USB problem

[mike sr1]

I have the pcnc 1100 with the Tormach machine computer, from time to time, mainly when the machine sits idle for a time it will loose one of the usb connected items. Today it lost the keyboard, everything else worked fine, in the past it may be the jog pendant or mouse. A computer reset will fix it, but I was wondering if there is a way around this or a fix for it?

thanks

[compunerdy]

I have the same issue.. randomly I will just loose the keyboard or mouse.

[mooreaa]

Hmm could this be related to the USB going into sleep mode? Does unplugging and replugging in the USB device fix the problem as opposed to a full reboot?

[mike sr1]

Hmm could this be related to the USB going into sleep mode? Does unplugging and replugging in the USB device fix the problem as opposed to a full reboot?

Yes this will correct the problem as well, the problem is the computer is under the machine so its not in a good location for me to do that. I have the same problem on my laptops occasionally.

I would think on the Tormach computer that sleep mode would be off but maybe it isnt.
thanks

[compunerdy]

Its not sleep mode because I will be in the middle of using the machine and it just dies.. I have the same problem with it being hard to get to the devices to unplug and replug to fix it. Sometimes it will just fix itself though...

[shred]

USB has a lot of voodoo attached to it. One place I worked switching on the lights could hang the USB on a nearby PC. Make sure you have ferrite beads (those round lumps) in your cables and clean power to the PC and any USB devices.

Also, go into Device manager and on the USB devices like keyboards and mice make sure 'allow the computer to turn off this device to save power' on the power management tab in properties isn't checked. Tormach should have set that, but you never know what Windows might decide it knows best what you want.

[tbaker2500]

Make sure you aren't using pure extension cables. While it seems like a cheap way to extend the reach, it's much better to use a hub.
At my work we put a USB packet analyzer on one of our USB devices to do some packet sniffing. With a 6' extension cable, we were seeing 90% of the packets being retry requests. Without the 6' extension, completely clean.

A USB hub actually re-creates each packet, so you can go longer distances.

Just a thought.

[btu44]

I was also having trouble with my shuttle or keyboard loosing it's USB connection.

When I changed in the computer BIOS, the USB speed from hi-Speed (USB 2.0, 480 Mbit) to full speed (USB 1.1, 12Mbit) I have had no more problems.

From what I understand, USB 2.0 is only needed for a fast external hard drives and such. USB 1.1 has plenty of speed for a mouse and keyboard.

[mike sr1]

I was also having trouble with my shuttle or keyboard loosing it's USB connection.

When I changed in the computer BIOS, the USB speed from hi-Speed (USB 2.0, 480 Mbit) to full speed (USB 1.1, 12Mbit) I have had no more problems.

From what I understand, USB 2.0 is only needed for a fast external hard drives and such. USB 1.1 has plenty of speed for a mouse and keyboard.

Thanks for the tip!
I checked mine and there was no option to change the usb speed, there was an option to change the processor speed, also a severe warning to go with that, in that altering the speed could cause other problems.

Did I miss something or isnt the option available on the Tormach computer?
I might add that this hasnt caused any problems with the machine operation that I know of, just a bit of an inconvenience.

[Gerry Sweetland]

I checked the bios in my Tormach controller and under USB Configuration there was only an option to enable/ disable USB and enable or/ disable USB legacy support. Nothing about speed.

I have a USB keyboard, mouse and jog controller as well as a USB extension cord for my thumb drive and I have never lost connection with any of these devices in the year I have had my machine.

I turn my controller off every night and restart every morning. Do you leave yours running for a long period of time, days before a re-boot? Not sure if that would matter or not?

Gerry

[mike sr1]

I checked the bios in my Tormach controller and under USB Configuration there was only an option to enable/ disable USB and enable or/ disable USB legacy support. Nothing about speed.

I have a USB keyboard, mouse and jog controller as well as a USB extension cord for my thumb drive and I have never lost connection with any of these devices in the year I have had my machine.

I turn my controller off every night and restart every morning. Do you leave yours running for a long period of time, days before a re-boot? Not sure if that would matter or not?

Gerry

No it is not on for days at a time, this happens in a course of an hour or two that the machine is idle.
I am using a tig machine that has hf start on it closeby, I am thinking that could possibly be the problem.

This doesnt happen often just occassionally, more of an inconvenience than anything else.

[zephyr9900]

Make sure you aren't using pure extension cables. While it seems like a cheap way to extend the reach, it's much better to use a hub.

My experience is quite the opposite, Tom. The only problems I have had with Mach3 have been when I used a hub (powered or unpowered).

USB 1.1 is allowed 5m for Full Speed and USB 2.0 is allowed 5m for Hi Speed.

I have each USB component on a 2m Belkin extension cord back to the port on the motherboard. No component's cable is longer than 4m, the Belkin cables have gold-plated contacts and I have the joints shrink-wrapped.

It may be anecdotal, but I've had no USB problems since going to this arrangement in 2007. I went through two powered hubs first...

Randy