[Ubuntu] A Linux N00B's Guide to Running -bigadv (and big -bigadv) on x6 and 2500k  

NOW WITH BIG BIGADV SCRIPT FOR 6903/6904 WU's

The other similar guides rely heavily on use of the terminal commands. This guide is for those who are new to linux, and want to get the maximum ppd out of their Phenom II x6's and 2500K's. I tried to use terminal as little as possible, and I also show you how to make launchers so you dont have to go into terminal each time you want to run f@h.

A native installation of Ubuntu (or Fedora or [insert distro here]) will net more ppd than running a virtual machine (since there is no Windows overhead)
If you do decide to do a native install of Ubuntu, make sure to install it on an ext3 filesystem (as opposed to an ext4 filesystem) this will reduce your -bigadv download and upload times significantly- less time downloading and uploading = more ppd

Once you have ubuntu up and running (either in a native installation or in a virtual machine), you're ready to start folding:

1.) Download the native linux client: from here

2.) Right click on the desktop > Create Folder > name it FAH.

3.) Move the "FAH6.34-Linux64.tgz" file you downloaded in step 1 to "FAH" folder on the Desktop.

4.) Right click on "FAH6.34-Linux64.tgz" > Extract here. Right click on the "fah6" file that was extracted > Properties > Permissions tab > check the box "Allow executing file as a program"

FOR BIG -BIGADV'S SKIP 5. AND SEE 5a. & 5b. Below

5.) Right click inside your FAH folder > Create Document > Empty File. Name it "8cores.sh". Open the file and paste this inside:

Save and close. Right click on "8cores.sh" > Properties > Permissions tab > "Allow executing file as a program"

*Skip 5a. & 5b. if only running regular -bigadv work units.

5a.) (This is only relevant for those who want to run big -bigadv (6903/6904) wu's. These work units net many more points but take much much longer to finish. Do not choose this option if you: a.) are below 4.0 Ghz, b.) don't fold 24/7, c.) don't have a stable overclock, d.) don't have sufficient cooling. If you don't meet all of the above criteria, you won't finish the wu in time to get big bonuses.)

To run big bigadv, instead of step 5, follow step 5b.

5b.) Right click inside your FAH folder > Create Document > Empty File. Name it "12cores.sh". Open the file and paste this inside:

Save and close. Right click on "12cores.sh" > Properties > Permissions tab > "Allow executing file as a program"

6.) Right click on any panel (or on your desktop - wherever you want your launcher) and "Add to Panel" > Custom Application Launcher > Add

Type: Application in Terminal
Name: 8 Cores (or 12 Cores)
Command: Browse to the 8cores.sh (or 12cores.sh) file you just created
(You can even change the picture if you want by clicking the square in the top left)

Don't run this launcher yet.

7.) Go back to your FAH folder. Right Click > Create Document > Empty File. Name it "fah.sh". Open the file and paste this inside:

Save and close. Right click on fah.sh > Properties > Permissions tab > "Allow executing file as a program"

8.) Right click wherever you want to create another launcher. and "Add to Panel" > Custom Application Launcher > Add

Type: Application in Terminal
Name: fah
Command: bash /home/*PutUserNameHere*/Desktop/FAH/fah.sh

9.) Now we're almost ready. At this point you should have "8cores.sh" (or "12cores.sh"), "fah.sh" and "fah6" in your FAH folder, all set to "Allow executing file as a program". And two launchers on your panel or desktop. You will have to run 8cores.sh first to "trick" ubuntu into thinking you have 8 cores any time you power off your computer. But after you run it once, you don't have to run it again.

10.) Click on your 8 cores (or 12 cores) launcher, put in your password when prompted.

11.) Click on your fah launcher.


fah will then close.

12.) Go to your fah.sh file, open it. When asked click "Display" then delete the -configonly tag from the file and save it and close it.

13.) Click on your fah launcher and you're good to go!

Notes:
-Don't forget to put your username in the command line in step 8 instead of *PutUserNameHere*
-If you haven't completed 10 wu's on your passkey, also delete the -bigadv tag from your fah.sh file so you can become eligible for bonus points faster.
-When you open fah, scroll up to the top to make sure it says "8 (or 12) cores detected" - if it only says 6, then something is wrong with 8cores.sh or the 8 cores launcher. Also, if it only says "6 cores detected", fah will not download -bigadv wus.
-If you run 8cores.sh (or 12cores.sh) twice, fah will crash when you try to open it. only run 8cores.sh once per login. You'll have to restart your computer and run it only once in order for fah to detect the appropriate number of cores.

I've tried to make this guide as straightforward as possible in order to facilitate those who are starting to migrate from windows and aren't that familiar with Linux. If there is any part that is confusing, or needs clarification, please let me know.

-Thanks to CHUNKYBOWSER (who wrote the original wine guide), JedixJarf (who I borrowed the 8cores.sh code from), and zodac (who I borrowed the fah config from), and thanks to you for reading, and folding -elo

5/20/2011 - I don't have a 2500K, so please let me know if this guide works or doesn't - I'm fairly confident it will though
7/8/2011 - Guide updated to include big -bigadv wu's and 12cores.sh script.
Edited by eloverton2 - 7/16/11 at 11:53pm

reserved

Thanks! The problem with ext4 is not in the upload step itself but in the time between the last frame and the upload when the data is collected and compressed. ext3 is much quicker. *users with ssd's may not experience the same delay when using an ext4 file system, but I can't confirm this since I only have mechanical hard disks. I can however verify that ext3 is faster than ext4 from personal experience. I had ubuntu 10.04/10.10 in ext4 and when I upgraded to 11.04 I went with ext3 and it makes a world of difference.

Check to make sure the path for the launcher is correct with: bash /home/*PutUserNameHere*/Desktop/FAH/fah.sh . also, make sure you have fah.sh set to allow running file as a program.

so you can download -bigadv projects.

try restarting your computer. only run 8 cores once. then try opening fah launcher. if that doesn't work, try going to your FAH folder on the desktop, then double click fah.sh, and click run in terminal to see if its a problem with the launcher or the fah.sh file.