[GUIDE] GridSeed 5-Chip USB, Blade & Black Miner Support/Tuning

[Flep182]

Anyone tried to flash the firmware of the miners? I've read the manual from LA but it looks like something I wouldn't want to just "try" for fun

So far I can't find out which firmware is on the gridseeds anyway so can't see if I can upgrade anything.

I'd be willing to give the firmware flash a go. Gota link? I've looked everywhere and have not been able to find any info on a firmware update for these things.

http://www.diffpair.com/lightningasic/

Which is the link that LA provided with the firmware stuff. Got it from this post: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=477709.0

(and here confirmed that it's from LA: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=421921.0)

[Cobra]

A shot of my 30 Gridseeds up and running. All clocked to 850Mhz, getting about 11Mh/sec out of it, running cpuminer/batch files.
When I put it together I wanted the choice of mining other sha256 coins. I will probably forget about that thought and switch to standard atx PSU when cables are available. I left all of the fans in place in case I did want to mine non-scrypt and also did not want to mess with putting them back if I sell these. I am using (3) Rosewill RHB-500 USB hubs, loaded with 10 on each. This includes a 4A power supply and have been working great.

Not a bad cost effective solution using (3) modular storage racks that lock together. $5.88 each. Some wire holding pus's in place and double sided tape on the hubs.

[CartmanSPC]

Anyone have a good source on USB cables that actually fit correctly? I am tired of cutting the ones I'm getting with the miners down to size. I had one from an old HD that actually fit perfect so I know their out there.

This one looks promising but way too expensive:
http://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-A-Male-Mini-B-Cable-Meters/dp/B001TH7GUK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1394435998&sr=8-2&keywords=USB+cables

Do these from monoprice fit?
http://www.monoprice.com/Search/Index?keyword=usb+a-male+to+mini-b

I bought the monoprice ones with the ferrite core and the connector is just barely too big, very snug fit.  However, you can just bend the fins on the heatsink out of the way, right above the usb port, and then they fit great.  I also have some of the monoprice ones without the ferrite core and they fit fine with no modification.

Thanks. Did not see the version without the ferrite core. Will order those to see if they fit better.

Edit: Just spoke to one of their reps using live chat. He said he compared both versions and they have the same size covers on the Mini-B side. Not sure if I should believe him or not.

Edit2: Went ahead and ordered 20 to see if they fit.

[daddyfatsax]

Anyone have a good source on USB cables that actually fit correctly? I am tired of cutting the ones I'm getting with the miners down to size. I had one from an old HD that actually fit perfect so I know their out there.

This one looks promising but way too expensive:
http://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-A-Male-Mini-B-Cable-Meters/dp/B001TH7GUK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1394435998&sr=8-2&keywords=USB+cables

Do these from monoprice fit?
http://www.monoprice.com/Search/Index?keyword=usb+a-male+to+mini-b

I bought the monoprice ones with the ferrite core and the connector is just barely too big, very snug fit.  However, you can just bend the fins on the heatsink out of the way, right above the usb port, and then they fit great.  I also have some of the monoprice ones without the ferrite core and they fit fine with no modification.

Thanks. Did not see the version without the ferrite core. Will order those to see if they fit better.

Edit: Just spoke to one of their reps using live chat. He said he compared both versions and they have the same size covers on the Mini-B side. Not sure if I should believe him or not 

Edit2: Went ahead and ordered 20 to see if they fit.

I bought 20 of these:http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=103&cp_id=10303&cs_id=1030302&p_id=107&seq=1&format=2&utm_expid=58369800-11.R-enhtUGRrSdHz5vzpVS2g.0

They work just fine.

[darkfriend77]

Update:

...
- BFGMiner (alpha) bfgminer_gridseed_pr2.7z for LTC only (read)


...

[TrollboxChamp]

Only 35 running right now and 60 of the total 80 i will have. Need more barrel plugs the chinese vendor screwed up 

Total   16,595.46 KH/s   Shares:1,760,128/14,464/0/0/0

35 gridseeds @ 850 + 8 r9 280x's

[Mudflap]

https://i.imgur.com/yG8eYb9.jpg

Only 35 running right now and 60 of the total 80 i will have. Need more barrel plugs the chinese vendor screwed up 

Total   16,595.46 KH/s   Shares:1,760,128/14,464/0/0/0

35 gridseeds @ 850 + 8 r9 280x's

Nice work chap, will be good once they are all powered. What controller are you using? 

[TrollboxChamp]

Using a GPU rig which is off to the side

17,414.75 KH/s  415,232   5,248

Cant wait to get the other 45 plugged in.

Kindve high stales. Gonna restart everything for the first time here in a bit. been running for 5+ hours just fine.

[CartmanSPC]

I have two wiibox controllers available if anyone is interested.

Just the controllers and the wall plug. You will need a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B (5-Pin) cable to connect the wiibox to the wall plug.

Paid $100 each so make me an offer

Sorry if it is bad form to post this here...will delete if it is.

[wolfey2014]

A shot of my 30 Gridseeds up and running. All clocked to 850Mhz, getting about 11Mh/sec out of it, running cpuminer/batch files.
When I put it together I wanted the choice of mining other sha256 coins. I will probably forget about that thought and switch to standard atx PSU when cables are available. I left all of the fans in place in case I did want to mine non-scrypt and also did not want to mess with putting them back if I sell these. I am using (3) Rosewill RHB-500 USB hubs, loaded with 10 on each. This includes a 4A power supply and have been working great.

Not a bad cost effective solution using (3) modular storage racks that lock together. $5.88 each. Some wire holding pus's in place and double sided tape on the hubs.

Nice rig!
Why 6 psu's though?
I mean, each PSU is designed to handle 10 GS5's.
Especially now that you're running Scrypt only.
You barely need one psu for the whole smash!
Wish I was hashing at 11MH/s! Makes me envious!
Wolfey2014

[IchibahnSLC]

Anyone tried to flash the firmware of the miners? I've read the manual from LA but it looks like something I wouldn't want to just "try" for fun

So far I can't find out which firmware is on the gridseeds anyway so can't see if I can upgrade anything.

I'd be willing to give the firmware flash a go. Gota link? I've looked everywhere and have not been able to find any info on a firmware update for these things.

http://www.diffpair.com/lightningasic/

Which is the link that LA provided with the firmware stuff. Got it from this post: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=477709.0

(and here confirmed that it's from LA: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=421921.0)

I tried to flash the firmware on my gridseeds but couldn't get it to install the included driver.  I had to take the heatsink off so that I can get to what I assume is the same "white" button the documentation refers to.  It then proceeds to show up as an unknown usb device under windows but I can't go any further than this.

EDIT: I only say this because of the following:

[Dryleaf]

Just curious what everyone is seeing for the speed on a single gridseed scrypt at the pool. As in if it is showing 360 on CGMiner what are you seeing at the pool on average?

[everest556]

My gridseed miner uses ST32 Virtual COM Port, and at the moment cgminer-3.7.2 doesn't detect the device. I've updated its driver by zadig, but still no luck. What is the solution to this?

[Dryleaf]

My gridseed miner uses ST32 Virtual COM Port, and at the moment cgminer-3.7.2 doesn't detect the device. I've updated its driver by zadig, but still no luck. What is the solution to this?

Use a Rasberypi and linux

[daddyfatsax]

My gridseed miner uses ST32 Virtual COM Port, and at the moment cgminer-3.7.2 doesn't detect the device. I've updated its driver by zadig, but still no luck. What is the solution to this?

Unplug the power from your hub, start cgminer, and plug the power back in your hub. I have 20 running in cgminer 3.7.2 and that is the only way to get the to work. Chang hotplug in your bat file to 5.

[everest556]

My gridseed miner uses ST32 Virtual COM Port, and at the moment cgminer-3.7.2 doesn't detect the device. I've updated its driver by zadig, but still no luck. What is the solution to this?

Use a Rasberypi and linux

I've been thinking that. Which brand of Linux would you recommend?

[Dryleaf]

My gridseed miner uses ST32 Virtual COM Port, and at the moment cgminer-3.7.2 doesn't detect the device. I've updated its driver by zadig, but still no luck. What is the solution to this?

Use a Rasberypi and linux

I've been thinking that. Which brand of Linux would you recommend?

About halfway down this page there is a post on how to set it up on the Pi. I did it earlier today and it worked excellent.


https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=482352.420

[IchibahnSLC]

What raspi are you guys using? I've never used one but contemplating it now.  If someone could provide an amazon link that would be great.

EDIT: Also there is no way to use the lightningasic update for the gridseeds at this moment because the chip used for usb communication is different.  I guess only time will tell if we will get updates on these.

[quakefiend420]

Has anyone figured out how to overvolt yet?  I see this in the gridseed driver...

typedef struct s_gridseed_info {
   enum sub_ident   ident;
   uint32_t   fw_version;
   struct timeval   scanhash_time;
   int      nonce_count[8];  // per chip
   int      error_count[8];  // per chip
   // options
   int      baud;
   int      freq;
   unsigned char   freq_cmd[8];
   int      chips; //chips per module
   int      voltage;
   int      per_chip_stats;
}
Aand later on this method:

static void gc3355_increase_voltage(struct cgpu_info *gridseed) {
   uint32_t reg_value;

   // Put GPIOA pin 5 into general function, 50 MHz output.
   if (!gc3355_read_register(gridseed, GRIDSEED_GPIOA_BASE + GRIDSEED_CRL_OFFSET, &reg_value)) {
      applog(LOG_DEBUG, "Failed to read GPIOA CRL register from %i", gridseed->device_id);
      return;
   }
   reg_value = (reg_value & 0xff0fffff) | 0x00300000;
   if (!gc3355_write_register(gridseed, GRIDSEED_GPIOA_BASE + GRIDSEED_CRL_OFFSET, reg_value)) {
      applog(LOG_DEBUG, "Failed to write GPIOA CRL register from %i", gridseed->device_id);
      return;
   }

   // Set GPIOA pin 5 high.
   if (!gc3355_read_register(gridseed, GRIDSEED_GPIOA_BASE + GRIDSEED_ODR_OFFSET, &reg_value)) {
      applog(LOG_DEBUG, "Failed to read GPIOA ODR register from %i", gridseed->device_id);
      return;
   }
   reg_value |= 0x00000020;
   //reg_value &= 0xFFFFFFDF;
   if (!gc3355_write_register(gridseed, GRIDSEED_GPIOA_BASE + GRIDSEED_ODR_OFFSET, reg_value)) {
      applog(LOG_DEBUG, "Failed to write GPIOA ODR register from %i", gridseed->device_id);
      return;
   }
}

Looks to me like we pass an int as the argument voltage and it will add it to the base voltage value(which i think is set to 0, if I'm reading the header right), maybe?  But then it also says gpio(general purpose input output?), which is usually a general purpose pin header on the pcb itself, right?  I'm no developer/hardware engineer, anyone want to comment?

[jmordica]

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=494625.msg5635210#msg5635210

Any thoughts of how to raise the usb limit in linux above 99?