ANTMINER U3 Discussion and Support Thread

[gingerbaker]

Okay, now this is getting VERY confusing, but at least it appears to be hashing somewhat.

I tried plugging it into my USB Hub that I run my BlockErupters on and started up cgminer and got this:
http://s28.postimg.org/y9kid70bx/upload.png


Can someone please make sense of this??   

[Mikestang]

How do I setup two Antminer U3 on the same computer?

I read users here running 5 and 6 units...

I tested then separately first to make sure each one is working. I confirmed that, and no errors.
All working fine and they start receiving block when connected one at a time.

The people who get more than 1 to work are the exception.  People like us who have 1 work fine and plug in a second and all goes to crap are the norm.  There's nothing you can do, I have tried everything.  Some systems it works, most it doesn't.

[Mikestang]

I need some help with getting my new U3 to be recognized *by cgminer*.

My computer recognizes it under devices and printers as the name of the driver; CP2102 USB to UART Bridge Controller).

I installed the driver (silabs USBtoUARTBridgeVCPDrivers.aspx).
Then went to zadig and did everything correctly per Bitmain's U3 user guide.

Then when using cgminer (4.8.0, though it happened in older versions too) I get the following errors:

USB init, open device failed, err -12
You need to install a WinUSB driver for - CMR device 3:1 (after re-boot using different USB port- 3:2)
And associate - CMR device with WinUSB using zadig
See README.txt file included for help
BitMain detect <3:1> failed to initialize <incorrect device?>
No devices detected!
Waiting for USB hotplug devices or press q to quit

I've tried using different USB ports, though I dont think that's the issue as my computer always recotgnizes the device in System Panel.

Can someone please help?

Thanks.

Don't use 4.8.0, go to ck's page and download 4.9.2.

Re-zadig until it works (plug in power to U3, then usb, then zadig it, then unplug usb, count to 5, replug usb), the message seems to be the one you get when you don't have the winusb driver zadig'd.

[Mikestang]

I tried plugging it into my USB Hub that I run my BlockErupters on and started up cgminer and got this:

The U3 probably isn't compatible with block erupters, try it on that hub without them.

[Mikestang]

What version of cgminer are you using? I had to download cgminer for Windows from Bitmain to get rid of that error.

Hi.
I'm using cgminer 4.9.2

I did not try any other version. I assumed the last version would be the best bet!

What previous version should I test?

4.9.2 is the best version, it has bug fixes from 4.9.0 that specifically effect the U3; carry on.

And people wonder why I post in any thread considering a U3 that they are crap machines and not worth the effort, just the last page of this thread sums it all up.

[gingerbaker]

I tried plugging it into my USB Hub that I run my BlockErupters on and started up cgminer and got this:

The U3 probably isn't compatible with block erupters, try it on that hub without them.

Thanks for the resposes!

The thing that seems odd to me is that it is showing as hashing both in cgminer as well as on my pool's website...
It seems the problem was plugging it in to my PC's USB ports because I didn't change anything other than to plug it into the powered USB hub.

Maybe get another powered USB hub?

Then again,  after all the headaches I've been through all last night and early morning, Idk if I want to change anything since I finally got it to hash...

Thanks again.

[Mikestang]

If it's working, don't touch it! 

Some people have luck with hubs, some people only have luck without hubs.  There doesn't seem to be a formula with the U3 that they all work, just stuff that everyone can try and some works for some and some for others.

[gingerbaker]

True that!

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it..."

The being said, it's not obviously running in the most optimal way but until it "zombies" (still not quite sure what that means) then I'll leave it as is.


I guess the takeaway from my problem is to use a USB hub rather than the USB 2 or 3 ports on my pc.

[speedt_ouch]

How do I setup two Antminer U3 on the same computer?

I read users here running 5 and 6 units...

I tested then separately first to make sure each one is working. I confirmed that, and no errors.
All working fine and they start receiving block when connected one at a time.

The people who get more than 1 to work are the exception.  People like us who have 1 work fine and plug in a second and all goes to crap are the norm.  There's nothing you can do, I have tried everything.  Some systems it works, most it doesn't.

I only wish I had the same luck 
I'll give it a try on a different system.
I believe what you say, but its hard to accept the idea that only one at a time will work is the norm.

What version of cgminer are you using? I had to download cgminer for Windows from Bitmain to get rid of that error.

Hi.
I'm using cgminer 4.9.2

I did not try any other version. I assumed the last version would be the best bet!

What previous version should I test?

4.9.2 is the best version, it has bug fixes from 4.9.0 that specifically effect the U3; carry on.

And people wonder why I post in any thread considering a U3 that they are crap machines and not worth the effort, just the last page of this thread sums it all up.

What alternative would you suggest? Just wondering.

Today, after one day of mining with one on my U3 and it started beeping and red led flashing and showing errors in cgminer...
I guess it was the heat that was causing it to go nuts. It was so hot I could not touch the blue plate.
I did not have an extra fan blowing at it but it is in a well ventilated place and relative cool ambient temperature. below 23 Cº
I ended up turning it off to cool down. 

[Mikestang]

I only wish I had the same luck  
I'll give it a try on a different system.
I believe what you say, but its hard to accept the idea that only one at a time will work is the norm.

There are several flaws with the U3's design.  I sent one to a guy on this forum who took it apart and I can't recall exactly what he said but there's something about the USB and power sharing a common something or other and long story short it's a crap design.

What alternative would you suggest? Just wondering.

You could try 4.9.0, but 4.9.2 should work "better" in theory and would be the version I suggest; any problems you're having will not be coming from 4.9.0 or 4.9.2, they will be from the hardware itself.  4.9.1 will not detect the U3, so don't use that version, it was a known bug.

Today, after one day of mining with one on my U3 and it started beeping and red led flashing and showing errors in cgminer...
I guess it was the heat that was causing it to go nuts. It was so hot I could not touch the blue plate.
I did not have an extra fan blowing at it but it is in a well ventilated place and relative cool ambient temperature. below 23 Cº
I ended up turning it off to cool down.  

The U3 needing daily, sometimes multiple, restarts per day is more "normal" behaviour for the units.  Below you can see my cooling mod (from a few pages back):

So this "mod" has provided much better results as far as cooling and operating stability go vs. what I saw from re-doing the thermal paste:

[speedt_ouch]

What alternative would you suggest? Just wondering.

You could try 4.9.0, but 4.9.2 should work "better" in theory and would be the version I suggest; any problems you're having will not be coming from 4.9.0 or 4.9.2, they will be from the hardware itself.  4.9.1 will not detect the U3, so don't use that version, it was a known bug.

Sorry, let me rephrase that.

What alternative mining unit would you suggest? Just wondering.
Alternative to the U3 with similar cost/hashing power.

Today, after one day of mining with one on my U3 and it started beeping and red led flashing and showing errors in cgminer...
I guess it was the heat that was causing it to go nuts. It was so hot I could not touch the blue plate.
I did not have an extra fan blowing at it but it is in a well ventilated place and relative cool ambient temperature. below 23 Cº
I ended up turning it off to cool down. 

The U3 needing daily, sometimes multiple, restarts per day is more "normal" behaviour for the units.  Below you can see my cooling mod (from a few pages back):

So this "mod" has provided much better results as far as cooling and operating stability go vs. what I saw from re-doing the thermal paste:

LOL! I guess I should do the same. Precisely represents the issue I had today.

[jlauzon]

What version of cgminer are you using? I had to download cgminer for Windows from Bitmain to get rid of that error.

Hi.
I'm using cgminer 4.9.2

I did not try any other version. I assumed the last version would be the best bet!

What previous version should I test?

If you're still having trouble in Windows, this is the version I have working in Windows 7:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/30iccjyrhj9qvrl/cgminer-4.8.0-windows.zip?dl=0

In Linux, I use 4.9.2...just couldn't run long term for me in Windows.

[Mikestang]

Sorry, let me rephrase that.

What alternative mining unit would you suggest? Just wondering.
Alternative to the U3 with similar cost/hashing power.

I use S3+, my U3s are paper weights for now.  One S3+ cost 2x what I paid for one U3 new, but it hashes 8.5 times as fast and is totally stable.

I have a couple usb stick miners, too, but they will be replaced with GekkoScience sticks as soon as they are available.  Check them out, at 8-9GH per stick it would only take a few to equal a U3.

[speedt_ouch]

What version of cgminer are you using? I had to download cgminer for Windows from Bitmain to get rid of that error.

Hi.
I'm using cgminer 4.9.2

I did not try any other version. I assumed the last version would be the best bet!

What previous version should I test?

If you're still having trouble in Windows, this is the version I have working in Windows 7:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/30iccjyrhj9qvrl/cgminer-4.8.0-windows.zip?dl=0

In Linux, I use 4.9.2...just couldn't run long term for me in Windows.

Thank you for that.
I will download it latter.

How many antminer U3 do you connect at the same time to your computer?
I only have problems if I connect more than one

[speedt_ouch]

Sorry, let me rephrase that.

What alternative mining unit would you suggest? Just wondering.
Alternative to the U3 with similar cost/hashing power.

I use S3+, my U3s are paper weights for now.  One S3+ cost 2x what I paid for one U3 new, but it hashes 8.5 times as fast and is totally stable.

I have a couple usb stick miners, too, but they will be replaced with GekkoScience sticks as soon as they are available.  Check them out, at 8-9GH per stick it would only take a few to equal a U3.

Oh, I see.
Yes the S3 or even S5 e much more appealing
But I wanted something to try out. Beginner level. With out the need to get external power also...
But I am considering one or two in the future.

It is also very expensive to get mining hardware in Portugal, and electricity is not cheap!

[jlauzon]

What version of cgminer are you using? I had to download cgminer for Windows from Bitmain to get rid of that error.

Hi.
I'm using cgminer 4.9.2

I did not try any other version. I assumed the last version would be the best bet!

What previous version should I test?

If you're still having trouble in Windows, this is the version I have working in Windows 7:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/30iccjyrhj9qvrl/cgminer-4.8.0-windows.zip?dl=0

In Linux, I use 4.9.2...just couldn't run long term for me in Windows.

Thank you for that.
I will download it latter.

How many antminer U3 do you connect at the same time to your computer?
I only have problems if I connect more than one

I run two, no hub.

[speedt_ouch]

I run two, no hub.

So I finally got two Antminers U3 to run at once hooked up to intel i5 laptop with windows 7.
I did see the same error I was getting on my old xp machine but very seldom.

So still doing some tests and now I'm trying to get cgminer to work with Ubuntu (Linuxmint to be specific) so I can report back.

I heat a wall once more.

I followed the instructions I think they are the correct commands, and have tested on two different systems many variations the the commands.

Code:

sudo apt-get install build-essential autoconf automake libtool pkg-config libcurl3-dev libudev-dev

git clone https://github.com/bitmaintech/cgminer

cd cgminer
sudo ./autogen.sh
CFLAGS="-O2 -Wall -march=native"
sudo ./configure --enable-bmsc
sudo make

But I get error on "make" command

Code:

In file included from /usr/include/string.h:640:0,
                 from ./lib/string.h:28,
                 from uthash.h:27,
                 from miner.h:25,
                 from driver-bmsc.c:45:
In function ‘memcpy’,
    inlined from ‘bmsc_scanwork’ at driver-bmsc.c:1627:8:
/usr/include/i386-linux-gnu/bits/string3.h:51:3: warning: call to __builtin___memcpy_chk will always overflow destination buffer [enabled by default]
   return __builtin___memcpy_chk (__dest, __src, __len, __bos0 (__dest));

I find on this forum the exact same error from other user, but no fix.
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=863373.0

Does anyone know how I can sort this out and take a step forward?

If I run cgminer without the U3 plugged in the program seems to work but no device detected obviously.
If I run cgminer with U3 plugged in cgminer just crashs and shows some errors and numbers.

I'm guessing caused by the error above while compiling.

Thanks in advance.

[Jake36]

I run two, no hub.

So I finally got two Antminers U3 to run at once hooked up to intel i5 laptop with windows 7.
I did see the same error I was getting on my old xp machine but very seldom.

So still doing some tests and now I'm trying to get cgminer to work with Ubuntu (Linuxmint to be specific) so I can report back.

I heat a wall once more.

I followed the instructions I think they are the correct commands, and have tested on two different systems many variations the the commands.

Code:

sudo apt-get install build-essential autoconf automake libtool pkg-config libcurl3-dev libudev-dev

git clone https://github.com/bitmaintech/cgminer

cd cgminer
sudo ./autogen.sh
CFLAGS="-O2 -Wall -march=native"
sudo ./configure --enable-bmsc
sudo make

Thanks in advance.

I don't use the bitmaintech/cgminer, so not 100% sure. Try to change (for the U3):

sudo ./configure --enable-bmsc


to:

sudo ./configure --enable-icarus

when you compile it.

[speedt_ouch]

I run two, no hub.

So I finally got two Antminers U3 to run at once hooked up to intel i5 laptop with windows 7.
I did see the same error I was getting on my old xp machine but very seldom.

So still doing some tests and now I'm trying to get cgminer to work with Ubuntu (Linuxmint to be specific) so I can report back.

I heat a wall once more.

I followed the instructions I think they are the correct commands, and have tested on two different systems many variations the the commands.

Code:

sudo apt-get install build-essential autoconf automake libtool pkg-config libcurl3-dev libudev-dev

git clone https://github.com/bitmaintech/cgminer

cd cgminer
sudo ./autogen.sh
CFLAGS="-O2 -Wall -march=native"
sudo ./configure --enable-bmsc
sudo make

Thanks in advance.

I don't use the bitmaintech/cgminer, so not 100% sure. Try to change (for the U3):

sudo ./configure --enable-bmsc


to:

sudo ./configure --enable-icarus

when you compile it.

Well thank you Sir  
That did, in fact, do the trick.
I now have my Antminer U3 working and mining on my Linux Mint 17.1.

The full code I used to get this working in case it mite help someone else:

Code:

sudo apt-get install build-essential autoconf automake libtool pkg-config libcurl3-dev libudev-dev
git clone https://github.com/bitmaintech/cgminer
cd cgminer
sudo ./autogen.sh
CFLAGS="-O2 -Wall -march=native"
sudo ./configure --enable-icarus
sudo make
sudo ./cgminer -o stratum+tcp://solo.antpool.com:3333 -u USER.ID -p PASSWORD

Now I'm more confused then ever.  

For bitmain devices is this not the correct code:  --enable-bmsc
And for other brand device: --enable-icarus

Even though the examples I found did not help me all of then make referent to --enable-bmsc
Examples:
https://www.raspberrypi.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=66&t=103046
https://github.com/bitmaintech/cgminer/blob/master/bitmain-readme.txt#L24

Also, to confuse me more, on windows I use command in bat file:

Code:

cgminer.exe --bmsc-options 115200:0.57 -o solo.antpool.com:3333 -u USER.ID -p PASSWORD --bmsc-voltage 0800 --bmsc-freq 1286

That leads me to the next question.
To run cgminer on my Linux machine, in the command I could replace:

Code:

sudo ./cgminer --bmsc-options 115200:0.57 -o stratum+tcp://solo.antpool.com:3333 -u USER.ID -p PASSWORD --bmsc-voltage 0800 --bmsc-freq 1286

By

Code:

sudo ./cgminer --icarus-options 115200:0.57 -o stratum+tcp://solo.antpool.com:3333 -u USER.ID -p PASSWORD --icarus-voltage 0800 --icarus-freq 1286

Would this be okay?

Thank you.

[Jake36]

I run two, no hub.

I don't use the bitmaintech/cgminer, so not 100% sure. Try to change (for the U3):

sudo ./configure --enable-bmsc


to:

sudo ./configure --enable-icarus

when you compile it.

Now I'm more confused then ever.  

For bitmain devices is this not the correct code:  --enable-bmsc
And for other brand device: --enable-icarus

Even though the examples I found did not help me all of then make referent to --enable-bmsc
Examples:
https://www.raspberrypi.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=66&t=103046
https://github.com/bitmaintech/cgminer/blob/master/bitmain-readme.txt#L24

I think someone just copied and pasted from setting up a different miner and didn't change it or that was for an older version of the bitmain/cgminer and the examples were never updated.

Also, to confuse me more, on windows I use command in bat file:

Code:

cgminer.exe --bmsc-options 115200:0.57 -o solo.antpool.com:3333 -u USER.ID -p PASSWORD --bmsc-voltage 0800 --bmsc-freq 1286

That leads me to the next question.
To run cgminer on my Linux machine, in the command I could replace:

Code:

sudo ./cgminer --bmsc-options 115200:0.57 -o stratum+tcp://solo.antpool.com:3333 -u USER.ID -p PASSWORD --bmsc-voltage 0800 --bmsc-freq 1286

By

Code:

sudo ./cgminer --icarus-options 115200:0.57 -o stratum+tcp://solo.antpool.com:3333 -u USER.ID -p PASSWORD --icarus-voltage 0800 --icarus-freq 1286

Would this be okay?

It's probably going to melt your U3 at -freq 1286 if it even runs with that.

Max is around -freq 250

Thank you.

I just looked at bitmain/cgminer's readme at

Code:

https://github.com/bitmaintech/cgminer/blob/master/ASIC-README

  and even it says freq 100 to 250.

Volts you have to play around with, but I would keep an eye on the power brick if it's the one that came with the U3, it may melt at 800!

As for the -icarus-options 115200:0.57  ? , I didn't read that far.