Linux Newbie... hey, this is great!

[vlmarshall]

Well, I just installed Unbuntu 8.04, my first experience with Linux.
After a few rough spots, partly caused my myself and my system, I've got it running.
I've just gone through StepConf, and opened EMC for the first time.
The very first thing I see are three variables defined in the demo program ; #1=.1, #2=.01, #3=.0003

I love it, that's exactly what I've been looking for. I use macro variables on the two Haas machines I run most often at work.
Everyone else looks at my nested conditional loops and incrementing variables, and calls it 'Your crazy programming', I can't get them to try it.

At home, Mach doesn't support it, but instead expects the user to go off writing some script, for what in a professional setting could be a single-use program.

Anyway, I'm not ranting about Mach, I really like it, but THIS is exactly what I've been looking for!

I'm really happy I switched to Linux.

[chester88]

Welcome to EMC I'm glad you stuck it out.
You'll prob find some of the developers write G code like programmers too.
Jmk's variable pitch threading:
http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/emcinfo.pl?JMKsFusee
samples of using O words:
http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/emcinfo.pl?Oword

[vlmarshall]

I've still got a ton of stuff to learn, Linux and EMC at the same time.
I've been gone all day, so I haven't had time to play with it since installing it this morning.
Do I NEED my limit switches installed to run? How do I get back to that interface selection list I saw before I ran StepConf? What's going on with this file system when I try to extract a compressed file I just downloaded? Etc. The list goes on and on.


Great links, by the way.

[cadmonkey]

The variables and using O words for loops are WONDERFUL - the logo I mentioned in my last post in the survey thread used O loops for each of the individual entities and incremented the Z down to a predefined level making the .ngc file nice and small, though it was millions of moves. Using CamBam on Windows I generated the paths for a single depth and then just isolated each entity and made it into a loop. Since then I've been using more and more variables. It's a hand coder's dream, especially with free path generation software to get by size limits and other shortcomings.

The offer stands that if you need addl. memory and I have the appropriate form factor in my spares bin I'll offer it for cost of postage.

Answers - no you don't need to install the limits switches to run - comment them out in the .hal file with a #. Examples of the home and limit connections -

#net home-x => axis.0.home-sw-in
#net all-limit => axis.0.neg-lim-sw-in
#net all-limit => axis.0.pos-lim-sw-in

There should also be the pin connections outside of each of the axis definitions:

#net XMin parport.1.pin-02-in-not => axis.0.neg-lim-sw-in
#net XMax parport.1.pin-03-in => axis.0.pos-lim-sw-in
#net XHome parport.1.pin-04-in => axis.0.home-sw-in
# Y Pins
#net YMin parport.1.pin-05-in => axis.1.neg-lim-sw-in
#net YMax parport.1.pin-06-in => axis.1.pos-lim-sw-in
#net YHome parport.1.pin-07-in => axis.1.home-sw-in
# Z Pins
#net ZMin parport.1.pin-08-in => axis.2.neg-lim-sw-in
#net ZMax parport.1.pin-09-in => axis.2.pos-lim-sw-in
#net ZHome parport.1.pin-10-in => axis.2.home-sw-in

or something similar.

I am confused what interface selection you mean - are you refering to the interface you see when you run a stepconf generated configuration? If that is the case, stepconf defaults to Axis

[DISPLAY]
DISPLAY = axis

other options are TkEmc, mini, keystick. It's in the manuals, some info on the wiki @ http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/emcinfo.pl?Interfaces

What compressed file are you trying to decompress and what is or isn't it doing when you try to decompress. I'm not as familiar with any of the xwindows GUIs, I have spent more time in terminal on my server with the exception of running EMC2 for machining processes but I'll try to help.

Greg

[vlmarshall]

Ah, thank you for the limit switch advice, Now I'm getting somewhere. I wish I'd had more time yesterday to experiment with this.

The memory offer is most generous, I might get back to you on that one!

Yes, the selection of Axis, TkEmc, etc., is exactly what I was trying to find.
I'm still quite lost in Linux...but I'll get better.
The biggest issue is time, which is why I haven't touched *nix before now; I don't have as much time as I used to, to learn an OS.

This is a screenshot of System Monitor while running EMC. I'm not pasting it for any real reason, other than to play with Gimp and this system.

[vlmarshall]

Yeah, I saw the thread about your rusting. Sorry to hear it.
After digging through my memory spares, I seem to have pleny of spares, of the same 128Mb, pc100 SDram that I'm already running. Too bad this thing only has 2 memory slots.
I did find a single 256Meg PC133, so I threw that in. Yes, I know the FSB speed is wrong, but it's better'n nothing.
Still, my poor processor is running near max load, according to System Monitor, and somewhere during the current Latency test, it hit 249,064 nS.
Maybe Unbuntu, or at least 8.04, isn't a good idea right now.

[cadmonkey]

Unfortunately that latency result is indicative of poor performance. You'd definitely need to troubleshoot and see if it's something correctable.

Checkout the wiki - start with http://wiki.linuxcnc.org/cgi-bin/emc...roubleShooting

[vlmarshall]

Ugh.
Will EMC run on Xubuntu?
I'm running out of 'fun'.

[cadmonkey]

I am not sure - you need the realtime kernel - that is a better question for the gurus on the users list (a lot of the developers are active there so you'll probably get a good answer). Also, if you post EXACT system specs and if that latency result is a constant or an intermittent spike they can help pinpoint, don't give up on it yet, but be aware there are some boards that are just NOT real time capable. Mach under Windows doesn't operate in realtime but the architecture of EMC requires realtime and knowing how long the system takes between commands. The high latency result means that you won't get as fast a stream of pulses. Common culprits are integral motherboard architecure, video (especially onboard) and other onboard integrate peripherals. It could be as simple of a troubleshoot as changing the BIOS ACPI/APM settings.

You obviously liked the interface so hang in there. All is not lost! Nothing good comes easy.

As for PC133 or PC100 I don't think I have anything but 128's myself, otherwise I'd have 512 in my box. Mine started acting up when I went to clean the rust yesterday and now doesn't want to power up. Time to pull the mobo out and see if it got some condensate on it and just needs cleaned, if there are caps that popped or if I need to replace the whole damn thing. (I REALLY REALLY REALLY hope it's A...) I do have a new mobo lined up but I didn't want to do that till spring.

[vlmarshall]

ok, where is this Users List? I guess I'll try it... I'd like to cure this latency spike, but I'll bet it's the onboard video card.
Although, it IS an Ati card, which the FAQ mentions as a preferred brand...

So, can I just go get a NEW vid card? What about linux drivers? Ugh.

Frustrating.

I feel your condensation pains. Do you really think it popped? Not the power supply?

[cyclestart]

Originally Posted by vlmarshall ok, where is this Users List?

http://www.linuxcnc.org/content/view/4/8/lang,en/

Frustrating.

I can relate. I bought a used IBM P3 specifically to run EMC2 and never solved the latency issues. Still don't know why it misbehaved. Running fine now on a $50 AMD. Maybe it's the alignment of the planets to blame?

The best place for latency advice will be the mailing list.

Don't sweat the vid card drivers. Just ask before buying a specific card.

[chester88]

Onboard Video is one of the main culprits of bad realtime performance. SMI is another.
You can also try using different video driver (use the more generic ones)
If you have another APG/PCI video card laying around try it. Don't but an expensive one EMC doesn't need it.

You don't want to try Xubuntu. There are no pre-compiled files for it you would have to compile RTAI realtime and EMC....not for the faint of heart.
The pre-compiled files that you downloaded onto a cd were specifically tailored for Ubuntu 8.04- so that is probably not your source of the problem.

The mail list and Wiki are the best source of answers.

Hang in there.