Supa's Noob Guide to ASiCMiNER Block Erupter USB Bitcoin Mining (Cross Platform (Windows/Linux/Mac) *UPDATED 06/13/2014*:
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ProTip: The Zadig drivers replace the previous drivers with new WinUSB drivers that remove the need to specify the COM Ports. They also have reduced the amount of Hardware errors on Icarus based ASiCS (Block Erupters) as well as other ASiC devices.
*UPDATE: As of CGMiner 3.8.x CGMiner only supports ASiC devices and all GPU Code has been removed.
1. Download and install this driver (http://ck.kolivas.org/apps/cgminer/zadig/zadig_v2.0.1.161.exe for Windows 7/8 and http://ck.kolivas.org/apps/cgminer/zadig/zadig_xp_v2.0.1.161.exe for Windows XP) to make your ASiCMiNER Block Erupters show up
2. Plug in your USB Block Erupters. If using a USB Hub, it must be a powered hub. Each Erupter requires at least 0.5A at 5V. Depending on the hub, you may only be able to run 3-4 Erupters.
3. Download the latest CGMiner 4.3.5 @ http://ck.kolivas.org/apps/cgminer/cgminer-4.3.5-windows.zip
NOTE: If you are Linux I assume you know how to compile CGMiner... If not... GET OUT! :/ Ohh and if you are on Mac.. I don't even...
4. Extract CGMiner 4.3.5 to a folder of your choice
5. Open the folder you extracted CGMiner 4.3.5 to and find "cgminer.exe". Right click on it and Select "Send to Desktop > Create Shortcut". This will make a shortcut to cgminer.exe on your Desktop.
6. Find the cgminer.exe shortcut on your Desktop. Right click it and go to properties. Click inside the target field and press the End button on your keyboard. This will go to the very end of the file path. Press spacebar on your keyboard and copy and paste the following."-o http://yourfavouritepool:theportyourfavouritepoolmineson" ie "http://mmpool.bitparking.com:3333" as it is my favourite <3 doublec
The pathline looks like this...
cgminer.exe" -o http://mmpool.bitparking.com:3333 -u BlockErupterUSB -p rocks
PS: If you don't want to make a new Shortcut for every Pool you are Mining on your Desktop you can also make a batch file with 1 or more Pools you'd like to mine on.
To do this open your CGMiner 4.3.5 folder right click inside the folder New > Text Document
Open the new Text Document you have created (ie New Text Document.txt) and type in the following
cgminer -o [poolname:port] -u [username] -p [password]
If you would like to mine on more then 1 Pool you can so with various Mining Strategies
What I use is --rotate to rotate between Pools on 1 minute intervals
For an example I'm going to set it up to switch between Pools on a 3 minute interval it should look like this...
cgminer -o stratum.btcguild.com:3333 -u Supa.1 -p x -o us1.ghash.io:3333 -u Supa.1 -p x --rotate 3
Now in Notepad go to File > Save and close the document
Right click the New Text Document and Rename it to whatever you like as the type and change the Extension to .bat
For example I'd like to call it PoolSwitch.bat
so I would rename New Text Document.txt to PoolSwitch.bat
A Warning will come up saying "If you change a filename extension, the file might become unstable. Are you sure you want to change it?"
Click Yes as it is %100 safe to do so.
7. Now that the proper shortcut is made (Or Batch File) , the drivers are installed , Your Erupters should be good to go!
NOTE: The Batch File(s) (.bat) must stay in your CGMiner folder or they will not work!
8. Double Click your CGMiner 4.3.5 Shortcut (Or Batch File in your CGMiner Folder) on your Desktop and Start Hashing away!
*WARNING THE ERUPTERS GET VERY HOT! PROPER COOLING IS A MUST! GET YOURSELF A BOX FAN , A USB BOX FAN OR A BENDABLE FAN POINTED DIRECTLY OVER YOUR ERUPTERS! WITHOUT PROPER COOLING YOU CAN AND WILL FRY YOUR ERUPTERS! I AM NOT HELD RESPONSIBLE IF YOU DO! SO BE AWARE YOU HASH WITHOUT COOLING AT YOUR OWN RISK!
Cheers,
Supa
If this Guide helped you Please Donate @ 13DRAm57deBUgUfPAoZfp3cqHsqWkVhWRg (Bitcoin)
