- Jan 16, 2003
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Folding@Home on Windows 7 64-bit using a GeForce GTX295.
This, was a pain. Much trial and error. So Im writing this up to ease the pain for others trying to do it.
If you have F@H GPU installed, then uninstall it. We will do a fresh install after preparing the system.
What youll need.
A computer (hehe)
Windows 7 64-bit (I have not tried this with Win7 32 bit and dont have the slightest clue if this procedure would be any different, or identical.)
A GTX295 with the latest Forceware drivers installed.
A second monitor (if available).
If no second monitor is available, we can use a DVI dongle that comes with your card.
To prepare the DVI dongle (if used) youll need 2 68ohm resistors (radio shack carries these in packs of 5 for a buck.)
The resistors are used to fool Windows into thinking there is a second monitor plugged into the dongle.
They are installed as follows:
This represents the D-Sub end of the DVI dongle. The resistors should be used as jumpers. The pin holes we are using are 4 & 9, and 5 & 10.
Use one resistor, bend one end of the wire around to make a very tight U. Snip the longer wire to even the length to the shorter one. Insert one wire into pin hole 4, and the other into pin hole 9. Thats the first resistor. Repeat this for pin holes 5 & 10. Make sure the resistor wires do not touch one another.
With the computer off, install the DVI dongle onto the 2nd DVI port on the GTX295.
Fire up the computer.
Go into the Nvidia Control Panel. Make sure that PhysX is Disabled and Multi GPU is Disabled. Save settings and exit.
Right click on the desktop and choose Personalize.
Choose Display Settings. Youll notice the option now to extend (Important!! EXTEND the desktop to second monitor. Set resolution for both. Apply and Exit.
Install Folding @ Home GPU client and follow Stanfords Multi GPU installation instructions to the letter.
Fire up each client separately and configure them to Stanfords instructions.
Close both instances of F@H.
Nvidia Control Panel. Enable Multi GPU but leave PhysX off. Save and Exit.
Remove DVI dongle.
Start F@H GPU1 client.
Start F@H GPU2 client.
Only after tricking the system, and enabling MultiGPU in Nv control panel, AND removing the DVI dummy dongle, did both GPU cores on the GTX295 start cranking out 7500+ PPD. Before that, it was either one core working or the other. Never both.
Anyway, I do believe that if you shut your machine down, youll have to go through the MultiGPU, Extend desktop, Dongle Dummy procedure again. Windows will redect things when rebooted.
So, this might be a pain, but its worth all the aggravation (mostly mine) to get this kind of production out of one GPGPU multicore.
Im posting this as a rough draft so those who understand it can get started.
Ill neaten it up as time permits.
If anyone doesnt understand something, or I explained it poorly, please notify me and Ill try to make it more sensical.
GOOD LUCK!! 
This, was a pain. Much trial and error. So Im writing this up to ease the pain for others trying to do it.
If you have F@H GPU installed, then uninstall it. We will do a fresh install after preparing the system.
What youll need.
A computer (hehe)
Windows 7 64-bit (I have not tried this with Win7 32 bit and dont have the slightest clue if this procedure would be any different, or identical.)
A GTX295 with the latest Forceware drivers installed.
A second monitor (if available).
If no second monitor is available, we can use a DVI dongle that comes with your card.
To prepare the DVI dongle (if used) youll need 2 68ohm resistors (radio shack carries these in packs of 5 for a buck.)
The resistors are used to fool Windows into thinking there is a second monitor plugged into the dongle.
They are installed as follows:
This represents the D-Sub end of the DVI dongle. The resistors should be used as jumpers. The pin holes we are using are 4 & 9, and 5 & 10.
Use one resistor, bend one end of the wire around to make a very tight U. Snip the longer wire to even the length to the shorter one. Insert one wire into pin hole 4, and the other into pin hole 9. Thats the first resistor. Repeat this for pin holes 5 & 10. Make sure the resistor wires do not touch one another.
With the computer off, install the DVI dongle onto the 2nd DVI port on the GTX295.
Fire up the computer.
Go into the Nvidia Control Panel. Make sure that PhysX is Disabled and Multi GPU is Disabled. Save settings and exit.
Right click on the desktop and choose Personalize.
Choose Display Settings. Youll notice the option now to extend (Important!! EXTEND the desktop to second monitor. Set resolution for both. Apply and Exit.
Install Folding @ Home GPU client and follow Stanfords Multi GPU installation instructions to the letter.
Fire up each client separately and configure them to Stanfords instructions.
Close both instances of F@H.
Nvidia Control Panel. Enable Multi GPU but leave PhysX off. Save and Exit.
Remove DVI dongle.
Start F@H GPU1 client.
Start F@H GPU2 client.
Only after tricking the system, and enabling MultiGPU in Nv control panel, AND removing the DVI dummy dongle, did both GPU cores on the GTX295 start cranking out 7500+ PPD. Before that, it was either one core working or the other. Never both.
Anyway, I do believe that if you shut your machine down, youll have to go through the MultiGPU, Extend desktop, Dongle Dummy procedure again. Windows will redect things when rebooted.
So, this might be a pain, but its worth all the aggravation (mostly mine) to get this kind of production out of one GPGPU multicore.
Im posting this as a rough draft so those who understand it can get started.
Ill neaten it up as time permits.
If anyone doesnt understand something, or I explained it poorly, please notify me and Ill try to make it more sensical.
GOOD LUCK!! 
Last edited:
I think things will be similar on Vista, it is WinXP that is a little different.
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