Somewhere on the KnC site is an official post that includes instructions for troubleshooting.
That includes opening the case.

DO NOT TAKE MY WORD FOR IT
find the post!

I had a quick look for it, I have poor luck finding stuff there sry

then get u a T20 torx )

Fair enough

But pointing out how the goalposts are being moved is not always done by calm folks.

This shit is funny

see also
http://forum.kncminer.com/forum/main-category/hardware/5267-unit-s-catching-fire?p=5561#post5561

N'Joy

+1

HUGE DISCLAIMER  I'm going by pictures posted not my own eyeballs looking at the PCB's personally!

I am just guessing at a possibility, let me repeat, I am just guessing at a possibility.
(^^ this will not prevent a tangent but I tried ^^)

The latest pics show the explosion seems like it happened on a secton of bare PCB right next to a chipcap.
The component looks intact.

How could this happen?

A FEW of the possibilities are:
Loose metal on PCB.
Poor PCB etching. (why would it wait to explode if so?)

Metal contamination could also account for performance issues and failure seen by others.
The explosions might only be happening at locations where there is high current.
The performance issues might be happening in low current locations.

Where could the metal come from?

A problem with the solder paste or application process.
A solder reflow problem. (cold solder joints)
Metal dirt on case leftover from manufacture.
Metal dirt on heatsinks leftover from manufacture.
Self tapping case screws or standoffs might create metal shavings.
A serious mechanical problem with a machine that makes the PCB's.

I DO NOT RECOMMEND ANYONE OPEN THE CASE JUST TO LOOK
But if someone has a unit and already has the case open:
They could use very bright light and a magnifying glass to look.
Move the light to view with different light angles and shadows.
Look at the heatsink and edges of the case for metal shavings.

Up until I saw the last pics I was thinking faulty component issue or a programming quirk overloading good components. Now I'm not so sure. A spark away from components is usually caused by foreign objects.

Did I mention that I am just guessing?
I think I did mention that I am just guessing at a possibility at least once.

It will only happen once per cat

Yes Beagle Bone Black.
Based on my_read_of_the_pics it looks to me like all the USB ports have been removed.
(huge disclaimer ^^^^^^^)

Another BBB thing,

re: SSH and config.

The BBB Angstrom OS comes with a web server.
It would not be far fetched to think they may use that for config and documentation.
This would save a few trees. (a one page quick start guide perhaps)

If I were a Win user I would wait for word from KnC before going on a Win SSH client tangent that may not be necessary.
Unless you are into that sort of thing.

IMneverHO

as usual YMMV I'm just guessing.

EDIT s/stock/BBB/  I made a statement about "stock" Angstrom that may only apply to the BBB

Persons with more than one unit will need to reconfigure all but one.
They only provide a query for one worker on the account webpage.

Additionally everyone might oughta want to input a backup pool or 3.

LAN config will be necessary.
The USB port 'reportedly' has been physically removed from the BBB.
The stated reason was to prevent powered devices from reeking havoc.
The mainboard pics shown with the BBB installed show open holes where the USB port goes.

I have no idea if the HDMI port will work but it is possible that the Xwindow portion of Angstrom will be disabled to preserve resources for hashing.

Hope this helps.



EDIT they may provide a web based interface for config

I know this idea has lots of holes in it but,
(there is always a 'but')

Could a DEFENSIVE only Low Orbit Satoshi Cannon be developed to fight back against ddos on pools?

Miners have a lot of combined power, I'd guess more than the ddos bots.

Even if it only served to help locate the bot minions I hate to just stand by and watch.

If it could even JUST eliminate or confirm the suspicions that some unscrupulous pool could/maybe/possibly/if the stars aligned perfectly be involved.
(these speculations/suspicions are extremely rare I know, but still...)

I also would like to know if there is a central location for miners to find semi-current information regarding the whole network. A statement on some read only venue where trusted pool operators can inform on JUST the network status might be helpful. (yes there are downsides too)
Each pools IRC channels work but it is like playing 'telephone' sometimes.


Rhetorical questions;
Do pool operators have a venue for rapid communication among themselves?
An invite only, for pool operators only, uber moderated IRC channel or somesuch?
(I don't really want/expect the last 2 questions answered in the hopes this exists already)

'Things that make ya go Hmm'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XF2ayWcJfxo



EDIT spelling

A few BBB related questions have been asked recently.
Most have been answered already x hundred pages ago.

Power for the BBB ?
Each ATX power supply has a 4 pin connector that plugs into the controller board.
In the board pics the connector is bottom right if the 6 module connectors are along the top.

How to SSH into the BBB?
The link posted recently to the Adafruit instructions are not exactly correct.
Those instructions are for connection using USB.
It will be similar though. (easier IMneverHO)

Will the Angstrom OS be on a removable uSD card ?
It is possible but unlikely IMneverHO.
The BBB comes with Angstrom already installed on eMMC storage.
The uSD card slot for a stock BBB is unpopulated.
You can run a BBB without a uSD card installed
_OR_
install different OS on a uSD card and still have the Angstrom OS unused remain on the eMMC.
My WILD ASS GUESS is they edited the eMMC version of the Angstrom OS as needed.
It is possible they provide a uSD card with Angstrom OS.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
we now return you your regularly scheduled pontificating

If you look closely at the pics you can see that each hashing modules already have mounting holes for an additional 6 pin power connector. They have not shown a board with that location populated with a connector though.

The main PCB looks like it is prepared for a second bone.
Plenty of mystery.

EDIT spelling typo

That is the same board from the vid.

It is different from the pen pic board.

One easily identifiable difference is silkscreen and mounting holes for two 6pin power connectors.
The pic of Sam with the board shows one location populated and one unpopulated. (top left unpopulated)

Populated with connector is by his thumb.

EDIT s/right/left/

No bailing for anyone.
Good, bad, or ugly it is what it is.

 

One or more of the hosting center buildout pictures clearly show what appears to be A/C drops and power strips mounted on the enclosures. It looks to me like they had the electricians finish before they started building the enclosures. It is a raised floor data center and the A/C drops were left under the floor to facilitate ease of enclosure instalation.
Trivia: the suction cup floor tile pullers are often colorfully refered to as deck-sucker's.

Another of the pics clearly shows Cisco equipment (router and switches) already powered up and being configured and tested.

They could WORST CASE use pre terminated ethernet cables and get miners online as fast as people can carry them into the data center.

There ARE things worthy of concern without this particular non-issue in the mix.


YMMV

soon?
 

Please forgive me Shimple, I forgot, you have sand in your vagina.

You ask
"What is wrong with the society today?"

Well, for one thing you have people like this that harp about honesty;


Those who try to scam others to try to get back money they were scammed out of.

Too bad they mammy did not skool them better.

You knew you were scammed before you tried to scam others IMneverHO based on statements like this;


and this


Too smart by 1/2

It has been suggested, and many agree, that you being WRONG had more to do with it.

Correct, they could still 'deliver' this month.

I think there have been valid concerns voiced in this thread lately.
Yes there are the obvious BS trolls, par for course.

It comes down to what can be viewed as KnC moving the goalposts.

Let us review the facts we have:

KnC
on: June 26, 2013, 02:14:10 PM
"I would like to say that EVERYTHING that needs to be done at this point in time for a September delivery has indeed been done.
We are on track for delivery and we know of nothing currently to the contrary."

this becomes

KnC
on: July 30, 2013, 01:41:06 PM
"We are still on schedule to begin shipping in September."

'delivery' becomes 'shipping'

Sam/KnC
on: May 30
"We see no reason why it cant work like that, the only addition I will add is that the refund will be 100% with the order cancelled, We wont be offering a discount/refund and still shipping you the boxes. Refunds are offered up to the day of shipment of your order.

Above all else we will be fair.
Sam "

Today this becomes

KnC
"Therefore, any changes of orders cannot be accepted."

It is speculated that this includes changes of the refund variety.

Today at 01:39:25 PM
Kaliecious starts a thread
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=302032.msg3239687#msg3239687

"KNC miner is refusing refunds who needs to be contacted to inform they are not adhearing to the laws of it hasn't shipped they need to give a refund?"

Kaliecious is asked to provide evidence and posts this pic.



I have not personally recieved confirmation from KnC that this is a fact.
(I have emailed asking for confirmation)
If the thread and pic are a troll it is a clever one and perfectly timed.
There was a well timed malicious troll (since edited from thread I think)

While this is being discussed over 150 posts vanish from the thread.
Coinkydink? Could be!

I understand and share some customers concern that similar behavior observed in other vendors has not ended well for customers or schedules.

I think it unlikely that all who ordered day 1 & 2 based on originaly stated 'delivery' in September will recieve units in September. It is possible, it is only the 26th.

The conditions of 'the bet' are not the conditions pre-orders were solicited under.

People who ordered after the day 1 & 2 ALSO did so based on the original terms.
That includes refunds up to day before shipping.
KnC stated the original terms.
KnC took the risk and stood to reap the rewards.

If I have misstated any facts let me know and I will edit and explain my edits as I always do.
If I am flat out wrong I will eat my crow when it is served.

For the record I have not decided that I _DO_ want a refund.
I do expect that option to remain until shipping as per the origional terms of the agreement.

YMMV

One bit of good news, they are on record again stating DELIVERY before Oct 15th for all 1st batch orders.

Unless they use Josh's dictionary meaning delivered to UPS.

And now for something completely different.

I wonder why they have silkscreen and mounting holes for TWO 6 pin power connectors on each module?
It could be a trivial PCB routing issue.
The blue cables in the case pictures could be Y cables.

I hope it somehow means twice the Gh/s per module but I am not counting those Gh/s before they materialize.

EDIT s/by/before/  and last sentence did not make sense as originally written.