The yellow screen of death!

[steve]

I've been getting the " missing com..." window, which then goes to the YSOD (yellow screen of death).
So I jot down XYZAB locations and restart. When I restart the XYZAB locations are not the same. Anyway if I (with help ) solve the problem that little annoyance will go away.

I have a PRS Alpha, 60x96, duel Z's, 6" indexer.

The symptons are:
In keyboard mode - I start both spindles ( to warm up), they start and then (sometimes) stop on their own right away or sometimes a min. or two later. Have to leave keyboard mode and go back in to start them again.

Once I had Z spindle start in the middle of a file where A spindle was cutting, there was no comand for Z to start, as soon as it started I lost com and got the YSOD.

Most of the time the problem does not involve the spindles, I just get the " lost com" message, usually in the middle or very near the end of a file.

Lost it today 5 hours into a 9 hour cut, cutting with both spindles.

Here is what I have done so far:
opened the control box and checked for lose wires or components, seemed fine.

was using the newest version of control software, deleted that, deleated a bunch of stuff on the computer and defraged the hard drive, instaled V 3.5.20 (i think) and reinstaled the firmware.

It is grounded, and has been running for about two years with the present computer without any problems.

Also tried cleaning the USB hub and trying different jacks.

Need some ideas...

[paul_z]

Have you added anything electrical to the shop or house?

If you are using a UPS, try running without it.

Look on the control board for any ruptured caps.

Try another computer.

Any new neighbors with HAM transmitters?

This one happened to me - try different USB hub. I had one go intermittent after a near by lighting hit (which took out a few things in the house).

Check ground rod.



When all else fails, appease the gods of sawdust (two beers).

[paul_z]

Another thought ... has the weather gotten warm lately? Starting currents on airconditioners compressors can be very high and can cause very large spikes when the compressor turns off.

[steve]

Paul, no new elecrtics in the house/shop, no A/C, no new neighbours with Ham raido, what is a UPS?, I'll look at the control board as soon as I finish my pizza therapy. I can try another computer but it would be my main computer so it would have to be a temp. I might be able to pick up a new USB hub tommorrow. thanks

[kevin]

Steven I had the same thing happened of course I thinking mechanical.It was my computer that can drive you nuts.
The nice thing with a shopbot you get lifetime tech support

[steve]

hi Kevin, I'll try a new USB hub tomorraw and maybe switch computers. Windows suck and macs suck in their own special way.

[dhunt]

http://www.eusing.com/free_registry_cleaner/registry_cleaner.htm

[paul_z]

UPS = Uninteruptable power supply

[dhunt]

UPS = Uninterruptable power supplyAah...the little things that make a control computer run smoothly
so our SB Control software can also run smoothly, on top of a happy Operating System ;)

[steve]

Well...tried cleaning the windows regestry, ne usb hub, relo firmwre, another computer. The othe computer,which is my main one, eemedto run the bot lright but when I tried to do a sped test I could not find a comm port, itis supposed to be port4, when I typed that in Igot a "no response" notice.
It did run a file for a few thousnd lines then the" mising comm return" messge. Mybe it's time to quit wooworking and buy anothr bike and go "on tour"!

Anyone got any more ides?

[jerry_stanek]

I think you run the speed test from the preview mode I will go out and see what my speed is.

[paul_z]

If I remember correctly, you have to load a driver to run the usb to serial converter. Probably find the driver on the web.

[steve]

Maybe I'm missing something, what does a usb/serial converter have to do with this problem?

[GlenP]

Not saying this is causing your issue but I had a bad keyboard and it caused ALLOT of little clitches. I think another botter told me to look at mine when it was giving comm issues. New keyobard and worked fine after. Also read about another guy getting comm issue and his z zeroing plate rattling in the holder was somehow causing his issue. Sorry cant be more help.

[steve]

I did use the same keyboard with both computers. It'a flexable one, I'll try another and check the Z plate for contact.

[myxpykalix]

Do you have anything like a wireless mouse, keyboard or game controller (to move carriage) attached?

I had the logitech rumblepad connected and i set the controller too close to the reciever and it was cycling thru all the commands underneath the sb software causing havoc.

[steve]

Hi Jack, nope, no wireless stuff attached, USB mouse and keyboard. The only wireless anything is a router on the floor above the control computer. I never have it on line while the bot is on.

[gc3]

I've been getting the " missing com..." window, which then goes to the YSOD (yellow screen of death).
So I jot down XYZAB locations and restart. When I restart the XYZAB locations are not the same. Anyway if I (with help ) solve the problem that little annoyance will go away.

I have a PRS Alpha, 60x96, duel Z's, 6" indexer.

The symptons are:
In keyboard mode - I start both spindles ( to warm up), they start and then (sometimes) stop on their own right away or sometimes a min. or two later. Have to leave keyboard mode and go back in to start them again.

Once I had Z spindle start in the middle of a file where A spindle was cutting, there was no comand for Z to start, as soon as it started I lost com and got the YSOD.

Most of the time the problem does not involve the spindles, I just get the " lost com" message, usually in the middle or very near the end of a file.

Lost it today 5 hours into a 9 hour cut, cutting with both spindles.

Here is what I have done so far:
opened the control box and checked for lose wires or components, seemed fine.

was using the newest version of control software, deleted that, deleated a bunch of stuff on the computer and defraged the hard drive, instaled V 3.5.20 (i think) and reinstaled the firmware.

It is grounded, and has been running for about two years with the present computer without any problems.

Also tried cleaning the USB hub and trying different jacks.

Need some ideas...


...sounds like time for a new machine

so donate this one to a worthy cause in Mexico...Me :D

http://www.piriform.com/CCLEANER

[dhunt]

...sounds like time for a new machineHow long does a Shopbot last, anyways?

The Yr.2000/01 PRT-96 Shopbot machine that I run ..is ten years old
and has suffered idiot abuse at the hands of under-trained/inattentive locals.

[ken_rychlik]

When you reloaded the firmware, did you cycle the controller off and back on and see the progress bars? If not, the firmware did not update. It will tell you it updated, even if it didn't.:rolleyes:

Also when you back up to an older version of software you should go into the registry and clean out the stuff it puts there. This would only apply to the old pc. Tech support can talk you through that if need be.

It is a comm issue, so things like a dedicated pci usb card, a good hub, a new cable between pc and controller.... this is where you will find the fix. If all of that fails, you may have a bad controller card.

[steve]

hi Kenneth, yea, I turned off/ on the the box and then reloaded the firmware. New USB hub made no differance. I have updated to latest control software again and am trying that long cut (air) with the laptop that's been running the bot for the last 2 years but with no other USB plugins, no keyboard or mouse. I checked inside the box again, no lose wires and made sure that card that holds the USB plug was tight, gave it a little wiggle cause I'v seen that work on computer cards. Vacuumed it out although their was VERY little dust.

[dhunt]

....... and made sure that card that holds the USB plug was tight,
gave it a little wiggle cause I've seen that work on computer cards. Take that card right out of its slot
clean its gold teeth with a pencil eraser (on both sides of the teeth)
wipe off any residual eraser droppings with yer shirt
and put the card back into its slot
-don't forget to tighten the frame screw that secures it.


Do this same operation for your RAM-chips, your video-card, any other card wot can be taken out!

This simple 'clean' can often work wonders for computers that seem to be loading stuff way-too-slowly...

[jerry_stanek]

It could be a cold solder joint where it will work when the computer is cold but as it warms up the expansion causes the joint to separate.

[GlenP]

Steve did you EVER have any issues or lost comms before upgrading the control software recently? Give that flexible keyboard a good look or replace it. Also if you buy another one open notepad and check all keys to make sure it is okay. I had one right out of the box have bad keys. They are a flexible circuit board and can have bad spots.
Hey lets both sell these darn machines and meet to go riding. I hope to get down your way on the bike someday.

[steve]

Hi Glen, I don't remember haveing any issues before upgrading, their may have been one or two. I have been runnung it quite a while with the new software without any problems. It's been cutting for the last 5 hours straight without any problems. The keyboard and mouse are not connected so I'm starting to suspect the keyboard.

[GlenP]

Are you air cutting or actually cutting with dust collector running? Friggin hot here in Ontario today.

[steve]

air cutting, I don't use the dust collector much anymore.

[kevin]

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=194147&Sku=B69-9015

This my opion on the computer that should be runnig a shopbot .I,am suprissed that you wher able to run on a laptop

I use to run on a laptop lot of problem .Then I used a 8 gig dual core desktop less problems .Then I tried my sons computer night and day what a differnce going from 79 to 81

We forget the demands the demands we put on these computer .The old computer couldn.t handle 2 mayan calander at 1 million line yet my sons no problem .But the old computer can do one at half millon lines

In your case a 12 hr cutting files ugh .You need a serios computer to run a shopbot .I know I.ll here flack about a celeron runnig a shopbot its called stupid cheap

Ths only applys if it is your computer problem .

[steve]

Hi Kevin, my laptop can handle it, I cut 7-12 hour files quite offen with no problem from the computer. Idon't think that's the problem. I am currently 7+ hours into a 9 hour cut, no problems yet.

[kevin]

I am glad your up and running if you do find your problem let us know
The other problem I had was being on the coast one of the contacts had a little corission and poor conntect with the stepper motor made weird sounds

Like

[dvmike]

We fought this issue for about 2 weeks , just a few months ago.
I replaced USB cable, changed computers , added groundwires to everything ....and I mean everything ! I was just about to order a new com . board when I told the guys in the shop to go ahead and PM the machine while it was down.(Clean everything, replace and recut spoil board, regrease gears etc)
Long story short, the communication issue went away !
We started having the same Comm issue a few weeks ago, and found that the roller alignment was off on our carriage. We realigned the carriage and haven't had it since .
Conclusion:
It may sound silly, but it seems that the gears being dry, and the carriage rollers may have been causing an excess of electrical noise and causing the loss of communication.
Our other machine also had the comm issue when we had the USB bundled and zip tied with all the other cables. We seperated it and went with a double sheilded cable and haven't had the problem since ......KNOCK ON WOOD !
For starters though , ground everything to everything and make sure all grounds are properly connected to the ground lug in the control. I saw a grounding diagram somewhere. It may be on the SB sight.