The Mining Procedure

Step One
You will need to Download Geth.
This application will serve as a communication hub, linking you
to the Ethereum platform while coordinating your setup (hardware and all)
and reporting any new development that requires action on your part.

Step Two
Geth typically comes as a zip file, unzip and transfer the file to the HDD.
The C: drive is usually best for this.

Next
You need the Command Prompt to execute the installed application.
Search in Windows for ‘CMD,’ if you are unsure about this, then click on it from the search list.
(Or terminal in linux)

Step Four
‘C:\Users\Username>’ the username placeholder is the name of your computer and is the usual display format by the command terminal.
Locating Geth is the next step; type in ‘cd/’ into the command prompt terminal;
this is an instruction to change directory. ‘C:>’ should be highlighted now,
which means you are currently in the C: drive.

Step Five
Account creation comes next.
To make a call to Geth; type in ‘geth account new’ followed by the enter key.
The command terminal should now display ‘C:>geth account new.’

Step Six
A password will be of you at this stage, and extra care should be taken here.
Be sure about your password, write it down if possible and be sure to type it in carefully.
Press enter once again after typing in the password and voila!
Your new account is created.

...Next step
Geth needs to link up with the network before anything becomes fully operational.
Type in ‘geth —rpc’ in the terminal and then press enter (you should be used to this by now),
this action starts the download of Ethereum’s blockchain and synchronizing with the global network.
This process is time intensive and is dependent on how large the blockchain is currently and the speed of your internet connection.
Make sure you wait until the completion of this process before mining.

Step Eight
To proceed you need a mining software,
which aids your GPU in running the hash algorithm required on the platform. Ethminer is a good choice for this heavy lifting.

Step Nine
Install Ethminer or any other mining software you choose for this procedure.
Step Ten
Repeat step 4 in a new command terminal (change directory command).
To open a new command terminal, right-click on the previously active terminal icon found in the taskbar and then click on the terminal from the menu.

Step Eleven
In the new terminal window, type ‘cd prog’ followed by the tab key. ‘C:>cd prog’ should now be on display, press the tab key again to display ‘C:/> cd “Program Files”‘ then push the enter key to show ‘C:\Program Files>.’

Step Twelve
To go into the Ethereum mining software folder, type ‘cd cpp’ then the tab and enter keys.
Press tab once again and the terminal should now display ‘C:\Program Files\cpp-ethereum>.’

Step Thirteen
To start mining with your GPU, key in ‘ethminer –G’ followed by the enter key. This will initiate the mining process after building the DAG ((Directed Acyclic Graph), which is a large file stored in the RAM of your GPU for the purpose of making it ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) resistant. Ensure that there is sufficient space on your hard drive before getting to this point.

Last but not least….

Conversely, if you are up for it, CPU mining can be done.
Just type in ‘ETHMINER’ then the enter key to start the process.
The building of a DAG is still required in this step after which Geth takes over communication with Ethminer.