Please understand, first of all I am not grousing or complaining. I just need a little plain English help, not IT computerese. I have been a member of SETI for almost 3 years. I have downloaded BOINC for SETI and Einstein. However,I do not have DSL or other continuous linkage with the 'net. I have to sign on with a modem. I have figured out how to tell when the work is finished and how to start the download of another work piece. However, I am not sure how to tell when the work piece is finished downloading so I can sign off. SETI made it simple, once you got the 351 whatevers, it started working. Now, I think I have probably cut off a download or two since I simply don't know when it's safe to do so. Can anyone help this old computer non-pro?

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Just keep looking up!!!

> However, I am not sure how to
> tell when the work piece is finished downloading so I can sign off.

In the BOINC manager application, look for the "transfers" tab and click on that. That will show you what is in the process of uploading and downloading and what may be waiting due to a connection/server problem and when it will attempt again.

Hope this helps you out some.

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To truly explore, one must keep an open mind...

Also, it's a good idea to look at the messages tab and see if BOINC has just sent a request in the past several seconds by comparing the last few messages to your system clock. That way you won't cut off BOINC while it's waiting for a server to respond.

Under ordinary circumstances, I leave my system set so BOINC can dial out by itself and the system will disconnect when the connection is idle. That way I don't have to deal with it at all unless something strange, like SETI being down, is causing problems. Post a reply if you need to know how to set automatic connect/disconnect, or just use Windows help under the subject heading of "configuring redial options".

Thanks to both of you. To RDC, I think I now know what to look for under the "transfers" tab and how to tell when it's finished. To Murasaki, I don't think I want it to dial by itself, at least not yet. Something about it not needing me and I want to be needed. And I finally figured out to expand it to see the messages. I'm was a little slow on the uptake of that yesterday. Anyway, thanks to both of you. I think this will be a little more difficult than having the kids just check the bottom of the screen, and if it's got a red blinking satellite dish, go ahead and get another unit.

> In the BOINC manager application, look for the "transfers" tab and click on
> that. That will show you what is in the process of uploading and downloading
> and what may be waiting due to a connection/server problem and when it will
> attempt again.
>
> Hope this helps you out some.
>
>
>

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Just keep looking up!!!