bfgminer wont start, plz help

[RitzM]

Either way to open the bfgminer.exe, double clicking or bat, it wont start.
The CMD window wont even pop up, just a flash on the task bar for 0.1 sec.
When I use "pause" in the bat file, nothing returns. Same when I run CMD first, then go to the bfgminer dir and enter "bfgminer.exe".

bitcoin-qt is running all good in server mode.This shouldnt be a problem with bfgminer settings, right?Because everyone else at least has the CMD window poping up and telling them whats happenning.
As far as I know, even if u dont do any settings, the CMD window should still pop up.
Do I need to install some kind of libs first？But no one has said anything about that.
The Installation path of bfgminer is all English and without a symbol.
plz help.Its driving me mad.

Info:
Bitcoin Core 0.21.1
bfgminer-5.5.0-win64
CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
GPU: GeForce RTX 3090
OS: Win10 20H2

[1714982079]

1714982079

[RitzM]

When I try it with MultiMiner, right after I choose to let the software download bfgminer, error report
"System.ArgumentNullException: Value cannot be null. Parameter name: uriString"
Anyone has an idea what should I do to fix it?

[swogerino]

I am not understanding completely but I think you have a problem with your maybe Windows Defender settings,as once you click the bat file it just run for 0.1 sec to me indicates that your Antivirus software may have automatically removed the miner and so the bat file does not start.

Secondly do you have your bat files edited like the text below for example in Slushpool so the miner can start?

bfgminer -o http://pool:port -u username -p password

bfgminer -o stratum+tcp://stratum.slushpool.com:3333 -u YOUR_USER_NAME_OF_POOL -p YOUR_PASSWORD_OF_POOL

More information is needed to tell us more in depth your problem.

[RitzM]

I am not understanding completely but I think you have a problem with your maybe Windows Defender settings,as once you click the bat file it just run for 0.1 sec to me indicates that your Antivirus software may have automatically removed the miner and so the bat file does not start.

Secondly do you have your bat files edited like the text below for example in Slushpool so the miner can start?

bfgminer -o http://pool:port -u username -p password

bfgminer -o stratum+tcp://stratum.slushpool.com:3333 -u YOUR_USER_NAME_OF_POOL -p YOUR_PASSWORD_OF_POOL

More information is needed to tell us more in depth your problem.

thx for reply.
All Antibirus softwares are closed, and the bfgminer.exe file is still intact.
My bat file is like this:
PATH\bfgminer.exe -o http://127.0.0.1:8332 -u myusername -p mypassword --generate-to myaddress
Trying solo mining here.

[nc50lc]

This is the Altcoin Mining board, you might get better results if you can move this to Bitcoin Mining: Bitcoin > Mining > Mining software (miners)
I don't know if there are still BFG miner users there but it's best to move this to the proper board.
Move button is below the page (lower-left side).

I'll ask a mod to move this if you're not allowed to.

[RitzM]

This is the Altcoin Mining board, you might get better results if you can move this to Bitcoin Mining: Bitcoin > Mining > Mining software (miners)
I don't know if there are still BFG miner users there but it's best to move this to the proper board.
Move button is below the page (lower-left side).

I'll ask a mod to move this if you're not allowed to.

I did post there in the beginning.
Someone else moved it here .
I'll try moving it back.

BTW, if I want to solo mine BTC with GPU, what miner should I use other than bfgminer?

[nc50lc]

Problem is, people might have thought that you're going to use BFG miner for Altcoin mining because you've mentioned "GPU", since it's not feasible to mine Bitcoin using it.
It's possible but the chance is extremely low compared to solo mining using an old ASIC.

That's unless if you're doing it for research purposes.

-snip-
BTW, if I want to solo mine BTC with GPU, what miner should I use other than bfgminer?

I'm afraid I can't help you with that since I haven't used BFGMiner.

[RitzM]

Problem is, people might have thought that you're going to use BFG miner for Altcoin mining because you've mentioned "GPU", since it's not feasible to mine Bitcoin using it.
It's possible but the chance is extremely low compared to solo mining using an old ASIC.

That's unless if you're doing it for research purposes.

-snip-
BTW, if I want to solo mine BTC with GPU, what miner should I use other than bfgminer?

I'm afraid I can't help you with that since I haven't used BFGMiner.

thx for the info, right you are that Im doing it for research.
So since I only have my PC here, which miner should I use to mine BTC with a PC(GPU)?

[nc50lc]

I believe most Bitcoin Mining Software are obsolete and most aren't maintained by their developers, that's why it's hard to get support.

I'll just leave a link to BFG miner's old thread: BFGMiner 5.5.0: CPU/GPU/FPGA/ASIC mining software, GBT+Stratum, RPC, Linux/Win64
And see if you can find a previously solved issue similar to yours; you can use "search" while the thread is open.

Good luck.

[kano]

...
BTW, if I want to solo mine BTC with GPU, what miner should I use other than bfgminer?

You will earn nothing doing that.

A 15W $200 ASIC USB miner that hardly makes anything, is the equivalent of 600-900 expensive GPUs.

GPU mining is a complete waste of time, effort, GPUs (it'll die before you find a block) and power.

Read it, it says to read it, for that reason:

BITCOIN MINING INTRO & RULES OF THIS SUBFORUM - READ BEFORE POSTING
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2415854.0

[RitzM]

...
BTW, if I want to solo mine BTC with GPU, what miner should I use other than bfgminer?

You will earn nothing doing that.

A 15W $200 ASIC USB miner that hardly makes anything, is the equivalent of 600-900 expensive GPUs.

GPU mining is a complete waste of time, effort, GPUs (it'll die before you find a block) and power.

Read it, it says to read it, for that reason:

BITCOIN MINING INTRO & RULES OF THIS SUBFORUM - READ BEFORE POSTING
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2415854.0

I understand, but I just want to see it running with what I have at this moment, not chasing profit right now.
Say if I invest a lot into multiple ASIC hardwares and solo mine with my own pool, will I be facing the same tech problem here?
Most important is that I only wanna use open source miners without fee or potential risks.Though those miners are really easy to setup.

[kano]

Well there's a reason why the most prolific open source no fee miner doesn't include CPU or GPU mining ...
https://github.com/kanoi/cgminer

bfg is a fork of cgminer (and he also stole the name from me)

That link in my previous post explains pretty well why cgminer doesn't support CPUs or GPUs.

Any proper standalone ASIC miner you buy new today should also have a no fee miner in it.
People like to hack miners sold second hand and do all sorts of nasty things and add fees into them.
Any 2nd hand miner you buy, you should wipe it and reinstall the original firmware from the manufacturer.

However, go buy a cheap ASIC USB miner, cheaper than an recent GPU, and it will use a fraction of the power and run forever.
I don't know of any ASIC USB miners that have been made in the last 5 years that are as terribly slow as a GPU  ...
but the USB miners all use WAY less power hashing way faster than a GPU.

[RitzM]

Well there's a reason why the most prolific open source no fee miner doesn't include CPU or GPU mining ...
https://github.com/kanoi/cgminer

bfg is a fork of cgminer (and he also stole the name from me)

That link in my previous post explains pretty well why cgminer doesn't support CPUs or GPUs.

Any proper standalone ASIC miner you buy new today should also have a no fee miner in it.
People like to hack miners sold second hand and do all sorts of nasty things and add fees into them.
Any 2nd hand miner you buy, you should wipe it and reinstall the original firmware from the manufacturer.

However, go buy a cheap ASIC USB miner, cheaper than an recent GPU, and it will use a fraction of the power and run forever.
I don't know of any ASIC USB miners that have been made in the last 5 years that are as terribly slow as a GPU  ...
but the USB miners all use WAY less power hashing way faster than a GPU.

OMG！I just realized that you are THE GUY that developed cgminer!!The original GOD of all miners!
Im just starting here, a lot to learn.
I see now I should buy a ASIC miner first, I can run cgminer on it right?(dont know how yet)
Can u recommend a specific ASIC miner compatible with cgminer with a price within 300 USD. It feels like where I should start.

[NotFuzzyWarm]

...
OMG！I just realized that you are THE GUY that developed cgminer!!The original GOD of all miners!
Im just starting here, a lot to learn.
I see now I should buy a ASIC miner first, I can run cgminer on it right?(dont know how yet)
Can u recommend a specific ASIC miner compatible with cgminer with a price within 300 USD. It feels like where I should start.

As Kano will tell you, one of the Primary developers and arguably 2nd largest contributor of code in cgminer (largest in ckpool) is more accurate as they are the work of several people.
Link to his git https://github.com/kanoi/cgminer

Um, just look in the Hardware section of the forum for the small USB-based miners...
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1764803.0 is Sidehacks original small USB sticks
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5053833.0 is his newer USB sticks and his Terminus pod miner
Those are all in production and available through several resellers including several on Amazon and eBay
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5355470.0 is his latest one now in final testing

Also there is https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5340015.0 which is jstefanop's Apollo combined BTC Node & miner

edit: corrected contribution amounts

[kano]

As Kano will tell you, one of the Primary developers and arguably largest contributor of code in cgminer (and ckpool) is more accurate as they are the work of several people.
Link to his git https://github.com/kanoi/cgminer
...

Largest in ckpool, bit con is the main developer of cgminer, I'm 2nd.

[RitzM]

As Kano will tell you, one of the Primary developers and arguably largest contributor of code in cgminer (and ckpool) is more accurate as they are the work of several people.
Link to his git https://github.com/kanoi/cgminer
...

Largest in ckpool, bit con is the main developer of cgminer, I'm 2nd.

Can I run cgminer on a S9i Antminer?Or any other hardware with around 10TH/s?
It says Avalon 8 is supported by cgminer. So does Avalon A821 count as Avalon 8?

[NotFuzzyWarm]

All Antminers are self-contained and are already running an ASIC chip-specific fork of cgminer done by the maker. Same for all Avalons from Canaan. Nothing for you to change there.

That said, the Avalons are eminently tweakable by using the Other Commands option box for their GUI display of cgminer.

[RitzM]

All Antminers are self-contained and are already running a ASIC chip-specific fork of cgminer done by the maker. Same for all Avalons from Canaan. Nothing for you to change there.

So usb miners you mentioned are the only choice for me, if I stick to open source cgminer?

[NotFuzzyWarm]

All Antminers are self-contained and are already running a ASIC chip-specific fork of cgminer done by the maker. Same for all Avalons from Canaan. Nothing for you to change there.

So usb miners you mentioned are the only choice for me, if I stick to open source cgminer?

If you are intent on running copy of cgminer on a PC to play with it, yes. That said - up to Canaan's A10xx series all the Avalons are running cgminer on RasPi's along with using OpenWrT so you can play there as well.

[RitzM]

All Antminers are self-contained and are already running a ASIC chip-specific fork of cgminer done by the maker. Same for all Avalons from Canaan. Nothing for you to change there.

So usb miners you mentioned are the only choice for me, if I stick to open source cgminer?

If you are intent on running copy of cgminer on a PC to play with it, yes. That said - up to Canaan's A10xx series all the Avalons are running cgminer on RasPi's along with using OpenWrT so you can play there as well.

I see, thx a lot, will look into it.