Hi,
I'm about 20% through a Task (512 hours to completion) but need to install a new HDD and plan to change O/S from Ubuntu 10.10 to Mint (Cinnamon) at the same time.
What is the best way to handle this as the Task won't be finished in time?
Thanks
Mark

Hi Mark

Basically, it's just copy and paste.

First, in the BOINC manager menu under Activity, click Suspend.
When the models have stopped, click Exit under File. Be sure to select the option to stop running the tasks. (Meaning that the "client" part of BOINC is also stopped. This is VERY important.)

Copy the entire BOINC folder structure to a usb stick.
This includes the Projects subfolder, and all of the folders under this.
It will probably be quite a few gigs.

On the new setup, install BOINC.

Warning:
As you're currently running 6.10.58, the new install will also have to be a version 6 of BOINC, because lots have things are incompatible between 6 and the new version 7. The biggest change is to client_state.xml, which is BOINC's "To Do" list.

Once you've installed BOINC, copy the saved data back to the computer, overwriting the data section that was just created.

Note:
A lot of complications DO come into this, because it depends on:
How familiar you are with the set up of where things are.
Whether you use your OS repositories to get BOINC, or if you get it from the BOINC site. (One is installed as a service, the other is your choice.)
Possibly other things which it's too early for me to think of. :(

Oh, one more thing: 32 bit or 64 bit OS.
This may complicate things if you also change from one to the other.
And make sure that you include the 32 bit libraries if you run a 64 bit OS. This project uses and needs them.

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Backups: Here

Earlier versions of BOINC are available from here, though as Les says I don't know whether this is good for your flavour of Linux:

http://boinc.berkeley.edu/dl/?C=M;O=Dclimate_change_screensaver.exe

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Cpdn news

Thanks for the replies :)
Yes, I am up-grading from 32 to 64 bit as well just to add to the complication. Also I didn't realise I was using an older BOINC version.
All things considered I think I might just hold off the re-install till this project has finished - I'd like to get on with it but in fact there is no hurry.
Regards,
Mark.