ANTMINER S4 Discussion and Support Thread

[mdude77]

Hi there!

I have some S4 running at BTCGuild (2048 diff) and some at another pool (around 1700 diff, varying). The ones at Guild are all showing zero bestshare, the ones at the other pool are showing actual bestshare values.  Hash rate seems good, better actually at BTCGuild than the other pool.  Does anyone have an idea what could be the bestshare problem?

Thanks!

It's an Antminer bug.  All of them after the S1 don't show best share if the difficulty is a factor of 2, say 512, 1024, 2048, 4096, etc. 

M

Isn't best share just an indicator of how 'close' your random chance got to finding a block? Is there another use for it?

It's nice to look at.  And with lower difficulty coins, it can be fun.

M

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[Kexkey]

Hi there!

I have some S4 running at BTCGuild (2048 diff) and some at another pool (around 1700 diff, varying). The ones at Guild are all showing zero bestshare, the ones at the other pool are showing actual bestshare values.  Hash rate seems good, better actually at BTCGuild than the other pool.  Does anyone have an idea what could be the bestshare problem?

Thanks!

It's an Antminer bug.  All of them after the S1 don't show best share if the difficulty is a factor of 2, say 512, 1024, 2048, 4096, etc. 

M

Wow, nice to know.  I think all possible diff values we can set at BTCGuild are factors of 2.  I wonder if the bestshare value kept by the Antminer is in fact managed by cgminer.  I'm sure CK knows about it.  Anyway, thanks for the info M.  Btw, nice work with your MMinerMonitor.

Kexkey

[Kexkey]

Hi there!

I have some S4 running at BTCGuild (2048 diff) and some at another pool (around 1700 diff, varying). The ones at Guild are all showing zero bestshare, the ones at the other pool are showing actual bestshare values.  Hash rate seems good, better actually at BTCGuild than the other pool.  Does anyone have an idea what could be the bestshare problem?

Thanks!

It's an Antminer bug.  All of them after the S1 don't show best share if the difficulty is a factor of 2, say 512, 1024, 2048, 4096, etc. 

M

Isn't best share just an indicator of how 'close' your random chance got to finding a block? Is there another use for it?

It's a fun stat to have.  We bet on which of our miners is going to get closest to the current target and making games with it.  Beers and shots are in play, it's serious fun.  ;-)

And it's an indicator on the normal performance of the miners.

[Wings1987]

I remember seeing this posted but can't get it to come up in search.

What fans are used in the S4? I have one that went bad and want to order before taking it apart.

Also is anyone using a quieter replacement?

Thanks in advance.

[MyRig]

@Wings1987,

PM Sent to you for RMA!

I remember seeing this posted but can't get it to come up in search.

What fans are used in the S4? I have one that went bad and want to order before taking it apart.

Also is anyone using a quieter replacement?

Thanks in advance.

[dogie]

I remember seeing this posted but can't get it to come up in search.

What fans are used in the S4? I have one that went bad and want to order before taking it apart.

Also is anyone using a quieter replacement?

Thanks in advance.

I never found out as they're genericly marked. If you dropped a front fan you can replace it with one of those high performance high static pressure Corsair fans that are easily attainable now, as only the rear fans are important in this layout. Temps literally don't change (I did it on my S4).

[sEpuLchEr]

@Wings1987,

PM Sent to you for RMA!

I remember seeing this posted but can't get it to come up in search.

What fans are used in the S4? I have one that went bad and want to order before taking it apart.

Also is anyone using a quieter replacement?

Thanks in advance.

Better to get a RMA as you will not be able to find the same exact fans. Even the wire length is different for the fans. Fans 1 & 2 uses shorter wires while 3 & 4 have longer wires.

Also, there is no quiet fan that you can find that pushes 238CFM (which is required if you are situated near or at the equator like me which is Singapore).

Well, just in case, the specs for the fan is here http://prntscr.com/56s4gz

[mdude77]

Hi there!

I have some S4 running at BTCGuild (2048 diff) and some at another pool (around 1700 diff, varying). The ones at Guild are all showing zero bestshare, the ones at the other pool are showing actual bestshare values.  Hash rate seems good, better actually at BTCGuild than the other pool.  Does anyone have an idea what could be the bestshare problem?

Thanks!

It's an Antminer bug.  All of them after the S1 don't show best share if the difficulty is a factor of 2, say 512, 1024, 2048, 4096, etc. 

M

Wow, nice to know.  I think all possible diff values we can set at BTCGuild are factors of 2.  I wonder if the bestshare value kept by the Antminer is in fact managed by cgminer.  I'm sure CK knows about it.  Anyway, thanks for the info M.  Btw, nice work with your MMinerMonitor.

Kexkey

I don't think it's a cgminer bug....

M

[taweesak]

what can i do ? if i power on and the lcd screen of s4 antminer not show. i can't to connect to 192.168.1.6 too

(edit)

[aclass]

Is it S2 or S4?

what can i do ? if i power on and the lcd screen of s2 antminer not show. i can't to connect to 192.168.1.6 too

[taweesak]

s4 sorry typo

---

got it , problem about sd card inside.

[MyRig]

For S4, if the miner powers up, the back light of the small LCD comes on but screen shows blank, highly likely it is the MicroSD card either got loose inside, or data on the microSD card got corrupted.

You will find the MicroSD card inside the case, behind the LCD panel and next to the PSU.  There is a Black Colored Beagle Bone Black and there is a little MicroSD card slot on it.  Lightly push the card and it will pop right out and push it back in.

Then please try to power it back on and see if it boots up.  If not, you may have to use this software to reimage (Write) the factory default data of S4.

Image Software (Windows):
https://bitmaintech.com/files/download/SD-partition-tool.zip

S4 Factory Default Image:
https://bitmaintech.com/files/download/initramfs.bin.SD-20141016.tar.gz

Any issues, please PM or contact our live support at 844-248-6246 Option 2

Thank you!

s4 sorry typo

---

got it , problem about sd card inside.

[vegasguy]

I contacted Yoshi a few days ago to see if there is an S4 beta firmware, as once a day I lose two of the asic blades and they look like ---------------------------------- . The only way to restore all 4 blades working again, is a complete shutdown and reboot. Its not heat as I have it outside (covered), and its 40F-50F . Yoshi has not returned my email. Probably on holiday. Is anyone aware of an S4 firmware beta? Can you email it to gareth@vegascompudoc.com . I am a professional full time computer repair tech for 20 years, is there anything I can do hardware wise to fix this? Is this a known issue? Will regreasing the blades help?

Thanks

[MyRig]

NO BETA AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.  WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE, MAY CONTACT YOU!

As for your ------------ status, when it shows that, please log in to the control panel and take some screen shots and send it to Yoshi if you are in contact with him. (It may run okay but the miner should not be run outside for various reasons.  It is a sensitive computer device)

If the standard power cycle resolves this issue, then the miner status page would be one place to look into what is going on.

Another would be please check all of your cable to make sure its not loose or came loose.


FYI: ALPHA/BETA SOFTWARE REQUEST MAY NOT BE ANSWERED AS IT IS NOT A SERVICE WE OFFER. TIME TO TIME AS SITUATION RISES, THERE MAY BE AN OFFER TO INDIVIDUAL CASE.

IF  YOU THINK YOU HAVE A DEFECTIVE ITEM, PLEASE RETURN IT TO THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS TO RECEIVE A WORKING UNIT. (Warranty is 90-days.  Out of Warranty item can be serviced as well with parts cost)

Bitmain Warranty
3700 Quebec Street
Unit 100-239
Denver, Colorado 80207

Tel: +1-844-248-6246 Option 2

Please include the following:

Printed order confirmation page from Bitmaintech.com
Printed Note describing what is not working

*Return Shipping will go to the originally purchased address. (If address change is needed, please PRINT your New Shipping Address and a telephone number in the package)  A signature from the person listed on the Order Confirmation may be required to receive the package from us. (Any special needs, please contact 844-248-6246 and speak with the techs.)

I contacted Yoshi a few days ago to see if there is an S4 beta firmware, as once a day I lose two of the asic blades and they look like ---------------------------------- . The only way to restore all 4 blades working again, is a complete shutdown and reboot. Its not heat as I have it outside (covered), and its 40F-50F . Yoshi has not returned my email. Probably on holiday. Is anyone aware of an S4 firmware beta? Can you email it to gareth@vegascompudoc.com . I am a professional full time computer repair tech for 20 years, is there anything I can do hardware wise to fix this? Is this a known issue? Will regreasing the blades help?

Thanks

[klondike_bar]

I contacted Yoshi a few days ago to see if there is an S4 beta firmware, as once a day I lose two of the asic blades and they look like ---------------------------------- . The only way to restore all 4 blades working again, is a complete shutdown and reboot. Its not heat as I have it outside (covered), and its 40F-50F . Yoshi has not returned my email. Probably on holiday. Is anyone aware of an S4 firmware beta? Can you email it to gareth@vegascompudoc.com . I am a professional full time computer repair tech for 20 years, is there anything I can do hardware wise to fix this? Is this a known issue? Will regreasing the blades help?

Thanks

40F is pretty cold - not all equipment actually likes having <5C air at the inlet. Try:
1) open it up. reseat the power and data cables to all the hashing boards. A slightly loose connection that misses the occasional input/output data could trigger the board disabling.
2) visually inspect the boards make sure theres no missing capacitors or other damage (its unlikely but if the lid is off you may as well take 2 minutes with a bright light to check)
3) put the unit somewhere warmer. 10-20 degrees celcius is ideal
4) tune the unit. try:
4a) bump up hte voltage slightly, 10-20mv more might help
4b) bump down the frequency slightly. 25MHz of so might help

[dkaufman]

Quiet around here, eh?

Looks like I can no longer buy a new S4 from Bitmain's website?!  Only the so-called "Batch 3" are available to buy, and they are crap "second handed" (used, refurbished Batch 2 units) and "not a brand new toy".  Calling a discount on a truckload of refurbished equipment "the next batch" just dilutes customer confidence in Bitmain's brand and damages its reputation as a quality manufacturer.

Oh wait -- I take that back, I *can* still buy S4's! Yea! ...from that, that "Christmas Sale" link...  But wait -- what?  Um, no.  Only if I'm am ordering 500 or more!  Damn you.  Again, what a marketing train-wreck!  Raise your hand if you are a home-based miner who loves Bitmain products, who was bitterly and deeply disappointed at Bitmain's holiday practical jokes: First a "Black Friday" sale and now a "Christmas Sale", neither of which can the home miner enjoy.

Normal people (those without a truckload of money) see these "sales" as Bitmain getting greedy and hoping to dump large quantites on a few rich buyers.  I don't want to see you trying to close deals for truckloads of gear to companies with truckloads of money.  These offers should be on their own "wholesale" page or something, not posted on the homepage, disguised as product for sale to consumers, as teasers dangling in front of the faces of regular people who can never afford them.

And what's with the "Second Handed" S3+ "LARGE BULK BATCH 1"?  I can buy 500 Batch 1 S3's (the ones that only hashed at 430 GH/s, not 450+), for $115 (with free shipping via slow-boat-to-China) but only if I'm willing to travel to the nearest ocean terminal to pick them up, and pay the import tariffs?  Again, Bitmain apparently has no idea that this lack of marketing sense is repeatedly, cruelly even, disappointing its most loyal customers.

You guys are on crack.

Guess I'll just buy bitcoin instead. At $311 USD, the price has nowhere to go but moonward (...right?)

-dave

[thomas_s]

Quiet around here, eh?

Looks like I can no longer buy a new S4 from Bitmain's website?!  Only the so-called "Batch 3" are available to buy, and they are crap "second handed" (used, refurbished Batch 2 units) and "not a brand new toy".  Calling a discount on a truckload of refurbished equipment "the next batch" just dilutes customer confidence in Bitmain's brand and damages its reputation as a quality manufacturer.

Oh wait -- I take that back, I *can* still buy S4's! Yea! ...from that, that "Christmas Sale" link...  But wait -- what?  Um, no.  Only if I'm am ordering 500 or more!  Damn you.  Again, what a marketing train-wreck!  Raise your hand if you are a home-based miner who loves Bitmain products, who was bitterly and deeply disappointed at Bitmain's holiday practical jokes: First a "Black Friday" sale and now a "Christmas Sale", neither of which can the home miner enjoy.

Normal people (those without a truckload of money) see these "sales" as Bitmain getting greedy and hoping to dump large quantites on a few rich buyers.  I don't want to see you trying to close deals for truckloads of gear to companies with truckloads of money.  These offers should be on their own "wholesale" page or something, not posted on the homepage, disguised as product for sale to consumers, as teasers dangling in front of the faces of regular people who can never afford them.

And what's with the "Second Handed" S3+ "LARGE BULK BATCH 1"?  I can buy 500 Batch 1 S3's (the ones that only hashed at 430 GH/s, not 450+), for $115 (with free shipping via slow-boat-to-China) but only if I'm willing to travel to the nearest ocean terminal to pick them up, and pay the import tariffs?  Again, Bitmain apparently has no idea that this lack of marketing sense is repeatedly, cruelly even, disappointing its most loyal customers.

You guys are on crack.

Guess I'll just buy bitcoin instead. At $311 USD, the price has nowhere to go but moonward (...right?)

-dave

You forgot to mention, since when does ocean freight take only 7 days? Every shipping rep as well as outside people have said its a minimum of 30 days to receive product with ocean freight when the ports are not busy.

[sloopy]

I apologize in advance if this has been addressed in this thread, I did my damdest UTFSE but can't seem to find any numbers on overclocking. I found a small bit on UC, but those were mostly troubleshooting.
I am only doing this for fun, not because I think it will make me rich.

I can run stable at Freq: 225 / Volts: 726 <- Never had a single issue, ran hard for a week.
One bump in voltage to 727 and once the top left line of 0s for normal operation turned to Xs.
I shut down, brought up and changed back to 726 and all is good again.

I tried a few other variations and think it is time to pop the cover and check connections, use some canned air and give her a general massage.

If you have any resources I would truly appreciate them.

Thanks!

[dmwardjr]

What you have done thus far is honestly about the best you will be able to do with over clocking on your S4.  It varies from S4 to S4.

[sEpuLchEr]

I apologize in advance if this has been addressed in this thread, I did my damdest UTFSE but can't seem to find any numbers on overclocking. I found a small bit on UC, but those were mostly troubleshooting.
I am only doing this for fun, not because I think it will make me rich.

I can run stable at Freq: 225 / Volts: 726 <- Never had a single issue, ran hard for a week.
One bump in voltage to 727 and once the top left line of 0s for normal operation turned to Xs.
I shut down, brought up and changed back to 726 and all is good again.

I tried a few other variations and think it is time to pop the cover and check connections, use some canned air and give her a general massage.

If you have any resources I would truly appreciate them.

Thanks!

0726 is about as far as it will go with stock PSU, you could try increasing the freq by one step to 231.25 which is still pretty stable. That's the best I could get with my 4 S4 231.25 at 0726