ANTMINER S3+ Discussion and Support Thread

[zOU]

Why don't you want to use the latest one ?

https://enshop.bitmain.com/files/download/antMiner_S320150109.bin


It has all the fixes, I can't see the point of upgrading to a known bad version...

You could even use Kano's version...

[gt_addict]

Why don't you want to use the latest one ?

https://enshop.bitmain.com/files/download/antMiner_S320150109.bin


It has all the fixes, I can't see the point of upgrading to a known bad version...

You could even use Kano's version...

Ive already updated to kanos version but it didn't change the cgminer. The New(second hand) s3+ ive just hooked up is showing a 0.2235% HW, but the S3+ I have that's running 4.6.1 and kanos update has a rate of 0.001%HW.

That's the only difference so thought updating to the firmware with 4.6.1 would be beneficial.

Is the firmware update ive listed definitely a bad one that bricks miners?

[Mikestang]

Why don't you want to use the latest one ?

https://enshop.bitmain.com/files/download/antMiner_S320150109.bin


It has all the fixes, I can't see the point of upgrading to a known bad version...

You could even use Kano's version...

Ive already updated to kanos version but it didn't change the cgminer. The New(second hand) s3+ ive just hooked up is showing a 0.2235% HW, but the S3+ I have that's running 4.6.1 and kanos update has a rate of 0.001%HW.

That's the only difference so thought updating to the firmware with 4.6.1 would be beneficial.

If you are using Kano's update then you would have cgminer 4.9.0, not 4.6.1.

Kano and ck updated the cgminer, not the same thing as the firmware.  The firmware from bitmain contains the (old & outdated & buggy) bitmain fork of cgminer, if you did the Kano update first and then the bitmain firmware update, you overwrote the kano update.

You should first install the latest bitmain firmware from their website, antMiner_S320150109.bin.  Simply follow the directions from the manual:

Through 'System->Backup/Flash Firmware’ you will be able to upgrade your AntMiner.
‘Keep settings’ is  chosen by default, you should choose it if you hope to preserve thecurrent
settings. You should cancel this option if you hope to restore to initial settings. Click ‘Browse’ button to
choose upgrade file [this is the firmware you downloaded per above]. After choosing upgrade file, then click ’Flash image...’ button to start to download
this file to  your  system. After  downloading,  please  click ‘Proceed’ button, then upgrade system.
During the upgrade process, you need to wait patiently, and must keep power on, otherwise, AntMiner
will restore to initial settings. AntMiner will be connected to login interface after finishing system upgrade.

After you do that, follow Kano's instructions to update cgminer and verify that it installed 4.9.0.  You'll get a new status screen when successful.  You'll also notice the load on the machine is drastically reduced.  Error rate went down on my S3+ with it as well.

[gt_addict]

I've done kanos updates on both machines yet they both still show the cgminer versions I've mentioned previously in the software section.

Plus why are the HW%'s so different? They have been running about the same time since I turned them both on after booking up the new(second hand) s3+.

[Mikestang]

I've done kanos updates on both machines yet they both still show the cgminer versions I've mentioned previously in the software section.

Then you have not done kano's update, at least not correctly.  If done correctly you would be running cgminer 4.9.0 and you would have a -k on the gui pages.

[in2tactics]

Each hashing board has one PCI-E cable plugged in and is set to a frequency of 218.75 MHz.

Try populating each pci-e plug with its own power cable, sometimes there are issues with only using one per board.

Yep that is why I asked on amount of PCIe cables plugged in.  You might try a lower freq if you cannot get 4 PCIe cables. 

I have a feeling 4 PCIe cables will be the better fix, as you can go normal speed.  Or if you cannot lower freq is my second pick.

I tried running the S3 with four PCI-E cables and unfortunately the unit continued to reboot every few hours.

I then tried a control board swap with another S3 unit. I unexpectedly did not have any reboots of either unit during a 24 hour period. I swapped the boards back and within a few hours the same unit that was previously rebooting started misbehaving again. At this point, I guess that I will swap the control boards back again and see what happens over a longer period of time.

On a side note, any recommendation for operating an S3 with or without the top cover on? I usually operate my units with the cover on, but I have seen some folks leave them off.

[aarons6]

Why don't you want to use the latest one ?

https://enshop.bitmain.com/files/download/antMiner_S320150109.bin


It has all the fixes, I can't see the point of upgrading to a known bad version...

You could even use Kano's version...

Ive already updated to kanos version but it didn't change the cgminer. The New(second hand) s3+ ive just hooked up is showing a 0.2235% HW, but the S3+ I have that's running 4.6.1 and kanos update has a rate of 0.001%HW.

That's the only difference so thought updating to the firmware with 4.6.1 would be beneficial.

Is the firmware update ive listed definitely a bad one that bricks miners?

it wont change the cgminer version that is listed in the package info.. it just overwrites the bin..
so if you ssh into the s3 and do cgminer --version you will see 4.9.0

[Real-Duke]

version you will see 4.9.0

Just shipped my last sold S3+ with Kano's cgminer update so I can't see it on my own but if I remember correct it should be the latest version 4.9.2 working after the upgrade?

[gt_addict]

version you will see 4.9.0

Just shipped my last sold S3+ with Kano's cgminer update so I can't see it on my own but if I remember correct it should be the latest version 4.9.2 working after the upgrade?

I did check them this morning before work and both showed 4.9.2.  But that still doesn't explain the high HW% compared to the other one.

[zOU]

I've done kanos updates on both machines yet they both still show the cgminer versions I've mentioned previously in the software section.

Plus why are the HW%'s so different? They have been running about the same time since I turned them both on after booking up the new(second hand) s3+.

i know what you mean:



But:

Code:

root@AntminerS31:/usr/bin# cgminer -V
cgminer 4.9.2

So basically, do no trust the System info in the UI

[gt_addict]

So I've just got to ignore the HW% and readings then. I suppose on the pool side nothing has changed in regards to rejected work but it's still annoying that the new one reads 0.25%hw and the one with other reads 0.002%hw. Obviously I just want to maximise my share on the pool. Would this be a factor on the hashrate the pool receives?

[Mikestang]

@ gt_addict, did you verify via command line the cgminer version?

Yes, I think an increased HW error rate results in less shares being submitted to the pool, therefore the pool will show you a reduced hash rate.

It could be just a difference in the two machines, but 0.2% error is pretty darn high.  I overclocked my S3+ and its errors were less than 0.1% I'm pretty sure (or was it 0.01%?).

But:

Code:

root@AntminerS31:/usr/bin# cgminer -V
cgminer 4.9.2

So basically, do no trust the System info in the UI

Ah, well that must explain why he's done the kano updates but still thought he had the old cgminer version.  I never checked the version in the gui, I always checked via ssh connection.

[gt_addict]

Mike,  yea I ssh into it this morning and checked and both read 4.9.2 even though the gui says ones at 4.0.6 and the other is 3.8 something.

I'll risk updating the one that says 3.8something and then do kanos update again to see if it improves.

[gt_addict]

Well updated to the latest firmware and then uploaded kanos update aswell and the HW rate has gone from 0.225% down to 0.011% so it must have been the old firmware that was the problem.

[astondb5]

So I am new to all this and trying to learn.  Someone gave me a modded s3+ with wifi.  Where should I point this thing to do the best.  Electricity is free and it is running off a 700W power supply with all connections.  I know I won't get rich but with it running for 1 day and pointed at Nicehash it made like a $1.  Excuse the ignorance but any info is appreciated.  Thanks

[zOU]

I'd definitely say kano.is :

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=789369.new;topicseen#new

No pool will make you rich with an S3, you can also try solo mining

[Real-Duke]

No pool will make you rich with an S3

Thats sad but true! You should find some of his brothers to get a little bit more with free electricity 

[astondb5]

Like I said I know I won't get rich but any money is free money since I didn't have to buy the gear or pay for power.  That is why I wanted the most bang for my worker.  I setup my rig to go to Kano.  It has the ability to set the frequency up to 300 I only have it at 250 now.  What is the best setting for that?  Thanks again for the suggestion for the pool.

[gt_addict]

Personally I wouldn't go anymore than 250M I ran one of my S3+ for a couple of months and one of the chips is now gone. Now got both of them at 243M and have been stable for a month or so. Both hashing at around 480Ghs.

[astondb5]

Ok good to know...I will leave it where it is.  It seems pretty stable at that.  I turned it up a little yesterday but didn't know how much of a difference it made so I turned it back down.