Solo CPU Mining with Monero - Windows 10

Here's my first post on Steem, Sept 4, 2017. It's a simple procedure to CPU mine the alt coin Monero solo. This is intended as a learning experience not as a way to make lots of $$$. OK? Let's get started:

1. Find the .zip file online at https://getmonero.org/downloads/ For windows 10 get the 64 bit cli (command line interface) version. At the time of this writing the current version is 0.10.3.1. Download to a directory on your hard drive and unzip. There is also a GUI version which is even easier to use but we'll use the cli since this is a learning experience.

2. Start monerod. You can just double click the file or start a cmd session, navigate to the folder and type monerod.exe. The first time it starts, it will do a very long sync (hours) with the blockchain.
   Once the sync is done, it will say in the window. “You are now synchronized with the network. You may now start monero-wallet-cli”. At this point the computer is set up for mining.

3. Either double click the file monero-wallet-cli or start it from a cmd session. The first time it will ask you to name a wallet and choose a password. Do not lose this information. Also copy or write down the recovery words and secure them but don’t lose them as you’ll need them if you lose your password.
   

4. The final preparation step is to bring up task manager (hit control, alt, delete simultaneously or just type task manager in the windows search area) and look for the amount of your cache such as ~4MB or ~2MB and write that down.
   

5. Now it’s time to start mining. From the monero-wallet-cli window enter the following command: start_mining 2 if you have 4MB cache or start mining 4 if you have 8MB. I have about 8MB so I'll use start_mining 4

Type status in the same window to ensure mining is started to see your hash rate

Notes:

• This procedure assumes using the monero-wallet-cli and as such, monerod automagically picks up the wallet address
• Monerod does the actual mining with the monero-wallet-cli storing any coins you happen to find.
• CPU mining is very slow and it may take weeks to find coin but you’ll have fun (hopefully) and it’s a good learning experience.
  In the start_mining 2 or start_mining 4, the number is the threads.
• Monero is a popular cryptocurrency used when privacy is needed. There is much more info at the link above.
• Go to http://monerobenchmarks.info/ for information at how fast (or slow) your hardware is at hashing.