Why can't I just run a node like everybody? \ stacker news ~bitcoin

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Why can't I just run a node like everybody?

434 sats \ 18 comments \ @X3NO533D 21h bitcoin_beginners

So, this summer, a friend gave me a tiny computer, a BMAX B1 pro. I was so happy I could finally install me a Bitcoin node!

I started by installing Umbrel. The chain was all downloaded and synchronized but impatiently, I installed two more apps, the Electrum Server, so I could connect it to my Sparrow and I think Pi Hole, because I was interested. And well, it crashed and the chain wouldn't synchronize anymore. I started messing around through SSH and other stuff but somehow all I succeeded to was to get myself kicked out of my own network.

So, I formatted it all and installed Start9 OS. It all went good, then problems came back. It's so weird, when I turn it off for a while, it allows me to log in but then very quickly, I can't access to it anymore. And when I turn it on again, I don't even have the time to log in and I'm already out. Since when do computers act differently if they "have time to sleep" or not?

The thing is, in between all this, I've been messing around, asking friends, AI's for tips... I can't remember all I did so I can't tell all the details anymore but at the end, I'm still nodeless ...

Because it gave me a headache, for now, it's on pause. Hopefully I'll get back to it but I think I'll get another mini-computer with more power.

What I retain from this (besides feeling like the most unlucky node runner) is that I thought a node could be run an small computer and it seems like not (or am I wrong?). What gives me a weird taste is that there's this whole thing about keeping the chain small enough so that anyone can access a cheap hard drive. But what if you need a good computer too? Then what's the point?

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57 sats \ 8 replies \ @0xbitcoiner 21h

Should work fine if your PC’s got the minimum specs. Or maybe the PC’s got some kind of problem. Is it new? It’s not overheating?

https://github.com/getumbrel/umbrel/wiki/Install-umbrelOS-on-x86-Systems

11 sats \ 7 replies \ @X3NO533D OP 21h

I think it's right on minimum specs (CPU: Intel® N4000, GPU: Intel® UHD Graphics, Memory: 8GB) so if it is to only run the node + the Electrum Server, it should be okay. I had read somewhere the "problem" with Umbrel is that you have to resist installing too much apps (if your machine isn't super powerful).

But now I even feel like the hardware is fucked. I mean, even after formatting there were still issues. I can't even be sure if it's the machine that shuts off or if I'm just refused to access it.

I'm also really not a savvy when it comes to anything Linux and Network related ...

21 sats \ 2 replies \ @kilianbuhn 19h

how much hard drive space does it have 🧐

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @X3NO533D OP 18h

I added an extra 2 TB in the NWME slot.

33 sats \ 0 replies \ @justin_shocknet 18h

It looks like that device comes factory with a SD card storage, adding the NVME drive is more complicated than just installing the hardware since there's the disk/partition management to do in the OS... which appliance OS's like S9/Umbrel actually make more complicated vs a normal linux install.

Entirely possible you sync'd to the SD card as a result and filled it so the OS won't finish booting. If you try again, I'd remove the factory SD card to ensure you can't accidentally install anything to it.

I also noticed with S9 that pruning doesn't seem to work right, syncing never finishes. Don't use pruning since you got 2TB.

Otherwise, that hardware should be perfectly fine for a full node, it just might take a month of sundays to sync given the low power chip. I wouldn't run anything beyond Bitcoin+LND on it though, no extra apps.

Since you're leaning on AI for some of the basics you'll likely be better off installing regular Ubuntu and using the command line. Start9/Umbrel are great if you want something low-touch out of the box, but a regular Linux is less opaque for tinkering/troubleshooting.

Talking my own book, run Lightning.Pub on regular ubuntu, it's a one-line install, makes it trivial to connect ShockWallet over nostr. We don't have multisig vaults in it yet you might have been looking for re: sparrow, but hope to soon :tm:

0 sats \ 3 replies \ @0xbitcoiner 21h

Try accessing it locally with a monitor, keyboard, and mouse if you haven’t done that yet.

0 sats \ 2 replies \ @X3NO533D OP 20h

I think yes, I must have tried that at some point.

But yeah, right now I don't remember all I did.

21 sats \ 1 reply \ @0xbitcoiner 20h

By doing that, at least you rule out any issues that might be coming from the network side.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @X3NO533D OP 20h

Yeah I have to come up with a methodical approach.

21 sats \ 3 replies \ @DarthCoin 17h

Seriously now, did you read my guides about nodes ? https://darth-coin.github.io/nodes/nodes-en.html

0 sats \ 2 replies \ @X3NO533D OP 17h

haha, obviously not ...

Thanks for them, will do this time!

21 sats \ 1 reply \ @DarthCoin 17h

Your life will be much easier if you read ALL of them.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @X3NO533D OP 17h

Agree. And your guides are great. I especially like those that explain how to use Lightning as a "mixer".

21 sats \ 1 reply \ @88b0c423eb 19h

You're impatient to learn more and sovle problems when they appear, that's a very fiat mindset. You must be patient, enter the forum ask questions, ask for help learning takes time. Don't give up.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @X3NO533D OP 18h

Sure and especially back then when I would just try and bunch of stuff without really understanding. At the same time, trial and error always been my way (yet, "turn it off and on again" doesn't seem so good with those).

But right now, I just wanted to share the story, rather than getting help, as I'm not in the mood to look at it. And also that I don't remember it all.

Thanks!

21 sats \ 1 reply \ @jennann 19h

I went through this early on also. My recommendation is go to bitcoincore.org and download the software yourself and let it sync. While it is syncing, decide which electrum-type server you would like to use. Fulcrum Electrum Server just had a big update and prevents re-indexing after a crash (https://github.com/cculianu/Fulcrum). Then connect your wallet. It will run much more efficient than anything like Umbrel or Start9.

3 sats \ 0 replies \ @X3NO533D OP 18h

Certainly something I should give a try. Thanks!

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @denlillaapan 20h

@remindme in 90 days