Windows SETI@Home Installation Guide: How To Get SETI@Home Up And Running

Version 1.06

Written by NoReMoRsE

Based on Material From Smokeball and Sukhoi

Introduction

So, you've learned about SETI@Home and want to give it a try? This guide will get you started and help you maximize your workunit throughput for Team AnandTech!

In case you are unfamiliar with Distributed Computing, check out the Distributed Computing FAQ. This FAQ assumes that you are running a PC equipped with Win9x/ME/NT/2K/XP.

NOTE: If you are using Windows 95 (any version), you MUST download the Winsock2 update to get SETI to run.

There are two main ways to run the SETI@Home client, the Graphical User Interface (GUI) and the Command Line Interface (CLI).

Method 1 (Not Preferred): Graphical User Interface (GUI)

Download GUI

The GUI acts as a graphical client that is relatively easy to set up. It can run either as a screensaver (activated after a certain period of inactivity) or as a Terminate and Stay Resident (TSR) client that runs continuously in the background. The GUI version of SETI@Home is very user-friendly and can display your progress in detailed, colourful graphics.

To get the best Work unit times with the SETI screensaver go to display properties, screensaver, screen saver settings & check 'blank screen' & set it to no more than 5 minutes. Also ensure that you minimize the window if set to 'always run'. Stopping the graphics being drawn this way approximately halves the WU times.

The major drawback to using the GUI client is speed. The detailed graphics eat up processor and memory power, increasing the amount of time spent per workunit. It has been shown on numerous occasions that the GUI version is up to 75% slower than the CLI version in screensaver mode(if 'blank screen' hasn't been set), and up to 25% slower than the CLI in TSR mode/screen saver mode with 'blank screen' set. Thus, the GUI version should only be used as a last resort; that is, if the CLI version does not work on your computer(s).

To run the GUI version, simply download the executable and run it. Once installed, you can set up a new account or use an existing account by following the on-screen instructions. You may have to enter a proxy server if you have one, and you can select whether you want SETI@Home to run in screensaver or TSR mode, depending on your needs and wants.

Method 2 (Preferred): Command Line Interface (CLI)

Download CLI.

Download SETI Driver(most popular companion product).

The CLI version, while not as user-friendly as the GUI, accomplishes the same task of crunching workunits more efficiently and effectively. It accomplishes this task by simply analyzing the data without displaying the results graphically. This can reduce average time per workunit by as much as 50% (especially on slower machines). Thus, this method is the best for running SETI@Home, and is recommended by all Team AnandTech members.

It is a bit more complicated to set up than the GUI, but is worth it in the long run. To get the CLI version up and running, follow the following steps:

  1. Place the CLI executable file and SetiDriver.exe in the same directory. For example, C:\Program Files\SETI@Home.
  2. Run SetiDriver.exe.
  3. Choose the following options:

    Maximum Processes=Default (1)
    Desired Cache Size=1
    Hide Processing=No
    Auto Transmit=No
    Display Transmit=Yes

  4. Now, click Save Config, and then Transmit (Do not click New Client).
  5. A black DOS window should pop up. After a few moments, it will prompt you to enter either "1" or "2". Choose 1 if you need to set up a new SETI@Home account. Choose 2 if you already have an account and wish to enter its e-mail address.
  6. The client will download the data it needs and begin to process it. Once this occurs, return to the SETI Driver window.
  7. Choose the following options:

    Maximum Processes=1 (recommended)
    Desired Cache Size=Number of workunits you wish downloaded at a time (Recommendation: Approximately 3 days worth of workunits, or about 5 for a relatively slow computer and 10 for a relatively fast computer)
    Hide Processing=Yes
    Auto Transmit=Yes
    Display Transmit=No
    Use SETI Driver=Yes
    Use SETI Spy=No
    Use 24Hr Clock=No
    Create SETILog.csv=Yes (this creates a log you can open in Microsoft Excel to view your progress)

  8. Click Save Config.
  9. Navigate to the C:\Windows\System directory and find the "Conagent.exe" file. Right-click it, and choose Properties. Navigate the tabs in properties until you find "Warn if Still Active". Uncheck this option. This prevents some shutdown difficulties on certain platforms.
  10. Navigate to Control Panel -> Display Properties. If you are using Win9x/ME, change your screen saver to "Blank Screen". If you are using Win2K/XP, change your screen saver to "Default screen saver."
  11. Navigate to Control Panel -> Power Options Properties. Change the power options for Hard Disk and System Standby to "Never". Change the power option for Monitor to whatever you wish, as it does not affect SETI@Home.
  12. Create a shortcut to the SetiDriver.exe file. Change the shortcut's properties to "Run Minimized". Place this shortcut in the StartUp folder of your Start menu.

Congratulations, you now have the faster CLI version of SETI@Home installed! If you ran into any difficulties, be sure to check the Distributed Computing forum. Someone will be glad to assist you!

Joining Team AnandTech and Using the TA Proxy

In order for your workunits to count toward TeamAnandtech, you must join the team. You can do so here. Simply enter your e-mail address and SETI@Home password. If you do not know what your SETI@Home password is, you can obtain it at this site. That's all there is to it!

If you do not require a proxy server to connect to the Internet, consider entering Team Anandtech's personal proxy as your proxy. This way, your completed workunits will still be sent to the official SETI site, but your stats will also be recorded on our proxy site. You can then view your stats whenever you like at this site.

To use the TA proxy, open SetiDriver.exe. Select "Proxy Server". Under "Host", enter seti.teamanandtech.com. Under "Port", enter 5001. Then click "Save Config" and re-minimize the program! If you are not using the SETI Driver, simply add this line to the end of the shortcut you use to run the CLI: -proxy seti.teamanandtech.com:5001

If you are using the TA proxy, please make sure that you read up on the TA forums from time to time. If we need to reset the proxy server for any reason, you will need to double-check that your WUs are still going through properly

You are now supporting the site you have come to love and are searching for extra-terrestrial intelligence at the same time! It doesn't get much better than this! Remember to play around with SETI@Home's and SetiDriver's properties to maximize your performance. But most of all, remember to have fun!