SOOOOOO glad i went against my greedy instincts of wanting more for less and asked for a refund from minersource even though the idea of the mystery box compensation was over head. You would think Blackarrow was start hosting some fucking units for people who had the hosting option available to them. You know, to show good faith that the units actually wor.. OH that is right.
THEY DON'T EVEN FUCKING WORK YET.
No pride in china i guess? No work ethic? No honor?
Topic: Black Arrow 28nm 100Ghash Bitcoin ASIC from $0.49/GH/s - page 159. (Read 787050 times)
So in the end we are going to get some Frankenstein system 5-6 months late?
Will they even be able to clock the claimed speed when we get it?
Will they even be able to clock the claimed speed when we get it?
Nov 2013 for me... Processing...
Is it true that they are not accepting return requests anymore? Has anyone had any money come back to a customer successfully from a cancellation?
Is it true that they are not accepting return requests anymore? Has anyone had any money come back to a customer successfully from a cancellation?
To be fair, the BE blade backplane was only for power and each blade had its own ethernet connection.
It sounds like only power supplies have been shipped at this point, is that right?
That's quite a lot of RPi to control, especially if you've got a farm of these. It should double the long-term value of the miner though since they could be ripped out and reused. Although it almost sounded from one of the updates that the RPi was required but would not be included. Just an SD card.. It would be nice to get a concise update that includes only the information that the majority of people are interested in: When can I expect to get my miner. What do I need to know to get it hashing.
It sounds like only power supplies have been shipped at this point, is that right?
That's quite a lot of RPi to control, especially if you've got a farm of these. It should double the long-term value of the miner though since they could be ripped out and reused. Although it almost sounded from one of the updates that the RPi was required but would not be included. Just an SD card.. It would be nice to get a concise update that includes only the information that the majority of people are interested in: When can I expect to get my miner. What do I need to know to get it hashing.
I did mention ghetto for the BE backplane didn't I.
Shit, steal someone from the Bitmain team. 10 Rpi's is the sorriest engineering excuse in existence. Take a page out of the S2 playbook for chrissake:
It's just embarrassing if they're actually trying, and not long conning us.
I just don't know what to do anymore. I want my miner but I don't want a half cobbled together cocked up solution like the ones they are currently shipping with half of the features working. I paid for a full featured miner and I would like to eventually receive it. I still can't believe it's taken so long to ship and it's become increasingly apparent that work on these units started nowhere near when they said it did.
All in all, a very disappointing venture
All in all, a very disappointing venture
To be fair, the BE blade backplane was only for power and each blade had its own ethernet connection.
It sounds like only power supplies have been shipped at this point, is that right?
That's quite a lot of RPi to control, especially if you've got a farm of these. It should double the long-term value of the miner though since they could be ripped out and reused. Although it almost sounded from one of the updates that the RPi was required but would not be included. Just an SD card.. It would be nice to get a concise update that includes only the information that the majority of people are interested in: When can I expect to get my miner. What do I need to know to get it hashing.
It sounds like only power supplies have been shipped at this point, is that right?
That's quite a lot of RPi to control, especially if you've got a farm of these. It should double the long-term value of the miner though since they could be ripped out and reused. Although it almost sounded from one of the updates that the RPi was required but would not be included. Just an SD card.. It would be nice to get a concise update that includes only the information that the majority of people are interested in: When can I expect to get my miner. What do I need to know to get it hashing.
order #119 - Sep 26 2013
there is nothing
f**k update
there is nothing
f**k update
We are using Raspberry Pi instead of our custom designed control board because we have identified an issue with cgminer not working properly with our control board. We have not yet found still where the issue occurs (hardware or software).
This is fucking pathetic. It has become BLATANTLY obvious that BA used the funds from pre-orders to buy that stupid fucking batch of bitfury boards. This shit should not still be happening at this point. It is one problem after the next, which shows that they didn't even begin thinking about shit until the end of April.
My guess is that greed ruined them. They had intentions of making miners, but they had this idea that they could make machines that made a profit if they pushed it back a month or two and delayed starting the project and instead bought miners hoping to increase the total number of bitcoins they had. But OOPS, the price of volatile btc dropped like mad, compound that with a flood of new hardware and it is the perfect shit storm of issues. After that it was a mad dash to save face. They tried to sell off the hardware they bought and continued with their plan.
It is the only logical explanation as to why BA is having such issues while other companies have managed to deliver with no problems.
Or gross fucking incompetence.
1.07 TH/s nets me .03 btc a day, let's do the dirty math fast. .003 for 100 ghs, so it's a year per btc if you get your 1 x-1 now. We all know difficulty is increasing though. Fucking epic failure.
When did you guys actually order this stuff? Spondoolie has an SP30 which is 6TH/s and is $5k. There's no question about their capabilities or if they can deliver, because they already have. I know multiple people that are running SP10's. Did I actually read somewhere in this thread that these were preordered last November?
Early December for me
October and November for me. Still says processing.
How do you mess up something as trivial as an LCD screen?
They couldn't hire someone from one of the trillion Coincraft A1 teams to do it for them?
Friggin' Lightning Asic or Dragon has them. Bitmain not A1, but they have them on the S2.
Then you have to jerry rig the X-3's with 10 RaspPi's just to get it to work? How hard is it to get a backplane working? I still remember the Asicminer Block Erupter Backplane. Shittiest, ghetto-ist backplane in existence, but you plug in 10 BE blades in the backplane, and you get 100 GH/s no problem. Crappy as hell, but just works. And not one phone call was made to Friedcat for even a clue....
Not sure whether to laugh or cry. Maybe both.
It's either the most elaborate scam teasing release "next week" for the last month since April end, or a tale of not gross but disgusting incompetence.
I gotta applaud this unit. They're coming close to BFL territory. Cheers in order!
They couldn't hire someone from one of the trillion Coincraft A1 teams to do it for them?
Friggin' Lightning Asic or Dragon has them. Bitmain not A1, but they have them on the S2.
Then you have to jerry rig the X-3's with 10 RaspPi's just to get it to work? How hard is it to get a backplane working? I still remember the Asicminer Block Erupter Backplane. Shittiest, ghetto-ist backplane in existence, but you plug in 10 BE blades in the backplane, and you get 100 GH/s no problem. Crappy as hell, but just works. And not one phone call was made to Friedcat for even a clue....
Not sure whether to laugh or cry. Maybe both.
It's either the most elaborate scam teasing release "next week" for the last month since April end, or a tale of not gross but disgusting incompetence.
I gotta applaud this unit. They're coming close to BFL territory. Cheers in order!
When did you guys actually order this stuff? Spondoolie has an SP30 which is 6TH/s and is $5k. There's no question about their capabilities or if they can deliver, because they already have. I know multiple people that are running SP10's. Did I actually read somewhere in this thread that these were preordered last November?
I am having trouble understanding the last update, exactly what is being shipped and when for people that have X1 orders via Minersource?
If the problem is noise in the 3.3V line it is easy to test it.
Cut the 3.3V traces going to the pcie conectors in a backplane or if it cant be done due to the layout/multilayer pcb just remove the 3.3V pads in the hashboard and then feed it with clean 3.3V, if you want really clean 3.3V use a 3.3V linear regulator feed with at least 5V and with big filter capacitors at the input and output.
Not the most efficient and likelly not an aceptable solution but the power will be as clean as it can be and you will know for sure if it is worth trying to make a pcb that has lower noise on the 3.3V line or not.
That can be cobled together in less than an hour if you already have the linear regulators. I like this one: http://www.ti.com.cn/cn/lit/ds/symlink/lm1085.pdf .
Although perhaps that is exactly how you came to the idea that the problem is in the 3.3V line.
Cut the 3.3V traces going to the pcie conectors in a backplane or if it cant be done due to the layout/multilayer pcb just remove the 3.3V pads in the hashboard and then feed it with clean 3.3V, if you want really clean 3.3V use a 3.3V linear regulator feed with at least 5V and with big filter capacitors at the input and output.
Not the most efficient and likelly not an aceptable solution but the power will be as clean as it can be and you will know for sure if it is worth trying to make a pcb that has lower noise on the 3.3V line or not.
That can be cobled together in less than an hour if you already have the linear regulators. I like this one: http://www.ti.com.cn/cn/lit/ds/symlink/lm1085.pdf .
Although perhaps that is exactly how you came to the idea that the problem is in the 3.3V line.
fucking shit update - we seem to be behind than we were last week - Jow many have you shipped BA? 1, 2 ?
As far as I can tell no one on here has had confirmation of shipping and/or has one in their hands. I am order #207 from BA. Does anyone have any order numbers below this and can verify they haven't got one yet.
I would be great to know if anyone independently from BA who can say they have an X1
http://ecointalk.net/uploads/gallery/album_33/gallery_5_33_79745.png
2 minutes working = 80 °C
Lower screen temperature chart lost.
2 minutes working = 80 °C
Lower screen temperature chart lost. 
Prospero X3
Control Board / Raspberry Pi
We decided to try to use 10 x Raspberry Pi per X3 as a quick fix to be used temporarily. Initial results are encouraging (hashing performed). The test board will arrive tomorrow. If this quick fix will prove satisfactory, we will consider shipping X3 Prospero (RPi) solution on temporary basis until the control board will perform as per original design.
Control Board / Raspberry Pi
We decided to try to use 10 x Raspberry Pi per X3 as a quick fix to be used temporarily. Initial results are encouraging (hashing performed). The test board will arrive tomorrow. If this quick fix will prove satisfactory, we will consider shipping X3 Prospero (RPi) solution on temporary basis until the control board will perform as per original design.
Hey BlackArrow, remember when you said you were looking for help from the community in solving the problem and you would offer rewards.
Black Arrow:
You asked for technical solutions. I might have a very simple one.
DITCH THE BACKPLANE
JUST USE WIRES
Or, if you can't do that, put in a controller for every hashboard. You'd lose some money and a tiny bit of power would be wasted but it's time to ship.
You asked for technical solutions. I might have a very simple one.
DITCH THE BACKPLANE
JUST USE WIRES
Or, if you can't do that, put in a controller for every hashboard. You'd lose some money and a tiny bit of power would be wasted but it's time to ship.
Though of course you scoffed at the idea when I posted it. Glad to hear it's working for you. PM me and I'll let you know where to ship my huge reward.
Also seriously?
WiFi
The cases for X1 Prospero (all versions) will continue to be manufactured from metal which will interfere and disrupt the WiFi signal therefore we decided to suspend it. Any customer has the option to request for the WiFi solution to be included. We will be happy to include this solution on request when it will be available.
The cases for X1 Prospero (all versions) will continue to be manufactured from metal which will interfere and disrupt the WiFi signal therefore we decided to suspend it. Any customer has the option to request for the WiFi solution to be included. We will be happy to include this solution on request when it will be available.
You need to put the antenna outside the case. Try this.
http://www.diygadget.com/802-11b-g-n-nano-usb-wifi-adapter-dongle-with-external-antenna-for-raspberry-pi-ralink-rt5370.html
$6999 for 2TH/s? I think thats rather cheap. I wonder if these products actually exist or is it some sort of scam to get thousands of $$
Anyone received anything yet?
Anyone received anything yet?
Quote
issue with cgminer not working properly with our control board
Don't know why I suspected something similar about 2/3 weeks ago, when I first hear - Rpi solution. For X1 the bad escalation has been.......all Ok, next week - LCD missed, but next week - LCD & case missed, next week obviously - now LCD - case and problems in control board.
To all people that are ordering tons of PSU, I really admire you. I'm asking myself, what if after that long wait we suddenly discover that psu is a bottleneck to overclock
Bitcoin Miners progress update – 06 June 2014
Minion ASIC
All ASIC chips orders have been dispatched.
Software
We have quickly ported our software to Raspberry Pi which is now included in the SD Cards delivered with Raspberry Pi solution (preloaded). [Pictures attached]
Prospero X1
Control Board / Raspberry Pi
The shipping of Prospero X1 (Raspberry Pi version) is ongoing.
We are using Raspberry Pi instead of our custom designed control board because we have identified an issue with cgminer not working properly with our control board. We have not yet found still where the issue occurs (hardware or software).
The initial feedback from the customers using this solution confirmed our endurance test results. The miners are hashing steadily at 1.2Ghz. Average speed is 118Ghash and peaks at 131Ghash.
Please note that we will continue to ship the Raspberry Pi solution until we will complete fixing the control board issue.
The X1 Prospero (RPi) miners will be packed with 8 GB SD cards which will contain the latest software package.
LCD / Touch Screen / Buttons
The X1 Prospero (RPi) will not contain LCD, Touch Screen and Buttons because RPi does not support these features.
The X1 Prospero (with control board based as per original design) will contain the LCD, Touch Screen and Buttons solution but will be shipped at a later date.
Customers who prefer waiting for the LCD & Touchscreen are asked to contact us immediately so we can postpone their shipment until LCD is available.
WiFi
The cases for X1 Prospero (all versions) will continue to be manufactured from metal which will interfere and disrupt the WiFi signal therefore we decided to suspend it. Any customer has the option to request for the WiFi solution to be included. We will be happy to include this solution on request when it will be available.
Power supplies
In order to optimize the shipping time we have started shipping power supplies in advance.
Prospero X3
Control Board / Raspberry Pi
We decided to try to use 10 x Raspberry Pi per X3 as a quick fix to be used temporarily. Initial results are encouraging (hashing performed). The test board will arrive tomorrow. If this quick fix will prove satisfactory, we will consider shipping X3 Prospero (RPi) solution on temporary basis until the control board will perform as per original design.
X3 Backplane, X3 Hashboard PCB
1.The only problem that we have with X3 can be explained very simple: any hashboard (2 ASICs) will work (240Ghash) in any socket of the backplane but they will not work if we plug more than 2 hashboards in into the same backplane.
Investigations took us 2 weeks working 16-18 hours/day as we went through everything from debugging the power supply to debugging the cgminer code and reviewing the ASIC code.
We now strongly believe that the problem is due to noise on the 3.3V line which is currently shared between all hashboards. Unfortunately the 3.3V line is inside the backplane (layer 2) and inside the hashboard (layer 3) and we cannot separate them in order to get the current backplane working.
We have now almost finished a new design of the backplane which includes all the technical solutions solving the SPI noise and we aim to send it to PCB Factory on Monday. We already have the hashboards manufactured and if the new backplane works as expected we will be able to ship very soon.
2.One of our partners, which is specialised in ASIC manufacturing, has completed brand new versions of X3 Backplane and X3 Hashboard. They are currently running simulations and will send the PCB to manufacturing on Monday.
3.Three other companies have started to redesign other boards for us but their progress is not as advanced as our own. We will be taping out their design when ready and if it performs better we will use it in the next versions.
Notes
We received queries and suggestions regarding compensation packages. We will address the compensation issues as soon as we resume the shipping of the full spec Prospero X1 and Prospero X3 miners. We recognise the importance of this topic and our management team will address it accordingly.
Few months ago we announced that we have a surprise in store for our customers. We will disclose the full details as soon as we resume the shipping of the full spec Prospero X1 and Prospero X3 miners.
There are no Prospero miners X1 or X3 which are hashing on any of our facilities.
Minion ASIC
All ASIC chips orders have been dispatched.
Software
We have quickly ported our software to Raspberry Pi which is now included in the SD Cards delivered with Raspberry Pi solution (preloaded). [Pictures attached]
Prospero X1
Control Board / Raspberry Pi
The shipping of Prospero X1 (Raspberry Pi version) is ongoing.
We are using Raspberry Pi instead of our custom designed control board because we have identified an issue with cgminer not working properly with our control board. We have not yet found still where the issue occurs (hardware or software).
The initial feedback from the customers using this solution confirmed our endurance test results. The miners are hashing steadily at 1.2Ghz. Average speed is 118Ghash and peaks at 131Ghash.
Please note that we will continue to ship the Raspberry Pi solution until we will complete fixing the control board issue.
The X1 Prospero (RPi) miners will be packed with 8 GB SD cards which will contain the latest software package.
LCD / Touch Screen / Buttons
The X1 Prospero (RPi) will not contain LCD, Touch Screen and Buttons because RPi does not support these features.
The X1 Prospero (with control board based as per original design) will contain the LCD, Touch Screen and Buttons solution but will be shipped at a later date.
Customers who prefer waiting for the LCD & Touchscreen are asked to contact us immediately so we can postpone their shipment until LCD is available.
WiFi
The cases for X1 Prospero (all versions) will continue to be manufactured from metal which will interfere and disrupt the WiFi signal therefore we decided to suspend it. Any customer has the option to request for the WiFi solution to be included. We will be happy to include this solution on request when it will be available.
Power supplies
In order to optimize the shipping time we have started shipping power supplies in advance.
Prospero X3
Control Board / Raspberry Pi
We decided to try to use 10 x Raspberry Pi per X3 as a quick fix to be used temporarily. Initial results are encouraging (hashing performed). The test board will arrive tomorrow. If this quick fix will prove satisfactory, we will consider shipping X3 Prospero (RPi) solution on temporary basis until the control board will perform as per original design.
X3 Backplane, X3 Hashboard PCB
1.The only problem that we have with X3 can be explained very simple: any hashboard (2 ASICs) will work (240Ghash) in any socket of the backplane but they will not work if we plug more than 2 hashboards in into the same backplane.
Investigations took us 2 weeks working 16-18 hours/day as we went through everything from debugging the power supply to debugging the cgminer code and reviewing the ASIC code.
We now strongly believe that the problem is due to noise on the 3.3V line which is currently shared between all hashboards. Unfortunately the 3.3V line is inside the backplane (layer 2) and inside the hashboard (layer 3) and we cannot separate them in order to get the current backplane working.
We have now almost finished a new design of the backplane which includes all the technical solutions solving the SPI noise and we aim to send it to PCB Factory on Monday. We already have the hashboards manufactured and if the new backplane works as expected we will be able to ship very soon.
2.One of our partners, which is specialised in ASIC manufacturing, has completed brand new versions of X3 Backplane and X3 Hashboard. They are currently running simulations and will send the PCB to manufacturing on Monday.
3.Three other companies have started to redesign other boards for us but their progress is not as advanced as our own. We will be taping out their design when ready and if it performs better we will use it in the next versions.
Notes
We received queries and suggestions regarding compensation packages. We will address the compensation issues as soon as we resume the shipping of the full spec Prospero X1 and Prospero X3 miners. We recognise the importance of this topic and our management team will address it accordingly.
Few months ago we announced that we have a surprise in store for our customers. We will disclose the full details as soon as we resume the shipping of the full spec Prospero X1 and Prospero X3 miners.
There are no Prospero miners X1 or X3 which are hashing on any of our facilities.
Please be patient. the next "next week" excuses will be done "any day".
I got an email back from BA. I can't post it due to them posting a "Privacy Disclaimer" they have just added back to their emails which says people can't discuss any replies back from them.
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