Need Help from you Probotix guys

10855 Views 95 Replies 11 Participants Last post by honesttjohn, Dec 20, 2017

MT Stringer

Discussion Starter · Dec 1, 2017

As if I wasn't stressed enough today, while I was gone to buy some lumber, we had a power failure that lasted 3-4 minutes. My machine wasn't running, but the computer and the controller were running. I have been keeping them running so I wouldn't have to reset my x & y axis zero each time I change projects.

A few minutes ago, I finally got out in the shop and turned the PC on. It won't boot up. It stops the boot sequence and displays the following:

"Ubuntu 10.04.4 LTS probotix-dekstop tty1
probotix-desktop login:"

I have no clue where to go from here. I typed in "admin" and it then prompted me for a password. Now I am stuck again.

I don't know if this is a big secret or what, but I could use some help with this login. Apparently the power failure screwed everything up. My wife said she heard a boom. Later we saw a couple of bucket truck working down the street about 2 blocks away so I figure a transformer blew in the neighborhood.:frown:

EDIT: I called Probotix but they are gone for the day (weekend).

21 - 40 of 96 Posts

MT Stringer

Discussion Starter · #21 · Dec 2, 2017

Thanks for the suggestions. My PC (and controller) is powered from a power strip which is plugged into a 120v outlet (20 amp). A heavy duty extension cord connects the outlet to the power strip. In my case, I would need a UPS to maintain power for a few minutes. Power outages are few and far in between around these parts. Power dips (less than 3 seconds) do happen occasionally.

And I am using a Bosch 1617 router, so no 220V stuff.

As for as my event went, it wouldn't have mattered if it was a 30 minute outage because I was 30 miles away with no knowledge of an outage. Maybe this will teach me to shut everything down when I am not carving.

MT Stringer

Discussion Starter · #22 · Dec 3, 2017

Trying the recovery mode didn't work.

4D put me on to creating a iso disk on the flash drive so I could re-install the operating system. Using my laptop, I did that but the Probotix PC won't recognize the flash drive! If it ain't something, it is something else! :surprise::frown:

beltramidave

· #23 · Dec 3, 2017

Did you format the flash drive? Seems like it had to be FAT 32, but unsure. Check the Probotix wiki site.
Did you try a repair when you were in recovery mode?
What didn't work.

Reactions: 1

MT Stringer

Discussion Starter · #24 · Dec 3, 2017

beltramidave said:
Did you format the flash drive? Seems like it had to be FAT 32, but unsure. Check the Probotix wiki site.
Did you try a repair when you were in recovery mode?
What didn't work.

Yes to both questions.

I may go back and try the recovery menu again. At least it worked.
I have a message in to the help desk but it will probably be Tuesday before I can concentrate on fixing this thing.

beltramidave

· #25 · Dec 3, 2017

This link came from the Probotix Wiki site. Never done it myself.
https://rufus.akeo.ie/

Good luck. Keep us posted as to what the solution is...

Reactions: 1

MT Stringer

Discussion Starter · #26 · Dec 3, 2017

beltramidave said:
This link came from the Probotix Wiki site. Never done it myself.
https://rufus.akeo.ie/

Good luck. Keep us posted as to what the solution is...

I tried Rufus and it was successful in the format and files added to boot, but...
I believe they have the BIOS locked so I can't change the boot sequence. Even though I changed it so the flash drive would boot first, it is being ignored.

Here is a link too the first attempt at reinstalling the operating system.

Everything works exactly as described until I get to step #14. Pressing F2 doesn't work.
Reinstalling LinuxCNC on Galaxy Series Machines - PROBOTIX :: wiki

I will have to wait until I can talk to Len or one of his guys. I haven't registered at their forum so I have to wait even more until they approve me. :frown:
I think I need a mixed drink or seven. :frown:

I spent 33 years working shift work. There was always people at work - 24/7. I don't understand this 9-4, 4 or 5 days a week and OFF on weekends! >

:grin:

beltramidave

· #27 · Dec 3, 2017

I wonder if tapping on the SHIFT key instead of F2. It worked before..
There isn't much activity on the Probotix forum anyway. Kind of disappointing.
A drink sounds pretty good right now to me as well.

Reactions: 1

MT Stringer

Discussion Starter · #28 · Dec 3, 2017

beltramidave said:
I wonder if tapping on the SHIFT key instead of F2. It worked before..
There isn't much activity on the Probotix forum anyway. Kind of disappointing.
A drink sounds pretty good right now to me as well.

Does it open the computers BIOS? BIOSTAR in my case. If so, apparently they have it locked down and will take an administrators password. Actually, I looked for an Administrators password, but couldn't find anything. :frown:

beltramidave

· #29 · Dec 3, 2017

Sorry, my mistake. A quick web search revealed several possible options.

1. Hold down F2 before powering on PC
2. Use F12
3. Use ESC

Just like all suggestion via the web, they don't always work.. Just keep hoping we can get you back up and running. Last post for the night for me...

Reactions: 1

beltramidave

· #30 · Dec 5, 2017

Any updates, Mike?

MT Stringer

Discussion Starter · #31 · Dec 5, 2017

beltramidave said:
Any updates, Mike?

Nothing to report.
It was along day. We laid my mom to rest today.

I hope to get in touch with the Probotix folks tomorrow.

beltramidave

· #32 · Dec 5, 2017

My condolences for you and your family, Mike.

Reactions: 1

MT Stringer

Discussion Starter · #33 · Dec 5, 2017

Hopefully, things are looking up. I contacted Probotix and explained the problem. I was issued an RMA number and instructed to ship it to them and it will be fixed under warranty.

So, I am out of the CNC business for a week or two. Bad time for that because it delays my Christmas gifts I was working on. Christmas may come in January this year.

And then I had a brainstorm. Why not use one of my old laptops? Well, that turned out to be a brain Far$. They don't have a parallel port. OK, not such a good idea. However, I do see there are adapters available. Just don't know if I can find one locally. Office Depot says 3-5 bsns days. There are a couple of Fry's electronics stores in and around Houston, so I may try them.

Maybe I should attempt o install the linuxCNC software first and go from there.

Onward and upward.

difalkner

· #34 · Dec 5, 2017

At least they're going to fix it for you, so that's a good thing. Fry's is bound to have an adapter. I've only been in Fry's once but they had just about everything you'd ever want.

David

Reactions: 1

beltramidave

· #35 · Dec 5, 2017

They say that laptops are not good for machine control, though some people get by with it.
If you are talking about a USB adapter, I would check with Probotix cause I don't think they will work.
Not sure how a dual boot (windows and Linux) will work either.
Sorry, no good news here.

Reactions: 1

MT Stringer

Discussion Starter · #36 · Dec 5, 2017

Thanks Dave. My intention is to wipe the hard drive clean on the old laptop and install the ubuntu operating system using the iso they link to in the Probotix WIKI help section. If nothing else, I can practice navigating the system without screwing up anything.

Yeah, not sure about the usb->parallel port adapter. I did ask Len about using a longer cable when I bought the machine and he said a regular parallel port printer cable would work. So... am I game or chicken?

beltramidave

· #37 · Dec 5, 2017

Might want to read this and decide...
https://forum.linuxcnc.org/18-computer/26295-usb-to-parallel-port-converter

RainMan 2.0

· #38 · Dec 5, 2017 (Edited)

beltramidave said:
They say that laptops are not good for machine control, though some people get by with it.

This isn’t what I was hoping to hear, as I just bought an older laptop (still new really) from my local computer dealer . I wanted it because it has Windows 7 .
If I ever get my cnc, I was going to use a controller with USB , so not having a parallel port won’t be an issue . I’m also going with UCCNC instead of the other options .
It has 4 gigs of ram , maybe I better install more while I can?

Btw , I’m sorry to hear about your Mom passing away Mike

MT Stringer

Discussion Starter · #39 · Dec 6, 2017

RainMan 2.0 said:
This isn’t what I was hoping to hear, as I just bought an older laptop (still new really) from my local computer dealer . I wanted it because it has Windows 7 .
If I ever get my cnc, I was going to use a controller with USB , so not having a parallel port won’t be an issue . I’m also going with UCCNC instead of the other options .
It has 4 gigs of ram , maybe I better install more while I can?

Btw , I’m sorry to hear about your Mom passing away Mike

Rick, the computer that comes with the Probotix machines has 2048mb ram! :surprise: At least mine does. And the hdd is miniscule by today's standards...less than 10gb. It doesn't require much computing power. But it has a parallel port! :grin:

Reactions: 1

MT Stringer

Discussion Starter · #40 · Dec 6, 2017

I still need to read Dave's link. In the meantime, I dug out my old laptop. It has Win 10. I had upgraded it during the Microsoft free offer.

After checking the BIOS, there is no way to set the boot sequence to a USB port so a flash drive with boot software can not be used. I am not a guru, so this is just another pot hole in the road. I am kinda out of business at the moment so maybe I can figure out how to create a bootable ISO for the Linux system and boot from the CD/DVD drive. I have that option.

21 - 40 of 96 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.