anyone have a list on how to setup a win7 computer?

[knight_toolworks]

I have the list for xp but not for win7.

[bleeth]

http://www.blackviper.com/

Scroll down the page a bit.
I followed the services guide for bare bones almost completely for my SB computer. It turns on in just a few seconds and has had no comm issues at all.
I believe there was a setting or two relative to networking that I left on since it is networked in the shop.

[knight_toolworks]

first time for a win7 machine see how it goes.

[dlcw]

Steve,

I've been running Win7 on my new machine since my old XP machine finally inhaled too much dust and died. The new machine is an Acer All-In-One that is not connected to anything but the CNC.

It's been interesting since I installed it. For the first 3 weeks it worked without a hitch. Then it started acting up really bad. I couldn't even get the spindle warmup to work without loosing comms. No changes had been made to the machine configuration so I have no clue why it started to have brain farts so bad. I talked to Gary and he recommended I simply switch the spindle and control box USB plugs to see if that would fix the problem. It did for a long time. Then it went through a period of brain farts for a day and then it fixed itself and has been running fine since. No clue why it does these things.

Gary says it's Win7.

[garyc]

Actually I said that its Win-7's security that doesnt allow the SB drivers and virtual comm ports to install properly. Once installed properly, Win-7 seems OK, but due to its "port locking" doesnt seem to perform as bullet proof in the long run as XP, especially if the computer is used for other than dedicated SB control.

There are a good number of Win-7 control computers that work well out there, and we (I mean you) might as well get used to thats what we will have for control going forward. I hoarded a half dozen copies of XP and some motherboards that are fully supported under it.

I have done some testing and seem to always show 10-11% lower comm rates with Win-7 than XP on the same motherboard. This will only potentially affect hi-res machines at high speed, but 10% is still a real number.

Black Viper has the list for the windows services, here is a couple steps that might help a Win-7 install that is troublesome:

Unplug all USB Cables other than mouse or keyboard
Set User Accounts to their lowest
Install 3.6.44 (pay attention to the driver install portion, especially if it says that the drivers have been installed as soon as it starts)
Plug SB Control cable direct to a port and see if Windows recognizes it
Check comm rate. Add hub inline , check comm rate again. Keep the configuration that returns the highest number.
plug in spindle controller (to another port not the hub)
User accounts can be set back to your default if you wish

[shilala]

Gary, do you use Viper's Safe, Tweaked or barebones?
Do you keep your own custom registry file for XP Pro SP3? I'd like to compare with what I've done.
I'm guessing you use a fresh install of XP home and just tweak from there, if you have a minute will you run down how you generally set up a new machine?
It'd be nice to know the angle of attack that's worked best for you, maybe I can help some guys get their laptops set up in the future, or at least put together a simple guide. Viper can be pretty daunting, for sure.

[knight_toolworks]

well so far the shopbot was found on the default port slow 73 direct to the computer 85 on the hub. but the speed control driver is not installed. what do I do there been so long I can't remember.
anyone know the name of the aspire 3.5 update I can't find it.
never mind on aspire I forgot it now downloads the update. I hate it when you go so long with the same old you forgot such things.

[jTr]

Just did the drill outlined by Black Viper for bare bones operation and find boot/reboot are swifter as Dave indicated. This was an excellent find - thanks Dave!

As Don described, I've experienced erratic behavior with my machine for a while, and recently switched from a laptop to a Gateway tower. Within 12 days, I had two USB ports fail as well as a complete loss of video output:mad:
(Buyers beware!)
Exchanged for an Asus tower last week, cleaned up accordingly and hoping for the best.

I've had to eliminate the I/OGear hub supplied with my new ShopBot. Followed Gary's outline for optimal SB3 installation and proper timing for USB connections. I was unable to complete the comm rate test without crashing, so I'm simply plugged in direct to USB3 port on tower and now enjoying a 76% efficiency rate.

Thanks to all for the constructive input!

Jeff

[bleeth]

Credit for reporting Black Viper tweaks on this forum belongs to Gary-He is the first I know to have used it.
Glad it worked out for you.

[knight_toolworks]

I am wondering if I need the black viper setup so far I have only cut one sheet but no problems at all.

[adrianm]

In my experience a vanilla install of Windows with updates and screensavers turned off works just fine. No need for anything else to be removed.

Companies that supply PC's with just plain Windows installed are few and far between though which is probably what causes most people problems and hence the need for the Black Viper setup.

[garyc]

My experience parallels that of Adrian's with the following caveats: Screen saver, Power settings, Task Scheduler, Win Updates, Firewall, Defender and B.I.T.S. have been known to cause interruptions on some computers. Only because they initiate a background operation which shifts focus and/or the USB data from our cutting task. Other computers, especially ones with better controllers, (read as more expensive) dont seem to be bothered by much of anything. Lesser spec'd computers, (read as Dell) will gain from the addition of a USB2.0 PCI card.

The first requirement is a clean install of Windows for a problematic system. Branded computers are loaded with dozens of programs and services, many invisible to the user, that will cause problems.

[knight_toolworks]

ok to add insult to injury my password on the shopbot computer changed. I know it was not me I had it set to auto login and I had to type the password twice and I had rebooted it and it logged in fine. I had to hack my own computer to get it to work.

[dlcw]

I also found that wireless (USB connection) keyboards and mice caused me some problems. I changed to wired and the problems seemed to go away. I'm bummed because the wireless keyboard enabled me to move around freely.

[knight_toolworks]

I also found that wireless (USB connection) keyboards and mice caused me some problems. I changed to wired and the problems seemed to go away. I'm bummed because the wireless keyboard enabled me to move around freely.
you want a bluetooth keyboard it will work well.

[cowboy1296]

i have been rocking along for a long time with no missing comm errors. I had two during my last roughing cut. Prior to cutting i may have inadvertantly opened up IE, naturally there is no connection and i merely "x" out of it. I then ran the roughing. To insure this does not happen again i have removed all unessary short cuts from the tool bar.

Prior to the finishing i rebooted and had no issues with a 13 hr cut. I tested my speed today and i am over 78. I checked my services and only one was not correct.

There were roughly 8 services that Black Viper showed as uninstalled. I have been running with these services disabled. Is that ok or should I totally uninstall them and if so how. If it is merely going to the add/or remove programs, I can do that?

Thanks in advance.