Linux error code on CNC Mill

[svenakela]

Sounds like you get great help from 'em. It would be great if you post the result!

[ckm]

BTW, the original error was because of a change in hardware, it looks like a mouse was changed and the configuration file was not.

Just as a quick point. The reason why Windows survives all of these hardware swaps is that Windows has almost every single driver for every single piece of generic hardware built into it. The upside of this is that it can tolerate random hardware swaps. The downside is that it takes up huge amounts of space and can easily result in conflicts that are hard to diagnose.

Linux, on the other hand, typically installs only the hardware drivers you need. If you change the hardware, particularly if it's a quasi embedded system, then you need to update both the config files and install drivers for the new hardware. The errors you were seeing were related to missing hardware for either the keyboard or the mouse, or perhaps a change in the mouse hardware (keyboards are pretty much all the same). It looks like there might have been a serial mouse attached at one point, which is no longer attached...

Another thing to keep in mind is that some hardware is tied to specific ports on the PC (like specific serial or even USB ports) and if you move stuff around, it can break the configuration. This is esp. true with embedded systems that you are not supposed to change. Also, change the BIOS can also affect the 'locations' of hardware on the computer, resulting in issues.

HTH,

Chris.

[utahnorton]

CKM-Thanks for the insight. I don't recall moving the mouse to a different USB port but it certainly is possible. Anyway-the saga continues-the good news is that Ajax checked out the sandisk hardrive and reader and they are both OK-the bad news is that the sandisk hardrive and reader are OK.... Was really hoping this would be the problem, replace them and "Bob's your Uncle"...so back to square one. I must admit that Drew at Ajax has been very patient and helpful in trying to get this mess all sorted out. The next step is again a process of elimination. Again-the computer boots up perfectly from the original hard drive in windows. I had then disconnected the hard drive (ribbon & power) and so the computer would be forced to boot automatically from the sandisk and would only get to the kernal panic stage. So then the sent the sandisk and reader to Ajax to be checked out. So what Ajax would like me to do is send them the new motherboard and they will see if they can get it to boot up with my sandisk and reader... At his point not sure what else to do..... Tom

[svenakela]

Even embedded Linux distro's finds the mouse when it's changed (at least those I've worked with), unless it's an old or odd version. Usually Linux tries to get the mouse with a standard driver and if it has USB support the port itself shouldn't matter.

Anyway, something happened with your machine and it's a pain in the butt to analyze it without having access to the hardware.

BTW, why don't you make a new setup now when you're on it? For example a dual boot would be great.

[utahnorton]

Sven,

Actually at this stage we are just trying to get the computer to boot up in Linux-don't even have the fiber optics or servos hooked up to it right now. It was a dual boot system before but in about a year the Linux was crashing in the middle of a milling operation-(kernal panic....sounds like a "b" movie character) that's why we changed the motherboard, processor, and ram and checked out the sandisk and reader for file corruption or errors from that end.

Thanks,

Tom

[ckm]

Perhaps I can help you trouble shoot a bit. I've been using Linux for 12 years, so I know a little about it. Could you tell me what the kernel panic error message was?

Thx.

Chris.

[utahnorton]

Chris,

Drew just spent time trying to troubleshoot with me-I burned a new linux boot disc and disconnected all the drives except the CD/DVD. Tried re-booting and now get:

Searching for IDE CDTOM devices
Could not find insatallation CD!? Halting system
umount: /cdrom: not mounted
Warnin: could not determine runlevel-doing soft halt
(it's better to use shutdown instaed of halt from command lin)
shutdown: No such file or directoryIf I never hear from
Kernal panic: Attempted to kill init!

If you wouldn't mind e-mailing me your phone number-I'd give you a call so you don't burn up any of your minutes. I'm on MST and work out of my home shop. kullendesign@sisna.com

Thanks,

Tom

[svenakela]

If you removed the disks you probable have the wrong cable config (master/slave issue), then it doesn't matter what you're trying to install. You need to get a working HW-setup.
I know it's not much help, but it's not a Linux issue.

Regards,
Sven

[utahnorton]

Hi Sven,

Ajax had me go in and run the master ribbon cable that was attached to the hardrive to the CD/DVD ROM. The hardrive is disconnected. In the BIOS
the "0 Master" is now the CD/DVD ROM. "0 Slave" is disabled along with the other master/slave components so that the computer is forced to boot up from the CD/DVD ROM that contains the linuxinstallcd151.iso which was converted over to readable files through the NERO program and re-copied on to a bootable cd. At this point not sure what else to do other than ship the motherboard over to AJAX or try installing another CD/DVD ROM drive but the BIOS recognizes it.

Thanks,

Tom

[svenakela]

Tom,
Any news with your problems?

[utahnorton]

Hi Sven

Have been busy with a Norton Motorcycle Rally in Torrey, Utah that our local club organized and had to put my Linux issues aside for the past two weeks. I sent my motherboard, processor, ram, ribbon cable, and Ajax fiber optic/servo board, flash card, flash card reader, original old motherboard over to Drew at Ajax today at his suggestion. He should have it by Friday and will put it on their test bench to check it out to make sure that the board doesn't have some sort of incapatability issue-he said that even motherboards that have been used successfully in the past can have changes done to them mid-production that can cause problems. I still suspect a Linux issue and I contacted Chris on this board-that is his feeling as well. Hopefully Drew can figure it out-I can't tell you how pleased I am with the service and support I've received from AJAX for a problem that might not be even be AJAX related. I would do business with them again in a heartbeat. Will let everyone know the latest when I hear back.


Thanks,

Tom

[utahnorton]

Well good news hopefully! I got this message from Drew from Ajax:

Tom,

Found the problem. There is a setting called PCI IDE Busmaster that has to be enabled. I will run it here over the weekend to be sure, however.

Best Regards,

Drew Gear
AjaxCNC
P.O. Box 9012
Milesburg, PA 16853
(814) 360-0279
sales@ajaxcnc.com
www.ajaxcnc.com

When we went through the Linux BIOS this is one that normally doesn't have to be changed and or somehow we missed the setting. Anyway, Drew will run it on his test bench directly to his servos to make sure everything works OK. Again, can't say enough about their service!

Will give an update when everything is reinstalled on my Varnamo mill.

Cheers,

Tom