Problems Mining

Hey guys,

So I figured that since I've been watching so many videos lately as well as going for advice on he forum that I'd try to help with the mining team. For some reason, after sitting there for 6 or so hours, my program never went past the starting phase. This was with GUIminer.

I was also wondering if anyone could give me any advice with 50miner, as I was considering doing some bitcoin mining for myself and didn't exactly know how to get started on that.

Thanks in advance.