Linux Ubuntu/Mint/Pop OS Install Work folder to different hard drive

[Ikaar]

Hi everybody,

i thought about giving linux a try and installed Pop OS (22.04 LTS) on a different SSD to create a dual boot system.
It seems to work just fine.

But now there is a question about installing FAH on linux.
I installed it, but the work folder automatically went to /var/lib/fah-client/ (or something like that - im on windows right now)

Is there a possibility to move the work folder from the default hard drive (which is a SSD) to a HDD?
I also have a HDD in my computer, even made a ext4 partition just for that.

I tried to copy the fah-client folder on this HDD, made a link into the original /lib folder. But that messed up everything!
I cant even deinstall FAH anymore ("not installed"), and also cant reinstall it ("too less files copied").
As i am complete new to Linux, my knowledge is near to nothing....

Is there any chance to do what im trying?

I just dont want to install the work folder on my SSD, because on Win10, it ate up my SSD from 100% to 10% in just a year.
Since i installed FAH completely new to the HDD, my system drive stays at least stable, even if it is no longer possible to fold 24/7 - after ~12-16h the PC becomes unusable because of the low TBW value and read errors i think...

Hope someone can help.
Thanks a lot!

BR
Ikaar

[calxalot]

The client will use the current working directory when it launches and expects to be running as a user with permission to modify files in that directory.

This is in a file fah-client.service

You need to stop the service and restore the original directory.

Then edit the service file to point to desired directory and desired user.
Reload services and start service.

Someone else will have to help you with the details.

[calxalot]

Your symlink might work if you have correct ownership of all files and directories. The package manager may remain confused.

[Ikaar]

Hi calxalot,

thanks for your answer.
I made a fresh system install and installed FAH from the .deb file in the downloads.
Mounted an ext4 partition to /media/dataxt/ and created a folding directory there.
After the install i changed the /usr/lib/systemd/system/fah-client.service file (hope this is what you meant) to:

[Unit]
Description=Folding@home Client
After=network.target

[Service]
User=ikaar
ExecStart=/usr/bin/fah-client --config=/etc/fah-client/config.xml --log=/media/dataxt/folding/log/log.txt[ --log-rotate-dir=/media/dataxt/folding/log/
WorkingDirectory=/media/dataxt/folding/working
Restart=always
StandardOutput=null
KillMode=mixed
PrivateTmp=yes
NoNewPrivileges=yes
ProtectSystem=full
ProtectHome=yes

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

(bold parts is what i changed)
Still, after start it created the work and core folder in the standard directory and is working there.
Am i missing something?

BR
Ikaar

[calxalot]

After changing the service file, I think you need something like systemctl daemon-reload

Check man systemctl

You may need to use sudo systemctl on your linux.

[calxalot]

You need to stop the service before reload and start

[calxalot]

Maybe copy pasta, but you have a rogue “[“ in your service file

[calxalot]

You might need to add an after field to ensure the external file system is mounted before the client is started. Maybe someone else can tell you how.

[Ikaar]

Hi calxalot,

first, yes the "[" is a copy fault with formating this post. not in the file.

How do i stop the service?
The command: "sudo /etc/init.d/FAHClient stop" does not seem to work
I only installed the official .deb file from the web site. None of the instructions made for v7 seem to work....

"You might need to add an after field to ensure the external file system is mounted before the client is started"
What do you mean by that? I created a folder on the HDD named "folding" with user rights for me-ikaar ("chown") and tried to change the .servie file for that.
Perhaps you can clarify?

Or, as it seem youre busy (and im glad you answered), is someone else is able to help me?
It cant be that im the only one with that problem. Or is it too trivial for the linux experts out there?

[calxalot]

v8 does not use init.d scripts.
Do not use v7 commands.

systemctl commands are printed at end of deb package install, if you use command line:

Code: Select all

systemctl status --no-pager -l fah-client
sudo systemctl start fah-client
sudo systemctl stop fah-client
sudo systemctl restart fah-client

sudo systemctl daemon-reload

I don't know what you need in service file to wait for mounts.
I pinged someone who should know.

I am mostly a macOS user.

[Ikaar]

Hi calxalot,

thanks again for your answer.
i did not know the "systemctl" control, as it is not mentioned in the FAH help file. Thanks a lot.
Is there anything that shows me, if it worked or not? Like in the system-/task-manager? (im on windows again at the moment)

Also, when using the uninstall, it does not seem to work well:
"sudo dpkg -P fahclient"
it just does not work at all for me. apt remove and also "purge" dont seem to do the trick.
After not being able to delete everything, i installed a fresh copy of PopOS. Dont think that this it what it meant to be....

I am happy with any help I can get.
So thanks in advance,

BR
Ikaar

[calxalot]

The help is very outdated and for v7.
See also guide for v8 https://foldingathome.org/v8-3-client-guide/

"fahclient" is v7.
"fah-client" is v8.

[Marcos FRM]

First, do not directly edit /usr/lib/systemd/system/fah-client.service. Editing this file directly is discouraged, as it will be overwritten during package updates. Use the command systemctl edit --full fah-client.service to create a custom service unit. If the EDITOR environment variable is not set, configure it with your preferred text editor (e.g., export EDITOR=nano). systemd will automatically create the file /etc/systemd/system/fah-client.service and open it for editing. Make your changes in this file. This custom unit will override the original, ensuring your configurations are not lost in future updates. daemon-reload will be executed automatically after saving the changes. Then restart the service with systemctl restart fah-client.service. The modifications described in post #4 should work (remove the stray [ from ExecStart), provided the user ikaar has write permissions in the directories.

[Ikaar]

Hi guys,

sorry for the late answer.
Finally got my hands on this again and did what you suggested.
Editing with
"sudo systemctl edit --full fah-client.service"
Seem to do the trick!

The first work unit and also the log file were created on the mounted drive.
The standard folder stayed empty (only the 2 files that are there in the beginning).

So looks like its working now. Plus i have learned some things....
Thanks alot for your help!!!!

BR
Ikaar