Question about emc computers

[TOTALLYRC]

I have just aquired bunch of computers without operating systems and I am getting them ready for sale.

The requirements online are pretty low 500mhz and 256k ram and I have a bunch of compaq deskpro 700mhz computers and was wondering if they would be a good choice?

I will install emc on one of them and see how it works on my Taig, but any or all input is welcome.


I don't see if it is nessacary to run a discrete video card or not.

I have installed emc2, 6.06 on a different computer that I had lying around as a test and it looks good, a definite improvement over emc as far as I am concerned.

Thanks in advance,

Mike

[cyclestart]

Originally Posted by TOTALLYRC if it is nessacary to run a discrete video card or not.

I think the answer is 'it depends'. Some onboard causes bad latency, other times not. Running the latency test will tell.

Before getting rid of those old machines grab one of the ram sticks. Linux loves ram. I use 528 but more would be nice.

If you have time, test which of those machines provides best latency before selling. Unless they are identical units of course.

[samco]

I would def use dapper. I ran dapper on a 800mhz compaq and it ran pretty good. (on a gantry)

sam

[TOTALLYRC]

Originally Posted by cyclestart I think the answer is 'it depends'. Some onboard causes bad latency, other times not. Running the latency test will tell. Before getting rid of those old machines grab one of the ram sticks. Linux loves ram. I use 528 but more would be nice. If you have time, test which of those machines provides best latency before selling. Unless they are identical units of course.

I have some extra ram so your are saying that I should run max ram if possible, but at least 512. I just ran the latency test and the numbers looked good, but i will run it again to be sure. This is the first time I have actually tried to run a machine with emc in a long time.

Most of the compaqs are identical, but I will test a few to be sure. Worst case I put in a discrete video card as I have several in the pile-o-parts.

I just checked the computer that I have setup and it is a pIII 650 with 256 ram, of course I grabbed the slowest machine from the pile.
I will see how much ram I have and How much it can physically hold and try again.

Originally Posted by samco I would def use dapper. I ran dapper on a 800mhz compaq and it ran pretty good. (on a gantry) sam

Sine I am pretty clueless about emc, "dapper" means almost nothing to me. If you mean dapper drake 6.06 That is what I am running. I saw on the site where if you have older hardware, 6.06 was the better choice.


What do you guys think a computer that is ready to go is worth?
I mean with a cleaned and formatted drive, enough ram to run reliably, 2 usb ports, onboard pport,etc,etc? Tested on my Taig.

Even with this "slow" computer the testing with the step config wizard looks real smooth. I went from 425's down to 180-190's and then run faster and smoother.

Step config wizard is a nice feature and I really like the auto jog feature where you tell it to go and it runs the axis back and forth until you say stop. Sure beats hitting the arrow keys a hundred times.

Mike

[TOTALLYRC]

Dapper is running well on the 650mhz 256 mb compaq computer.
This computer only has 2 mem slots and doesn't like my sticks of 256 so I have 2 sticks of 128 in it and it seems to be doing well.

I just ran a ~300 line file and it ran real well while cutting air, I even checked it with my air calipers and it was right on.
I will see how it cuts tommorow in some aluminum parts.

Latency test gave the following results.
Servo thread 10163 and Base thread of 10964.
The only thing that I could get to disrupt this was to plug in my flash drive. As long as I don't do that, it looks like it will be fine.
These compaqs are a nice smalll form factor that fits well with the small size of the Taig.

Mike

[samco]

Yes - my computer that was about the same vintage also didn't like keychain drives plugged in (caused high latency). I would always transfer files before running emc. Only one of my computers gave me this problem.

sam

Originally Posted by TOTALLYRC Dapper is running well on the 650mhz 256 mb compaq computer. This computer only has 2 mem slots and doesn't like my sticks of 256 so I have 2 sticks of 128 in it and it seems to be doing well. I just ran a ~300 line file and it ran real well while cutting air, I even checked it with my air calipers and it was right on. I will see how it cuts tommorow in some aluminum parts. Latency test gave the following results. Servo thread 10163 and Base thread of 10964. The only thing that I could get to disrupt this was to plug in my flash drive. As long as I don't do that, it looks like it will be fine. These compaqs are a nice smalll form factor that fits well with the small size of the Taig. Mike

[TOTALLYRC]

I will be going thru all of the computers and testing them with EMC2.

If any one is interested in purchasing one, just PM me.
I am thinking $50-$100 depending on speed and memory.
Local pickup is fine or I will ship at cost.

Mike