Folding on a Dual Core CPU
Create two seperate folders somewhere out of the way. For example, in the C: drive, create the folders Folding1 and Folding2.
Download the latest "No-nonsense" text-only console (with built-in Windows-service-install option) from the download page:
http://folding.stanford.edu/download.html
Now copy the file you downloaded to
both the folders you just created. Load up the Command Prompt (Start -> Run -> cmd). Type the following commands:
chdir \Folding1 (substitute Folding1 for the name of the first directory you created)
FAH502-Console -local -configonly (if you used a different version, substitute FAH502-Console for the name of the file you downloaded)
Here is what you should see, with what you should answer in bold:
Quote:
--- Opening Log file [January 16 04:59:18]
# Windows Console Edition ##################################################
Folding@Home Client Version 5.02
http://folding.stanford.edu
################################################## #############################
Launch directory: C:\Folding1
Executable: FAH502-Console
Arguments: -local -configonly
[08:31:31] Configuring Folding@Home...
User name [Anonymous]? Your ComputerForum Username
Team Number [0]? 44358
Launch automatically at machine startup, installing this as a service (yes/no) [no]?yes
Use Internet Explorer Settings (no/yes) [no]? yes
Use proxy (yes/no) [no]? no
Allow receipt of work assignments and return of work results greater than
5MB in size (such work units may have large memory demands) (no/yes) [no]? no
Change advanced options (yes/no) [no]? yes
|
... Leave all advanced options as default
UNTIL ...
Now you can repeat for the other core:
Load up the Command Prompt (Start -> Run -> cmd). Type the following commands:
chdir \Folding2 (substitute Folding2 for the name of the second directory you created)
FAH502-Console -local -configonly (if you used a different version, substitute FAH502-Console for the name of the file you downloaded)
Choose the same options as above,
EXCEPT
Whew! Your system will now fold on both cores. As an alternative to using the command prompt to load up the FAH502-Console files, you can create a shortcut to each of these files and set the 'Target' field to:
"C:\Folding1\FAH502-Console.exe" -local -configonly and
"C:\Folding2\FAH502-Console.exe" -local -configonly:
For those of you with Hyperthreading
Hyperthreading adds a 'virtual core' to your system. You can use the above instructions to run a second instance of Folding@Home on your Hyperthreading enabled system. This will not, however, provide the same benefits as running two instances on a Dual Core system, and
it is recommended that you do not run a second instance of Folding@Home on your P4 with Hyperthreading
Monitoring the results
Running multiple instances of Folding@Home requires you to use the console version, which doesn't provide a simple, user friendly way of monitoring your progress.
Enter Electron Microscope III.
Follow the instructions above for folding with one core, and simply add an extra 'box' for your second folding directory. This small application will show you your progress as follows:
Many thanks to ceewi1 for this dual-core folding guide.