[MT Stringer]

Just files missing. :surprise:
No parts replaced.
I guess we shall see.

 

[4DThinker]

Good to hear, MT. Missing files, if no one intentionally deleted them, are usually caused by them being in use when the power goes out or the PC is shut down without closing a running program. The file allocation table looses track of where they are on the drive.

A re-format of the hard drive and fresh install of OS and programs is usually the best way to get it all working again, but I'd trust probotix to have taken care of what was needed to be done.

4D

 

[MT Stringer]

Not being a Linux guy, is there software that will clone the hard drive? I sure would like to have a backup if there is a next time.

I have Acronis and a Nexstar USB3.0 hard drive dock that I have used on Windows hard drives.

 

[4DThinker]

Not being a Linux guy, is there software that will clone the hard drive? I sure would like to have a backup if there is a next time.

I have Acronis and a Nexstar USB3.0 hard drive dock that I have used on Windows hard drives.

A quick google search found this: 4 Methods To Clone Your Linux Hard Drive

I haven't personally used any of the mentioned methods, but hopefully one will help you get it done.

4D

 

[MT Stringer]

Well, dammitanyways!

I got the PC back today, plugged everything in and turned it on. It won't boot! Same as before, it starts the boot sequence, the screen flashes the OBUNTU screen, then stops at the login prompt. This really pizzes me off. They said it was working just fine.

 

[4DThinker]

Can you type in "probotix" with no quote marks? At one time I bought a number keypad that I hoped I could use with the PC and every time I plugged it in the system would throw me back to the same login prompt.

It may be that one of your USB accessories (mouse or keyboard or gamepad) has gone bad and is causing the same problem. Try unplugging them all then rebooting. If you get back to the desktop screen then plug them in one at a time to see if each works or throws you back to that login page.

 

[beltramidave]

Their default login and password is the same the last I knew. Probotix

 

[MT Stringer]

Their default login and password is the same the last I knew. Probotix

But then it displays a command prompt. I have no idea what to do.

 

[beltramidave]

I wish I knew what to tell you, Mike. Looks like you are exactly where you were.
Did you have any luck with 4D's suggestions?

 

[honesttjohn]

Try a different port. Use one on the front. For some reason, they work better.

 

[MT Stringer]

Holy Krap, Batman! IT'S ALIVE!!!

I brought the PC, monitor, mouse and keyboard into my office and hooked up spare power and a video cable. Turned it on and it fired right up! I connected the mouse and rebooted. Fired up again! I connected the keyboard and rebooted. Fired up again. Yipeee!

So I took the hardware out to the CNC and hooked up everything again. It would not boot!!! Pulled everything off except for the video cable and the power cord. Same thing - no boot. I replaced the power cord with the one I had tested it with. Still no boot. HMMM...As I stood there scratching my aching head, I realized the only thing left was the video cable. So, I replaced it with the spare from the office. VOILA! It booted right up.

A damm video cable. Who would have thunkit!

So now, I have to put everything back in its place and hook up the controller and see if it will operate as it should.

All I can say is thank you everyone for all the suggestions and advice. I can keeping my fingers crossed that the controller will work OK. I will find out in a little bit.

 

[beltramidave]

That is great news! Interesting solution, though. Not sure how a video cable would keep it from booting, but yet still let you into the terminal. But then, I am not a computer guy either..
Hope everything else continues to work out for you, so you can get back to making chips.

Dave

 

[honesttjohn]

Make that dust!!

Cable was probably that Chinese junk.

 

[MT Stringer]

OK. More troubleshooting needed. I can navigate the control screen, but get an ESTOP error whenever I try to home the machine. Obviously it won't move and wasn't in ESTOP when the power failure occurred.

I can't clear the ESTOP. I toggled the button, and toggled using F1, but nothing happens. The keyboard seems to be working OK. I can move around using the arrow keys when I have the files folder open. And F3, F4, F5 all seem to work OK.

The machine isn't up against any of the limit switches. Seems to be a communication problem. I guess I will dig in the spare parts drawer and see if I can find another parallel port cable, and a USB cable.

 

[4DThinker]

Try typing "exit" at the command prompt.

 

[MT Stringer]

OK. It's working now. Maybe next time I will take a picture of which LPT port the cable is connected to on the PC! :surprise::frown: SMDH! Mine has two.

Time for the ten o'clock news.

Hopefully tomorrow I will get to sling some chips. I have alread been moving the cantry around and the control board is looking good, so yeah, I would say there was a communication problem! :grin:

 

[beltramidave]

I'm assuming that you checked the estop cable on the back of the controller. If you have an ohm meter, unplug the cable from the controller and ohm out the cable and remote switch.
Dave

 

[beltramidave]

Mark had a similar issue when his came back from Probotix recently. He says they switched which parallel port was the main one and the one for the tool sensor.

 

[MT Stringer]

I will sleep a lot better tonight. And issue an apology to the Probotix guys Monday.

 

[RainMan 2.0]

These cnc router tables don’t sound like a real cakewalk some days

Glad to hear your back in business Mike . Strange how cables go bad like that . If seems as though if it’s not a parallel port cable , it’s a video cable