EZ Trak Dx

[UKAndy]

We have a EZ Trak DX that we have had to replace the 32Mb dom as it would only work from the floppy, how do I get the program back/copied to the dom so it runs of the dom and not the floppy... Any help would be great

[machintek]

DOM has to be bootable. So it needs DOS loaded on it. Make sure CMOS is set to the new values if the DOM size has changed.
After that, load the machine software on to it. Make sure the backlash and pitch error are set correctly.

George

[UKAndy]

Originally Posted by machintek DOM has to be bootable. So it needs DOS loaded on it. Make sure CMOS is set to the new values if the DOM size has changed. After that, load the machine software on to it. Make sure the backlash and pitch error are set correctly. George

Hi machintek
Thanks for the reply

You will have to forgiven me on this;
So to make DOM bootable it needs DOS
Where can I get the DOS for this
How would I load the software to the DOM from the floppy
And backlash and pitch error are set correctly ??

TY

[machintek]

I purchased DOS disks from Ebay. It is a set of 3. Put the first disk in and it will load DOS onto the IDE device, in your case the DOM. The other 2 disks will follow for a complete DOS installation. It will then be bootable.

George

[machintek]

While on EBAY look for DOS for DUMMIES. It was very helpful to me.

George

[UKAndy]

Thanks George

Just purchased DOS off eBay, ok so I install DOS to the EZ Trak as discribed, I'll then need to copy the program from the floppy to the DOM. As is with windows does the program need to be copied to a certain place, once copied to the correct location how when starting the EZ Trak is the program started/accessed.

Thanks

PS do you know of a step by step guide that could be followed covering the process I am trying to do...

[UKAndy]

George

I read in another post (http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showth...645#post725645)

That you purchase the 32MB version, load DOS and the machine software and it is ready. There is a special piece of software that formats and loads the necessary software onto the flash card. (Is this software downloadable) (Or can the DOM be purchased loaded somewhere)


Also that I could obtain a disk on Module with newer hardware, newer software and expandability from EMI. Would someone be able to pass me the details for me.

The EZ Trak died the other day, mother board, battery and the 32mb DOM and I am trying to get it back to how it was, but have not got a clue.
So your help is brilliant, many thanks.

[machintek]

Typically, the back up disk has a autoexec.bat file that then goes to install.bat which loads the machine software to the hard drive or DOM. If not do a DIR and look for the install.bat and run it from there.
I recommend only a DOM or hard drive at this point. The hard drive only if you are PC literate and know how to FDISK for old bios, etc. flash disks and disks on a chip have only a finite amount of read/write cycles. they are getting old.
Yes EMI has DOMs and they can be purchased preloaded. Then just transfer the SYS.bez file which has your machine specific parameters: Backlash, pitch error (or lead error) etc.
They will also sell you a mother board kit. If you do this go the extra step and replace the logic power supply. Be sitting down when you get the price. But amortize the money over the next 10 years and it may be cost effective if your machine runs with no PC issues.
Be aware at some point the CRT will wig out but any old CRT will work and in all probability you will like to see things in color.
Lastly the motors (Per Bridgeport) should be examined/overhauled every 4000 hours of operation. So they may be due.
EMI just informed me that they do have motors now which they test in house.
This is not a plug for EMI. They are the only ones I know of that are supporting these machines in depth on a consistent basis.

George

[TimC]

Your missing a critical step. If your starting from scratch and you ran FDISK on the DOM you have to reformat it as a system disk or it won't boot. after running fdisk on the DOM or hardrive and recreating the DOS partition reboot to your A: drive and type:
FORMAT C: /s

This will create the hidden system files needed to make the DOM (or Hard disk for that matter) bootable. Once that is done you pop out the floppy and reboot. The machine should boot and you'll see the C:\ prompt. Install your eztrak software and make sure your parameters for backlash etc are punched back in by hand if necessary (hopefully you had that written down)

As George stated EMI will sell a DOM and MB. about $800 I think. If you have the original MB you will need the backplane that comes with the new board as the BMDC and MB will now plug into that and you can toss the video and IDE cards along with the old MB. The motherboards are set up recognize the DOM already. The DOM will have the software preloaded (for every DX32 machine) just install it and it will run the setup. You can also get the software disks as backup, 2 disk set one is a boot disk the other the eztrak software.

Good Luck

Tim