Upgraded to BoincTasks 1.93 - and now, nothing's showing.

[gb009761]

Hi, I'm looking for some help.

I've been using BoincTasks for'many,many years', and after getting a new computer/downloading the latest version (which works), I decided to upgrade from an earlier version on a different/older computer - one that had been working fine before, I just wanted to use the new features. Unfortunately, since then, I've been having issues with it...

Basically, nothing seems to connect. From the log file, I can see the following lines repeated;
20 August 2025 - 22:08:59 Connect, password ---- Host: Franciss-THINK, IP: localhost, Port: 31416, scheduler request host ID doesn't match authenticator (Password)
20 August 2025 - 22:09:00 Connect ---- Try to connect to: Host: Franciss-THINK, IP: localhost, MAC: , Port: 31416, Thread ID: 10328

I've tried doing a 'clean install' (i.e., removing the previous version(s) in totality and downloading again), but I'm still not getting past this stage. Thus, nothing is showing up on the Projects/Tasks tab, and I'm getting a 'computer not connected' symbol in the 'sidebar computer selection' sidebar (in the 'Status' field against my localhost computer, it's showing 'Password, Connected').

[fred]

Strange, it shows a password error, make sure you have the right password.
Maybe enter the password in BoincTasks again.
Otherwise a security tool on you pc like a virus scanner may block the connection.

Or maybe the computer is too old, I haven't tested it on Win 10 for a long time.

[gb009761]

Thanks for getting back to me Fred.

Yes, this is a 'strange one', as an earlier version of BoincTasks was running perfectly happily on this machine for 'many years' - at least 7+ years, probably a lot longer, without any issues. At times, I should just 'leave things alone' (but, being a computer techie, I find it hard to resist).

Tonight, I'll continue trying to get it to work, and if I do find out why, I'll come back and post my findings - in case anyone else ever has similar issues.

[gb009761]

Well, I've tried numerous things, but I'm still not getting any joy.

I'm still getting the following error in the log;
31 August 2025 - 01:52:17 Connect ---- Try to connect to: Host: Franciss-THINK, IP: localhost, MAC: , Port: 31416, Thread ID: 18084
31 August 2025 - 01:52:17 Connect, password ---- Host: Franciss-THINK, IP: localhost, Port: 31416, scheduler request host ID doesn't match authenticator (Password)

and the thing I'm confused about, is the highlighted bit - as I've tried it with/without a password, yet, the same issue comes up.

I've got 2 other computers with BoincTasks running (and another, where I've tried upgrading it - with the same results as here), so I'm VERY reluctant to attempt upgrading the two machines that are still working.

Has anyone else tried upgrading from an older version of BoincTasks - if so, what success (or not) did you have, and if it was successful, was there anything 'special' you had to do?

[fred]

31 August 2025 - 01:52:17 Connect, password ---- Host: Franciss-THINK, IP: localhost, Port: 31416, scheduler request host ID doesn't match authenticator (Password)

The localhost is a special case, you fill in an empty (NO) password.
The password is read from the local password file.
That said I tested it on my computer and filling in a password works just fine.

Should give you a log line:
31 August 2025 - 14:54:03 Computers ---- localhost get local password: (C:\ProgramData\BOINC\\gui_rpc_auth.cfg) passwordname

[gb009761]

Once again Fred, thanks for getting back to me.

As I've indicated, I've tried 'numerous' things to get this new version 'up and running', yet, I'm not having any joy. I've tried with/without/incorrect passwords, completely wiping BoincTasks/reinstalling (ensuring that I install with 'Administrative' permissions), searching within the various cfg/xml files to see if there's any clues in there - and nothing. Currently, I've got 4 machines crunching, 2 of which I've tried installing new verions of BoincTasks on (both previously working, albeit on older versions) and I've not been successful with either. On the other two machines, I'm reluctant to 'do much', in case I break them and end up in the same scenario - but I have attempted 'some' basic tests (including entering a wrong password - and that, as implied, does produce similar results in that the computer isn't then recognised).

Are there any 'application specifics' that applies to BoincTasks (e.g., Windows OS version, BOINC version, memory requirements etc.) that I'm not spotting and which could prevent a successful install? I'm even wondering, if I can find an earlier version of BoincTasks (I'm currently trying to install v1.93), and attempting that - what have I got to lose?

[fred]

Did you see this line?
31 August 2025 - 14:54:03 Computers ---- localhost get local password: (C:\ProgramData\BOINC\\gui_rpc_auth.cfg) passwordname

You can download an older version by changing the version number in the link.
https://efmer.eu/download/boinc/boinc_tasks/unified/setup_32_64_boinc_tasks_1_93.exe

*** XP Use V 1.49
**** Vista Use V 1.81
32 bit use V 1.91 or below.

Versions are here:
https://efmer.com/boinctasks/download-boinctasks/

I only test the latest Win 11 versions.

[fred]

To be sure, you restarted the BOINC client after changing the password.
In logging check Enable debug mode.
Select debug setup and check connecting.
Exit BoincTasks and start it again.
Look for 01 September 2025 - 09:21:08 Computers ---- localhost get local password: (C:\ProgramData\BOINC\\gui_rpc_auth.cfg) that should give you the BOINC Password

[gb009761]

Hi Fred - the first few lines of my log, are as follows...
02 September 2025 - 04:49:56 Logging ---- Start debug mode
02 September 2025 - 04:49:56 Logging ---- search_computers
02 September 2025 - 04:49:56 Logging ---- connecting
02 September 2025 - 04:49:56 Logging ---- closing
02 September 2025 - 04:49:56
02 September 2025 - 04:49:56 BoincTasks version: 1.93
02 September 2025 - 04:49:57 Language ---- User: 2057 (ENG), System: 2057 (ENG), Selected: 0 () Used: 1033 (ENU)
02 September 2025 - 04:49:57 Get localhost IP ---- Found IP: 192.168.1.245
02 September 2025 - 04:49:58 Maximum number of computers: Unlimited
02 September 2025 - 04:49:58 Computers ---- localhost get local password: ()
02 September 2025 - 04:49:58 Computers ---- Franciss-THINK , IP: localhost

i.e., it doesn't appear to be picking up the password (as shown above in Bold). I haven't had a chance to try installing an earlier version as of yet, but that may be my next option - unless you can suggest a reason why it may be failing to find the local password.

BTW, I've checked, and I do have the file it's looking (or should be looking for) here: C:\ProgramData\BOINC\gui_rpc_auth.cfg

[fred]

OK it seems BoincTasks doesn't have permission to access that file.
You are sure the file C:\ProgramData\BOINC\\gui_rpc_auth.cfg is present?
There should be Unable to read gui_rpc_auth.cfg, is there such file? in the logging file.
Probably happened while installing BOINC.
I think there is an option to allow access to all users while installing BOINC

[fred]

You can update to the latest Beta version, that way you have the same version I use.

[gb009761]

Hi Fred - thanks for persevering with me here, I'm sure we'll get this resolved 'soon'.

Anyhow, to confirm, that file does exist, and in the security settings it's got privileges to all the users on my computer. Also, I've not made any changes to the BOINC application for 'quite a while' (certainly long before I first attempted this upgrade - and BoincTasks was working quite happily before).

Anyhow, I've now downloaded the latest (Beta) version of BoincTasks and installed it via running as an administrator. Unfortunately, the same issue still persists...
03 September 2025 - 02:57:21 Logging ---- Start debug mode
03 September 2025 - 02:57:21 Logging ---- search_computers
03 September 2025 - 02:57:21 Logging ---- connecting
03 September 2025 - 02:57:21 Logging ---- closing
03 September 2025 - 02:57:21
03 September 2025 - 02:57:21 BoincTasks version: 1.96
03 September 2025 - 02:57:21 Language ---- User: 2057 (ENG), System: 2057 (ENG), Selected: 0 () Used: 1033 (ENU)
03 September 2025 - 02:57:21 Get localhost IP ---- Found IP: 192.168.1.245
03 September 2025 - 02:57:22 Maximum number of computers: Unlimited
03 September 2025 - 02:57:22 Computers ---- localhost get local password: ()
03 September 2025 - 02:57:22 Computers ---- Franciss-THINK , IP: localhost
03 September 2025 - 02:57:22 Connect ---- Try to connect to: Host: Franciss-THINK, IP: localhost, MAC: , Port: 31416, Thread ID: 22532
03 September 2025 - 02:57:22 Connect, password ---- Host: Franciss-THINK, IP: localhost, Port: 31416, scheduler request host ID doesn't match authenticator (Password)
03 September 2025 - 02:57:23 Connect ---- Try to connect to: Host: Franciss-THINK, IP: localhost, MAC: , Port: 31416, Thread ID: 22532
03 September 2025 - 02:57:23 Connect, password ---- Host: Franciss-THINK, IP: localhost, Port: 31416, scheduler request host ID doesn't match authenticator (Password)

On one of my other computers that BoincTasks is running successfully on, the gui_rpc_auth.cfg is in exactly the same location and it's showing up in the BoincTasks logs just as you describe/expect.

I guess, the next thing I'll attempt, is to install an earlier version and see what happens with that.

[fred]

Go to the computers tab and add the password.
That should work just fine.
If you still get a password error after restarting the computer or the Boinc client.
Change the password into something simple without any special characters and try again.

This is weird, BOINC and BoincTasks didn't change the connecting for ages.
Another thing I can think about is the Virus scanner / Firewall that blocks BoincTasks.

[gb009761]

Hi Fred - SUCCESS!!!

I'd tried putting my computer's password in that field 'numerous' times, but then thought, perhaps, going on all that's been said/covered in this thread, if I copied the contents of the file 'gui_rpc_auth.cfg' into the password field and see what happens. Thankfully, my BoincTasks session then jumped into life and works

Later on today, I'll try getting BoincTasks on the other computer I'd been having issues with to work using this same technique if the 'proper' way doesn't click.

As to why this didn't work automatically as it's supposed to - who knows (and now, quite frankly, considering we've got a 'workaround', who cares).

Once again, thank you for all your help and patience in resolving this matter.