[Guide] FeatherCoin - Start mining!
-
Feathercoin - Start mining with a pool
There is some good information in @Sheepson 's guide, BUT it is now out of date.
Start at this link to find the latest mining information, NSGMiner has it’s own documents include on Github
http://forum.feathercoin.com/topic/8235/nsgminer-v0-9-0-the-fastest-neoscrypt-gpu-miner
https://github.com/ghostlander/nsgminer
NSGminer v0.9.2:
Linux - GitHub (source code) https://github.com/ghostlander/nsgminer
32-bit Windows release :
https://github.com/ghostlander/nsgminer/releases/download/nsgminer-v0.9.2/nsgminer-win32-0.9.2.zip64-bit Windows release :
https://github.com/ghostlander/nsgminer/releases/download/nsgminer-v0.9.2/nsgminer-win64-0.9.2.zipNSGminer is an advanced NeoScrypt CPU and GPU miner with the OpenCL support delivering the best hash rates for the AMD Radeon hardware (HD4000 series and newer). Should be compatible with the latest AMD Catalyst drivers. Also provides limited support for all NVIDIA OpenCL capable GeForce, Quadro and Tesla hardware. No external dependencies other than libcurl. Getwork, GetBlockTemplate and Stratum protocols are supported.
Example configuration for R9 280X (HD7970):
Code:
nsgminer --neoscrypt -g 1 -w 128 -I 16 --gpu-engine 1000 --gpu-memclock 1500 -o stratum+tcp://some_pool:some_port -O some_user:some_password
–thread-concurrency, --shaders, --vectors are not used for NeoScrypt. --intensity or -I is the primary performance optimiser. May be set between 8 and 20 according to your video card’s memory size. For example, -I 16 means (2 ^ 16) GPU threads each of 32768 bytes = 2,147,483,648 bytes or 2Gb. There are some configuration tweaks available in neoscrypt.cl which might deliver a little bit of additional performance.
The old Guide
This guide assumes that you have already setup a wallet and created your own Feathercoin address to receive FTC ([url=http://forum.feathercoin.com/index.php?topic=337]Create a wallet[/url]. Now it is time to mine some Feathercoins (FTC’s)!
1. What is mining
By running the official FTC client (basically, your wallet), your PC connects to all other FTC clients running and forms a network between which FTC payments can be made. As explained in the [wallet guide], every FTC transaction is added to the blockchain, which stores all transactions and is shared between all connected clients.
To make sure that the network functions and integrity is maintained, the FTC network needs miners. Without going in too much detail, miners perform mathematical calculations that ‘generally speaking’ check whether payments send out over the network are genuine and valid. In return, miners receive FTC’s as a reward. The amount of the reward is determined by the FTC protocol and part of the software itself. Mining is essential for FTC to function properly and, of course, a nice method to earn some FTC yourself.2. Type of mining (solo or pool)
FTC can be mined ‘solo’ or by connecting to a pool. Solo mining is done on your own PC without help from others. Your PC tries to solve the calculations and when successful, it is called finding a so-called ‘block’. For FTC a block is 200 FTC which you receive in your wallet as miner. That sounds pretty nice, but the chance that you are successful in finding a block is not very high. It may take a lot of time (weeks) to obtain a block, because there is a lot of competition from other miners.
In order to spread the risk of finding a ‘block’, people have formed groups of miners in so-called ‘pools’. Each miner creates an account with a pool (run by smart people that know the ins and outs of mining) and let’s his minder(s) work in a pool with other miners in a joint effort to find a block. When a block is found, the pool software divides the revenues of the block found to all miners of the pool in accordance with the rules of that pool. It is quite common that pool owners also pay you as a miner for submitting mining power even if you ultimately do not find a block. This makes mining in a pool a lot more interesting for the casual miner and miners with only a small amount of mining power than solo mining.
In this guide, we will focus on pool mining.3. Joining a pool
Before you can start mining with the CPU or GPU, you need to create an account with a pool. There are already a lot of pools that support FTC mining. The pools differ in the rules, payout methods and fees but the larger pools use similar conditions. Here is a list of pools: [url=http://coinpools.sdfg.org/ftc.]http://coinpools.sdfg.org/ftc.[/url]
In this guide I use FTC d2 pool as example.
You need to go to the pool’s website [url=http://ftc.d2.cc/]http://ftc.d2.cc/[/url] and create an account.
Once you are logged into your account, go to: My account -> My workers. Here you find your “workers”. Workers are entry points to which you can connect a PC that acts as minder. If you have multiple PC’s to use as miner, you can create multiple workers that all add to your total mining power in the pool.
On the ‘worker’ page, you can find the credentials needed when connecting your miner to the pool.
In this case I have created the following worker credentials:
username: sheepson_demo.1
password: xWe will get back to connection to the pool in the following paragraph.
4. CPU or GPU mining
You can mine FTC with the CPU of your PC or your GPU (the 3d chip of your video graphics card). For mining FTC, GPU mining is generally a lot more powerful than CPU mining. CPU mining is rarely profitable unless you do not have to pay for the electricity (mining requires quite some electricity).
If you want a list of the kHash/s other people get with specific video cards you can check this topic on the Feathercoin forum: [url=http://forum.feathercoin.com/index.php?topic=264.0]http://forum.feathercoin.com/index.php?topic=264.0[/url] or check this hardware mining comparison site: [url=https://github.com/litecoin-project/litecoin/wiki/Mining-hardware-comparison]https://github.com/litecoin-project/litecoin/wiki/Mining-hardware-comparison[/url] (this one is made for Litecoin - another crypto currency -, but since Feathercoin also uses ‘scrypt’ for mining it provides useful information).4.1. CPU Mining
First, we will describe CPU mining.
For CPU mining, you need a third party program. There are several software solutions for CPU mining. This guide takes ScryptMiner - GUI as example. This miner has a dedicated thread at Bitcointalk.org where you can download the latest version: [url=https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=62414.0]https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=62414.0[/url]
After downloading the latest version, extract it to a folder of choice and then run ‘ScryptMiner.exe’. Your screen will look as follows:
[img]http://sheepson.nl/ftc/scryptminer.png[/img]The program provides for several options. You will notice the details of the pool inserted as well as the username and the password. The data inserted matches the credentials created at the pool website. The pool server details can usually be found in the FAQ of the pool website.
The option ‘thread’ relates to the numbers of cores of your CPU. Every core that your CPU has counts as a ‘thread’. Therefore, if you have - for example - an AMD X6 CPU, you have 6 threads. If you want the software to use all 6 cores, you can choose this option form the ‘Threads’ dropdown list, but it is also possible to keep a few cores free for other tasks.Now press ‘Start Mining’ and the program will try to start mining (give it 30 - 60 seconds to start).
Note that it will take some time before your kHash/s will appear on the pool’s website. Furthermore it is noted that everything below 500 kHash/s is not very accurate.4.2. GPU Mining
Below, GPU mining is described.
First, we will create another worker at the pool’s website to keep things separated. I recommend doing so in order to know where to start looking if something is not working correctly.
In this guide, credentials for the GPU mining worker are:
username: sheepson_demo.gpu
password: xGPU mining also requires third party software. This guide takes cgminer as example. You can download the latest version here: [url=http://ck.kolivas.org/apps/cgminer/]http://ck.kolivas.org/apps/cgminer/[/url]
[b]Update: From version 3.8 CGMiner does not support ‘scrypt’ anymore, so the latest version you can use for mining scrypt coins is 3.7.[/b]
After downloading, extract it to a folder of choice. In that folder where the cgminer.exe file is located, you need to make a new text file (.txt).
You can make a new .txt file by clicking the right mouse button and go through the menus appearing (see screen below). This will create an empty text file in the folder.
[img]http://sheepson.nl/ftc/newtextfile.png[/img]Name the text file “d2 mining pool.txt” or something that you will continue to recognize.
Now open the text file and add this single line to the file:cgminer.exe --scrypt -o [url=http://pool.d2.cc:9344]http://pool.d2.cc:9344[/url] -u sheepson_demo.gpu -p x --intensity 13
This line is a command line running the cgminer.exe file including certain commands. Those commands are called ‘flags’ and set certain data or options of the program. Below, you will find a brief explanation of the flags.
–scrypt means that you are mining a scrypt coin. You have to add this flag to let cgminer know that you need a specific type of mining method
-o means the server you are connecting to
-u means username
-p means password
–intensity (also used as -I) means the intensity your card is working to solve blocks (please note that higher is not always better)Note that this is a line to begin with; there are many other parameters that can be configured and tweaked to obtain optimal results. You can read up on the different parameters here:
[url=https://github.com/ckolivas/cgminer/blob/master/SCRYPT-README]https://github.com/ckolivas/cgminer/blob/master/SCRYPT-README[/url]Now save the .txt file as a ‘batch’ file (by changing the extension of the text file from ‘.txt’ to ‘.bat’). You can do so in the file explorer if the explorer is configured to show file extensions. Another method is using the ‘save as’ option of the text editor with which you have opened the text file. See screen shot below for an example.
[img]http://sheepson.nl/ftc/saveas.png[/img]You have to create a filename with .bat and select “All Files” at ‘Save as type’.
When you have saved this file, double click on the .bat file and a command window will pop up. Your screen will look like this.
[img]http://sheepson.nl/ftc/cgminer.png[/img]
Now you are mining FTC with your GPU!This command window gives you some information on your GPU temperature (as reported by your video card), fan speed, average kHash (may differ from that reported by the pool website) and more geekish data.
If you run into problems like ‘cgminer stopped responding’ instantly, you probably need to download the AMD APP SDK, which can be found here: [url=http://developer.amd.com/tools-and-sdks/heterogeneous-computing/amd-accelerated-parallel-processing-app-sdk/downloads/]http://developer.amd.com/tools-and-sdks/heterogeneous-computing/amd-accelerated-parallel-processing-app-sdk/downloads/[/url]A good tool to completely uninstall your AMD driver is: [url=http://sites.amd.com/us/game/downloads/Pages/catalyst-uninstall-utility.aspx]ADM Uninstall Utility[/url]
Hardware errors appear most of the time because your settings are too high (like the intensity setting). Try lowering them and play with the settings in the .bat file until you reach an optimal balance between noise, temperature and (uncorrupted) kHash rate. Preferably, your GPU temperature should hover around 75C. This may take some experimenting.
It is also possible that you have the newest drivers and windows isn’t allowing you to load your GPU for 100%
You should add the following line above the “cgminer.exe” line in your .bat file:
setx GPU_MAX_ALLOC_PERCENT 1005. Conclusion
You have now learned how to set up mining FTC with a pool. I hope this guide was helpful and furthers your interest in mining FTC. Please do not forget to fill in your FTC wallet address at the pool website and an appropriate threshold for the pool to automatically pay out mined FTC to your wallet.
Any questions? Just ask! -
Reserved for additional information.
** I would like some feedback, is anything missing? Did i make a mistake? etc. thanks. **
-
Just a very minor thing, but on the CPU mining, regarding the number of threads, you’ve not allowed for hyperthreading. For example, I have a Quad-core i7 Laptop, but because of hyperthreading, I actually run minerd with 8 threads.
Other than that, excellent!
-
it’s already hard for cpu mining?
-
A solid guide sheepson and not really much to add to it. The SDK does indeed solve some issues but othertimes swapping around with the various ATI Catalysts also solves some problems.
Maybe not relevant to this guide, but the Catalyst Uninstall Utility is a godsend for those trying to tweak out the best Catalyst version for themselves:
http://sites.amd.com/us/game/downloads/Pages/catalyst-uninstall-utility.aspx -
Again, some textual additions. Feel free to adopt: https://www.dropbox.com/s/8955pedrd6ehx94/Feathercoin.Mining.New.18-05-2013..zip
-
[quote name=“Feather_lover” post=“4358” timestamp=“1368911015”]
Again, some textual additions. Feel free to adopt: https://www.dropbox.com/s/8955pedrd6ehx94/Feathercoin.Mining.New.18-05-2013..zip
[/quote]Thanks again :) changed the guide!
[quote author=ShadowEW link=topic=486.msg3628#msg3628 date=1368610763]
A solid guide sheepson and not really much to add to it. The SDK does indeed solve some issues but othertimes swapping around with the various ATI Catalysts also solves some problems.Maybe not relevant to this guide, but the Catalyst Uninstall Utility is a godsend for those trying to tweak out the best Catalyst version for themselves:
http://sites.amd.com/us/game/downloads/Pages/catalyst-uninstall-utility.aspx
[/quote]Added this also :)
-
The guides are really coming along! Fantastic job.
-
I got a question, does older cards, like mine nV9600GT can handle this? Even after setting intensity to 1, I can’t pass the first phase:
[IMG]http://i43.tinypic.com/qo8wpe.png[/img] -
[quote name=“FTC Li Xia” post=“5104” timestamp=“1369177779”]
I got a question, does older cards, like mine nV9600GT can handle this? Even after setting intensity to 1, I can’t pass the first phase:
[IMG]http://i43.tinypic.com/qo8wpe.png[/img]
[/quote]use cudaminer for nvidia cards, cgminer won’t get the same hashrate.
-
[quote name=“randomdef” post=“5116” timestamp=“1369180274”]
use cudaminer for nvidia cards, cgminer won’t get the same hashrate.
[/quote]Kudos for the reply!
Is there a link to the complete cudaminer? all I found so far are dead links to mega(upload) and links to list of files which I don’t get what to do with :o -
[quote name=“FTC Li Xia” post=“5126” timestamp=“1369182452”]
[quote author=randomdef link=topic=486.msg5116#msg5116 date=1369180274]
use cudaminer for nvidia cards, cgminer won’t get the same hashrate.
[/quote]Kudos for the reply!
Is there a link to the complete cudaminer? all I found so far are dead links to mega(upload) and links to list of files which I don’t get what to do with :o
[/quote] -
Stupid me! Forgot that mega hates Opera, thanks, trying to set my miner atm :)
-
Hi, good work on the guide! CGMiner under the latest drivers for windows throws alot of hardware errors unless you run CMD and type setx GPU_MAX_ALLOC_PERCENT 100
Took me a while to figure that one out when i first started maybe you can add? :)
-
[quote name=“benj308” post=“5719” timestamp=“1369314361”]
Hi, good work on the guide! CGMiner under the latest drivers for windows throws alot of hardware errors unless you run CMD and type setx GPU_MAX_ALLOC_PERCENT 100Took me a while to figure that one out when i first started maybe you can add? :)
[/quote]I heard that before indeed!
Added it, thank you :). -
Great detailed guide! Especially useful for us newbies to mining. Appreciate your effort in writing this!
-
i found this and it seems awsome almost like GUIminer i use for NVIDIA 9500 gt card now i have not seen it do anything though. Since i am using the GPU i have it as worker .1 will i need to have the CPU be worker .2 ? ALso on the tab " Mining Pool Status “” it has 4 things listed on there but i think they are for litecoin, can this be used for Feathercoin mining? Im just getting worried it is still showing 0, this screen shots taken like 10 minutes after i started it
[attachment deleted by admin]
-
Thankyou for the tutorial!
It seems very clear on what to do.
so I did it step by step but I can’t seem to make it work.
I’m trying the cgminer for GPU mining. (ATI 6770) made an account on d2, made the .bat file with my data in it. but when I click on it. it opens a command prompt for like half a sec and closes again. I can’t figure out where it goes wrong… as I did every step of the tutorial. any suggestions!? :-[Update:
Downloaded AMD APP SDK. as it said in another tread that this is probably the solve for the crash.
But unfortunately it still does. I managed to make a screenshot of the quick CMD promt and it stated:: cgminer.exe: --scrypt: unrecognized option
tried different versions of cgminer that didn’t work eighter…Update:
Got it! it seemed to be a problem with the cgminer version and the .batfile that was giving the “unrecognized” message -
Maybe Pin/Sticky this.
Looks a good point of reference.
-
[quote name=“Morderchai” post=“42758” timestamp=“1386715709”]
Thankyou for the tutorial!
It seems very clear on what to do.
so I did it step by step but I can’t seem to make it work.
I’m trying the cgminer for GPU mining. (ATI 6770) made an account on d2, made the .bat file with my data in it. but when I click on it. it opens a command prompt for like half a sec and closes again. I can’t figure out where it goes wrong… as I did every step of the tutorial. any suggestions!? :-[Update:
Downloaded AMD APP SDK. as it said in another tread that this is probably the solve for the crash.
But unfortunately it still does. I managed to make a screenshot of the quick CMD promt and it stated:: cgminer.exe: --scrypt: unrecognized option
tried different versions of cgminer that didn’t work eighter…Update:
Got it! it seemed to be a problem with the cgminer version and the .batfile that was giving the “unrecognized” message
[/quote]Thanks for you feedback, the latest version of CGMiner does not support scrypt anymore, i’ll update my post.