New variety of SB problems...strange ones.

[sevans]

Greetings Everyone. I have recently made some changes in my set up and with that came some new issues that are still unresolved. Your thoughts are much appreciated.

Okay. So recently I swapped out my computer (XP to Windows 7). Everything was great before this. I did not wish this upon myself. My computer just plain died. I had a 7 machine handy. Unfortunately I was unable to successfully install the control software version that came with my shopbot 4-ish years ago. I installed the current version and got the machine up and runnin.

PROBLEM 1: When moving around with arrow keys (x,y), the machine comes to a sudden halt (as though it has hit a proximity switch but it hasn't), upon which all zero's are lost. The 1st time it happened, I jogged back home and the gantry just did a flat out wheely and I had to drop the motor to get it back into place. I hadn't anticipated that it did not know where zero was. I began tweaking things on the computer, stopping updaters, virus programs, disconnecting from internet...nothing. BTW, my proximity switches are disabled. I moved my USB2 connector to a new USB port and I haven't had that problem since...not to say it won't rear it's ugly head again. These things seem to come from out of nowhere. Still, thoughts appreciated on that matter.

Problem 2: (and in my opinion the very worst) Every 3 times that I zero the z to the plate, the software foregoes the "are you ready with plate...blah blah" window and just sends the z upward into the stop. The work around is to be on top of the S key. After pressing "S", I must then exit the program and reopen. Then the C2 command works! Has anyone had this problem? What's the deal?

Problem 3: The dreaded "Missing Comm Return" again. I used to have this problem in the beginnings but it went away mysteriously. Well it's back. I had a model going (Aspire) this evening and got the error in the middle. When I reopened the software, my X zero was lost, however, Y remained.

As I said, these problems have only surfaced since the new machine and control software were implemented. I will truly appreciate any of your ideas and guidance regarding this issue. I'm sure I've left out important details so let me know if I can provide you with any additional info. that may be helpful. Best Regards: :confused:Sarah Evans

[wayne_walker]

Sarah,

I am not as knowledgeable as a lot of the other users but I have been hanging out here for a few years. In regards to the comm error...

One of the first things I found out from the guys here is to have your computer box as bare bones as you can get and still have it run your machine. NO... internet connection, screen saver, virus programs, unneeded software, auto update programs, and not physically connected to another computer.

If you do not have a vacuum system ground your machine very well. If you have a vac system make sure you have a ground wire thru the vac hose and connected to the metal housing of the vac and to a metal point on the router housing or spindle.

I'm sorry I can't address the other issues, when you have an issue of any type this IS the place to come for the answer!

Good Luck, I know the others will get you up and running.

Wayne

[michael_schwartz]

If things were ok before, its probably the computer.

If your using a Dell that may be your problem. The USB hardware that they use is known to be sub optimal. I suspect there are other brands that are using the same components. For that reason I am suspicious of most low end off the shelf hardware. I either buy something used that is better, or build my own.

Right now I have been using an off lease lenovo think center that I purchased for about $150.00, with xp pro, and a core 2 duo processor. This solved all the problems I had had with my previous computer (a dell). The build quality is also nice, and probably better than most new, off the shelf pc's. I took a bit of time to disable everything that was not necessary. screen savers, windows media player, messenger, software updates, antivirus, printer utilities, anything that tries to connect to the internet, are the most obvious.

There are more advanced things that can be done, (mainly disabling windows services). However there is the potential to do more harm than good if your not comfortable with troubleshooting, and fixing problems you may create, such as finding, and turning services back on that you shouldn't have disabled. I had to to a bit of tweaking when I did this, even following a particular bare bones configuration since I had shut off two services, I needed.. I would only attempt this if you happen to enjoy tampering with the more arcane parts of windows.

Definably run a bare copper wire through your dust collection hose, and make sure that gets grounded to the wiring in your shop with a proper electrical connection.

I had issues when moving with the keypad that I traced back to a deffective USB keyboard. This was back when I was using the dell. I was using a freebie, no name keyboard.

It is also advisable to use an uninterrupted power supply. (UPS) to power the control PC.

[jerry_stanek]

I agree with the computer being the problem. Have you reloaded the firm ware and done a UR.

[sevans]

I have updated the firmware. Forgive me but what is a UR? PS. Thank you all for your support.

[Brady Watson]

Utilities Reset command in SB3. It resets the default settings to match your specific model tool. Be sure to choose the correct machine.

-B

[sevans]

I guess the real question is, is it the software or the computer? 2 things have changed since problems started. I am now using a new computer (not a Dell), and I am using a different version of Control Software. Thoughts?

[jerry_stanek]

What version software were you using and what version are you now using?