ANTMINER S2 Discussion and Support Thread

[1l1l11ll1l]

Just need to fill the insides with packing peanuts!

[jimrome]

You guys should really not even try powering up one of these beasts without opening up the box and reseating all cards and connectors. Some things are just bound to shake loose after traveling halfway around the world, no matter how great the QC or packing. Applying power to a system with loose boards and/or cables can cause shorts that may blow out cards or the power supply. You should also tighten up all screws and make sure loose hardware hasn't fallen onto (or into) any electronics. The S1 is/was so successful powering up because of its simplicity, everything is screwed together except for three small ribbon cables.

Design flaw. There should be a bracket holding the boards in place, especially for something you're going to ship by design.

Nevertheless what you say is true.

Multiple design flaws and seemingly non-existent QC. Pretty sketchy/clownish effort overall (did you see the 'machining' of the heat sinks!?). Bitmain isn't alone: the dragon miner I opened yesterday had its own share of ridiculous issues.

[abracadabra]

I'm trying to figure out why my display is dead.  I've found the file that's created to display (/tmp/lcd.data)

Mine contains the:

Code:

AntMiner S2
192.168.0.99
1015.62 GH/s
Max 55

that's supposed to be displayed on the screen.  Any ideas what throws it up on the screen?

[abracadabra]

You guys should really not even try powering up one of these beasts without opening up the box and reseating all cards and connectors. Some things are just bound to shake loose after traveling halfway around the world, no matter how great the QC or packing. Applying power to a system with loose boards and/or cables can cause shorts that may blow out cards or the power supply. You should also tighten up all screws and make sure loose hardware hasn't fallen onto (or into) any electronics. The S1 is/was so successful powering up because of its simplicity, everything is screwed together except for three small ribbon cables.

Design flaw. There should be a bracket holding the boards in place, especially for something you're going to ship by design.

Nevertheless what you say is true.

Multiple design flaws and seemingly non-existent QC. Pretty sketchy/clownish effort overall (did you see the 'machining' of the heat sinks!?). Bitmain isn't alone: the dragon miner I opened yesterday had its own share of ridiculous issues.

tbh, i'm not too worried about it.  it's their first go around at doing a design like this and shipping it halfway around the globe.  A bit of tweaking here and there I don't mind.  This isn't something that will really need to be around for more than several months. 

[buckrogers]

i keep getting "invalid password" wen trying to change the default one.

Does anyone know why or if there are certain requirements for the password?

[abracadabra]

i keep getting "invalid password" wen trying to change the default one.

Does anyone know why or if there are certain requirements for the password?

i gave up trying to change it.  just use the given one.  the worst that someone can do is "hack" into your miner.

[innoman]

I thought the 'hash for a while then stop and beep' issue might be power related so I removed a blade and started it back up.  It ran for a while and started beeping again--so that doesn't seem to be the issue. 

If you ssh in and type '/etc/init.d/cgminer.sh stop' followed by '/etc/init.d/cgminer.sh start', it starts right back up with mining.  Is anyone using 192.168.1.x and having this issue?  Or not using that subnet but also not having the issue?

Really frustrating to have a miner that only mines for a few minutes then stops and beeps.   

[jimrome]

You guys should really not even try powering up one of these beasts without opening up the box and reseating all cards and connectors. Some things are just bound to shake loose after traveling halfway around the world, no matter how great the QC or packing. Applying power to a system with loose boards and/or cables can cause shorts that may blow out cards or the power supply. You should also tighten up all screws and make sure loose hardware hasn't fallen onto (or into) any electronics. The S1 is/was so successful powering up because of its simplicity, everything is screwed together except for three small ribbon cables.

Design flaw. There should be a bracket holding the boards in place, especially for something you're going to ship by design.

Nevertheless what you say is true.

Multiple design flaws and seemingly non-existent QC. Pretty sketchy/clownish effort overall (did you see the 'machining' of the heat sinks!?). Bitmain isn't alone: the dragon miner I opened yesterday had its own share of ridiculous issues.

tbh, i'm not too worried about it.  it's their first go around at doing a design like this and shipping it halfway around the globe.  A bit of tweaking here and there I don't mind.  This isn't something that will really need to be around for more than several months. 

Personally I'm tired of fixing half-assed hw/fw - and not getting any support from the manufacturers in doing so (no source, no schematics, no eng contacts).

[abracadabra]

I thought the 'hash for a while then stop and beep' issue might be power related so I removed a blade and started it back up.  It ran for a while and started beeping again--so that doesn't seem to be the issue. 

If you ssh in and type '/etc/init.d/cgminer.sh stop' followed by '/etc/init.d/cgminer.sh start', it starts right back up with mining.  Is anyone using 192.168.1.x and having this issue?  Or not using that subnet but also not having the issue?

Really frustrating to have a miner that only mines for a few minutes then stops and beeps.   

did you change the ping address in /etc/init.d/cgminer.sh ?

[Threader]

Wish I had one to help, but with guys like atadro buying 6 there weren't many to go around.  Being first has its drawbacks, good luck guys, I hope you get it figured out.

You can say that again.  Both of my 2 units are totally fubar'd.  Unit 1 had the Raspberry Pi board popped out of the bus, and several cards were out of their slots, but even after re-seating it (and checking all connections), I can't get any connection to the unit.  The LCD display lights up but there is nothing displayed, and the green light on the LCD never comes on.  The ethernet port seems connected to the switch (switch shows active connection), but 192.168.1.99 cannot be accessed at all via SSH or http or even ping.  Dead for all intents and purposes as far as I can tell.

Unit 2 was a great example of total lack of QC (or else the unit was put in a washing machine and run through the "shake it up and spin" cycle).  Check out the pics below.  I haven't even tried to repair, as the bus connections are so bad (and many are loose) that it is impossible to seat all the boards and even if I could seat them, they would be under great strain.  I can't believe they shipped something like this and I can't believe that shipping damage would be to blame for this one.

UNIT 1 picture:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/by36y8x5kf1kisv/IMG_20140403_195015.jpg

UNIT 2 pictures:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/cintq9xlzazjauy/IMG_20140403_200530.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/qai8pvbt9g8674t/IMG_20140403_200536.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5s2c1bnes5w3u2c/IMG_20140403_200617.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/tuk1u5gcr5co6ie/IMG_20140403_201159.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/bheoedm33c0l98h/IMG_20140403_201227.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/a0okif3v7horbqy/IMG_20140403_201650.jpg
https://www.dropbox.com/s/e1skmn5p9k7rpjz/IMG_20140403_201704.jpg

It could be shipping damage, except that the boxes arrived in perfect condition, not a scratch or ding to indicate rough handling.

I guess I will find out soon enough whether bitmaintech stands behind its products or not.  

There was a good reason that Avalon Clone maker RedHash had removed all the modules from the main board and wrapped each up with bubble wrap and the packing box was 3 times the volume of unit with a tomb of heavy duty shipping foam. What the hell was Bitmain thinking? Sorry for your troubles. I will request that my first purchase of a batch 3 S2 unit be totally un-assembled and properly wrapped.

[imar2014]

I cane believe they didnt put a bracket in between the boards for shipping....

So whats going to happen to those poor people who's packages are damaged in transit ? Do Bitmain insure their shipments or are the owners bad out of luck ? Ive got a batch 2 comming all the way to Australia so im extremely nervous...

[Volgon]

8 of the 11 cards were not seated properly.  

However, after re-seating, there is still no display and no lights on my router from the Ethernet connection.

I've already done a second pass at re-seating, and the internal Ethernet and ribbon cable are connected fine...any other ideas?

Since the display isn't lit, does that suggest a power terminal isn't connected or that the main board is fried?  

At least the fans make an impressive sound.  

I got my S2 today.  

However, the display does not light up.  Although the fans do turn on and I can see red lights inside it.  

Also, the Ethernet is not detected by my router.

So the consensus is that I should open it up and see if anything needs to be reseated?  Will this void the warranty?

Thanks!
Volgon

Check that all cards and cables are seated properly. 

[abracadabra]

8 of the 11 cards were not seated properly.  

However, after re-seating, there is still no display and no lights on my router from the Ethernet connection.

I've already done a second pass at re-seating, and the internal Ethernet and ribbon cable are connected fine...any other ideas?

Since the display isn't lit, does that suggest a power terminal isn't connected or that the main board is fried?  

At least the fans make an impressive sound.  

I got my S2 today.  

However, the display does not light up.  Although the fans do turn on and I can see red lights inside it.  

Also, the Ethernet is not detected by my router.

So the consensus is that I should open it up and see if anything needs to be reseated?  Will this void the warranty?

Thanks!
Volgon

Check that all cards and cables are seated properly. 

check lights on controller's ethernet port

[innoman]

did you change the ping address in /etc/init.d/cgminer.sh ?

I did, it wouldn't hash at all until I did that.  I've changed it to my router IP and even removed it.  Both result in the same behavior and it's overwritten on a reboot, of course.  

[mindtrip]

Hope Bitmain releases more soon

[abracadabra]

did you change the ping address in /etc/init.d/cgminer.sh ?

I did, it wouldn't hash at all until I did that.  I've changed it to my router IP and even removed it.  Both result in the same behavior and it's overwritten on a reboot, of course.  

after restarting cgminer, check to see that cgminer is a running process.  it's run in a screen session.  screen -l to view available screen sessions.

[wpgdeez]

Hopefully you guys get some coupons for your troubles 

[buckrogers]

I guess I got lucky, I opened it up to check out the boards and they were all intact and everything in place.

I used a US plug instead of the UK plug it shipped with, turned it on, and it beeped for a minute red light came on, fans spun up fast, then went to a green light and started hashing away.

Changed the IP address and pool info, but still having trouble with the password change.

guess ill wait until he releases the manual tomorrow.

I really feel bad for the people having trouble with this...its a true crime and shame.

Where are most of the people located who had their shipments come all banged up and damaged, just curious what part of the country or world you're in.

Some of the drivers don't care about whats in the box they are dropping at your doorstep, let alone what happens to it along the way.

I hope you get it all sorted out.

Good Luck!

[ak49er]

Dumb UPS. Last night routed my package from Alaska to Kentucky and I am in California. Delayed 1 extra day. Was ready to un-box today.

I live in Alaska and they arrive in Anchorage from China in the afternoon, then get sent to California, and back to Anchorage overnight, to be delivered to me the next day.  I just received notification that there's been a flight delay and my latest S1 is in Anchorage and will be delayed.  And I'm thinking why not just send it down here then and have it arrive tomorrow as expected, can't you read the address?

I have the exact same issue as you pal.. the bad thing is this would delay the original Friday delivery til Monday and not Saturday since UPS Worldwide Express Saver doesnt have a Saturday delivery.
I think the reason why they go to CA is for customs release.. UPS hub at Anchorage doesn't have customs release.. just a guess

That would be my guess too, and I was fearing a Monday delivery as well, but I've just checked and it's back on time.  It's still in Anchorage and hasn't left for CA, so maybe they've just said "fuck customs"?

Since so much freight comes in to Anchorage from Asia I'm surprised they don't have customs release here, but that's about the only reason I can think of to ship it down to CA.

[innoman]

after restarting cgminer, check to see that cgminer is a running process.  it's run in a screen session.  screen -l to view available screen sessions.

There is, screen -list shows

Code:

There is a screen on:
	409.cgminer	(Detached)
1 Socket in /tmp/screens/S-root.

Not that I expected it to fix anything, I tried upgrading cgminer to 4.2.2a (the version compiled for S1) but it was overwritten on a reboot. I am considering trying to set up something with a 192.168.1.x subnet, just trying to work out how.