Hey, I'm pretty new to the mining community but I wanted to make a quick how-to for windows because I couldn't find one that was super simple and straightforward when I set it up.
(Note: this is brainless because you're using the exact same process I did. So if you want to use another mining software or pool, it won't be as helpful. Sorry about that.)
Step 1: Download a wallet and place it in a new folder on your c: drive. You'll use this for all your ethereum programs. I chose Mist but the sidebar of /r/ethtrader has a whole list to choose from. Also here is a quick tutorial on how to download and use the wallet. Watch the video, you'll feel more comfortable once you know the parts and pieces.
After the blockchain downloads, find your wallet address, you'll need it shortly.
Step 2: Get your mining software. I chose qtminer but there are several included in the link. For this tutorial though, you should use qtminer. Toss it in the folder with your wallet.
Step 3: Choose your mining pool. I chose Alpereum which I've linked.
Step 4: To begin mining through the Alpereum pool open notepad and copy the text below into it.
qtminer.exe -s useast.alpereum.ch:3002 -u 0x2E005A8D25042055BhdD64Bh65c56fhE3C042e9.WorkerName -G
Replace the long string of letters and numbers with your wallet address. Then replace WorkerName with whatever name you want. If you're using your CPU replace "-G" with "-C" and if you're not in the eastern USA replace "usaeast" with "usawest" for the western USA, "pool" for Europe, or "asia" for Asia.
Now save the notepad file as a ".bat" file and place it in the same folder as the qtminer. I saved mine as "start.bat" because that's what it does. It starts the mining process.
So click on the .bat file to begin mining.
Alpereum has some help articles about mining and another to check your worker status, hash rate, and balance.
If you want to stop mining simply hit crtl-c while the command prompt window is up. Then to restart just click the start .bat file again.
That is all you have to do.
Optional: Later to buy or sell ethereum I use coinbase
Or if you want to trade your ethereum I use Kraken but just like everything else, check the sidebar of /r/ethtrader for more options.
Hope this helps someone!
Let me know if you see a problem with the tutorial or have any questions.
Edit: If you're feeling ultra generous donations are always appreciated.
ETH: 0x5420415d09ad88745e55a95c882f302baa331398
BTC: 1Ah7f4d61wkPX6kuQXHyokrzWmUfqBb8f9
Doge: DJ5fMtA6XpqFegcF5ehPVeQBqjHvgDr4NQ
Extra Learning!
For you Nvidia windows 10 miners the driver 347.52 may solve your low hashrate problem.
Others have mentioned that the miner often points at the integrated graphics instead of a stronger GPU. Adding --opencl-platform 1 after -G should point it at the right one. Also disable the weaker gpu in the device manager.
Also as this question comes up a lot here I'll give you a little breakdown of the .bat file. Each pool and miner is going to be a little different but the basic idea is pretty much the same as far as I've seen.
- First you have the .exe that is going to be run. In my case this is
qtminer.exe -s useast.alpereum.ch:3002 -u 0x2E005A8D25042055BhdD64Bh65c56fhE3C042e9.WorkerName -G
- Then you're laying out which pool you are mining to. (this part you get from the pools website which includes location, pool, and ch:
qtminer.exe -s useast.alpereum.ch:3002 -u 0x2E005A8D25042055BhdD64Bh65c56fhE3C042e9.WorkerName -G
- Next you have the wallet address you want the pool to send your crypto to.
qtminer.exe -s useast.alpereum.ch:3002 -u 0x2E005A8D25042055BhdD64Bh65c56fhE3C042e9.WorkerName -G
- Next you have the name of your rig (which can be whatever you want it doesn't seem to matter)
qtminer.exe -s useast.alpereum.ch:3002 -u 0x2E005A8D25042055BhdD64Bh65c56fhE3C042e9.WorkerName -G
- Finally you have what you are mining with:
qtminer.exe -s useast.alpereum.ch:3002 -u 0x2E005A8D25042055BhdD64Bh65c56fhE3C042e9.WorkerName -G
-G is for gpu -C is for CPU.