GekkoScience Compac BM1384 Stickminer Official Support Thread

[philipma1957]

If you have freq at 150 and the stick is hot try turning the stick's pot

+. Say the  pot is like +.  The top is at 12 o'clock turn counter clockwise t0 11 o'clock .

If no hw's leave it be for an hour it should run cooler.

[Biodom]

Check this out.

Mining bitcoin on Raspberry pi zero and Gekkoscience ASIC stick.
I did not have time to optimize frequency, so it might be suboptimal-just wanted to make it work.
All connectors are not optimal, but could not wait for Amazon delivery-bought more expensive stuff at a local Microcenter.
On the left-pi zero, then usb 2.0 bridge, then Superbpag (USB 3.0 that has 2.0 A/slot) with a single gekkoscience stick.
It went to 10.78Gh from the get-go and error is steadily declining (now 0.11 0.4%). I am sure I would just need to adjust frequency to get it further down.
Tomorrow will add more sticks and optimize.




TL;DR
Using pi zero and Gekkoscience sticks-lots of fun

EDIT: replaced pictures with those taken in am (light of the day).

[Searing]

Not sure what is going on ...i did the instructions

see here on my test laptop (same kind) and all was well



https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1173963.msg12378834#msg12378834

can't get it to work says gekko detect 1-12 failed you don' have privlage completely stymied

using this for the cgminer

./cgminer -o stratum+tcp://stratum.mining.eligius.st:3334 -u 1BURGERAXHH6Yi6LRybRJK7ybEm5m5HwTr --compac-freq 150


just to get it up and running

advice? (using 10 port orico powered hub that worked before and others on here say work

suggestions? (or if wrong sidehack support thread i'll move)

using unbuntu 12.04 *all up to date on upgrades*

[Biodom]

Not sure what is going on ...i did the instructions

see here on my test laptop (same kind) and all was well

can't get it to work says gekko detect 1-12 failed you don' have privlage completely stymied

using this for the cgminer

./cgminer -o stratum+tcp://stratum.mining.eligius.st:3334 -u 1BURGERAXHH6Yi6LRybRJK7ybEm5m5HwTr --compac-freq 150


just to get it up and running

advice? (using 10 port orico powered hub that worked before and others on here say work

suggestions? (or if wrong sidehack support thread i'll move)

using unbuntu 12.04 *all up to date on upgrades*

I did not even use stratum+tcp://, just had stratum.mining.eligius.st:3334
maybe you need to add _yourstickname to burger address, otherwise it is already taken, probably.
I used bfgminer just because support is already there vs some special cgminer build which, as a newb in sticks, I did not know how to do.
Tomorrow will try wi-fi, although it might be too complicated.
EDIT: HW error keeps declining without any frequency adjustment yet- just 0.17% after 2 hr of hashing.

[Searing]

Not sure what is going on ...i did the instructions

see here on my test laptop (same kind) and all was well

can't get it to work says gekko detect 1-12 failed you don' have privlage completely stymied

using this for the cgminer

./cgminer -o stratum+tcp://stratum.mining.eligius.st:3334 -u 1BURGERAXHH6Yi6LRybRJK7ybEm5m5HwTr --compac-freq 150


just to get it up and running

advice? (using 10 port orico powered hub that worked before and others on here say work

suggestions? (or if wrong sidehack support thread i'll move)

using unbuntu 12.04 *all up to date on upgrades*

I did not even use stratum+tcp://, just had stratum.mining.eligius.st:3334
maybe you need to add _yourstickname to burger adhttps://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1173963.msg12378834#msg12378834re vs some special cgminer build which, as a newb in sticks, I did not know how to do.
Tomorrow will try wi-fi, although it might be too complicated.

yeah no idea wtf i'm doing the machines are old no longer up gradable beyond xp laptops i can run up to unbuntu 12.04 on them.
cgminer comes up simply can't find the devices (have 2 sticks) worked on the test machine with a hub so i'm kinda stumped

guess i can just re-install on a diff laptop see if that cures it

as you can see from the 'long' instructions on my prev quoted msg link there....it should be idiot proof ..so running off and adding bfgminer to the mix probably won't
work in that i was hand held the first time thru on the cgminer test rig .now i try to put it up for good in basement blamo nothing works

serves me right for moving out of my 'comfort' zone..the only reason i want to use these laptops is they are 'free' and montior the titans also with putty ssh

i reached to far and fell off the ladder

The "It takes a village" massive effort link below on the first time I got it to work......what I just used

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1173963.msg12378834#msg12378834

this time it was a no go cgmier comes up with the 'test start address to start cgminer' i used from page 1....but alas says no permission and device error as above in quoted msg

again prob should just reinstall the works I guess

[garpsky]

Hi
I am not sure this is in the right topic but could someone tell me if I have set these miners up correctly with bfgminer. I been playing around with them for a couple of days now and think I am on the right track.
The photo of the miners are not connected to the laptop they are connected to an old HP server ( Datavault X510 running WHS v1 (2003) ). I spent ages trying to get cgminer to work on the server but couldn't
I think it was MS OS lack of USB support but not sure., anyway I got bfgminer working so will learn with this software.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p627/garpsky/IMG_1194_zpsth9hbdfo.jpg

Also if I have put the image link in wrong please tell me how to do it right or explain if there is an easier way to list images here.

I am pretty sure using the (c) clock function in bfgminer I have set the Compac's to 300?
They are running a Temperature of 40c to 45c each is that about what to expect?
The USB Hub is the Anker 60w 5a one that after reading I thought I was going to have a few issues with ( which I did ) but managed to get them working, don't ask me how.

I would like to know if there is a way to isolate one or two of the miners while on the same system to mine at a different address at the same time?

Any help on maybe fine tuning the miners or getting the most from this combo would be great.

Later

Garpsky

P.s I will not be mining for profit ( obviously ) this is just for me to learn & experiment with.

[zOU]

for BFGminer:

--set compac:clock=*** (decimal, not hex)

you can fine tune them by:
- setting them at the frequency you want to achieve (assuming your hub port can deliver the W)
- setting core V until you get no HW error using the "screw pod"

I know it's a PITA but this has been discussed at length in this topic, tru a search, or reading the last 10/12 pages (that's when I arrived and asked and summarized a lot of things )

[edonkey]

TL;DR
Using pi zero and Gekkoscience sticks-lots of fun

This is the first RPi Zero that I've seen being used for mining. You must have been first in line when they were released.

While the Zero is interesting, lack of built-in networking is a drawback. Sure, it's a $5 computer, but you have to buy extra adapters to do anything with it.

Looks like you're using a USB to Ethernet adapter for network connectivity?

[Biodom]

TL;DR
Using pi zero and Gekkoscience sticks-lots of fun

This is the first RPi Zero that I've seen being used for mining. You must have been first in line when they were released.

While the Zero is interesting, lack of built-in networking is a drawback. Sure, it's a $5 computer, but you have to buy extra adapters to do anything with it.

Looks like you're using a USB to Ethernet adapter for network connectivity?

I wanted to be the first in line, but came in leisurely at 10am and there were plenty left, but when i came back with my son at 12pm (wanted another one), there were none.
Strictly one/person. They had 100 (minus 37 web orders) at Houston's Microcenter.
I ordered cheaper USB-to ethernet, but had to buy Kanex in the same place (usb-to-Ethernet) to make it work plus micro USB to USB adapter plus mini HDMI to HDMI cable-Insignia at Best Buy(also ordered adapter for future instead). I also had prior cheap nonpowered USB 2 hub ($6, Sabrient), to which I connected Kanex, keyboard, mouse and USB 3.0 hub (Superbpag).
I have wireless adapter (Edimax), but instructions for pi are incomprehensible for me (at the moment).
I fully understand that financially it does not make too much sense since they were also selling B+ for $19.99, but did it just for fun.
Hot-plugged three more sticks-they work as intended.
EDIT: three work, but four do not for an unknown reason (does not matter which stick).

[Biodom]

You mean a picture like the one in the first post ?  

interesting, four sticks (unadjusted): 0.3%, 20%, 0% and 0.01% HW error.
I think that something is wrong with that particular slot because I put another stick there and it shows the same error, but my question is re the picture in post #1.
Does it mean that if you turn it ~45 degrees clockwise, it will get to 0.8V. Can you turn it counterclockwise? I assume that this is how it gets to 0.55V, right?
Blue line shows 0.55V on the top and 0.8 on the bottom-I assume is what you get by turning clockwise (up to 0. vs counterclockwise (up to 0.55).
What kind of instrument could be used to turn? small screwdriver or something more specialized?

[aarons6]

You mean a picture like the one in the first post ?  

interesting, four sticks (unadjusted): 0.3%, 20%, 0% and 0.01% HW error.
I think that something is wrong with that particular slot because I put another stick there and it shows the same error, but my question is re the picture in post #1.
Does it mean that if you turn it ~45 degrees clockwise, it will get to 0.8V. Can you turn it counterclockwise? I assume that this is how it gets to 0.55V, right?
Blue line shows 0.55V on the top and 0.8 on the bottom-I assume is what you get by turning clockwise (up to 0. vs counterclockwise (up to 0.55).
What kind of instrument could be used to turn? small screwdriver or something more specialized?

i have to check but im pretty sure the flat spot on mine are at the 4 o'clock position.. i had to move one to 4 ish..

the first ones had the pot backwards so turning it counter clockwise the power went up, the new ones are clockwise.

edit pic for reference.. i did not move this one.

[zOU]

flat bit at 12 o-clock is 0.55
flat bit at 11:59 is 0.8

360 degres = going from 0.55 to 0.8

[sidehack]

The flat bit actually indicates the side of the thing which matters least. Think about it like the feathers on an arrow - the point on the circle exactly opposite the flat is the wiper, which contacts the resistive surface and actually does the work. When the wiper is on the left leg, your voltage is 0.55 and when the wiper is on the right leg you get 0.80 volts. The range between is approximately linear, so the wiper in the middle is around 700mV. The thing will spin all the way around, but if the wiper is between legs (the dead zone where there's no resistive surface to contact) I believe it's still set to 800mV. As soon as the wiper cycles back around to the left leg it reconnects and drops to 550mV.

[ammi84]

error from your instructions above on #7 step (as you said the likely error point) I got this

configure: error: Missing required libcurl dev >= 7.18.2  

I'm using an old Compaq Evo N800v Laptop that can't run XP anymore (to monitor Titan(s)) and is running the latest patches that it can run of (just updated) Unbuntu 12.04 LTS (still supported with updates etc and again updated today all up to date) this is the most upgrade of such my little laptops can handle for unbuntu versions (topped out) FYI.

anyway just need more of your UNBUNTU command line magic to continue (I only installed unbuntu 12.04 LTS on these laptops because not useful for xp or above ....to monitor Titan(s) so
my extent of Linux is managing to install the install CD originally and get on the store and get putty.exe (free) to ssh into Titan(s)

So this oh so zoom zoom terminal scroll spiffy install stuff was pretty cool ...no idea wtf is going on but again cool... ..the installs/ build up to the point it choked in command line etc all
very MATRIX like scrolling away merrily ...looked like it was compiling SKYNET to a linux newbie like me...all very spiffy)

anyway just looking at what monkey see monkey do commands I need to type in next to continue this process

again thanks for the help

Crap I left off a step, where I said "you have to install the dependencies for cgminer," I didn't actually tell you what those where or how to do so.

Run this command:
sudo apt-get install build-essential autoconf automake libtool pkg-config libcurl3-dev libudev-dev

The error you see is the configure script checking to make sure it has everything needed to compile and failing because it does not, specifically libcurl-dev is missing.  

I don't run ubuntu myself so I hope that the package names are accurate here (they're from the README).  If not... Let me know what packages it can't find.

EDIT: Package names may be as Jake36 posted:

build-essential autoconf automake libtool libcurl4-openssl-dev pkg-config libncurses5-dev and libudev-dev

so run:

sudo apt-get install build-essential autoconf automake libtool libcurl4-openssl-dev pkg-config libncurses5-dev and libudev-dev


--
novak

OK I got them to work ..here my  2 gekko dust miners at work set at default 150mh (no idea what a good GH speed is) here is my Eligius address below for anyone interested
they are running on Unbuntu 12.04 using the fixes (which I added to the list for Novak's help) he can post this someplace so folk can use it for probably unbuntu but at least
my version for sure of 12.04 LTC version on some older laptops (not the latest unbuntu but still supported with upgrades FYI) ..again prob will work with newer versions too.

anyway my Eligius Address to watch them mine below

http://eligius.st/~wizkid057/newstats/userstats.php/1PbhCD56EE1ur45UvTca5wEUkAPpTi25oq

below is a pic of them mining (no idea if these are good speeds at 150mh or what but anyway its a pic)



here is my full imgur album to look at my knc shrine to titan(s) etc notice the KNC Jupiter 550gh used now as a gravity assist device to keep the miner bench grounded


Here is the modified list to be used for the above with Novak's additions from the previous post


REVISED FIXED STEPS FOR UNBUNTU 12.04 LTC (and probably will work with newer versions)

If you want to run the sticks on linux, you'll need either bfgminer or cgminer.  Either way you are probably going to have to compile them, but I've had little trouble with this so it's probably just a matter of running a few simple commands.

Here's what you'd do to get cgminer on linux going:
1. Open a terminal.
2. wget http://gekkoscience.com/misc/cgminer-gekko.tar.gz            

This downloads the file- you can save it from your browser instead, it's the same thing.

3. tar -xvzf cgminer-gekko.tar.gz

This extracts the files. which are compressed (like a zip file for linux)

4. cd cgminer-gekko
 
Enters the cgminer-gekko folder you just extracted.

5. sudo apt-get install build-essential autoconf automake libtool

You need to install the dependencies for cgminer.

6. ./autogen.sh

This will generate a configure script for you which will set up compiling for your system.

7. ./configure --enable-gekko

7.1 ADDED FIX (#1) (See below) just run this

sudo apt-get install build-essential autoconf automake libtool pkg-config libcurl3-dev libudev-dev

7.2 ADDED FIX (#2) just run this

sudo apt-get install build-essential autoconf automake libtool libcurl4-openssl-dev pkg-config libncurses5-dev and libudev-dev

This will configure the build.  This is the most likely place to have anything go wrong, if it does, let me know exactly what's up.  Odds are it would be some package that you should have installed.

8. make

Performs the build.  If you get an error there- again, let me know details.

You are ready to run cgminer.  This should look something like:

./cgminer -o stratum+tcp://stratum.mining.eligius.st:3334 -u 1BURGERAXHH6Yi6LRybRJK7ybEm5m5HwTr --compac-freq 150

Although if you don't have permissions setup you may have to become root or use sudo, eg,

sudo ./cgminer -o stratum+tcp://stratum.mining.eligius.st:3334 -u 1BURGERAXHH6Yi6LRybRJK7ybEm5m5HwTr --compac-freq 150

cgminer should now detect any compacs plugged in while it is running.  Obviously you'll use a slightly different command to launch cgminer, if you use that one you'll be mining for us!  Most pools even post example commands, let me know if you need help figuring it out.

--
novak


ok works just fine ...anyone can tell me if the speeds are ok etc at 150mh and I can also tweak that later as I wish...but chugging away just fine (pretty lcd lights)

i also have a orico 10 port hub here that says windows and mac but works plug and play just fine with unbuntu 12.04 LTC w/o issue

here is a previous bitcointalk post with pic

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1126705.msg12348793#msg12348793


so all is well ...anyway the above listing (revised) works fine for anyone in need

thanks for the help Novak and Sidehack like the toys and appreciate the help (man prob should get more .....the grin of getting them up was worth the ROI)

but for use as a laugh on my 2 old no longer able to be used compaq evo N800V laptops on my Titan to monitor my Titan(s) this will be some pretty slick "bling"
for them to run too LOL

anyway later I'll prob be asking how to rev them up some ZOOM ZOOM

again thanks all for the help


additional: er by the way it says 54 MONTHS before I make enough to payout....er maybe I don't want to use Eligius huh?  lol

anyway other way to do this on a pool and at least get paid out in dust once every 2 months or some such? (or i guess i can just solo/lotto mine them
or NOVAK would be  like BUY MORE USB'S from them lol

just got a laugh off my page above with the 54 months to payout (edit: now it shows 17 months...progress)

hum
i tried with this guide to setup cgminer on my RPi but i can't get it to work

cgminer sais this ...





OS is 2015-05-05-raspbian-wheezy.img (iso-name)
pi@raspberrypi ~/cgminer-gekko $ uname -a
Linux raspberrypi 3.18.11+ #781 PREEMPT Tue Apr 21 18:02:18 BST 2015 armv6l GNU/Linux

pi@raspberrypi ~/cgminer-gekko $ lsusb
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 0424:9512 Standard Microsystems Corp.
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 001 Device 007: ID 10c4:ea60 Cygnal Integrated Products, Inc. CP210x UART Bridge / myAVR mySmartUSB light
Bus 001 Device 008: ID 10c4:ea60 Cygnal Integrated Products, Inc. CP210x UART Bridge / myAVR mySmartUSB light
Bus 001 Device 009: ID 10c4:ea60 Cygnal Integrated Products, Inc. CP210x UART Bridge / myAVR mySmartUSB light
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 0424:ec00 Standard Microsystems Corp.
Bus 001 Device 004: ID 1a40:0101 Terminus Technology Inc. 4-Port HUB
Bus 001 Device 005: ID 10c4:ea60 Cygnal Integrated Products, Inc. CP210x UART Bridge / myAVR mySmartUSB light
Bus 001 Device 006: ID 1a40:0201 Terminus Technology Inc. FE 2.1 7-port Hub

i use a Orico 10 Port USB 2.0 Hub

tried another OS / another RPi but the same problem

Sticks are the EU Bitshopper Version


bfgminer / windows 10 x64 works great .... with all 4 sticks on the hub

[zOU]

is it the special version of cgminer (cf 1st post) or the standard one ?

[ammi84]

i took the special one from the OP-Posting.

is it normal that the sticks make sometimes some "buzzing" sound while working ... ? in idle i don't hear them but sometimes when mining (windows) they sound strange
after re-inserting to the usb hub it's normal again


test again: plugging in one miner direct in the RPi ... same ... not working

is there any difference in th e EU/US Gekkos??

[sidehack]

The only software difference is in the ID code in the USB-UART chip. The only hardware difference is the heatsink, as far as I know.

[Biodom]

The flat bit actually indicates the side of the thing which matters least. Think about it like the feathers on an arrow - the point on the circle exactly opposite the flat is the wiper, which contacts the resistive surface and actually does the work. When the wiper is on the left leg, your voltage is 0.55 and when the wiper is on the right leg you get 0.80 volts. The range between is approximately linear, so the wiper in the middle is around 700mV. The thing will spin all the way around, but if the wiper is between legs (the dead zone where there's no resistive surface to contact) I believe it's still set to 800mV. As soon as the wiper cycles back around to the left leg it reconnects and drops to 550mV.

to properly understand this you need a point of reference, otherwise left and right can have an opposite meaning.
For example, in post #1 usb is on the right, in @aarons6 post USB is on the bottom and flat is oriented differently anyway (in fact, 180 degrees different).
I have flat on ~4pm IF you look at it with USB at the bottom.
The opposite side-the wiper is naturally at ~10pm-so what exacly does it touch in this position?.
I see what is possibly left leg and right leg, again, IF looking with USB at the bottom.

[sidehack]

If I ever give any direction about this or any other USB stick, ever, at all, assume the USB jack end is defined as "the bottom". Always assume this.

If the wiper is at 10PM, and I already said right leg is 550mV and "noon" is about 700mV, if you scale things linearly between those two points, that's approximately the voltage you get. Basic math, anyone with an eyeball should be capable.

[Biodom]

If I ever give any direction about this or any other USB stick, ever, at all, assume the USB jack end is defined as "the bottom". Always assume this.

If the wiper is at 10PM, and I already said right leg is 550mV and "noon" is about 700mV, if you scale things linearly between those two points, that's approximately the voltage you get. Basic math, anyone with an eyeball should be capable.

Gosh, now I am super confused. ^^^ wiper at right leg-550 mV
Quote below: when wiper is on the right leg, it is 800mV
Conclusion: I am just going to turn it a bit and see what happens.

The flat bit actually indicates the side of the thing which matters least. Think about it like the feathers on an arrow - the point on the circle exactly opposite the flat is the wiper, which contacts the resistive surface and actually does the work. When the wiper is on the left leg, your voltage is 0.55 and when the wiper is on the right leg you get 0.80 volts. The range between is approximately linear, so the wiper in the middle is around 700mV. The thing will spin all the way around, but if the wiper is between legs (the dead zone where there's no resistive surface to contact) I believe it's still set to 800mV. As soon as the wiper cycles back around to the left leg it reconnects and drops to 550mV.

Interestingly, i cannot make four sticks work at 11Gh on Superbpag, which has seven slots (one gives >20% error and eventually affects another), but three are perfectly fine with almost no error and no potentiometer adjustment.