Boost Your PPD with VMWare - Look inside for easy guides!

[3.0charlie]

Originally Posted by Ruredee

I'm pleased that this guide is being used. Hope it is easy to understand and implement.

The main problems that I've seen with using this setup is not setting the priority correctly and losing ppd on gpu clients. Be sure to set the vm.exe to low priority and the gpu clients to normal.

I am also happy to see that has been made a sticky. In my opinion it increases folding output enough to recommend being placed in a spot where new members or folders can easily find the guide.

We're all folding for the greater good. You have created a great guide, easy to follow and setup.

Welcome to the Forums.

[3.0charlie]

Originally Posted by 3.0charlie

Forget the configuration file (the network access, right?) - the second I start the VM it BSODs. And I mean 1 second.

I found my Main rig BSOD'ed this morning - but with a different error message:

The driver is corrupting the locked pages tracking structure. Process has locked pages.

My solution:

1. Increase the memory allocation of the Vmware Client to 1160Mb
2. Add the reg key found here: Windows host fails with a blue screen when TrackLockedPages is enabled
3. and I followed the note found at the bottom of the previously linked page:

If you are running Windows Vista, the above registry change may not correct the problem. Instead, for step 2, launch a command window and type verifier /reset. This command disables driver verification which may be preventing your operating system from working properly.

Keeping my fingers crossed. All 4 Clients are running now on my Main, will set up the folding rig later tonight.

[zlojack]

Good news, 3.0

I hope that was it.

[Perineum]

Originally Posted by Ruredee

The main problems that I've seen with using this setup is not setting the priority correctly and losing ppd on gpu clients. Be sure to set the vm.exe to low priority and the gpu clients to normal.

Coincidently, I just changed my priorities last night and got an extra 2000PPD overall.

PPD just about doubled on my 8800GT when doing a 511

I would like to find a way to make priorities automatic but the methods I've found so far are rather lacking.

Pifinnity I find to be hard to understand and doesn't even show all the running tasks.

[ImmaPC]

In task manager, do we set the "vmware-vmx.exe" or the "vmplayer.exe" to low, or both?

[Ruredee]

Originally Posted by ImmaPC

In task manager, do we set the "vmware-vmx.exe" or the "vmplayer.exe" to low, or both?

Just the vmware-vmx-exe. Once set it will stay on low priority unless you restart the virtual machine. Even if it completes a work unit and starts another one.

[ImmaPC]

Ok, so to double check:

4x "vmware-vmx" - Low
4x "vmplayer.exe" - Normal

And the GPU client...

FahCore_11.exe - Normal
Folding@home.exe - Normal

I ask because since changing to these settings my PPD has gone down from ~8K to ~7300... Did I set something wrong? =(

[3.0charlie]

There will be also a FahCore_14.exe Client to set to Normal.

A drop in ppd, while folding the same WUs?

[Ruredee]

Originally Posted by ImmaPC

Ok, so to double check:

4x "vmware-vmx" - Low
4x "vmplayer.exe" - Normal

And the GPU client...

FahCore_11.exe - Normal
Folding@home.exe - Normal

I ask because since changing to these settings my PPD has gone down from ~8K to ~7300... Did I set something wrong? =(

Just the vmware.vmx to low. And the FahCore11 to normal. Or FahCore14. Depending on the work unit.

You may see a slight loss in ppd on the gpu client even with the priorities set correctly. But the vms more than make up for the small loss.

[JMCD]

I can't wait to set this up, will probably get around to it this week when I order a new drive. Hopefully this goes smoothly.