idle on start, how to fix?

[jackrabbit]

Experts, your help is needed here.

Lizzy (an iMac C2D 2.4GHz) can fold a single WU (p3064, core_a1) fine when told to. However, she will then download the next WU (p3062, also core_a1) and just sit idle. Just starting and stopping the client fixes the issue: the second WU folds just fine.

Software versions:
- Mac OS X 10.5.5 build 9F33
- Folding@Home Client Version 6.22 Betar4
- FAHcore_a1.exe: Version 1.74 (September 24, 2007)

Any ideas?

[Phantom]

jackrabbit --

I would recommend updating the client to 6.23

[jackrabbit]

Uhm, that's not listed on Stanford's download page...

Ah - found it on ff.org. It's not listed as the reason for the update, but I'll give it a try.

Thanks!

Edit: replacing the client left me with all kinds of issues. In the end, dumped the WU and started on a new one. Hope it keeps going this time.

[Aardvark]

I have installed v6.23 and the "stall on start" continues. I have to stop and restart the Client to get it to start folding. I don't think 6.23 attacked that problem.

[jackrabbit]

That's what I thought from the description as well. My current WU finishes this afternoon, so we'll see. If it still stalls, I'm going over to ff.org to ask for help from the devs.

Update: as expected, it didn't change a thing

[Aardvark]

I had the problem reoccur on two WUs on 11/4/2008. Once on a Mini and once on a MB. Both are running OS 10.5.5. I was involved in a thread on ff.org , in August, that discussed my problem with the "stall on start". It has been a consistent problem for me since I went to v6 Clients so I could get into smp WUs. I was never able to get PG to actually state that it was a problem that they would put on the list of "things to do". I am not sure just how broadly the problem is being experienced by users.

I do think the problem is somehow involved with smp facilitation and the assignment of the "local host" on the Mac.

[jackrabbit]

I tried something else today, but have no access to the box until Saturday to see if it worked. If lizzy is idling again, I'm going to ff.org. The plan is to start a new topic and link to yours as a prior case, demonstrating that it's not a freak issue.

Hopefully, they'll acknowledge that something is wrong here.

[Aardvark]

I have located a FAQ, in these Forums, Posted by Macaholic

here

that deals with Folding using SMP WUs.

If you scroll down to Part 10, there is a discussion on resolving "If F@H hangs" issues. I have not tried what is suggested. It is starting to get a little deeper than my Terminal comfort zone.

[susato]

Aardvark, would you please post a link to your initial description of the problem on ff.org?  Thanks!

[Aardvark]

@susato,

Here is the link to the ff.org thread discussing the "hang on start" problem:

http://foldingforum.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4393

The discussion got somewhat "crossthreaded" between the "hang on start" issue and the smp/localhost assignment problem. I do think they are associated, however.