Einstein GPU tasks crash graphics driver
16 Jun 2011 3:33:41 UTC
Topic 195830
(moderation:
Ever since enabling GPU processing for Einstein, I've noticed graphics glitches on two of my computers. One of them simply has random jumping and "spazzing" of video during playback...which is fine. That system is running XP Pro, GeForce 9600 GT, 260.89 drivers.
My other system is more serious though. It is Win 7 x64, GeForce 9800 GT, 260.89 drivers. Occasionally my screens will blank out, then recover and I will receive the error message "Display driver nvlddmkm stopped responding and has successfully recovered.".
So something appears to be crashing my display driver, but Win 7 successfully restarts it. I blame Einstein for two reasons.
First, the glitches on the other computer which only occur during Einstein processing. Seti GPU tasks work fine.
Second, looking at my event log for the past several crashes, it shows that Einstein started a new GPU task literally seconds before each crash. Might be a coincidence but then again, maybe not. I have switched Einstein to CPU-only mode and I will see if any further crashes occur.
Thoughts anybody?
Einstein GPU tasks crash graphics driver
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amount of memory on the card?
Just throwing out the thought. I know very little of BOINC + GPU computing.
Kathryn :o)
Einstein@Home Moderator
RE: Ever since enabling GPU
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The crashing of the driver "Display driver nvlddmkm" is indicative of you needing new updated drivers. So it would help if you updated to the latest drivers, I am using 270.61, so yours are SEVERAL versions behind. If you crunch with your gpu you MUST keep closer to the pointy end of the stick as far as the drivers are concerned. Sometimes the very pointy end drivers are bad but this version works for me. I also have a 9800GT and a 9600 GSO, both with only 512 meg of ram, so they can be used successfully to crunch with! Mine are currently at PrimeGrid but they used to be here.
Also your system doing the "random jumping and "spazzing" of video during playback" is going to happen because your video is trying to share time with your Einstein and both want to use 100% of your gpu! If you watch lots of videos it might be better to either pause the gpu during video usage or set Boinc to not use the gpu when the pc is in use.
Also comparing Seti tasks to Einstein tasks is not a good thing, each project does its computing a little differently and although they both use Boinc, it is kind of like saying Quicken and Excel are similar so why won't Excel balance my checkbook for me. They both run under Windows and both handle numbers but that is about the extent of their similarities, Seti and Einstein are similar to that under Boinc, as are most Boinc projects.
One more thing...since you are running Windows, when the video driver crashes make sure you check and make sure the gpu is still crunching! In Windows the ONLY way for a gpu to work properly after a crash is to reboot the machine, it is a Windows thing and the new Boinc versions are working on a work around. Seems by default Windows loads the MS version of the drivers which do not have the stuff needed to crunch with, that is why you MUST load the Nvidia, or ATI if you have an ATI card, version of the drivers for Boinc to see your gpu.
RE: amount of memory on the
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Both of his cards have 512 meg of memory. And we will work on you getting a gpu to increase your knowledge base AND your RAC!!!
ps check your PM's!
RE: RE: Ever since
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Hi! I had previously been using the latest drivers. I was forced to downgrade, actually, due to an unrelated problem. Even the latest drivers had this issue.
the actual version I'm using
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the actual version I'm using is 275.33. Runs without any problems
RE: the actual version I'm
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Yep, that's the one I was using before I downgrades. I will keep Einstein gpu suspended for awhile and see what happens. If everything is fine then I will try upgrading again and test.
RE: the actual version I'm
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This thread http://einsteinathome.org/node/195804 says that that version DOES have some problems though.