Help. I'm currently running Seti@Home and ClimatePerdiction@ Home with problems. I uploaded MilkyWay@Home but the Boinc Screensaver just shows
the different projects running and get a error message indicating that there is a unspecific error
with the screensaver. I'm running a dual core AMD processor and Cuda 23. I have not run into this problem with the Seti, Setu cuda and Climate work units. It's only evident when running MilkyWay@Home.
I can suspend the Seti, Climateperdiction and cuda
work with only MilkyWay running but still get the erroor. And help or suggestions? Thanks

MW does not have a screensaver.

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Doesn't expecting the unexpected make the unexpected the expected?
If it makes sense, DON'T do it.

The Milkyway Screensaver is not functional yet. It's being worked on but the forum messages and response from the admins don't give any clue to when or if it will be done. They are apparently building a very complex one. I'm waiting and watching for when it is finished before I do much MW work.

If you are using CUDA, on SETI, the screensaver doesn't work. Only their CPU units provide the screensaver. Climate prediction doesn't have CUDA workunits (only CPU ones). So if you are using SETI CUDA, MW and CP, only the Climate Prediction SS should run and only when the workunit is actively running.

Generally, the unspecified BOINC error, when it gets to the application's part of the screensavers, means you have no applications currently running that support the screensaver. You can set the BOINC screensaver time allotments to give more time to the simple worded lists of what you're current projects are but that's not very entertaining, I know.

Most appliccations that support CUDA will not have a working Screensaver. For now, if you want CUDA, you'll probably just have to do without the BOINC screensavers. If you want the SETI SS to work, you will need to run CPU workunits only. With Seti down 75% of the time now, you might not get enough work to satisfy you. The CUDA apps main purpose is speed and the SS will slow the progress of workunits. Most CUDA users don't want SSs as it defeats the purpose of using CUDA. Also be aware that the screensavers that do work, only show up when those applications are actively running, not when they are waiting to run. BOINC's SS program is a buggy beast at best.

I too tend to choose applications that reward my CPU time donated with screensavers. I currently run 35 different projects but give the priority to the ones that have SSs. I have done millions of points on BOINC in credit but those apps that don't have SSs generally only get small amounts of work from me (like MW). I too run some CUDA apps for the points but my PC CPUs are powerful enough to handle CUDA and the CPU SSs. A dual core could be a bit light for doing both CUDA and GPU workunits unless you manage it just right. If you bring up the topic of SSs in some forums, be prepared to get flamed by some power crunchers. It can be a hot topic of contention.

To be honest, with a dual core, the slow down caused by screensavers might bug you. I run a quad core and a hex core PCs and I tell BOINC to not give out one of the cores to applications. The screensavers and GPU workunits get the last unused core and therefore don't slow the progress much. Of course, with only 2 cores that method would limit you to using only 1 CPU and 1 GPU application at a time. Remember, CUDA workunits still take up CPU time too. If you try to use the screensaver with both cores going to CPU work units and a CUDA, your PC will be bogged down and the work progress will slow considerably.

If you like projects that have working screensavers, I'd suggest you try these till Milkyway gets theirs going...(Note all the ones that work listed here are not CUDA/GPU applications):

Docking@Home (One of the most reliable I've tried and my favorite)
Aqua@Home (Iquana work units only for SS to work)
CAS@Home (Kind of boring but functional)
Climate Prediction.Net (Nice customizable SS but very long workunits)
Einstein@Home (GPU SS is buggy on some PCs so stick to CPU SS)
Leiden Classical (SS is very boring but works)
Rosetta@Home (Very interesting SS works only for a while then dies on some PCs)
Seti (CPU only, GPU/CUDA has no SS)
Spinhenge@Home (Not paticulary intersting SS but works)
World Community Grid (A vast variety of projects and screensavers - Some are only partial screen)
Yoyo@Home (SSs work but are static and boring)

Several sites like QMC@Home, LHC@Home, MalariaControl.Net, Primegrid, RNA World had them but they were discontinued or no longer function. In some cases (like with LHC) running them will sometimes actually kill the existing workunit. RNA uses weird non-BOINC flash windows for their SS that can cause a ton of issues since they often don't open or close correctly. These sites no longer support the BOINC graphics although their home pages sometimes still have the screensaver info as if they are working.

Hope this helps......

It would sure be appreciated if a project admin would give everyone an update on what the status of the screensaver announced in June is.

While there have been a few threads about it being tested a few months ago, little status of it's progress has been announced.

Is it still a work in progress or has it been dropped?

Thanks..............