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Message boards : Graphics cards (GPUs) : 3 Cards - Only Sees 2

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Profile Steve Dodd
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Message 17551 - Posted: 10 Jun 2010 | 4:20:08 UTC

Got a new computer with 3 GTX 260 Core 216 cards. BOINC only sees 2. I remember reading somewhere about what to do, but I can't find it on a search of the Forum. Can someone direct me to the answer?
(i7 930, 6GB mem, 1TB disk, Windows7 Pro, BOINC 5.10.56)

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Message 17552 - Posted: 10 Jun 2010 | 4:34:58 UTC - in response to Message 17551.

Either a VGA dummy plug http://www.overclock.net/folding-home-guides-tutorials/384733-30-second-dummy-plug.html or add <use_all_gpus>1</use_all_gpus> in cc_config.xml

Taken from http://www.poppageek.com/howtos

Windows hides the ProgramData directory by default, if you cannot find the data directory this is likely the problem. You can unhide the directory by:

Windows XP:
-In Windows explorer click "Folder Options"
-Click the "View" tab
-Under "Hidden files and folders" click Show hidden files and folders

Windows Vista/7:
-Click the "Start" button, then select "Control Panel"
-Click "Appearance and Personalization"
-Click "Folder Options"
-Select the "View" tab
-Under "Advanced" settings, click "Show hidden files and folders"
-Click "OK"


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Message 17554 - Posted: 10 Jun 2010 | 8:53:35 UTC - in response to Message 17552.

You shouldn't need to mess with a cc_config file and <use_all_gpus> in this case.

That's only to bring into use slower cards on computers with a range of different cards (the slower ones aren't used by default). Since all three cards are identical here, it won't be necessary.

Spare monitor or a dummy plug is worth trying: there are also reports that you may need to 'extend the desktop' onto the fictional third monitor using the Windows display controls.

Once the third card has started crunching, there are also reports that Windows will remember that the card is usable, and keep on crunching even after you take the spare monitor off again. But check that with a reboot before you put the spare back where it came from.....

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Message 17562 - Posted: 11 Jun 2010 | 0:47:18 UTC - in response to Message 17554.

Hi Richard,
Thanks for the reply. Do I use (or can I use) a dummy plug on both "unused" cards, or do I only want to put the dummy plug on just one? (Guess I'll have to make up the plugs according to liveonc's directions)

Thanks to liveonc for responding, also :)

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Message 17564 - Posted: 11 Jun 2010 | 1:07:11 UTC - in response to Message 17562.

You can also use a KVM switch (omni-cube), just on the off chance you have one.

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Message 17566 - Posted: 11 Jun 2010 | 8:24:22 UTC - in response to Message 17554.
Last modified: 11 Jun 2010 | 8:26:34 UTC

Most monitors have 2 inputs so you could connect the second input to the card which is not crunching and that will work.
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Message 17580 - Posted: 12 Jun 2010 | 5:55:22 UTC
Last modified: 12 Jun 2010 | 5:56:08 UTC

Well, it's all a mute point now. Woke up this morning to a sick computer. After diagnosing the problem with tech support, it appears that the motherboard has a bad PCE slot. There goes another 2 weeks until I can crunch major amounts! :( Thanks to all who have responded :)

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Message 17587 - Posted: 13 Jun 2010 | 1:07:11 UTC - in response to Message 17580.

Did you expand your desktop onto the other monitors and actually select to use them? You can use a monitor, dummy or KVM, but you still need to tell the operating system to use them. If you did not then Boinc will not see them.

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Message 17612 - Posted: 15 Jun 2010 | 0:01:51 UTC - in response to Message 17551.

i am also reading on seti forum where boinc wont show more then 2 cards. again i think it coming from boinc software itself .

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Message 17619 - Posted: 15 Jun 2010 | 10:42:52 UTC - in response to Message 17612.

Boinc cannot see the cards until you expand your desktop onto the other monitors/cards, and actually select to use them!

You must also use either a monitor, dummy or KVM.

- If you dont take peoples advice they cannot help you.

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Message 17626 - Posted: 15 Jun 2010 | 16:15:51 UTC - in response to Message 17619.

[quote]Boinc cannot see the cards until you expand your desktop onto the other monitors/cards, and actually select to use them!

You must also use either a monitor, dummy or KVM.
[quote]
Using the latest drivers 257.21, all cuda capable cpus will be detected. No need to expand the desktop, use another monitor, dummy plugs, KVM.
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Message 17628 - Posted: 15 Jun 2010 | 18:15:45 UTC - in response to Message 17626.

I can see that bloodrain has one GTS 250 (511MB) and is using driver 19745.
Not sure what the other cards are?
bloodrain, try using the 257.21 driver.

Note that your GTS 250 seems to be running well, and the last time I tried an update on my multicard system I got failures, lots of them. So, fine if the driver works, otherwise its cables & KVM time.

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Message 17704 - Posted: 26 Jun 2010 | 8:20:34 UTC

I have 1 machine with 3 x GT240 cards. Win 7 shows all 3 in device manager, but I had to add a dummy plug onto #3 to get it recognised under earlier drivers.

I have updated the driver to 257.21 and no longer need the dummy plug. All is working fine. Also cheaper than a dummy plug/spare KVM/spare monitor solution.
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Message 17705 - Posted: 26 Jun 2010 | 9:28:45 UTC - in response to Message 17704.
Last modified: 26 Jun 2010 | 10:15:17 UTC

It does not look like you have! Perhaps they defected and are crunching elsewhere?

ID: 50603
Details | Tasks
Cross-project stats:
BOINCstats.com Free-DC 1 26,733.60 1,597,420 6.10.57 GenuineIntel
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU 920 @ 2.67GHz [Family 6 Model 26 Stepping 4]
(8 processors) NVIDIA GeForce GTX 275 (877MB) driver: 19713 Microsoft Windows 7
x64 Edition, (06.01.7600.00) 26 Jun 2010 7:37:23 UTC
ID: 46809
Details | Tasks
Cross-project stats:
BOINCstats.com Free-DC 2 51,556.34 5,923,705 6.10.57 GenuineIntel
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU 920 @ 2.67GHz [Family 6 Model 26 Stepping 5]
(8 processors) [2] NVIDIA GeForce GTX 295 (877MB) driver: 19745 Microsoft Windows 7
x64 Edition, (06.01.7600.00) 26 Jun 2010 7:28:39 UTC
ID: 51761
Details | Tasks
Cross-project stats:
BOINCstats.com Free-DC 3 49,751.67 4,018,749 6.10.57 GenuineIntel
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU 920 @ 2.67GHz [Family 6 Model 26 Stepping 4]
(8 processors) [2] NVIDIA GeForce GTX 295 (877MB) driver: 19745 Microsoft Windows 7
x64 Edition, (06.01.7600.00) 26 Jun 2010 3:47:00 UTC

ID: 69896
Details | Tasks
Cross-project stats:
BOINCstats.com Free-DC 4 12.77 2,348,432 6.10.45 GenuineIntel
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU 920 @ 2.67GHz [Family 6 Model 26 Stepping 4]
(8 processors) [3] NVIDIA GeForce GT 240 (512MB) driver: 19621 Microsoft Windows 7
x64 Edition, (06.01.7600.00) Last Contacted 25 Apr 2010 23:57:05 UTC

So it looks like they were retired, 2 months ago!
I expect you do not know if the 257.21 driver actually works here at GPUGrid for 3 or 4 cards under Vista or Win7?

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Message boards : Graphics cards (GPUs) : 3 Cards - Only Sees 2

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