USB stick question

[13brv3]

Greetings,

I'm trying to learn to like EMC 2.4.3 (Linux 10.04), and I have something that is really confounding me. The machine (Probotix Comet) is running fine, and I'm using a USB stick to supply g-code files.

Say I finish a run, and decide I want to change the file before making a new run. This seems like a dumb question, but how do I get the stick out, and back in without having to shut down and restart EMC2? I've tried everything I can think of other than just yanking it out and putting it back.

Even if I open a local (HDD) g-code file within EMC2 (so I'm not using the USB drive), I still get an error when trying to "eject" the USB stick. It says the drive is busy, and that "Python" is using it. If I tell it to remove anyway, it doesn't comply. I can shut off the electronics box and shut down EMC2, and Ubuntu will let me eject the USB stick. The problem is that I now have to go through re-homing which is a hassle.

Is there a way to gracefully swap USB sticks while EMC2 is still running?

Thanks,
Rusty (Linux knows I don't like it)

[Lexx0001]

I'm not 100% certain what you mean when you unmount the file system.

Could you mean the USB Drive? If so, this may help. https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Mount/USB

Otherwise,

Which version of Ubuntu are you running? Probably doesn't matter, I'm just curious.

What's the error message?

Regards,

Bill K.

[13brv3]

I just edited the original post so it's (hopefully) clearer. I just want to be able to swap USB sticks without shutting down EMC2.

Thanks,
Rusty

[osphoto]

If you are not using any files directly off the USB drive within EMC, you should not have to shutdown EMC.

What happens when you just remove the USB drive even if it does say it's busy?

If python is using the stick, and that process belongs to EMC, then verify your setup files for EMC.

[prcdslnc13]

1- never run a program off a usb stick, it doesnt supply the program in real time and theres always the chance it could drop off :/

2- I just pull my usb drives out, no unmounting or anything. As long as your not accessing your files, it shouldnt matter. Ive never once had an issue. Even with EMC running a program (not on the usb drive obviously)

[13brv3]

Thanks for the comments. I do in fact run the g-code directly from the USB stick, since it saves the hassle of copying it. Of course that's not too much hassle if you never change your files, but when you create them on another computer, keep a copy on a stick, AND keep a copy on the CNC computer, then it's a fairly significant PITA keeping them all the same. I'm really spoiled by my previous setup where Mach3 ran files across the network from the computer where they were made.

I have not tried pulling the USB stick out against it's will, since I've always been taught not to do that in Unix/Linux. If I only used the stick to copy to the HDD, I bet it would let me "eject" it even after EMC2 ran.

I will have to try another test based on what was mentioned here. I've got one large 3D file that always gives real time errors/delays somewhere during the run. It's never hurt anything, but it shouldn't happen of course. I tried copying the file to the HDD once to see if that helped, but it made no difference. What I'm wondering now is whether I removed the USB stick when I did that.

As for any configuration/setup questions, this system came pre-configured, and I've made no changes.

I'll play with this more later in the week.

Cheers,
Rusty

[prcdslnc13]

The real time errors are most likely caused but your base period being off.

Running code of the USB stick still concerns me, but really youll probably be ok. I just drag and drop the programs Im running onto my desktop, easy enough, and then move them to a folder once they have ran ok in case I want to run them later.

[samco]

you should be able to connect to window shares no problem with ubuntu. I do that all the time. (On my big hmc - I actually have the nc_files directory shared and drop files to it from the windows machines.)

sam

[osphoto]

If using Linux to run you machine, I'd be more opt to run it on a private network. Wireless routers are cheap or even get a cross over network cable and plug directly from computer to computer.

You could share off Linux storage area, mount on your windows box and copy/past and you are set.

I "sneaker" my files between windows boxes when I forget to cable up my two machines.

[Doodkeen]

For file sharing between Linux and Windows, Samba is the answer. You don't need a router, just a crossover ethernet cable, and fixed IP addresses for both computers.

Configuring a Samba server is not a big deal, but it would be easier if You share a folder on the Win, and mount it on your Ubuntu.



Dud

[13brv3]

Thanks again for all the comments. I knew you could connect the computer to a windows network, but I didn't want to give the computer anything else to think about while it's trying to make parts.

I know that I have a lot to learn about Ubuntu and EMC2, but the machine was preconfigured, and I needed it to make parts as soon as possible. Now that I have a second machine on order, I intend to take some time with it to figure this stuff out, since I won't be required to be productive immediately. Of course it will be hard to resist setting it up with XP and Mach3 for a test as well.

Cheers,
Rusty

[melee]

Hi

Going back to your original question, I suspect that all that is happening is that so long as EMC has a file from the stick loaded, it is accessing the stick so it cannot be un-mounted.

Just put a dummy .ngc file on your hard drive and load that when you want to change sticks and you will then be able to 'umount /media/USBStick' or whatever it is called on your system.

Alternately you could use the stick as everyone else does and transfer files between computers with it and run them from your hard drive.

regards