Powercuts are annoying

**Aus_Karlos** · 07-25-2009, 01:52 AM

Hey guys, when ever there is a powercut in your area and your folding does your WUs restart. Ive had two in the past few days, just little ones that only last a few minutes (i guess the Sub-station is struggling with all the heaters).
Is there a flag i can use to restore from the last checkpoint. If my PC crashes for an unknown reason the WU carries on from the last checkpoint but it seems a powercut does something else.
Its not affecting my GPU client for some reason but my CPU clients have both started from one again.

Code:

[07:44:23] Folding@Home Gromacs Core
[07:44:23] Version 1.90 (March 8, 2006)
[07:44:24] 
[07:44:24] Preparing to commence simulation
[07:44:24] - Ensuring status. Please wait.
[07:44:39] - Looking at optimizations...
[07:44:39] - Working with standard loops on this execution.
[07:44:39] - Previous termination of core was improper.
[07:44:39] - Files status OK
[07:44:41] - Expanded 2989270 -> 15115137 (decompressed 505.6 percent)
[07:44:42] - Checksums don't match (work/wudata_09.xtc)
[07:44:42] - Starting from initial work packet
[07:44:42] 
[07:44:42] Project: 2498 (Run 214, Clone 18, Gen 8)

This is the log just after the powercut. I can see it tells me the checksums dont match.
Whats really annoying is that it was on 80%, the other CPU client had only done 10% so im not fussed.

**mattlock** · 07-25-2009, 09:54 PM

Hi Karlos.

Typically, the WU would pickup at the last check point. I've only had a couple of WUs that haven't, so it's rare. On the upside, you do some credit for the work completed.

If power outages are common place in your neck of the woods, you might want to consider getting a battery backup. Mine was less than $100 and will run my system for 10-15 mins. You can set it up so that when there is a power failure the system goes through the normal shutdown procedure before the battery power is exhausted. A worthy invest considering the system you are running.

**Aus_Karlos** · 07-25-2009, 10:12 PM

Yeah i was thinking in investing in a UPS. But not many PC stores around me sell them. Im looking for a particular one where when there is a power-outage the UPS will tell my system to shutdown (via USB i believe), the ones ive come across from you have to manually shutdown the system.
However ive found some more local PC stores i'll have a look in a sec for one. I know i need one for my system as quality parts dont like to be powered down so harshly.

storm5510 · 07-25-2009, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aus_Karlos

Yeah i was thinking in investing in a UPS. But not many PC stores around me sell them. Im looking for a particular one where when there is a power-outage the UPS will tell my system to shutdown (via USB i believe), the ones ive come across from you have to manually shutdown the system.
However ive found some more local PC stores i'll have a look in a sec for one. I know i need one for my system as quality parts dont like to be powered down so harshly.

APC, American Power Conversion. The ones I use have USB ports for communication. Staples sells them. They also have a web site:

http://www.apc.com

**Aus_Karlos** · 07-25-2009, 11:07 PM

Thanks i took a quick look. However i need a UPS that can handle at least a draw of upto 1500W. PSU + Monitor. My PSU draws a max of 13a @ 230v (~1500W), my monitor only draws i think 1a @ 230v.
APC only supply upto 800W and they get very expensive. But thats for the link.

**WereBo** · 07-26-2009, 08:17 AM

One of TSF's members (I think he uses 'The Shadow') has a wonderful UPS system, where he replaced the installed 'gel-pack' batteries and replaced them with a couple of car batteries!

He lives in Florida, and is often suffering black-outs or brown-outs - His setup will last for hours

**mattlock** · 07-27-2009, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aus_Karlos

Thanks i took a quick look. However i need a UPS that can handle at least a draw of upto 1500W. PSU + Monitor. My PSU draws a max of 13a @ 230v (~1500W), my monitor only draws i think 1a @ 230v.
APC only supply upto 800W and they get very expensive. But thats for the link.

You don't need to be able to run your system for a long period of time, so a 800w would be fine. Mine is a 900va/560w and it gives me plenty of time to safely shutdown in a power outage. 22in mon, E8400 @ 3.6, GTX260, 3 HDs, 2 DVD rws, gives me 15 mins of runtime while folding. The provided software will auto save and shutdown your PC as well.

Here's the one I own.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16842102042

**Aus_Karlos** · 07-28-2009, 01:42 AM

Thats a nice unit, its a pity that it wont work in Australia, Australia uses 230v while the UPS only has an input range of 80v - 140v.

~~TonyDigital~~ · 10-25-2009, 10:00 PM

I think most APC UPS's have a shut down feature and can safely shut down your equipment when they get close to running out of battery power. APC makes them in 230V as well, so take a look locally see if you can find one at a good price.

If you have the budget, try and get yourself a Smart UPS. They're line interactive, output a sine wave and offer great power filtering features. They're worth the investment.

The smallest Smart UPS is the Smart UPS 750, for 230V you'd be looking for a SUA750I. It would give you protection and safely shut down your PC.

Take a look on your local Craiglist or Ebay to see if you can find a bargain on a new or refurbished ups.

07-25-2009, 01:52 AM	#1 (permalink)
Aus_Karlos Moderator, Games Team Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Western Australia Posts: 3,424 OS: Vista Ultimate x64, Windows XP 32-bit/64-bit, Ubuntu x64, Windows 7 x64 Beta My System Blog Entries: 2	Powercuts are annoying Hey guys, when ever there is a powercut in your area and your folding does your WUs restart. Ive had two in the past few days, just little ones that only last a few minutes (i guess the Sub-station is struggling with all the heaters). Is there a flag i can use to restore from the last checkpoint. If my PC crashes for an unknown reason the WU carries on from the last checkpoint but it seems a powercut does something else. Its not affecting my GPU client for some reason but my CPU clients have both started from one again. Code: [07:44:23] Folding@Home Gromacs Core [07:44:23] Version 1.90 (March 8, 2006) [07:44:24] [07:44:24] Preparing to commence simulation [07:44:24] - Ensuring status. Please wait. [07:44:39] - Looking at optimizations... [07:44:39] - Working with standard loops on this execution. [07:44:39] - Previous termination of core was improper. [07:44:39] - Files status OK [07:44:41] - Expanded 2989270 -> 15115137 (decompressed 505.6 percent) [07:44:42] - Checksums don't match (work/wudata_09.xtc) [07:44:42] - Starting from initial work packet [07:44:42] [07:44:42] Project: 2498 (Run 214, Clone 18, Gen 8) This is the log just after the powercut. I can see it tells me the checksums dont match. Whats really annoying is that it was on 80%, the other CPU client had only done 10% so im not fussed. __________________ MemTest86 / Nvidia Drivers / ATI Drivers / DirectX 9.0c / Sys Requirements / Everest Folding@Home Last edited by Aus_Karlos; 07-25-2009 at 01:54 AM.

07-25-2009, 09:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
mattlock Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 4,183 OS: XP SP2, Win 7 Beta, Win 7 RC My System	Re: Powercuts are annoying Hi Karlos. Typically, the WU would pickup at the last check point. I've only had a couple of WUs that haven't, so it's rare. On the upside, you do some credit for the work completed. If power outages are common place in your neck of the woods, you might want to consider getting a battery backup. Mine was less than $100 and will run my system for 10-15 mins. You can set it up so that when there is a power failure the system goes through the normal shutdown procedure before the battery power is exhausted. A worthy invest considering the system you are running. __________________ Matt Everest-Thermal Paste Instruction-Power Supply Info-Sensorview PSU Calculator-Speedfan-Bench Test Help TSF Fight Disease. It's Free!

07-25-2009, 10:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
Aus_Karlos Moderator, Games Team Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Western Australia Posts: 3,424 OS: Vista Ultimate x64, Windows XP 32-bit/64-bit, Ubuntu x64, Windows 7 x64 Beta My System Blog Entries: 2	Re: Powercuts are annoying Yeah i was thinking in investing in a UPS. But not many PC stores around me sell them. Im looking for a particular one where when there is a power-outage the UPS will tell my system to shutdown (via USB i believe), the ones ive come across from you have to manually shutdown the system. However ive found some more local PC stores i'll have a look in a sec for one. I know i need one for my system as quality parts dont like to be powered down so harshly. __________________ MemTest86 / Nvidia Drivers / ATI Drivers / DirectX 9.0c / Sys Requirements / Everest Folding@Home

07-25-2009, 11:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
Aus_Karlos Moderator, Games Team Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Western Australia Posts: 3,424 OS: Vista Ultimate x64, Windows XP 32-bit/64-bit, Ubuntu x64, Windows 7 x64 Beta My System Blog Entries: 2	Re: Powercuts are annoying Thanks i took a quick look. However i need a UPS that can handle at least a draw of upto 1500W. PSU + Monitor. My PSU draws a max of 13a @ 230v (~1500W), my monitor only draws i think 1a @ 230v. APC only supply upto 800W and they get very expensive. But thats for the link. __________________ MemTest86 / Nvidia Drivers / ATI Drivers / DirectX 9.0c / Sys Requirements / Everest Folding@Home

07-26-2009, 08:17 AM	#6 (permalink)
WereBo Resident Village Idiot Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SE London, UK Posts: 14,369 OS: Win-7, XP-Pro SP3 My System	Re: Powercuts are annoying One of TSF's members (I think he uses 'The Shadow') has a wonderful UPS system, where he replaced the installed 'gel-pack' batteries and replaced them with a couple of car batteries! He lives in Florida, and is often suffering black-outs or brown-outs - His setup will last for hours __________________ I shall meet all of my deadlines directly in proportion to the amount of bodily injury I could expect to receive from missing them.

07-28-2009, 01:42 AM	#8 (permalink)
Aus_Karlos Moderator, Games Team Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Western Australia Posts: 3,424 OS: Vista Ultimate x64, Windows XP 32-bit/64-bit, Ubuntu x64, Windows 7 x64 Beta My System Blog Entries: 2	Re: Powercuts are annoying Thats a nice unit, its a pity that it wont work in Australia, Australia uses 230v while the UPS only has an input range of 80v - 140v. __________________ MemTest86 / Nvidia Drivers / ATI Drivers / DirectX 9.0c / Sys Requirements / Everest Folding@Home

10-25-2009, 10:00 PM	#9 (permalink)
~~TonyDigital~~ Troubled Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Toronto Posts: 5 OS: Wind XP SP3	Re: Powercuts are annoying I think most APC UPS's have a shut down feature and can safely shut down your equipment when they get close to running out of battery power. APC makes them in 230V as well, so take a look locally see if you can find one at a good price. If you have the budget, try and get yourself a Smart UPS. They're line interactive, output a sine wave and offer great power filtering features. They're worth the investment. The smallest Smart UPS is the Smart UPS 750, for 230V you'd be looking for a SUA750I. It would give you protection and safely shut down your PC. Take a look on your local Craiglist or Ebay to see if you can find a bargain on a new or refurbished ups. Last edited by koala; 10-26-2009 at 06:21 AM. Reason: removed spam