3 Dec 07 Posts: 167 Credit: 8,368,897 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 988 - Posted: 15 Mar 2008 \| 19:37:58 UTC
	Good luck with your testing (I found that not all CF cards are bootable. Look for dma or udma support...I use a hi-speed CF card in 1 box, 6 months with no failure). There are a couple of reasons for using \'Flash\' drives in place of \'Mechanical\' drives. By \'Flash\', I mean USB Pendrives, Thumbdrives, CF/SD cards, SSD\'s, etc... 1. Portable OS. Linux \'Flash\' drives can replace \'Live CD\'s with an increase in read/write speed. You can take your computer with you when the OS is installed on a \'Flash\' drive. The speed of the drive (faster than CD read speed) will now aid in the performance of your \'Plug-in\' OS. 2. Power savings (My choice). Although not a great savings (an IDE drive seems to use around 10-15 watts), it will make a difference over time and if you have more than a couple of computers. Power also translates into heat. Lower power usage equals lower heat output. 3. Cost. This one can go either way. HD prices are dropping, but \'Flash\' drives are cheep and still use less power... **The speed of a \'Flash\' drive will not increase your processing power, or your internet data transfer speed. Your data transfer rate will be determined by your connection, and any restrictions set by the Project Server. My main reason (other than it\'s cool!) for \'Booting\' from a \'Flash\' device was for a small power savings. I get to run a \'Headless\' cruncher (amd X2 @2.6 ghz) with no monitor, no HD and no CD, booting from a \'Flash drive\', and only use around 100 watts... ____________ Consciousness: That annoying time between naps...... Experience is a wonderful thing: it enables you to recognize a mistake every time you repeat it.
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Westsail and Pyxey Send message Joined: 12 Feb 08 Posts: 11 Credit: 3,194,461 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 989 - Posted: 16 Mar 2008 \| 7:55:51 UTC - in response to Message 983.
	I\'m not though (at least not since SONY made the firmware update and trashed my PS3). I\'m nearly certain that my problems stem from bad utilization of the SPE\'s. It should not be possible for two projects to crunch during the same time but whenever yoyo and PS3GRID crunch together all they do is fight and thus trash the BOINC manager. Nothing short of a complete reinstall of BOINC solves this problem. This happened for the last time about a week ago and since then I have turned my PS3 off and will not turn it on again until this problem is fixed by either BOINC, yoyo, PS3GRID or some other party. This project is one with very much potential but the wasted cycles do nothing but drive my electricity bill up. I\'ll keep watching the boards but enough is enough as far as I\'m concerned. Timothy I have run the pen drive, ydl 5 and currently ydl 6. The only major problems I have EVER had are each and every time I attempt to crunch YOYO! As long as ps3grid is the only project I am attached it just plugs along like a clock. There was a one time small issue with the new WU where they were restarting from the begining each time but this was brilliantly and quickly taken care of. Personally I would love to thank everyone who contributes and the whole team for this project. I would never have bought a PS3 otherwise. Keep up the Great work guys! I can only hope another project comes online because I want another ps3 but can\'t justify it with only one REAL project available. Peace! -Brandon ____________
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Krunchin-Keith [USA] Send message Joined: 17 May 07 Posts: 512 Credit: 111,288,061 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 990 - Posted: 16 Mar 2008 \| 15:25:17 UTC - in response to Message 989.
	The only major problems I have EVER had are each and every time I attempt to crunch YOYO! As long as ps3grid is the only project I am attached it just plugs along like a clock. There was a one time small issue with the new WU where they were restarting from the begining each time but this was brilliantly and quickly taken care of. I do not have this problem. My PS3 is attached to PS3GRID, YOYO and SIMAP. All 3 projects are attached and active, mostly PS3GRID, I just use YOYO and SIMAP as backup apps if PS3GRID runs dry for some reason, but when they switch, there is not a problem. I do not loose any time or waste any. I documented this in a previous thread where I watched closely this behavior over a week, running all 3 projects. Mine has been doing this since YOYO came out with the PS3 application, no problem. The SIMAP app does not use the SPE\'s but will run on the PPE, I just have it active as a 3rd app with low share only to run if the other 2 run out of work, just to keep the PS3 busy in some way and to keep testing app switching. Resource shares: PS3GRID = 205.38 = 96.70% = RAC 3719 YOYO = 6 = 2.83% = RAC 219.16 SIMAP = 1 = 0.47% = RAC 5.51 This runs about 6 PS3GRID tasks per week, a few YOYO per week and maybe 1 SIMAP a month. YOYO an SIMAP will run more if PS3GRID runs dry. In the past 9-10 days or so I have completed 9 PS3GRID cellmd5.03, 1 PS3GRID ga5.04 and 2 YOYO crunch 1.11, I have not touched my PS3 at all in this time, except to wipe some dust off it, and it is still running now PS3GRID without problem. As a matter of fact my PS3 has not been rebooted in at least 90 days. No problems during this time (except those caused by the project server). It is my understanding that only 1 task using the SPE\'s may be running on the PS3 at a time. The SPE\'s cannot be shared unless the apps are specifically written to use less, I think the SETI app will only use 3 SPE\'s allowing 2 tasks to run, I have not run the SETI app. I think some people have missed part of the PS3GRID install, either by tinkering or installing some other way and miss this setup file or change it. The following setting MUST be set in preferences on the website set your computing preferences for the venue your PS3 is assigned to, default, home, school or work. On multiprocessors, use at most = 1 Leave applications in memory while suspended? NO or It is best to set this in the global_prefs_override.xml as was originally done by GDF in the first release. I added the leave apps tag. This insures your PS3 will remain this way. global_prefs_override.xml should be in the same folder as the core_client and other xml boinc files. global_prefs_override.xml: <global_preferences> <max_cpus>1</max_cpus> <!-- DO NOT EDIT THIS. PS3GRID --> <leave_apps_in_memory>0</leave_apps_in_memory> </global_preferences> I think you can also set this in the boinc_manager instead of manually creating this file. IF you manually create the file, you will need to exit and restart BOINC or re-load local prefs from the menu.
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sslickerson Send message Joined: 18 Nov 07 Posts: 57 Credit: 4,319,898 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 991 - Posted: 17 Mar 2008 \| 1:22:41 UTC - in response to Message 990.
	On multiprocessors, use at most = 1 This would be great but will this not affect my other computer (that has two processors)? I don\'t want to lose work to do work, know what I mean? Can I set this preference specifically and only for my PS3? Timothy
	ID: 991 \| Rating: 0 \| rate: / Reply Quote

Stefan Ledwina Send message Joined: 16 Jul 07 Posts: 464 Credit: 135,911,881 RAC: 150 Level Scientific publications	Message 992 - Posted: 17 Mar 2008 \| 5:19:30 UTC - in response to Message 991.
	On multiprocessors, use at most = 1 This would be great but will this not affect my other computer (that has two processors)? I don\'t want to lose work to do work, know what I mean? Can I set this preference specifically and only for my PS3? Timothy If you set it only for the venue of the PS3 (e.g. work) it doesn´t affect your other computer(s) if they are in another venue... ;) Also if you would use the global_prefs_override.xml posted by Keith localy on the PS3, it does only affect the PS3... ____________ pixelicious.at - my little photoblog
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sslickerson Send message Joined: 18 Nov 07 Posts: 57 Credit: 4,319,898 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 993 - Posted: 17 Mar 2008 \| 15:19:14 UTC - in response to Message 992.
	On multiprocessors, use at most = 1 This would be great but will this not affect my other computer (that has two processors)? I don\'t want to lose work to do work, know what I mean? Can I set this preference specifically and only for my PS3? Timothy If you set it only for the venue of the PS3 (e.g. work) it doesn´t affect your other computer(s) if they are in another venue... ;) Also if you would use the global_prefs_override.xml posted by Keith localy on the PS3, it does only affect the PS3... Thanks Keith and Stefan, this looks promising and I\'ll give it a shot as soon as I have the time. Timothy
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Krunchin-Keith [USA] Send message Joined: 17 May 07 Posts: 512 Credit: 111,288,061 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 994 - Posted: 17 Mar 2008 \| 22:44:14 UTC
	I should have said, the global_prefs_override.xml should already be there, it overrides any preferences set. It should be there if you installed using the downloads from PS3GRID and followed the instructions. Some people though may have done their installs using manual methods and not included this file by accident. I think some people are using a client by another person, which may not include that override file. Best thing to do is look in the folder and see if it is there. I forget the folder names, but it is under casper then PS3GRID..something or if you installed on the full YDL version where-ever you put BOINC. There should be many xml files in this folder. You then view the contents of global_prefs_override.xml and see if the line I mentioned before is there. Another way is to look at the message tab in BOINC manager just after startup, it should include a line stating the number of processors used, which should be 1. You can also within BOINC_Manager view the local settings, and if necessary set these independently of the preferences set on the website. See the menu item advanced - preferences in the advanced view. And you can set venues on the website, set you main computer to the \'default\' venue on all projects, then set you PS3 to say \'SCHOOL\' venue and set the preferences for school in the global preferences to only use 1 processor, while the default is set for 2. To change a venue, see \'computer\' under your account, then select a computer and at the bottom of the page is the option to change then venue assigend to it. Using the global_prefs_override.xml is the best way though, as it insures your PS3 will always be set 1 to processor, even it you change the venue, web prefs, or something else.
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zombie67 [MM] Send message Joined: 16 Jul 07 Posts: 207 Credit: 1,669,151,456 RAC: 719,040 Level Scientific publications	Message 995 - Posted: 18 Mar 2008 \| 2:43:04 UTC - in response to Message 994.
	I should have said, the global_prefs_override.xml should already be there, it overrides any preferences set. It should be there if you installed using the downloads from PS3GRID and followed the instructions. Hmmm... I just checked mine. There is no \"global_prefs_override.xml\", and I installed 5.10.6 from the PS3GRID web site. ____________ Reno, NV Team: SETI.USA
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Krunchin-Keith [USA] Send message Joined: 17 May 07 Posts: 512 Credit: 111,288,061 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 996 - Posted: 18 Mar 2008 \| 11:41:49 UTC - in response to Message 995.
	I just checked mine. There is no \"global_prefs_override.xml\", and I installed 5.10.6 from the PS3GRID web site. This was my thinking, It was there when the project existed, before the USB live stick drive version, like almost a year ago now. It would not be part of the client, like if you download from the boinc main site, you do not automatically get that xml file with the download, it would be a file the PS3GRID devs added to their download. My feeling after reading some posts was it got omitted, by accident, from one of the later versions or some users have installed a different version or deleted it or something else, what ever the reason I just felt some users did not have this or have their prefs set correctly hence some of the errors being reported in other threads. Mine was there since the beginning and when I converted to test the stick version, I copied much of my original install to preserve my account and settings into the stick, adding to what was there, I do not know if it was in the stick version, but I have it via my method as mine has some other modifications, probably why I\'ve never had some of these problems.
	ID: 996 \| Rating: 0 \| rate: / Reply Quote

zombie67 [MM] Send message Joined: 16 Jul 07 Posts: 207 Credit: 1,669,151,456 RAC: 719,040 Level Scientific publications	Message 997 - Posted: 18 Mar 2008 \| 16:32:23 UTC - in response to Message 996.
	Mine was installed July 2007 (HD install obviously). BOINC was from the PS3GRID site. Everything has remain unchanged since then. So if the \"global_prefs_override.xml\" was removed from the download, it was sometime before July 2007. ____________ Reno, NV Team: SETI.USA
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GDF Volunteer moderator Project administrator Project developer Project tester Volunteer developer Volunteer tester Project scientist Send message Joined: 14 Mar 07 Posts: 1957 Credit: 629,356 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 998 - Posted: 19 Mar 2008 \| 10:35:15 UTC - in response to Message 997.
	Mine was installed July 2007 (HD install obviously). BOINC was from the PS3GRID site. Everything has remain unchanged since then. So if the \"global_prefs_override.xml\" was removed from the download, it was sometime before July 2007. I am not sure. But I think that we use the global_prefs_override.xml only on the pendrive. Due to the limited amount of space in the drive, it requires to allow more % of disk space compared to normal. Keith, what are the bits of your global_prefs_override.xml which you think are important? Can you post it here? This file is probably created by the client if the user specify some preference. gdf
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Krunchin-Keith [USA] Send message Joined: 17 May 07 Posts: 512 Credit: 111,288,061 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 999 - Posted: 19 Mar 2008 \| 11:45:11 UTC - in response to Message 998.
	Mine was installed July 2007 (HD install obviously). BOINC was from the PS3GRID site. Everything has remain unchanged since then. So if the \"global_prefs_override.xml\" was removed from the download, it was sometime before July 2007. I am not sure. But I think that we use the global_prefs_override.xml only on the pendrive. Due to the limited amount of space in the drive, it requires to allow more % of disk space compared to normal. Keith, what are the bits of your global_prefs_override.xml which you think are important? Can you post it here? This file is probably created by the client if the user specify some preference. gdf global_prefs_override.xml: <global_preferences> <max_cpus>1</max_cpus> <!-- DO NOT EDIT THIS. PS3GRID --> <leave_apps_in_memory>0</leave_apps_in_memory> </global_preferences> This was originally your file that was in my 1st install back in May 2007. The comment not to edit the CPU line was in the file placed there by you or PS3GRID. I added the leave_apps_in_memory set to 0 so it removes apps when switching, thus I beleive the SPE\'s are freed so the next run app can use them all. I think Zombie tested that and said if they were left it memory it caused problems when switching. I also my network time limit, so my PS3 normally cannot access the web when I\'m on my main computer during certain hours when I need access the most. Thats a personal preference. Other settings that may improve performance are I have set the disk interval to 5 minutes (300 seconds), again this is a more personal preference to reduce disk writes, On some of my PCs I use 10m-600s. I\'m willing to accept a little more loss in case the computer hangs or shuts down which happens rarely, but not to be writing to the disk drive as frequently, I think the default was 1m-60s. I have work_buffer set to lower numbers so I do not get too many other project tasks when PS3GRID runs out but will keep me with 1 or 2 PS3GRID when work is available. I think I don\'t get the 2nd one until about 8 hours before the 1st finishes. If I have other work and then PS3GRID has work again, it is not too long before that is cleared up and I\'m back to full time PS3GRID. I see one other important one for the USB drive, the disk_min_free_gb needs to be set a very low number, since the USB drive may not have that much space, I\'m using a 512MB card. Now that I think of it I had a problem until I figured that I was out of space because of this setting. I may have had to raise the max used also, I see it is at 90%. with a large drive, like the 40 or 60GB it is not a problem, but when you switch to a small drive 1/2GB these settings become important. Here is my full global preferences for my PS3: I marked some I\'ve mentioned in bold. <global_preferences> <run_on_batteries>0</run_on_batteries> <run_if_user_active>1</run_if_user_active> <start_hour>0.000000</start_hour> <end_hour>0.000000</end_hour> <net_start_hour>23.000000</net_start_hour> <net_end_hour>17.000000</net_end_hour> <leave_apps_in_memory>0</leave_apps_in_memory> <confirm_before_connecting>0</confirm_before_connecting> <hangup_if_dialed>0</hangup_if_dialed> <dont_verify_images>0</dont_verify_images> <work_buf_min_days>0.041667</work_buf_min_days> <work_buf_additional_days>0.250000</work_buf_additional_days> <max_cpus>1</max_cpus> <cpu_scheduling_period_minutes>60.000000</cpu_scheduling_period_minutes> <disk_interval>300.000000</disk_interval> <disk_max_used_gb>10.000000</disk_max_used_gb> <disk_max_used_pct>90.000000</disk_max_used_pct> <disk_min_free_gb>0.010000</disk_min_free_gb> <vm_max_used_pct>75.000000</vm_max_used_pct> <ram_max_used_busy_pct>75.000000</ram_max_used_busy_pct> <ram_max_used_idle_pct>90.000000</ram_max_used_idle_pct> <max_bytes_sec_up>0.000000</max_bytes_sec_up> <max_bytes_sec_down>0.000000</max_bytes_sec_down> <cpu_usage_limit>100.000000</cpu_usage_limit> </global_preferences> Use settings at your own risk, I make no guarantees ;) K-K
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zombie67 [MM] Send message Joined: 16 Jul 07 Posts: 207 Credit: 1,669,151,456 RAC: 719,040 Level Scientific publications	Message 1001 - Posted: 19 Mar 2008 \| 23:12:11 UTC - in response to Message 999.
	I added the leave_apps_in_memory set to 0 so it removes apps when switching, thus I beleive the SPE\'s are freed so the next run app can use them all. I think Zombie tested that and said if they were left it memory it caused problems when switching. Yep. And setting leave_apps_in_memory to NO helped the situation. It did not completely solve it. I am now testing with setting max CPU = 1 via local Preferences. FIngers crossed. ____________ Reno, NV Team: SETI.USA
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Westsail and Pyxey Send message Joined: 12 Feb 08 Posts: 11 Credit: 3,194,461 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 1002 - Posted: 20 Mar 2008 \| 2:37:29 UTC Last modified: 20 Mar 2008 \| 2:52:22 UTC
	Cool thanks guys! Was just using the same prefs as the rest of my machines. Never would have thought of setting to only use 1 cpu. Got it all tweaked per your suggestions now and reattached to yoyo. Got the resource shares set so it should only touch yoyo if PS3grid is down. We will see how it gets on then. Now if I could only get everything to use only 1 CPID I would be all set. In desperation after reading a thread here about CPID I attached the PS3 to the rest of my projects then set them to no new work. At one time I had my main machine that way with ps3grid. Should I attach each one to this project too then set for no new work? Surely it would have to work properly then? How long should it take to consolidate? I currently have various machines and projects spread over two CPID\'s. Sorry about that. Not to hijack this thread, just going slightly mad that I can\'t get all my stats in one place. Thanks again guys. Here\'s hoping yoyo plays nice crosses fingers One thing is for sure, do to getting the PS3, I have learned more about Linux and Boinc in the past 2 months then in the previous 5 years! big smile ____________
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Krunchin-Keith [USA] Send message Joined: 17 May 07 Posts: 512 Credit: 111,288,061 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 1003 - Posted: 20 Mar 2008 \| 11:25:36 UTC - in response to Message 1002.
	Now if I could only get everything to use only 1 CPID I would be all set. In desperation after reading a thread here about CPID I attached the PS3 to the rest of my projects then set them to no new work. At one time I had my main machine that way with ps3grid. Should I attach each one to this project too then set for no new work? Surely it would have to work properly then? How long should it take to consolidate? I currently have various machines and projects spread over two CPID\'s. Sorry about that. Not to hijack this thread, just going slightly mad that I can\'t get all my stats in one place. CPID\'s will sync in about 24-48 hours. It really depends on when a scheduler request is made to the project. If all your other PC\'s are the same CPID, when you attached the PS3 to one of those projects it should haved sync\'d. It will take the stat site though a one round of updates from the projects to get your new CPID and match them all up. It would not be necessary to attach all PCs to PS3GRID. You only need 1 common set of projects. Each time they communicate they sync. It will just take more time if the common element makes its rounds slower. Example 1 PC1 Attahced to Project A,B,C,D,E,P PS3 Attached to P You have to wait for PC1 to cycle communications through all projects up to P, then PS3 to communicate with P. This also depends on the timestamp of the CPID. This could work in reverse. P would be the correct CPID, IT would then take time 2 cycles for PC1 to pick up the new CPID from P and pass it along to A,B,C,D and E. Then you have to wait for the stat sites to read the stat file from each project to get your new CPID, taking more time. Example 2 PC1 Attached to A,B PC2 Attached to B,C PC3 Attached to C,D PS3 Attached to D,P Same thing again, Each PC will pass the CPID along A to B, then then next will get it from B and pass to C, along the line, it just will take longer as each PC has to wait for the one before it to change, but eventually they would all sync to the same CPID. As long as somewhere there is a common project between each machine.
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Westsail and Pyxey Send message Joined: 12 Feb 08 Posts: 11 Credit: 3,194,461 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 1004 - Posted: 20 Mar 2008 \| 16:51:23 UTC - in response to Message 1003. Last modified: 20 Mar 2008 \| 16:55:18 UTC
	Thank you very much! Sorry to ask here as the problem was beyond just my PS3. When I started to look into this last night I had two different id\'s spread over several machines and several projects. A given machine would have one ID for one project and one for another. Some projects like Cosmology had half my hosts using one ID and half the other. This never posed a problem but I decided it would be cool to have one set of stats. Not too much to ask ehh? Anyway I think I have it sorted now. Thanks to this forum. At the very least I can for the first time have a stats siggy with PS3 and Cos on the same graphic. Whoa what a concept LOL. BoincView still is split about 50/50 showing both ID\'s but I think in time they will now sort themselves out. I got the original thread describing what you did as the only useful front page google return and thought that was cool. I think it was a reply there that suggested \"merging hosts\" as being the necessary action. Until last night I always thought I did that and never had any old hosts hanging around the computers view page. Boy was I wrong. So a couple things. (First I digress, due to playing with differnt OS\'s and/or reinstalling etc I have hosts with upwards of half a dozen permutations over the years) So one thing is many projects have that neat \"Merge computers by name\" link well apparently it is not sufficent and leaves several machines (with different names duh) that can still be merged. So when I started going to each project and clicking the \"all computers\" link, man I about fell over. What a mess! So like a whole bunch of work later meticulously went through every project and merged everthing that would then deleted everything else left over that isn\'t active. This seems to have been the ticket and now can follow the normal only needing one common project. crosses fingers Anyway, Thanks, take care, keep on crunchin! -Brandon ____________
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Bender10 Send message Joined: 3 Dec 07 Posts: 167 Credit: 8,368,897 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 1005 - Posted: 20 Mar 2008 \| 18:25:49 UTC
	The CPID is also a product of your project account \"E-mail\". If you have used several \"E-mail\" accounts, this will generate several different CPID\'s. Consolidate your project \"E-mail\" addresses to only 1 \"E-mail\" address, then connect to the project and the CPID\'s will merge. Ignore this message, if you have 1 E-mail (the same) for ALL project accounts..... ____________ Consciousness: That annoying time between naps...... Experience is a wonderful thing: it enables you to recognize a mistake every time you repeat it.
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GDF Volunteer moderator Project administrator Project developer Project tester Volunteer developer Volunteer tester Project scientist Send message Joined: 14 Mar 07 Posts: 1957 Credit: 629,356 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 1006 - Posted: 20 Mar 2008 \| 20:32:21 UTC - in response to Message 999.
	Mine was installed July 2007 (HD install obviously). BOINC was from the PS3GRID site. Everything has remain unchanged since then. So if the \"global_prefs_override.xml\" was removed from the download, it was sometime before July 2007. I am not sure. But I think that we use the global_prefs_override.xml only on the pendrive. Due to the limited amount of space in the drive, it requires to allow more % of disk space compared to normal. Keith, what are the bits of your global_prefs_override.xml which you think are important? Can you post it here? This file is probably created by the client if the user specify some preference. gdf global_prefs_override.xml: <global_preferences> <max_cpus>1</max_cpus> <!-- DO NOT EDIT THIS. PS3GRID --> <leave_apps_in_memory>0</leave_apps_in_memory> </global_preferences> This was originally your file that was in my 1st install back in May 2007. The comment not to edit the CPU line was in the file placed there by you or PS3GRID. I added the leave_apps_in_memory set to 0 so it removes apps when switching, thus I beleive the SPE\'s are freed so the next run app can use them all. I think Zombie tested that and said if they were left it memory it caused problems when switching. I also my network time limit, so my PS3 normally cannot access the web when I\'m on my main computer during certain hours when I need access the most. Thats a personal preference. Other settings that may improve performance are I have set the disk interval to 5 minutes (300 seconds), again this is a more personal preference to reduce disk writes, On some of my PCs I use 10m-600s. I\'m willing to accept a little more loss in case the computer hangs or shuts down which happens rarely, but not to be writing to the disk drive as frequently, I think the default was 1m-60s. I have work_buffer set to lower numbers so I do not get too many other project tasks when PS3GRID runs out but will keep me with 1 or 2 PS3GRID when work is available. I think I don\'t get the 2nd one until about 8 hours before the 1st finishes. If I have other work and then PS3GRID has work again, it is not too long before that is cleared up and I\'m back to full time PS3GRID. I see one other important one for the USB drive, the disk_min_free_gb needs to be set a very low number, since the USB drive may not have that much space, I\'m using a 512MB card. Now that I think of it I had a problem until I figured that I was out of space because of this setting. I may have had to raise the max used also, I see it is at 90%. with a large drive, like the 40 or 60GB it is not a problem, but when you switch to a small drive 1/2GB these settings become important. Here is my full global preferences for my PS3: I marked some I\'ve mentioned in bold. <global_preferences> <run_on_batteries>0</run_on_batteries> <run_if_user_active>1</run_if_user_active> <start_hour>0.000000</start_hour> <end_hour>0.000000</end_hour> <net_start_hour>23.000000</net_start_hour> <net_end_hour>17.000000</net_end_hour> <leave_apps_in_memory>0</leave_apps_in_memory> <confirm_before_connecting>0</confirm_before_connecting> <hangup_if_dialed>0</hangup_if_dialed> <dont_verify_images>0</dont_verify_images> <work_buf_min_days>0.041667</work_buf_min_days> <work_buf_additional_days>0.250000</work_buf_additional_days> <max_cpus>1</max_cpus> <cpu_scheduling_period_minutes>60.000000</cpu_scheduling_period_minutes> <disk_interval>300.000000</disk_interval> <disk_max_used_gb>10.000000</disk_max_used_gb> <disk_max_used_pct>90.000000</disk_max_used_pct> <disk_min_free_gb>0.010000</disk_min_free_gb> <vm_max_used_pct>75.000000</vm_max_used_pct> <ram_max_used_busy_pct>75.000000</ram_max_used_busy_pct> <ram_max_used_idle_pct>90.000000</ram_max_used_idle_pct> <max_bytes_sec_up>0.000000</max_bytes_sec_up> <max_bytes_sec_down>0.000000</max_bytes_sec_down> <cpu_usage_limit>100.000000</cpu_usage_limit> </global_preferences> Use settings at your own risk, I make no guarantees ;) K-K I think that we removed this setting of 1 cpu when we shipped the version for blades which have two cell chips. It should not matter because we hard wired into the client to use half of the apparent cpus. However, it may well be that we missed something and it is beneficial to have it on the ps3.
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Message boards : Number crunching : No problems

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Krunchin-Keith [USA] Send message Joined: 17 May 07 Posts: 512 Credit: 111,288,061 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 978 - Posted: 15 Mar 2008 \| 12:38:03 UTC
	My PS3 and me are as happy as can be. All is running smoothly now and I still have not touched a thing on the unit in at least 90 days. After the last fix for the checkpoint problem in cellmd5.03 tasks it has gone back to normal operation. I see no errors in the log for at least the last 5 days. Only 1 http error. It has run 1 ga5.04 and 9 cellmd5.03 since the fix, 1 simap and 6 yoyo tasks and at least 1 benchmark test. The times for the cellmd have been extremely consistent between 23:07:39 and 23:08:52 I\'m running the 60GB version PS3 but running off of a MemoryStickPro and not a USB stick. Temperature here these last 10 days have been fluctuating between about 11C-20C. It has been hot inside my room during the day some days and the temperature has not affected performance of the PS3, usually warmer inside than out by as much as 10C. -- I got to thinking. Could some problems other people are having be related to the USB device. I know BOINC can be rather read/write intensive at times, maybe some slower or cheaper made devices cannot handle the constant load and overheat. All USB drives or devices are not created equal. I had tried using a USB drive for BOINC on a regular PC at one time, figuring that it would save wear on the hard drive. I started to get lots of errors in work and performance for several projects, where I had none before. I switched back to a hard drive and all on that machine went back to normal. I never did any further testing to prove it, but figured it was the USB drive (or bus) causing all the problems in some way. Cheers from USA ____________ Alpha Tester ~~ BOINCin since 10-Apr-2004 (2.28) ~~~ Join team USA
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GDF Volunteer moderator Project administrator Project developer Project tester Volunteer developer Volunteer tester Project scientist Send message Joined: 14 Mar 07 Posts: 1957 Credit: 629,356 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 980 - Posted: 15 Mar 2008 \| 13:47:23 UTC - in response to Message 978.
	My PS3 and me are as happy as can be. All is running smoothly now and I still have not touched a thing on the unit in at least 90 days. After the last fix for the checkpoint problem in cellmd5.03 tasks it has gone back to normal operation. I see no errors in the log for at least the last 5 days. Only 1 http error. It has run 1 ga5.04 and 9 cellmd5.03 since the fix, 1 simap and 6 yoyo tasks and at least 1 benchmark test. The times for the cellmd have been extremely consistent between 23:07:39 and 23:08:52 I\'m running the 60GB version PS3 but running off of a MemoryStickPro and not a USB stick. Temperature here these last 10 days have been fluctuating between about 11C-20C. It has been hot inside my room during the day some days and the temperature has not affected performance of the PS3, usually warmer inside than out by as much as 10C. -- I got to thinking. Could some problems other people are having be related to the USB device. I know BOINC can be rather read/write intensive at times, maybe some slower or cheaper made devices cannot handle the constant load and overheat. All USB drives or devices are not created equal. I had tried using a USB drive for BOINC on a regular PC at one time, figuring that it would save wear on the hard drive. I started to get lots of errors in work and performance for several projects, where I had none before. I switched back to a hard drive and all on that machine went back to normal. I never did any further testing to prove it, but figured it was the USB drive (or bus) causing all the problems in some way. Cheers from USA Well, we do save quite frequently. A fast usb pendrive should help. The vast majority of the users are using the pendrive edition. GDF
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Bender10 Send message Joined: 3 Dec 07 Posts: 167 Credit: 8,368,897 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 982 - Posted: 15 Mar 2008 \| 15:27:54 UTC Last modified: 15 Mar 2008 \| 15:31:19 UTC
	Hi Keith, On USB Thumb Drives... When I first started PS3Grid, I used the USB drive configuration. It worked ok, but I was using that as a stepping stone prior to installing YDL on my PS3. Since running BOINC on YDL, I have only seen the same type of WU problems that you get on other BOINC projects during start-up and testing. And the PS3Grid Team is handling those problems just fine, from what I see. I have 12 or more Thumb Drives (pendrives) in use all the time, from 64 mb to 4 gig, and around 4 that I carry with me. Mostly I hand them out to friends with a copy of D2OL or TSC on it. I talk them into running it for as long as they can, and let them keep the drive when they get tired of running the software. I rarely get a call \"My computer does not \'see\' your pendrive\". Although, I have connected a pendrive to multiple computers (installing software for friends), and then out of nowhere, the next computer will not \'see\' the drive. This has happened to only a few of my pendrives, and does not seem to be \'brand\' specific. Scheduled Laugh Break: I have a \'no name\' cheep pendrive that works in every computer I have ever jammed it into. I thought I had lost it a few months ago, when my wife asked me \"what is this?\". She had a hand full of dryer lint in her hand, which contained my missing pendrive!! It had gone through the washer and dryer. I jammed it into a computer and Bam Zoom!! It still werked!! And it even had all it\'s data intact!! I still have it and use it all the time...... Back to USB Drives: I have had 4 (Boinc PE) computers \'booted\' using pendrives with no problems over the last 8-12 months running 24/7. If PS3Grid BOINC on a pendrive is anything like BOINC PE on a pendrive, people should have very few \"drive\" problems. In fact, it seems PS3Grid (pendrive) has had software problems, not hardware problems. I have only had one (Boinc PE) pendrive failure. This occured during a Re-boot. On investigation, the OS boot image was corrupt. That pendrive is still in use (not as a boot drive) to transfer data. I have narrowed down my choice of pendrives to PNY if I can fine them for a good price, or whatever else is cost effective (cheep) when I need to order more. But everyone has their favorites. There is no wrong choice, if it works for you. So, I agree with you, not all USB Thumb drives are created equal. But, don\'t judge a drive by it\'s wrapper (price). ____________ Consciousness: That annoying time between naps...... Experience is a wonderful thing: it enables you to recognize a mistake every time you repeat it.
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sslickerson Send message Joined: 18 Nov 07 Posts: 57 Credit: 4,319,898 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 983 - Posted: 15 Mar 2008 \| 15:33:22 UTC - in response to Message 980.
	Well, we do save quite frequently. A fast usb pendrive should help. The vast majority of the users are using the pendrive edition. GDF I\'m not though (at least not since SONY made the firmware update and trashed my PS3). I\'m nearly certain that my problems stem from bad utilization of the SPE\'s. It should not be possible for two projects to crunch during the same time but whenever yoyo and PS3GRID crunch together all they do is fight and thus trash the BOINC manager. Nothing short of a complete reinstall of BOINC solves this problem. This happened for the last time about a week ago and since then I have turned my PS3 off and will not turn it on again until this problem is fixed by either BOINC, yoyo, PS3GRID or some other party. This project is one with very much potential but the wasted cycles do nothing but drive my electricity bill up. I\'ll keep watching the boards but enough is enough as far as I\'m concerned. Timothy
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Krunchin-Keith [USA] Send message Joined: 17 May 07 Posts: 512 Credit: 111,288,061 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 984 - Posted: 15 Mar 2008 \| 15:36:50 UTC - in response to Message 980.
	Well, we do save quite frequently. A fast usb pendrive should help. The vast majority of the users are using the pendrive edition. GDF Don\'t forget the BOINC core client writes to it\'s log file and other files too, all the messages for communications and such. For comparison heres what I got. I found out the \'X\' rating is 1X = 150KB (kilobytes) per second USB 2.0 is good up to 480bps (bits) = 60MBps = 61440KBps = 409X Actual speed will depend on drivers and the USB bridge and of course the device used for read/writes. My 512MB SanDisk Memory Stick Pro card is rated at 130X write, read is probably faster but I found no information on that. I chose this at the time, because it was faster and less costly at the time I bought it. When I tested before a USB drive, I used a 2GB Corsair Flash Voyager. I could not find the specs on it but it could be as high as 12MBps write (rating on the 8GB model) which is 80X write approx. I tested before on a newer 512MB CF card, but I do not know the rating, as it was borrowed and I only ran on it for 2 days, but it did work at that time without errors. I also have a 2GB Crucial Gizmo which is rated at 10MBps write and 15MBps read which is approx 68X - I did not test on the PS3, but this was the one I had a problem with on my PC. SD cards can be slower but I have seen some recently rated at 130X. Most do not give the rating. I tried a 512MB SD card, but when formatted it was 1MB short of allowing the image file to be written to it. That was the only card I had at the time, but since then I have some 2GB SD Cards at 1.5MBps write = 10X. At some time in the future I can try to use a 512MB Compact Flash card at 12X and see if this slower speed affects performance, this card is many years old. No after all those conversions, my brain hurts, time for some more coffee.
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Bender10 Send message Joined: 3 Dec 07 Posts: 167 Credit: 8,368,897 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 988 - Posted: 15 Mar 2008 \| 19:37:58 UTC
	Good luck with your testing (I found that not all CF cards are bootable. Look for dma or udma support...I use a hi-speed CF card in 1 box, 6 months with no failure). There are a couple of reasons for using \'Flash\' drives in place of \'Mechanical\' drives. By \'Flash\', I mean USB Pendrives, Thumbdrives, CF/SD cards, SSD\'s, etc... 1. Portable OS. Linux \'Flash\' drives can replace \'Live CD\'s with an increase in read/write speed. You can take your computer with you when the OS is installed on a \'Flash\' drive. The speed of the drive (faster than CD read speed) will now aid in the performance of your \'Plug-in\' OS. 2. Power savings (My choice). Although not a great savings (an IDE drive seems to use around 10-15 watts), it will make a difference over time and if you have more than a couple of computers. Power also translates into heat. Lower power usage equals lower heat output. 3. Cost. This one can go either way. HD prices are dropping, but \'Flash\' drives are cheep and still use less power... **The speed of a \'Flash\' drive will not increase your processing power, or your internet data transfer speed. Your data transfer rate will be determined by your connection, and any restrictions set by the Project Server. My main reason (other than it\'s cool!) for \'Booting\' from a \'Flash\' device was for a small power savings. I get to run a \'Headless\' cruncher (amd X2 @2.6 ghz) with no monitor, no HD and no CD, booting from a \'Flash drive\', and only use around 100 watts... ____________ Consciousness: That annoying time between naps...... Experience is a wonderful thing: it enables you to recognize a mistake every time you repeat it.
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Westsail and Pyxey Send message Joined: 12 Feb 08 Posts: 11 Credit: 3,194,461 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 989 - Posted: 16 Mar 2008 \| 7:55:51 UTC - in response to Message 983.
	I\'m not though (at least not since SONY made the firmware update and trashed my PS3). I\'m nearly certain that my problems stem from bad utilization of the SPE\'s. It should not be possible for two projects to crunch during the same time but whenever yoyo and PS3GRID crunch together all they do is fight and thus trash the BOINC manager. Nothing short of a complete reinstall of BOINC solves this problem. This happened for the last time about a week ago and since then I have turned my PS3 off and will not turn it on again until this problem is fixed by either BOINC, yoyo, PS3GRID or some other party. This project is one with very much potential but the wasted cycles do nothing but drive my electricity bill up. I\'ll keep watching the boards but enough is enough as far as I\'m concerned. Timothy I have run the pen drive, ydl 5 and currently ydl 6. The only major problems I have EVER had are each and every time I attempt to crunch YOYO! As long as ps3grid is the only project I am attached it just plugs along like a clock. There was a one time small issue with the new WU where they were restarting from the begining each time but this was brilliantly and quickly taken care of. Personally I would love to thank everyone who contributes and the whole team for this project. I would never have bought a PS3 otherwise. Keep up the Great work guys! I can only hope another project comes online because I want another ps3 but can\'t justify it with only one REAL project available. Peace! -Brandon ____________
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Krunchin-Keith [USA] Send message Joined: 17 May 07 Posts: 512 Credit: 111,288,061 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 990 - Posted: 16 Mar 2008 \| 15:25:17 UTC - in response to Message 989.
	The only major problems I have EVER had are each and every time I attempt to crunch YOYO! As long as ps3grid is the only project I am attached it just plugs along like a clock. There was a one time small issue with the new WU where they were restarting from the begining each time but this was brilliantly and quickly taken care of. I do not have this problem. My PS3 is attached to PS3GRID, YOYO and SIMAP. All 3 projects are attached and active, mostly PS3GRID, I just use YOYO and SIMAP as backup apps if PS3GRID runs dry for some reason, but when they switch, there is not a problem. I do not loose any time or waste any. I documented this in a previous thread where I watched closely this behavior over a week, running all 3 projects. Mine has been doing this since YOYO came out with the PS3 application, no problem. The SIMAP app does not use the SPE\'s but will run on the PPE, I just have it active as a 3rd app with low share only to run if the other 2 run out of work, just to keep the PS3 busy in some way and to keep testing app switching. Resource shares: PS3GRID = 205.38 = 96.70% = RAC 3719 YOYO = 6 = 2.83% = RAC 219.16 SIMAP = 1 = 0.47% = RAC 5.51 This runs about 6 PS3GRID tasks per week, a few YOYO per week and maybe 1 SIMAP a month. YOYO an SIMAP will run more if PS3GRID runs dry. In the past 9-10 days or so I have completed 9 PS3GRID cellmd5.03, 1 PS3GRID ga5.04 and 2 YOYO crunch 1.11, I have not touched my PS3 at all in this time, except to wipe some dust off it, and it is still running now PS3GRID without problem. As a matter of fact my PS3 has not been rebooted in at least 90 days. No problems during this time (except those caused by the project server). It is my understanding that only 1 task using the SPE\'s may be running on the PS3 at a time. The SPE\'s cannot be shared unless the apps are specifically written to use less, I think the SETI app will only use 3 SPE\'s allowing 2 tasks to run, I have not run the SETI app. I think some people have missed part of the PS3GRID install, either by tinkering or installing some other way and miss this setup file or change it. The following setting MUST be set in preferences on the website set your computing preferences for the venue your PS3 is assigned to, default, home, school or work. On multiprocessors, use at most = 1 Leave applications in memory while suspended? NO or It is best to set this in the global_prefs_override.xml as was originally done by GDF in the first release. I added the leave apps tag. This insures your PS3 will remain this way. global_prefs_override.xml should be in the same folder as the core_client and other xml boinc files. global_prefs_override.xml: <global_preferences> <max_cpus>1</max_cpus> <!-- DO NOT EDIT THIS. PS3GRID --> <leave_apps_in_memory>0</leave_apps_in_memory> </global_preferences> I think you can also set this in the boinc_manager instead of manually creating this file. IF you manually create the file, you will need to exit and restart BOINC or re-load local prefs from the menu.
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sslickerson Send message Joined: 18 Nov 07 Posts: 57 Credit: 4,319,898 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 991 - Posted: 17 Mar 2008 \| 1:22:41 UTC - in response to Message 990.
	On multiprocessors, use at most = 1 This would be great but will this not affect my other computer (that has two processors)? I don\'t want to lose work to do work, know what I mean? Can I set this preference specifically and only for my PS3? Timothy
	ID: 991 \| Rating: 0 \| rate: / Reply Quote

Stefan Ledwina Send message Joined: 16 Jul 07 Posts: 464 Credit: 135,911,881 RAC: 150 Level Scientific publications	Message 992 - Posted: 17 Mar 2008 \| 5:19:30 UTC - in response to Message 991.
	On multiprocessors, use at most = 1 This would be great but will this not affect my other computer (that has two processors)? I don\'t want to lose work to do work, know what I mean? Can I set this preference specifically and only for my PS3? Timothy If you set it only for the venue of the PS3 (e.g. work) it doesn´t affect your other computer(s) if they are in another venue... ;) Also if you would use the global_prefs_override.xml posted by Keith localy on the PS3, it does only affect the PS3... ____________ pixelicious.at - my little photoblog
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sslickerson Send message Joined: 18 Nov 07 Posts: 57 Credit: 4,319,898 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 993 - Posted: 17 Mar 2008 \| 15:19:14 UTC - in response to Message 992.
	On multiprocessors, use at most = 1 This would be great but will this not affect my other computer (that has two processors)? I don\'t want to lose work to do work, know what I mean? Can I set this preference specifically and only for my PS3? Timothy If you set it only for the venue of the PS3 (e.g. work) it doesn´t affect your other computer(s) if they are in another venue... ;) Also if you would use the global_prefs_override.xml posted by Keith localy on the PS3, it does only affect the PS3... Thanks Keith and Stefan, this looks promising and I\'ll give it a shot as soon as I have the time. Timothy
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Krunchin-Keith [USA] Send message Joined: 17 May 07 Posts: 512 Credit: 111,288,061 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 994 - Posted: 17 Mar 2008 \| 22:44:14 UTC
	I should have said, the global_prefs_override.xml should already be there, it overrides any preferences set. It should be there if you installed using the downloads from PS3GRID and followed the instructions. Some people though may have done their installs using manual methods and not included this file by accident. I think some people are using a client by another person, which may not include that override file. Best thing to do is look in the folder and see if it is there. I forget the folder names, but it is under casper then PS3GRID..something or if you installed on the full YDL version where-ever you put BOINC. There should be many xml files in this folder. You then view the contents of global_prefs_override.xml and see if the line I mentioned before is there. Another way is to look at the message tab in BOINC manager just after startup, it should include a line stating the number of processors used, which should be 1. You can also within BOINC_Manager view the local settings, and if necessary set these independently of the preferences set on the website. See the menu item advanced - preferences in the advanced view. And you can set venues on the website, set you main computer to the \'default\' venue on all projects, then set you PS3 to say \'SCHOOL\' venue and set the preferences for school in the global preferences to only use 1 processor, while the default is set for 2. To change a venue, see \'computer\' under your account, then select a computer and at the bottom of the page is the option to change then venue assigend to it. Using the global_prefs_override.xml is the best way though, as it insures your PS3 will always be set 1 to processor, even it you change the venue, web prefs, or something else.
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zombie67 [MM] Send message Joined: 16 Jul 07 Posts: 207 Credit: 1,669,151,456 RAC: 719,040 Level Scientific publications	Message 995 - Posted: 18 Mar 2008 \| 2:43:04 UTC - in response to Message 994.
	I should have said, the global_prefs_override.xml should already be there, it overrides any preferences set. It should be there if you installed using the downloads from PS3GRID and followed the instructions. Hmmm... I just checked mine. There is no \"global_prefs_override.xml\", and I installed 5.10.6 from the PS3GRID web site. ____________ Reno, NV Team: SETI.USA
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Krunchin-Keith [USA] Send message Joined: 17 May 07 Posts: 512 Credit: 111,288,061 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 996 - Posted: 18 Mar 2008 \| 11:41:49 UTC - in response to Message 995.
	I just checked mine. There is no \"global_prefs_override.xml\", and I installed 5.10.6 from the PS3GRID web site. This was my thinking, It was there when the project existed, before the USB live stick drive version, like almost a year ago now. It would not be part of the client, like if you download from the boinc main site, you do not automatically get that xml file with the download, it would be a file the PS3GRID devs added to their download. My feeling after reading some posts was it got omitted, by accident, from one of the later versions or some users have installed a different version or deleted it or something else, what ever the reason I just felt some users did not have this or have their prefs set correctly hence some of the errors being reported in other threads. Mine was there since the beginning and when I converted to test the stick version, I copied much of my original install to preserve my account and settings into the stick, adding to what was there, I do not know if it was in the stick version, but I have it via my method as mine has some other modifications, probably why I\'ve never had some of these problems.
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zombie67 [MM] Send message Joined: 16 Jul 07 Posts: 207 Credit: 1,669,151,456 RAC: 719,040 Level Scientific publications	Message 997 - Posted: 18 Mar 2008 \| 16:32:23 UTC - in response to Message 996.
	Mine was installed July 2007 (HD install obviously). BOINC was from the PS3GRID site. Everything has remain unchanged since then. So if the \"global_prefs_override.xml\" was removed from the download, it was sometime before July 2007. ____________ Reno, NV Team: SETI.USA
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GDF Volunteer moderator Project administrator Project developer Project tester Volunteer developer Volunteer tester Project scientist Send message Joined: 14 Mar 07 Posts: 1957 Credit: 629,356 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 998 - Posted: 19 Mar 2008 \| 10:35:15 UTC - in response to Message 997.
	Mine was installed July 2007 (HD install obviously). BOINC was from the PS3GRID site. Everything has remain unchanged since then. So if the \"global_prefs_override.xml\" was removed from the download, it was sometime before July 2007. I am not sure. But I think that we use the global_prefs_override.xml only on the pendrive. Due to the limited amount of space in the drive, it requires to allow more % of disk space compared to normal. Keith, what are the bits of your global_prefs_override.xml which you think are important? Can you post it here? This file is probably created by the client if the user specify some preference. gdf
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Krunchin-Keith [USA] Send message Joined: 17 May 07 Posts: 512 Credit: 111,288,061 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 999 - Posted: 19 Mar 2008 \| 11:45:11 UTC - in response to Message 998.
	Mine was installed July 2007 (HD install obviously). BOINC was from the PS3GRID site. Everything has remain unchanged since then. So if the \"global_prefs_override.xml\" was removed from the download, it was sometime before July 2007. I am not sure. But I think that we use the global_prefs_override.xml only on the pendrive. Due to the limited amount of space in the drive, it requires to allow more % of disk space compared to normal. Keith, what are the bits of your global_prefs_override.xml which you think are important? Can you post it here? This file is probably created by the client if the user specify some preference. gdf global_prefs_override.xml: <global_preferences> <max_cpus>1</max_cpus> <!-- DO NOT EDIT THIS. PS3GRID --> <leave_apps_in_memory>0</leave_apps_in_memory> </global_preferences> This was originally your file that was in my 1st install back in May 2007. The comment not to edit the CPU line was in the file placed there by you or PS3GRID. I added the leave_apps_in_memory set to 0 so it removes apps when switching, thus I beleive the SPE\'s are freed so the next run app can use them all. I think Zombie tested that and said if they were left it memory it caused problems when switching. I also my network time limit, so my PS3 normally cannot access the web when I\'m on my main computer during certain hours when I need access the most. Thats a personal preference. Other settings that may improve performance are I have set the disk interval to 5 minutes (300 seconds), again this is a more personal preference to reduce disk writes, On some of my PCs I use 10m-600s. I\'m willing to accept a little more loss in case the computer hangs or shuts down which happens rarely, but not to be writing to the disk drive as frequently, I think the default was 1m-60s. I have work_buffer set to lower numbers so I do not get too many other project tasks when PS3GRID runs out but will keep me with 1 or 2 PS3GRID when work is available. I think I don\'t get the 2nd one until about 8 hours before the 1st finishes. If I have other work and then PS3GRID has work again, it is not too long before that is cleared up and I\'m back to full time PS3GRID. I see one other important one for the USB drive, the disk_min_free_gb needs to be set a very low number, since the USB drive may not have that much space, I\'m using a 512MB card. Now that I think of it I had a problem until I figured that I was out of space because of this setting. I may have had to raise the max used also, I see it is at 90%. with a large drive, like the 40 or 60GB it is not a problem, but when you switch to a small drive 1/2GB these settings become important. Here is my full global preferences for my PS3: I marked some I\'ve mentioned in bold. <global_preferences> <run_on_batteries>0</run_on_batteries> <run_if_user_active>1</run_if_user_active> <start_hour>0.000000</start_hour> <end_hour>0.000000</end_hour> <net_start_hour>23.000000</net_start_hour> <net_end_hour>17.000000</net_end_hour> <leave_apps_in_memory>0</leave_apps_in_memory> <confirm_before_connecting>0</confirm_before_connecting> <hangup_if_dialed>0</hangup_if_dialed> <dont_verify_images>0</dont_verify_images> <work_buf_min_days>0.041667</work_buf_min_days> <work_buf_additional_days>0.250000</work_buf_additional_days> <max_cpus>1</max_cpus> <cpu_scheduling_period_minutes>60.000000</cpu_scheduling_period_minutes> <disk_interval>300.000000</disk_interval> <disk_max_used_gb>10.000000</disk_max_used_gb> <disk_max_used_pct>90.000000</disk_max_used_pct> <disk_min_free_gb>0.010000</disk_min_free_gb> <vm_max_used_pct>75.000000</vm_max_used_pct> <ram_max_used_busy_pct>75.000000</ram_max_used_busy_pct> <ram_max_used_idle_pct>90.000000</ram_max_used_idle_pct> <max_bytes_sec_up>0.000000</max_bytes_sec_up> <max_bytes_sec_down>0.000000</max_bytes_sec_down> <cpu_usage_limit>100.000000</cpu_usage_limit> </global_preferences> Use settings at your own risk, I make no guarantees ;) K-K
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zombie67 [MM] Send message Joined: 16 Jul 07 Posts: 207 Credit: 1,669,151,456 RAC: 719,040 Level Scientific publications	Message 1001 - Posted: 19 Mar 2008 \| 23:12:11 UTC - in response to Message 999.
	I added the leave_apps_in_memory set to 0 so it removes apps when switching, thus I beleive the SPE\'s are freed so the next run app can use them all. I think Zombie tested that and said if they were left it memory it caused problems when switching. Yep. And setting leave_apps_in_memory to NO helped the situation. It did not completely solve it. I am now testing with setting max CPU = 1 via local Preferences. FIngers crossed. ____________ Reno, NV Team: SETI.USA
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Westsail and Pyxey Send message Joined: 12 Feb 08 Posts: 11 Credit: 3,194,461 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 1002 - Posted: 20 Mar 2008 \| 2:37:29 UTC Last modified: 20 Mar 2008 \| 2:52:22 UTC
	Cool thanks guys! Was just using the same prefs as the rest of my machines. Never would have thought of setting to only use 1 cpu. Got it all tweaked per your suggestions now and reattached to yoyo. Got the resource shares set so it should only touch yoyo if PS3grid is down. We will see how it gets on then. Now if I could only get everything to use only 1 CPID I would be all set. In desperation after reading a thread here about CPID I attached the PS3 to the rest of my projects then set them to no new work. At one time I had my main machine that way with ps3grid. Should I attach each one to this project too then set for no new work? Surely it would have to work properly then? How long should it take to consolidate? I currently have various machines and projects spread over two CPID\'s. Sorry about that. Not to hijack this thread, just going slightly mad that I can\'t get all my stats in one place. Thanks again guys. Here\'s hoping yoyo plays nice crosses fingers One thing is for sure, do to getting the PS3, I have learned more about Linux and Boinc in the past 2 months then in the previous 5 years! big smile ____________
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Krunchin-Keith [USA] Send message Joined: 17 May 07 Posts: 512 Credit: 111,288,061 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 1003 - Posted: 20 Mar 2008 \| 11:25:36 UTC - in response to Message 1002.
	Now if I could only get everything to use only 1 CPID I would be all set. In desperation after reading a thread here about CPID I attached the PS3 to the rest of my projects then set them to no new work. At one time I had my main machine that way with ps3grid. Should I attach each one to this project too then set for no new work? Surely it would have to work properly then? How long should it take to consolidate? I currently have various machines and projects spread over two CPID\'s. Sorry about that. Not to hijack this thread, just going slightly mad that I can\'t get all my stats in one place. CPID\'s will sync in about 24-48 hours. It really depends on when a scheduler request is made to the project. If all your other PC\'s are the same CPID, when you attached the PS3 to one of those projects it should haved sync\'d. It will take the stat site though a one round of updates from the projects to get your new CPID and match them all up. It would not be necessary to attach all PCs to PS3GRID. You only need 1 common set of projects. Each time they communicate they sync. It will just take more time if the common element makes its rounds slower. Example 1 PC1 Attahced to Project A,B,C,D,E,P PS3 Attached to P You have to wait for PC1 to cycle communications through all projects up to P, then PS3 to communicate with P. This also depends on the timestamp of the CPID. This could work in reverse. P would be the correct CPID, IT would then take time 2 cycles for PC1 to pick up the new CPID from P and pass it along to A,B,C,D and E. Then you have to wait for the stat sites to read the stat file from each project to get your new CPID, taking more time. Example 2 PC1 Attached to A,B PC2 Attached to B,C PC3 Attached to C,D PS3 Attached to D,P Same thing again, Each PC will pass the CPID along A to B, then then next will get it from B and pass to C, along the line, it just will take longer as each PC has to wait for the one before it to change, but eventually they would all sync to the same CPID. As long as somewhere there is a common project between each machine.
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Westsail and Pyxey Send message Joined: 12 Feb 08 Posts: 11 Credit: 3,194,461 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 1004 - Posted: 20 Mar 2008 \| 16:51:23 UTC - in response to Message 1003. Last modified: 20 Mar 2008 \| 16:55:18 UTC
	Thank you very much! Sorry to ask here as the problem was beyond just my PS3. When I started to look into this last night I had two different id\'s spread over several machines and several projects. A given machine would have one ID for one project and one for another. Some projects like Cosmology had half my hosts using one ID and half the other. This never posed a problem but I decided it would be cool to have one set of stats. Not too much to ask ehh? Anyway I think I have it sorted now. Thanks to this forum. At the very least I can for the first time have a stats siggy with PS3 and Cos on the same graphic. Whoa what a concept LOL. BoincView still is split about 50/50 showing both ID\'s but I think in time they will now sort themselves out. I got the original thread describing what you did as the only useful front page google return and thought that was cool. I think it was a reply there that suggested \"merging hosts\" as being the necessary action. Until last night I always thought I did that and never had any old hosts hanging around the computers view page. Boy was I wrong. So a couple things. (First I digress, due to playing with differnt OS\'s and/or reinstalling etc I have hosts with upwards of half a dozen permutations over the years) So one thing is many projects have that neat \"Merge computers by name\" link well apparently it is not sufficent and leaves several machines (with different names duh) that can still be merged. So when I started going to each project and clicking the \"all computers\" link, man I about fell over. What a mess! So like a whole bunch of work later meticulously went through every project and merged everthing that would then deleted everything else left over that isn\'t active. This seems to have been the ticket and now can follow the normal only needing one common project. crosses fingers Anyway, Thanks, take care, keep on crunchin! -Brandon ____________
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Bender10 Send message Joined: 3 Dec 07 Posts: 167 Credit: 8,368,897 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 1005 - Posted: 20 Mar 2008 \| 18:25:49 UTC
	The CPID is also a product of your project account \"E-mail\". If you have used several \"E-mail\" accounts, this will generate several different CPID\'s. Consolidate your project \"E-mail\" addresses to only 1 \"E-mail\" address, then connect to the project and the CPID\'s will merge. Ignore this message, if you have 1 E-mail (the same) for ALL project accounts..... ____________ Consciousness: That annoying time between naps...... Experience is a wonderful thing: it enables you to recognize a mistake every time you repeat it.
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GDF Volunteer moderator Project administrator Project developer Project tester Volunteer developer Volunteer tester Project scientist Send message Joined: 14 Mar 07 Posts: 1957 Credit: 629,356 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 1006 - Posted: 20 Mar 2008 \| 20:32:21 UTC - in response to Message 999.
	Mine was installed July 2007 (HD install obviously). BOINC was from the PS3GRID site. Everything has remain unchanged since then. So if the \"global_prefs_override.xml\" was removed from the download, it was sometime before July 2007. I am not sure. But I think that we use the global_prefs_override.xml only on the pendrive. Due to the limited amount of space in the drive, it requires to allow more % of disk space compared to normal. Keith, what are the bits of your global_prefs_override.xml which you think are important? Can you post it here? This file is probably created by the client if the user specify some preference. gdf global_prefs_override.xml: <global_preferences> <max_cpus>1</max_cpus> <!-- DO NOT EDIT THIS. PS3GRID --> <leave_apps_in_memory>0</leave_apps_in_memory> </global_preferences> This was originally your file that was in my 1st install back in May 2007. The comment not to edit the CPU line was in the file placed there by you or PS3GRID. I added the leave_apps_in_memory set to 0 so it removes apps when switching, thus I beleive the SPE\'s are freed so the next run app can use them all. I think Zombie tested that and said if they were left it memory it caused problems when switching. I also my network time limit, so my PS3 normally cannot access the web when I\'m on my main computer during certain hours when I need access the most. Thats a personal preference. Other settings that may improve performance are I have set the disk interval to 5 minutes (300 seconds), again this is a more personal preference to reduce disk writes, On some of my PCs I use 10m-600s. I\'m willing to accept a little more loss in case the computer hangs or shuts down which happens rarely, but not to be writing to the disk drive as frequently, I think the default was 1m-60s. I have work_buffer set to lower numbers so I do not get too many other project tasks when PS3GRID runs out but will keep me with 1 or 2 PS3GRID when work is available. I think I don\'t get the 2nd one until about 8 hours before the 1st finishes. If I have other work and then PS3GRID has work again, it is not too long before that is cleared up and I\'m back to full time PS3GRID. I see one other important one for the USB drive, the disk_min_free_gb needs to be set a very low number, since the USB drive may not have that much space, I\'m using a 512MB card. Now that I think of it I had a problem until I figured that I was out of space because of this setting. I may have had to raise the max used also, I see it is at 90%. with a large drive, like the 40 or 60GB it is not a problem, but when you switch to a small drive 1/2GB these settings become important. Here is my full global preferences for my PS3: I marked some I\'ve mentioned in bold. <global_preferences> <run_on_batteries>0</run_on_batteries> <run_if_user_active>1</run_if_user_active> <start_hour>0.000000</start_hour> <end_hour>0.000000</end_hour> <net_start_hour>23.000000</net_start_hour> <net_end_hour>17.000000</net_end_hour> <leave_apps_in_memory>0</leave_apps_in_memory> <confirm_before_connecting>0</confirm_before_connecting> <hangup_if_dialed>0</hangup_if_dialed> <dont_verify_images>0</dont_verify_images> <work_buf_min_days>0.041667</work_buf_min_days> <work_buf_additional_days>0.250000</work_buf_additional_days> <max_cpus>1</max_cpus> <cpu_scheduling_period_minutes>60.000000</cpu_scheduling_period_minutes> <disk_interval>300.000000</disk_interval> <disk_max_used_gb>10.000000</disk_max_used_gb> <disk_max_used_pct>90.000000</disk_max_used_pct> <disk_min_free_gb>0.010000</disk_min_free_gb> <vm_max_used_pct>75.000000</vm_max_used_pct> <ram_max_used_busy_pct>75.000000</ram_max_used_busy_pct> <ram_max_used_idle_pct>90.000000</ram_max_used_idle_pct> <max_bytes_sec_up>0.000000</max_bytes_sec_up> <max_bytes_sec_down>0.000000</max_bytes_sec_down> <cpu_usage_limit>100.000000</cpu_usage_limit> </global_preferences> Use settings at your own risk, I make no guarantees ;) K-K I think that we removed this setting of 1 cpu when we shipped the version for blades which have two cell chips. It should not matter because we hard wired into the client to use half of the apparent cpus. However, it may well be that we missed something and it is beneficial to have it on the ps3.
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