This will have you up and mining in about an hour.
Disclaimer/intro: If you don't have at least a 2GB GPU you will not be able to mine and with only 2GB You will have to modify some things. Originally this was an Alpereum/qtminer guide but I have updated it. Alpereum has been experiencing some problems recently and qtminer is outdated. They both still function and are simple to use but will likely not yield the best results. Nanopool, Claymore miner, and genoli's are all good options. I have updated this guide for Nanopool and Genoli's miner. I'll try to make a Claymore one at some point but no promises because I don't use it so I don't understand its problems. I don't like to recommend things I don't use.
However /u/RegisteredFlexOffndr's guide might work for your Claymore needs.
Hey, I'm pretty new to the mining community I wanted to make a update my 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 because desktop wallets are generally more secure than online wallets. However the sidebar of /r/ethtrader has a whole list to choose from. The general favorite online wallet is MEW! and I recommend it for creating cold storage paper wallets. Also here is a quick tutorial on how to download and use the Mist wallet. Watch the video, play around with it, you'll feel more comfortable once you know the parts and pieces.
After the blockchain downloads(this takes a while), find your wallet address, you'll need it shortly.
Step 2: Get your mining software. I chose Genoli's Ethminer OpenCL but there are several included in the link. For this tutorial though, you should use Genoli's. Toss it in the folder with your wallet.
Step 3: Choose your mining pool. I chose Nanopool which I've linked. You can check your hash rate and balance by entering your wallet address in the search bar on that page.
Step 4: To begin mining through nanopool open notepad and copy the text below into it.
setx GPU_FORCE_64BIT_PTR 0
setx GPU_MAX_HEAP_SIZE 100
setx GPU_USE_SYNC_OBJECTS 1
setx GPU_MAX_ALLOC_PERCENT 100
setx GPU_SINGLE_ALLOC_PERCENT 100
ethminer.exe --farm-recheck 200 -G -S eth-eu1.nanopool.org:9999 -O YOUR_ADDRESS.YOUR_WORKER/YOUR_EMAIL
The bottom line should be all on one line. Replace YOUR_ADDRESS with your wallet address. Then replace YOUR_WORKER/YOUR_EMAIL with whatever name you want or your email if you want updates. If you're using your CPU replace "-G" with "-C" and if you're not in the EU replace "eu1" with "us-west1" for the western USA, "us-east1" for the eastern USA, or "asia1" for Asia.
Now save the notepad file as a ".bat" file and place it in the same folder as the miner. 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.
Make a shortcut on your desktop for the .bat file for easy start up.
If you want to stop mining simply hit crtl-c while the command prompt window is up or the x. 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 or Bittrex 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!
Check out this Intro to Ethereum guide!
Seriously, do it. Learn.
Ethereum is doing well because it is fundamentally really great tech, you should know why you're making money.
- For you Nvidia windows 10 miners the driver 347.52 may solve your low hashrate problem but the newest drivers seem to work fine again.
Or, an easier fix, going to your Nvidia control panel, 3D settings, and turn Optimize for compute performance on.
Good Luck!