poclbm - Solo mining

[mashimaro]

I have the following script running

start /d"C:\Program Files (x86)\Bitcoin" bitcoin.exe -server"
start /d"C:\guiminer20110614\guiminer" poclbm.exe --user=FT --pass=wombat --device=0 --platform=0 -w 256 -f1
start /d"C:\guiminer20110614\guiminer" poclbm.exe --user=FT --pass=wombat --device=1 --platform=0 -w 256 -f1

With the following config file bitcoin.conf
rpcuser=FT
rpcpassword=wombat

I have been running this continuously for about 4 days not much seems to happen the Khash/s rate varies the connections go up and down. see below image.

I am a bit concerned it is actually doing anything
How can i tell if it is actually doing anything or progressing?
Approximately how long I need to wait to see it generate a block?

Hardware is a single ATI HD 6990 card.

http://www.viet-fresh.com/bitcoin_mining.JPG

Many thanks I am very new to this and I cant find the exact info on the web anywhere.

[1713568679]

1713568679

[nmat]

So you have around 680Mhash/second, right? You will probably find a block in 3 months or something... You should join a pool.

Here's a calculator: http://www.alloscomp.com/bitcoin/old_calculator.php You can check the current difficulty here: http://blockexplorer.com/q/getdifficulty

[NickW]

If your miners are showing a hash rate (like they are) then it is working fine.

You just have an extremely low chance of finding a block.

There is nothing to "see" until you find a valid block. There is no "progression" as each hash you try has the same probability as any other. So the chance of a hash finding a block right now is the exactly thesame as it finding one in a few days time. How many you've already calculated makes no difference to the future probability.

[peps1c0la]

So the previously mentioned 3 months is just a guess?  It is random? Like it could be "tomorrow" or "next December"?  I am sorry if it is an idiot question... I am trying to figure all this out myself...

I started out joining a pool about a week ago myself.  I have netted about a whole BitPenny so far... so, at the rate I am going, will have a whole BTC in about a year...

[nmat]

So the previously mentioned 3 months is just a guess?  It is random? Like it could be "tomorrow" or "next December"?  I am sorry if it is an idiot question... I am trying to figure all this out myself...

I started out joining a pool about a week ago myself.  I have netted about a whole BitPenny so far... so, at the rate I am going, will have a whole BTC in about a year...

It could be the next minute, the next month or the next season It's kind of lottery. The 3 months is the average for his case. If you use the calculator link at my previous post, you can see the probability of finding a block. Just fill in the difficulty and your Mhash/s.

Pool mining is completely different. If you join a pool you will receive constant smaller payments at a good rate (depending on the options you chose).

Example for a really fast machine (2Ghash or something...):
- If you mine solo you will find a block (50 BTC) every 50 days on average
- If you join a pool you will receive 1 BTC every day on average (minus the pool fees)

You can also use this calculator to find out how many bitcoins you will earn on average with your current hardware: http://www.alloscomp.com/bitcoin/calculator.php

[JoelKatz]

So the previously mentioned 3 months is just a guess?  It is random? Like it could be "tomorrow" or "next December"?  I am sorry if it is an idiot question... I am trying to figure all this out myself...

It is random. Generating a block is like flipping 500 coins and having then all come up heads. Every attempt has an equal chance of success.

I started out joining a pool about a week ago myself.  I have netted about a whole BitPenny so far... so, at the rate I am going, will have a whole BTC in about a year...

That doesn't seem right. You should be making a bitcoin every three days or so. How quickly were you generating shares? Were your shares being rejected?

[peps1c0la]

I started out joining a pool about a week ago myself.  I have netted about a whole BitPenny so far... so, at the rate I am going, will have a whole BTC in about a year...

That doesn't seem right. You should be making a bitcoin every three days or so. How quickly were you generating shares? Were your shares being rejected?

I am using CPU because my GPU doesn't seem to support any of my attempts (on either of two computers).  I am generating at a pretty steady 3.0Mh/s with a 7 day average of about .0013 or so.

Perhaps I just don't have something set up right just yet... before going and asking a bunch of questions, trying to suck all the info I can find out of these forums.

Oh, yea, I have that sucker running 24/7 too.

[nmat]

That is right then. CPU mining is sort of pointless now... What are your GPU models?

[cryptomint]

With that hash rate:

Solo mining = degen gambler
Pool mining = steady grinder

If you want to gamble and hope for the big pay day, keep soloing.

If you want to get a more steady flow of coins, go with a pool.

[peps1c0la]

That is right then. CPU mining is sort of pointless now... What are your GPU models?

I have one with a NVIDIA GeForce 7150M/nforce 630M, and another with ATI Mobility Radeon X1300.

[nmat]

I have one with a NVIDIA GeForce 7150M/nforce 630M, and another with ATI Mobility Radeon X1300.

None of them is supported I think. You can continue to mine with CPU but, money wise, it's not really worth it.

If you really want bitcoins you can just buy them though...

[peps1c0la]

I have one with a NVIDIA GeForce 7150M/nforce 630M, and another with ATI Mobility Radeon X1300.

None of them is supported I think. You can continue to mine with CPU but, money wise, it's not really worth it.

If you really want bitcoins you can just buy them though...

I am working on buying... waiting for my dwolla exchange

Otherwise, racking my brain to figure out a way to earn em.  I am looking forward to the "new economy" and want to chip in what I can to get this thing off the ground.

Perhaps it is time for a new computer...  lol