How to start EMC ??

[esmiller]

I am a complete Newbie to Linux. When i install the redHat version of the BDI install, I get several icons on my screen for EMC, but only EMCSIM will run.

Any ideas how i can fix this, or how i get it to run? I don't even know enough about Linux to be dangerous, so i am out of my league with this issue.

Any assistsance would be greatly appreciated !!

Eddie Miller

sogregory [at] charter [dot] net

[esmiller]

NO ANSWER ??

Surely somebody has a suggestion on where to start. I have several Icons on my KDE screen, but the only one that runs is the EMC_Sim, which appears to have to interaction with the Real World interface, so surely there is a way to run the program in a way that allows it to interface with my Xylotex Board..

I can't even figure out what directory contains the INI files, since I don't know the command to search for files and/or what WildCards are legal in Linux.

Anybody got any suggestions? I have a controller sitting there wasting away and waiting for me to figure it out

Eddie

[whirlybomber]

Love to help you pal, but I can't even install the rtlinux extensions on my ubuntu system yet.

I was planning to try EMC2.

EDIT you'll find that in linux, you won't have .ini files. in fact mostly linux doesn't have the same file extensions as windows/dos except for things like .jpeg or .bmp that are just information, not programs.

Linux is a very different beast until you get to understand it. then it's second nature (I hope. I'm not there yet).

[esmiller]

Well, if you download the BDI (BraiNDead Install) it is already configured with a RealTime basis. I did have several days of difficulty in getting it to install, but finally discovered that my Video Card was the problem. i install an AGP video Card with 64MB of memory, and it installed perfectly.

I am considering installing the Debian version of the EMC BDI, and seeing if that one will run....

Eddie

[esmiller]

OK.. finally got it to TRY to run.. seems you have to execute as ROOT user.

But now I am getting shell errors about excessive PRINT errors or something like that.. is this a configuration issue? is there a configuration file available anywhere for the XYLOTEX controller?

I *AM* making progress through trial & error, but any users who could assist me in getting it actually working, i would be greatly appreciative...

Eddie

[whirlybomber]

AFAIK if you are using EMC (not EMC2) then xylotex needs a non-standard pinout on the printer cable to work.

I'm pretty certain the info would be on the xylotex web site.

Or email jeff (at xylotex) he has always been helpful when people email him with questions.

That was why I was going to try EMC2, as then you can just load a xylotex config file and it should work with the standard cable.

[esmiller]

I have a LIVE version of EMC2, do you know where I can locate the config file for the Xylotex cable?

*IF* I can ever get my USB wireless network adapter working, i would be willing to recompile EMC for the required Pinout, *IF* I can locate basic instructions on how to do it. I have looked, but as yet hae not located any instructions that seem to explain it simply.. OBVIOUSLY not meant to be done by newbies, but i may anyways..

I have already re-formatted and re-instaled my BDI instalation 8 times this week trying to get it runnign.. what is once more ??

Eddie

p.s.. Still can't figure out why it won't run, unless it is the wiring of the cable causing the error ???

Originally Posted by whirlybomber AFAIK if you are using EMC (not EMC2) then xylotex needs a non-standard pinout on the printer cable to work. I'm pretty certain the info would be on the xylotex web site. Or email jeff (at xylotex) he has always been helpful when people email him with questions. That was why I was going to try EMC2, as then you can just load a xylotex config file and it should work with the standard cable.

[whirlybomber]

well a miss-wire cable on the printer port (parallel port) could give you that sort of error I suppose?

I havn't got anything to run @ all yet, so I don't even know where to begin to look for config files.

where did you get a live version of EMC2?

I know the BDI has a live version, but afaik that is emc, not emc2.

either way, i'm not gonna give up yet. I'm starting back at TAFE next week, and I'm doing an introductory course on linux, so I'll be asking all the hard questions there.

cheers,
Brad

EDIT:
a little more light googling and reading later.....

it seems to use the rtai extensions it will require a new kernel compile and so forth.

no wonder the BDI was made up for this sort of thing.

btw, if u are having trouble getting emc to work with xylotex using the BDI, you might just put a post in one of the general forums asking for someone who has it working to help you out?

[esmiller]

Originally Posted by whirlybomber where did you get a live version of EMC2?

here is the link to download it:

http://dsplabs.utt.ro/~juve/emc/get.php?file=ctx10b.iso


the description is as follows:


An emc2 Live version - not BDI (2005 - Oct.)
This is a small linux live version (based on Puppy linux), with emc2 on it.
So simply burn a CD with the ctx10b.iso (40 MB only), and you should be able to try it out.
For support please e-mail : cncuser@hinternet.at.
Warning!!! It's only a beta-version, please report any problems with it.
There is also a newer version available, yet several people reported problems with it. Use at own risk puppysit.iso.

[Jan]

http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/emc...l?XylotexBoard
http://www.linuxcnc.org/

[whirlybomber]

Thanks Jan!

Now I really need to learn to burn .iso's

(you would think that someone who's first computer was an apple ][ (when they were brand new!) would be able to do something as simple as burn and .iso, but noooooo. ah well, live and learn).

[jhwatts]

esmiller

I have just recently got EMC to run my system. I love it and it has lots of bang for the buck(its free). I found this guy on ebay. He will install BDI or any linux distro you want and send you a 450 Mhz computer pre loaded. This way I had a some assurance it would work when I got it. The computer was a woping 25 bucks plus shipping. You might want to check with him.

http://www.extantgroup.com/

I used debian BDI. I have included an attachment that contains all of the setting for the Xylotex controller except the input scale factor. You have to set that based on the number of thread per inch your ball screws or acme threads are. You must copy the file here /user/local/emc and overwrite the one provided with the system. I cut my parrel cable and took a multimeter and found every pin that corresponds with each wire. I then swithched wires 2 and 3 wires 4 and 5 wires 6 and 7. If its wrong it still works. Please feel free to email me if you need help.