The purpose of this guide is to help me figure out what has worked and not worked while installing and running smp in Ubuntu. I can get 45k ppd with Ubuntu smp compared to 35k ppd with VMware in W7. Of course, I haven't figured out the gpus yet in Ubuntu but the wattage is low.
 
Another guide is http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1601608. I need to figure out how to do the remote viewing. I tried the BFS and it didn't seem to work. I think I followed the instructions correctly but it didn't show the "ck". I'm not sure if it's working or not.
 
How to install Ubuntu from Windows:
Note: I installed 11.10 and it's working fine. The second gpu isn't working but it was pretty much useless in 11.4 anyways so I just turn off the monitor.  There's no more classic desktop in the login screen. It turns out they have a new temp program in the Software Center.

• Download the Wubi from here: http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/windows-installer
  
• A word of warning, I used bittorrent and filled up my Linux partition causing the inevitable Unstable_Machine error about halfway through a bigadv wu. When using bittorrent, be sure to save to an external hard drive.
• This will create a bootable option when you reboot. I tried Xubuntu which is smaller but I didn't like how it looked and I don't think it's any faster while folding.
• Ubuntu contains many downloadable programs that you can use. To install the non-canonical programs, use the Synaptic Packages Manager in Administration.
• If you don't like the Ubuntu install, then you can easily uninstall from Windows.
• In Ubuntu, there will be updates to download. Plus, you need to go into System -> Administration -> Additional Drivers to activate the nVidia drivers. You can also right click on the desktop to change the background using several provided themes. Beware, updating the video driver is risky and you might get stuck in low-res mode. If this happens, try restoring the xorg.conf backup file.
• There is a way to monitor the temperature but the method changed with the update.

 
How to install the SMP client:
Note: The $ is the prompt so enter everything after the space or copy/paste using the menu.

• I summarized the instructions below or go to Stanford and follow the directions here: http://folding.stanford.edu/English/LinSMPGuide
• Type $ sudo apt-get install ia32-libs
• Type $ mkdir -p ~/folding
• Type $ cd folding
• Type $ wget http://www.stanford.edu/group/pandegroup/folding/release/FAH6.34-Linux64.tgz

• Type $ tar xzf FAH6.34-Linux64.tgz
• Type $ chmod +x fah6
• Type $ ./fah6 -configonly -smp
• Enter your settings. Everyone always uses the “big” setting. You can run as machine ID 1 so there's no need to change the advanced settings.
• To run the client, type $ ./fah6 -smp -bigadv
• The cool thing about Ubuntu is that you can move the folding window to one of the desktops that are available so they don't get in the way.
• Important: There is a bug (at least I think so) with the client. Before you disrupt the client with Ctrl-C, you need to back up the folding folder. Sometimes, the client will restart the wu back to 0%. Some people talk about running a backup script, but I just copy and paste the folder to create a backup before I disrupt. This happened to me once and the backup worked. Unfortunately, there's the possibility that the client will instruct the server that the wu is dead and the backup won't work. Sucks.

 
How to install the Affinity Wrapper:
Note: this allows you to use all of the cores, especially the SR-2 folks. For single cpu users, watch the System Monitor to determine if you're using 100% of all cores. If not, then try the AW. The trick with installing is that you need to download the a3 and a5 cores first before it will set the affinities. The only way to do this is to run -smp and -smp -bigadv wus and then install the AW after they are finished using the -oneunit flag.

• Download the program here: http://darkswarm.org/thekraken-0.4.tar.gz and extract into a “thekraken” folder.
• Open a Terminal and type $ cd thekraken
• Type $ sudo apt-get install gcc make
• Type $ make
• Type $ sudo make install

The following is from the README.txt file:
Installation: V6 client
1. Stop the client
2. Open a Terminal and type $ cd folding, then type $ sudo thekraken -i
Doing so should result in something along the following:
$ thekraken: The Kraken 0.4 (compiled Tue Apr 12 20:27:47 MDT 2011 by fah@tentacle)
$ thekraken: Processor affinity wrapper for Folding@Home
$ thekraken: The Kraken comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY; licensed under GPLv2
$ thekraken: performing installation to .
$ thekraken: /home/fah/fah-6.34/FahCore_a3.exe: wrapper succesfully installed
$ thekraken: /home/fah/fah-6.34/FahCore_a5.exe: wrapper succesfully installed
$ thekraken: finished installation, 2 out of 2 files processed
$
3. Re-start the client.
After the core is found, you should see something like this in the fahlog.txt:
   thekraken: The Kraken 0.4 (compiled Sun Apr 17 10:14:41 PDT 2011 by ron@ubuntu)
   thekraken: Processor affinity wrapper for Folding@Home
   thekraken: The Kraken comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY; licensed under GPLv2
   thekraken: Logging to thekraken.log
You can check the cpu loads by running System → Administration → System Monitor.
 
How to install HFM:
Note: This has been working fine for me lately.

• Download the zip file from here: http://code.google.com/p/hfm-net/
• Create and extract into a hfm folder from your home directory.
• Open Terminal and type $ cd hfm
• Type $ sudo apt-get install mono-complete
• Type $ mono HFM.exe
• Keep the Terminal window open or it will close HFM. Change the Preferences - Options from System Tray to Task Bar or HFM will disappear.
• If the config file gets corrupted and you get an Exception Report, then try renaming the folder to hfm1.

 
To watch videos, go to Applications -> Ubuntu Software Center and search for the Flash Player, then click Install. Skype also works.
 
How to watch DVD
Obviously, this is not needed for folding but I include it just in case you need something to look at while folding. DVD support cannot be provided by default in Ubuntu due to legal and technical restrictions. Most commercial DVDs are encrypted and so require the use of decryption software in order to play them.
In some countries, the use of the below unlicensed decryption software is not permitted by law. Verify that you are within your rights to use it. 

1. Open a Terminal and type $ sudo apt-get install libdvdnav4 libdvdread4 gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly
2. Type $ sudo /usr/share/doc/libdvdread4/install-css.sh
3. Enter your password to complete the installation.

 

z3r0t0l0rence

Anyone figure out gpu folding with Ubuntu along side smp.  Also is this limited to only smp or can bigadv be done also.

Thanks

Z3r0

 
I'm not sure about GPU folding, but I know rklapp was folding bigadv's with his setup, so that should be good to go. 
 
I'm going to try this as soon as a finish a few other projects I have going. Thanks for the guide, should be fun. 

david12857

z3r0t0l0rence

Anyone figure out gpu folding with Ubuntu along side smp.  Also is this limited to only smp or can bigadv be done also.

Thanks

Z3r0

The OP's guide is for bigadv. GPU setup is easy on Ubuntu 10.10, well at least with my Geforce 200 series cards. :) I used the restricted driver, installed wine, and used pieces from the following two guides to install and configure the CUDA 32-bit toolkit & wrapper.

http://linuxfah.info/inde...iver_with_CUDA_Support
http://foldingforum.org/v...ic.php?f=52&t=6793
 

 
Thanks for that info.

rklapp
A problem I have with Linux is that instead of telling you how to run a program, the instructions use vague terms like compile or use kernel. Huh?

The problem is you just can't run the programs you want and we can thank the people that created the software for making it difficult. It doesn't need to be difficult. There's plenty of programs that are easy to learn and run with the click of a button. There's nothing vague about compile or kernel. It just sounds or looks like a different language because you don't understand it.
See #4: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compile
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compiler
http://en.wikipedia.org/w.i/Kernel_%28computing%29
 
Better (easy to understand & pictures) guides would help and I vaguely remember reading that the new v7 client has native linux GPU support. Can anyone confirm? 

The Ubuntu Software Center does have numerous point and click programs to download (most not for folding tho).
 
Edit: I tried installing Wine and got stuck at the EULA. Now I can't install anything. The USC gives me a message that it's effed up, please report the bug so it can be fixed in the future, and please try again. Now I have to cruise the Ubuntu forums to find a solution (unless one of you know how to fix it).
 
Update: fixed. I figured out that in the EULA, I have to use the right arrow key to highlight the OK button.

rklapp

Here's another one to try.
This is just a short howto, describing how to use the power of your computers NVIDIA GPU to help Folding@Home - as far as I know, this will NOT work with an ATI GPU!
First of, you need to install a couple of programs, including the newest Nvidia drivers:
sudo apt-get install wine nvidia-current
Now, restart your computer to make use of your shiny new drivers.
Next, you must install Nvidia's official CUDA toolkit:
cd ~
mkdir fahgpu
cd fahgpu/
wget http://developer.download...inux_32_ubuntu9.04.run
chmod u+x cudatoolkit_2.3_linux_32_ubuntu9.04.run
sudo ./cudatoolkit_2.3_linux_32_ubuntu9.04.run # Just press enter whenever you are prompted for something
rm cudatoolkit_2.3_linux_32_ubuntu9.04.run
sudo sh -c "echo PATH=/usr/local/cuda/bin:$PATH > /etc/profile.d/cuda.sh"
sudo sh -c "echo /usr/local/cuda/lib > /etc/ld.so.conf.d/cuda.conf"
sudo ldconfig
Get some wrappers for the windows CUDA DLL files and download the Folding@Home GPU client:
wget http://www.gpu3.hostei.co...dgen/2.1/cudart.dll.so -O ~/.wine/drive_c/windows/system32/cudart.dll
cd ~/.wine/drive_c/windows/system32/
ln -s cudart.dll nvcuda.dll
ldd ~/.wine/drive_c/windows/system32/cudart.dll
cd ~/fahgpu/
wget http://www.stanford.edu/g...e-Win32-GPU_XP-623.zip
rm cudatoolkit_2.3_linux_32_ubuntu9.04.run
unzip [link=mailto:Folding@home-Win32-GPU_XP-623.zip]Folding@home-Win32-GPU_XP-623.zip[/link]
cat << EOF > run.sh
#!/bin/sh
wine Folding@home-Win32-GPU.exe -forcegpu nvidia_g80
EOF
chmod u+x run.sh

Now you only have to start the Folding@Home GPU client:
./run.sh

 
Highlighted in red.  Can you specify a particular driver instead of Current?  If I make the switch I want to use the 266.58 driver.

rklapp

I'm not sure. Another issue is that with the affinity wrapper, I'm running all cores at 100% and I'm not sure how to turn it off. I suppose I could create another folding folder without the AW. This should leave one core available for the gpu. I'm not ready to try it now, so please let us know how the performance is.

 
I'm just doing reading atm on this before I go ahead with it.  I want to make total sure on how to do it so there isn't any major issues.

starting mdrun 'SINGLE VESICLE in water'
17750002 steps,  71000.0 ps (continuing from step 17500002,  70000.0 ps).

[02:29:37] Completed 0 out of 250000 steps  (0%)
[03:08:37] Completed 2500 out of 250000 steps  (1%) 39min
[03:47:42] Completed 5000 out of 250000 steps  (2%) 39min 5 sec
[04:26:46] Completed 7500 out of 250000 steps  (3%) 39min 4 sec

After the Kraken

[20:18:59] Completed 67500 out of 250000 steps  (27%) 
[20:58:00] Completed 70000 out of 250000 steps  (28%) 39m 1s
[21:37:01] Completed 72500 out of 250000 steps  (29%) 39m 1s
[22:16:03] Completed 75000 out of 250000 steps  (30%) 39m 2s
 
Already tried on a 920 and makes no difference.

I guess it also has to come down to differences between installations also.  I followed posts 2 and 3 here for my I7's.  I've never used linux b4, total noob here.  There's alot to learn that I'll most likely never learn.

Dual cpu's +
here are my differences 6900 series wu's
 
My evga SR-2, 24 cores at 4 ghz  B4K  15m 32s       AK   10m 26s
Dual cpu amd 2 ghz    16 cores    B4K   30m 44s      AK    21m 20s
Quad cpu amd 2.3ghz  48 cores   B4K    9m 15s        AK    6m 20s
 
man whish I could oc's these amd cpu's even a bit

Yeah... I was finally able to get my 560ti to work. I update the guide above.

I still haven't gotten around to setting this up on my bigadv rig.  I do though have a question,  is MSI AB or EVGA Precision able to work in adjusting clock speeds?

rklapp

No, but there's this. Unfortunately, it's very old and probably doesn't support the latest gpus.

http://www.linuxhardware.org/nvclock/

 
Hmm...I'll have to look into this some more.  I can't see setting up cpu folding and have 2x 450's just sit there doing nothing.

Well I'll do some research and see what I can come up with.  More than likely Wine will have to be involved but I'm not sure if it will work properly.

Can someone try the gpu section above and tell me what result you get? Thanks.