Version 2.38

[Davis2902]

New to the forum guys and looking for some help with an old ShopBot that a relative of mine is trying to get running again. He has a PR96? with 2.38 software but the computer that ran the machine with Windows 98 is dead. Will this software work on Windows 2000 or higher? Any help would be appreciated!

[jerry_stanek]

according to Shopbot website it will not run on a Windows 2000 or newer computer.

[Brady Watson]

No. You need true DOS to run it. It will NOT work on a Virtual Machine either.

You have 2 options:

1) Repair/replace computer with newer one & load DOS as the OS; Do a dual boot...

or

2) Go get any Windows computer and load SB3 v3.4.27 (http://www.shopbottools.com/files/Setup_sb3_4_27_PRT.exe), load the firmware via UI command & select your machine from the 'Older ShopBots' folder after you run the UR command (saying yes to all) - Now your machine should be running under Windows control. XP Pro best, Win7 2nd best. Avoid others...You may need a USB to serial converter on that newer computer. ShopBot sells one that is good & works. Not many do.

-B

[Davis2902]

No. You need true DOS to run it. It will NOT work on a Virtual Machine either.

You have 2 options:

1) Repair/replace computer with newer one & load DOS as the OS; Do a dual boot...

or

2) Go get any Windows computer and load SB3 v3.4.27 (http://www.shopbottools.com/files/Setup_sb3_4_27_PRT.exe), load the firmware via UI command & select your machine from the 'Older ShopBots' folder after you run the UR command (saying yes to all) - Now your machine should be running under Windows control. XP Pro best, Win7 2nd best. Avoid others...You may need a USB to serial converter on that newer computer. ShopBot sells one that is good & works. Not many do.

-B
Thanks that is really the answer I needed. I have a Dell Optiplex 745 with Win XP Pro that has serial ports.

[Brady Watson]

Good - Rock on!

-B

[Davis2902]

No. You need true DOS to run it. It will NOT work on a Virtual Machine either.

You have 2 options:

1) Repair/replace computer with newer one & load DOS as the OS; Do a dual boot...

or

2) Go get any Windows computer and load SB3 v3.4.27 (http://www.shopbottools.com/files/Setup_sb3_4_27_PRT.exe), load the firmware via UI command & select your machine from the 'Older ShopBots' folder after you run the UR command (saying yes to all) - Now your machine should be running under Windows control. XP Pro best, Win7 2nd best. Avoid others...You may need a USB to serial converter on that newer computer. ShopBot sells one that is good & works. Not many do.

-B

After I load the new ShopBot software the UI firmware command works and it says that the controller is communicating but when I do the UR command, there is no "Older ShopBots" folder only table size and there are files that say "oldstop". If I pick the 96 x 48 old stop it goes through it's process but when I go from preview to move/cut mode I get a "Runtime error 401" Can't show non-modal form when modal form is displayed" then get a "Missing Comm Return hit ok to attempt to continue" then it displays Data Error window 4 times.
This is a PR96 ShopBot with, rack and pinion, and the control board is Ver.9 1104990000563. Also has a Black Box Power supply that runs to the control board ont the back side of the XYZ axis input lines. I assume this is a supplimental power supply for the stepper motors.

[Brady Watson]

Oops! Not sure where my brain was when I suggested v3.4.27 - somehow I thought this was a PRT even though you spelled it out as a PR. Sorry about that. The only choice for a PR is DOS or Windows98SE running DOS. It won't run on the Windows version of the software. RE: http://www.shopbottools.com/mSupport/controlsoftware.htm

You may have to either install DOS or upgrade your controller. You can call SB to inquire regarding options.

Again sorry for the mix up.

-B