How do I set up the Preferences Override File?

Warning: At all times before you add or edit global_prefs_override.xml, exit BOINC. Normally in Boinc Manager File->Exit. If you are running as a service, Start->Run, type net stop boinc and press OK/Enter.

Below is a copy of global_prefs_override.xml that you can copy and paste into Notepad (or any other text editor). Save it in your BOINC directory as global_prefs_override.xml .. When saving with a text editor, make sure you save as "All types". That way the editor won't auto-add a TXT extension.

With the preferences override file you can set all those options you normally set through Your Account->General Preferences. The file is saved on your hard drive and used by BOINC, instead of the ones it downloads from a project.

The new version BOINC 5.8 has a simple GUI that allows you to save a similar file to disk.

<global_preferences>

   <run_on_batteries>0</run_on_batteries>
   <run_if_user_active>0</run_if_user_active>
   <start_hour>0</start_hour>
   <end_hour>0</end_hour>
   <net_start_hour>0</net_start_hour>
   <net_end_hour>0</net_end_hour>
   <leave_apps_in_memory>0</leave_apps_in_memory>
   <confirm_before_connecting>0</confirm_before_connecting>
   <hangup_if_dialed>0</hangup_if_dialed>
   <work_buf_min_days>0.1</work_buf_min_days>
   <max_cpus>2</max_cpus>
   <cpu_scheduling_period_minutes>60</cpu_scheduling_period_minutes>
   <disk_interval>60</disk_interval>
   <disk_max_used_gb>100</disk_max_used_gb>
   <disk_max_used_pct>50</disk_max_used_pct>
   <disk_min_free_gb>0.1</disk_min_free_gb>
   <vm_max_used_pct>75</vm_max_used_pct>
   <ram_max_used_busy_pct>50</ram_max_used_busy_pct>
   <ram_max_used_idle_pct>90</ram_max_used_idle_pct>
   <idle_time_to_run>3</idle_time_to_run>
   <max_bytes_sec_down>0</max_bytes_sec_down>
   <max_bytes_sec_up>0</max_bytes_sec_up>
   <cpu_usage_limit>100</cpu_usage_limit>

</global_preferences>

Explanation of options:

<run_on_batteries> Laptop option to run BOINC while the laptop runs on batteries. Usage 1 for on, 0 for off.

<run_if_user_active> Run BOINC if user is active, or run BOINC Always. Usage 1 for on. If set to 0, BOINC will only run when the computer is idle.

<start_hour> BOINC lets the application start crunching at this hour. Usage 1 to 24.

<end_hour> BOINC lets the application stop crunching at this hour. Usage 1 to 24.

<net_start_hour> Communications with projects are only allowed starting from this hour. Coms are uploads/downloads/reporting. Usage 1 to 24.

<net_end_hour> Communications with projects are stopping at this hour. Coms are uploads/downloads/reporting. Usage 1 to 24.

<leave_apps_in_memory> Leave applications and work units in memory when they are preempted. For multiple projects or CPDN as singular project. Work is held in the Page File, not in main memory.

Suspending BOINC or any project separately will purge all applications from memory.

<confirm_before_connecting> Give confirmation pop-up before allowing BOINC to communicate with the project(s). User has to press Yes/No before communications are allowed. Mostly used for Dial-Up, ISDN and slow DSL connections.

<hangup_if_dialed> Hang up the line after work has been up-/downloaded or reported. Dial-Up users may want to use this option.

<work_buf_min_days> Minimum work queue wanted. Default is 0.1 days. Maximum is 10 days. Usage, between 0.0001 and 10.

<max_cpus> Maximum amount of CPUs to be used when crunching. Only useful for multi CPU systems and multi core/Hyperthreading CPUs. Maximum amount of CPUs is 8.

<cpu_scheduling_period_minutes> This is the switch over time between projects. Default is at 60 minutes. Minimum is 1, maximum is whatever you want.

<disk_interval> This is the write to disk setting. Default is 60 seconds. Anything below 60 seconds may well be ignored. Depends on if the application checkpoints or not. Maximum is whatever you want.

<disk_max_used_gb> This sets the maximum disk preference used for BOINC. Default is 100GB. When your drive or partition is much smaller, set it according to that size! This setting is for BOINC plus all the projects and work it downloads.

<disk_max_used_pct> The maximum percentage of the disk that BOINC can use. Default at 50%. If you have a 40GB drive and only 10GB free, BOINC will not download work. You have only 25% free.

<disk_min_free_gb> Set the minimum amount of space to be left before BOINC calls it can't download work. The default setting is 0.1GB, or 100MB.

<vm_max_used_pct> Maximum amount of virtual memory used while crunching and for storing work. Depends on the size of your Page File and amount of RAM.

<ram_max_used_busy_pct>50</ram_max_used_busy_pct> Set the maximum amount of RAM you want BOINC to use when you use the PC and have BOINC to set to run by preferences "Do work while computer is in use?" set to Yes.

<ram_max_used_idle_pct>90</ram_max_used_idle_pct> Set the maximum amount of RAM you want BOINC to use when your PC is idle, when you have BOINC set to run by preferences "Do work while computer is in use?" set to No.

<idle_time_to_run> Wait this amount of minutes before starting to crunch. Default is 3 minutes. Set to what you want.

<max_bytes_sec_down> Your maximum download speed for work. Default isn't set. Is in Kilobit/sec.

<max_bytes_sec_up> Your maximum upload speed for work. Default isn't set. Is in Kilobit/sec.

<cpu_usage_limit> Set the amount of CPU percentage you want to give to the projects. See CPU Usage for this.

| Jorden
| 9
| 1
| 02:23:01
| 2007-02-03
| 186664
| 1
| 92
| 2007-02-03 02:23:01
| 2007-02-03 02:23:01