ANTMINER S4 Discussion and Support Thread

[Prelude]

Firmware won't flash, any specific instructions?

Unzip and rename  to initramfs.bin.SD-20141003.tar

That didn't work either.

Inside the downloaded file is SD.tar which I extracted and renamed from SD.tar to initramfs.bin.SD-20141003.tar. Got the following error: "tar: invalid magic tar: short read cp: can't stat '*': No such file or directory "

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[Prelude]

Firmware won't flash, any specific instructions?

Yes. What I said.
Set your difficulty manually to 2048 on whatever pool you are mining at.
This will avoid a portion of the ill effects of the current firmware.

Aside from that, wait for Bitmain to get their sh*t together and support their products properly.
This is very disappointing.
The S4 should not have been shipped with this firmware.
Providing a firmware package days after release which will not properly flash only adds insult to injury.

I can't imagine how much BTC is currently being lost by inefficient and improperly configured miners, helping to further kill any chances of ROI for many many people.
Nevermind the security risks involved with running the outdated 3.12.0 version of CGminer forever.

Yep, been running at 2048 since I got it. Only way to get good results out of it, can't trust vardiff which works 1 out of 5 times. I'd like to get this firmware flashed, though.

[StormTheFront]

Firmware won't flash, any specific instructions?

Unzip and rename  to initramfs.bin.SD-20141003.tar

That didn't work either.

Inside the downloaded file is SD.tar which I extracted and renamed from SD.tar to initramfs.bin.SD-20141003.tar. Got the following error: "tar: invalid magic tar: short read cp: can't stat '*': No such file or directory "

I've tried renaming files.
I've tried renaming the package.
I've tried creating my own TAR files.
I've tried manipulating that initramfs.bin.SD file in every way imaginable.

Nothing I have tried is getting that useless package to flash.

[Prelude]

Same here. Cost me 20 minutes of downtime as I pulled the SD out of the S4 to make a backup image of the original firmware in case of problems with the new firmware.

[Yun789]

I've managed to install the update by taking out the sd card from the antminer s4 and replacing the 'initramfs.bin.SD' with the new firmware's version of 'initramfs.bin.SD'.



It still has the same issue of not mining what it says its mining.. :l

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f123/Yun_Artist/cgminer_zpsc7403916.png

[Prelude]

I've managed to install the update by taking out the sd card from the antminer s4 and replacing the 'initramfs.bin.SD' with the new firmware's version of 'initramfs.bin.SD'.



It still has the same issue of not mining what it says its mining.. :l

I wonder if that updates everything that needs to be updated. Might try later if I go back out to my garage.

Edit: Your load average is much lower than mine, I'm guessing it hadn't started hashing since it's showing an uptime of 0 minutes.

[Yun789]

I've managed to install the update by taking out the sd card from the antminer s4 and replacing the 'initramfs.bin.SD' with the new firmware's version of 'initramfs.bin.SD'.



It still has the same issue of not mining what it says its mining.. :l

I wonder if that updates everything that needs to be updated. Might try later if I go back out to my garage.

This method of updating the firmware was recommended by bitmain when i had an issue with the s2
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f123/Yun_Artist/sdcard_zps2988996b.png

and I take back what i said about it not making a difference, I'm mining on eligius and ive left it on for about 10 mins, its starting to see a difference of about 1600 gh/s now, whereas the antminer is saying its on around 1950gh/s / 2th/s

[StormTheFront]

All I know, is that my miners are working the best they ever have..... because of a random forum member, and my own diligence. NOT because of Bitmain.

I also know, that of the 48hours that I have had my units, I am now up to over 10 hours of downtime and lost profits.

I don't have the time or patience to fiddle with removing an SD card, and then inadvertently bricking the damn thing.... just because Bitmain can't pay somebody holiday pay to fix their shortcomings.
This should be a simple download, and straight forward update process. As expected.
I will wait until October 9th when they claim they will be back.
Last thing I need is more problems.

Not sure if I mentioned yet that I am disappointed. But I am.

[Prelude]

I've managed to install the update by taking out the sd card from the antminer s4 and replacing the 'initramfs.bin.SD' with the new firmware's version of 'initramfs.bin.SD'.



It still has the same issue of not mining what it says its mining.. :l

I wonder if that updates everything that needs to be updated. Might try later if I go back out to my garage.

This method of updating the firmware was recommended by bitmain when i had an issue with the s2


and I take back what i said about it not making a difference, I'm mining on eligius and ive left it on for about 10 mins, its starting to see a difference of about 1600 gh/s now, whereas the antminer is saying its on around 1950gh/s / 2th/s

Cool, thanks for posting the info. I'm going to go swap the file and report back.

[MyRig]

Updated Firmware (Bug Fixed Version) is in the process of being tested and soon to be uploaded at http://www.bitmaintech.com

Meanwhile....

If you need to update or flush the S4 firmware, and received this error message

Code:

 System Upgrade Failed
 cp: omitting directory 'SD'

Please turn off the S4.

Please open the top cover and remove the microSD card inserted into the Beagle Bone Black unit



Power it back on and log into the web control panel then try to flush with the new firmware.

[StormTheFront]

Updated info regarding firmware.

Thank You!
I am pleasantly surprised.
Appreciate the information!! Makes waiting easier.

[Prelude]

Updated Firmware (Bug Fixed Version) is in the process of being tested and soon to be uploaded at http://www.bitmaintech.com

Meanwhile....

If you need to update or flush the S4 firmware, and received this error message

Code:

 System Upgrade Failed
 cp: omitting directory 'SD'

Please turn off the S4.

Please open the top cover and remove the microSD card inserted into the Beagle Bone Black unit



Power it back on and log into the web control panel then try to flush with the new firmware.

I don't get it? I assuming by flush you mean flash. You're saying to remove the sd card and power the S4 without it in? How would we log back into it and flash it without the sd card?

[StormTheFront]

I don't get it? I assuming by flush you mean flash. You're saying to remove the sd card and power the S4 without it in? How would we log back into it and flash it without the sd card?

Flush, definitely = Flash

I would assume the "bug" lies somewhere in naming, or whatever the case.
Removing the SD card probably tricks it somehow.
Not 100% clear if you would remove the card and attempt to flash without it, or insert it later with the power on, or boot without it & then boot again with it to flash, or what the deal is exactly... but I am sure with minimal fiddling it is probably pretty self-explanatory.
At least we have a hint

Regardless, the "fixed" firmware is currently being worked on, and will be uploaded "soon".
That is what I am waiting for.
Much simpler that way.

Not having to wait until October 9th, is great news!

[Prelude]

I don't get it? I assuming by flush you mean flash. You're saying to remove the sd card and power the S4 without it in? How would we log back into it and flash it without the sd card?

Flush, definitely = Flash

I would assume the "bug" lies somewhere in naming, or whatever the case.
Removing the SD card probably tricks it somehow.
Not 100% clear if you would remove the card and attempt to flash without it, or insert it later with the power on, or boot without it & then boot again with it to flash, or what the deal is exactly... but I am sure with minimal fiddling it is probably pretty self-explanatory.
At least we have a hint

Regardless, the "fixed" firmware is currently being worked on, and will be uploaded "soon".
That is what I am waiting for.
Much simpler that way.

Not having to wait until October 9th, is great news!

Great news indeed! I switched the files, and have the updated cgminer running. Problem is, now btcguild is reporting 1.6TH/s instead of the 2.1TH/s I was getting before switching the files. Guess I'm going to switch them back, and this time the screws are staying off for a while LOL.

[StormTheFront]

Great news indeed! I switched the files, and have the updated cgminer running. Problem is, now btcguild is reporting 1.6TH/s instead of the 2.1TH/s I was getting before switching the files. Guess I'm going to switch them back, and this time the screws are staying off for a while LOL.

Give it some time usually takes pools a little while to catch up
They calculate speed differently.

I'm still waiting for the "fixed" version.

[Prelude]

Guys, here is the new fixed firmware. Bitmain emailed it to me as their engineer isn't avilable to upload it to their website yet.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/24462711/initramfs.bin.SD-20141003-1.tar.gz

Enjoy!

[testerman]

I have just calculated,

1250$ for S4, 100$ for customs, 170$ for shipping , that means, 1520$ per 2000GHS = 0.76$ per GHS = 0.0023BTC/GHS   with 330$/BTC, ---> if my calculations are wrong, pls correct it, thx..

if it is correct,

just want to know,  who is buying at that prices? because that prices will not roi ever.. and ever...

even if you have free shipping and customs, 0.00187 btc /ghs , with maintenance costs , it will not roi ever again, pls correct me if my calculations are wrong..

[suchmoon]

will not roi ever.. and ever...

When you make a claim like that it helps to also state your assumed difficulty projections, and perhaps power/hosting costs as well.

We can't tell you if your calculations are wrong if we don't know what those calculations are.

[Prelude]

Still not working on eligius with new firmware....

[Prelude]

Nicehash is not working any better either. Low hashrate and 20% rejects.