BOINC FAQ: Running BOINC On the Macintosh

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[edit] General

[edit] Will the BOINC Software run on the Macintosh?

Yes.

Note, however, that not all BOINC Powered Projects will have a Macintosh version of their Science Application. At the moment, for example, the LHC@Home Project does not have any plans to support the Macintosh with a Science Application because of their need of precise results.

This means that they have to use a very "picky" compiler (FORTRAN) to compile their Science Application. Then, for consistency's sake, they can only run it on the Intel/AMD platforms with consistency turned on.

This is not as big of a limitation as it might seem. There are still plenty of other projects that are compiled across all of the standard supported platforms.

[edit] There is no graphical version of the BOINC Software for the Mac?

Actually, Version 4.43 is now available which has graphics and Screen Saver capability. You can also run the BOINC Client Software with the BOINC MenuBar application which is a smaller, "lighter" application. So, the Macintosh folks actually have something that is not available on the Microsoft Windows® platform.

[edit] How do I run the command line version of the BOINC Software on the Macintosh?

To run the BOINC Client Software on the Macintosh OS X 10.3.x, do the following:

  1. Using the Safari browser, download the BOINC software for the mac OS X from the BOINC download page: http://setiboinc.ssl.berkeley.edu/ap/download.php
    The Safari browser will automatically unpack the file bionic_x.xx_powerpc-apple-darwin.gz (x - version number) onto your desk top.
  2. Create a folder, where you would like to run from, for the application and its data files to reside (e g /participants/yourname/boinc/)
  3. Open up the terminal. (Applications/Utilities/Terminal.) In the drop down menu under Terminal go to 'Window setting/processes' and set 'prompt before closing window' to 'always'. Lodge Terminal in the Dock.
    Note:
    Have the project url (http://setiboinc.ssl.berkeley.edu/ap/) and your log in BOINC Account ID available.
  4. At the Terminal prompt type "cd " (without the quotes), drag the newly created folder to the terminal and press enter.
  5. Type exactly: "chmod u+x " (without quotes), drag the application (the file boinc_x.xx_powerpc-apple-darwin) to the terminal window and press enter.
    Note:
    At this point you should see the line "usage: chmod [-fv] [-R [-H | -L | -P]] mode file ..."
  6. Type "screen" (still without quotes), press enter. (A Terminal information screen may appear at this point, ignore it.)
  7. Drag the application to the terminal window yet again, press enter.
    Note:
    Terminal may be reluctant to accept these instructions first off and you may have to repeat them. You can also try adding a space between commands.
  8. Follow the on-screen instructions about filling in project id and account id.
  9. When you see that it has begun downloading and stuff, press CTRL-a followed by CTRL-d
  10. Close the terminal window.
Note:
If you reboot or something, and would like to start the application again, follow steps 3, 6, 7, 9 and 10. You can also try to simply drag and drop the file boinc_x.xx_powerpc-apple-darwin from its folder, into the Terminal window.
Note:
If you find that the BOINC files are all over the place in amongst other folders it means that you did not successfully change your director in Terminal. You should restart the installation process again and will have to delete those files, or leave them where they are.

Usage: Within the file 'boinc_x.xx_powerpc-apple-darwin' there are a number or commands that can be executed.

Type the command after the executable before you press 'return'... i.e.... 

./boinc_2.28 -update_prefs http://maggie.ssl.berkeley.edu/ap/

or 

./boinc_2.28 -help and it will list the available commands.

These are: 

   -version               show version info.
   -show_projects         show attached projects.
   -detach_project URL    detach from a project.
   -reset_project URL     reset (clear) a project.
   -attach_project        attach to a project (will prompt for URL, Account ID)
   -update_prefs URL      contact a project to update preferences.
   -run_cpu_benchmarks    run the CPU benchmarks.

This was compiled by Knightrider.

[edit] See also

Retrieved from "http://www.boinc-wiki.info/BOINC_FAQ:_Running_BOINC_On_the_Macintosh"
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