The yellow screen of death!

[steve]

I've been getting the " missing com..." window, which then goes to the YSOD (yellow screen of death).
So I jot down XYZAB locations and restart. When I restart the XYZAB locations are not the same. Anyway if I (with help ) solve the problem that little annoyance will go away.

I have a PRS Alpha, 60x96, duel Z's, 6" indexer.

The symptons are:
In keyboard mode - I start both spindles ( to warm up), they start and then (sometimes) stop on their own right away or sometimes a min. or two later. Have to leave keyboard mode and go back in to start them again.

Once I had Z spindle start in the middle of a file where A spindle was cutting, there was no comand for Z to start, as soon as it started I lost com and got the YSOD.

Most of the time the problem does not involve the spindles, I just get the " lost com" message, usually in the middle or very near the end of a file.

Lost it today 5 hours into a 9 hour cut, cutting with both spindles.

Here is what I have done so far:
opened the control box and checked for lose wires or components, seemed fine.

was using the newest version of control software, deleted that, deleated a bunch of stuff on the computer and defraged the hard drive, instaled V 3.5.20 (i think) and reinstaled the firmware.

It is grounded, and has been running for about two years with the present computer without any problems.

Also tried cleaning the USB hub and trying different jacks.

Need some ideas...

[paul_z]

Have you added anything electrical to the shop or house?

If you are using a UPS, try running without it.

Look on the control board for any ruptured caps.

Try another computer.

Any new neighbors with HAM transmitters?

This one happened to me - try different USB hub. I had one go intermittent after a near by lighting hit (which took out a few things in the house).

Check ground rod.



When all else fails, appease the gods of sawdust (two beers).

[paul_z]

Another thought ... has the weather gotten warm lately? Starting currents on airconditioners compressors can be very high and can cause very large spikes when the compressor turns off.

[steve]

Paul, no new elecrtics in the house/shop, no A/C, no new neighbours with Ham raido, what is a UPS?, I'll look at the control board as soon as I finish my pizza therapy. I can try another computer but it would be my main computer so it would have to be a temp. I might be able to pick up a new USB hub tommorrow. thanks

[kevin]

Steven I had the same thing happened of course I thinking mechanical.It was my computer that can drive you nuts.
The nice thing with a shopbot you get lifetime tech support

[steve]

hi Kevin, I'll try a new USB hub tomorraw and maybe switch computers. Windows suck and macs suck in their own special way.

[dhunt]

http://www.eusing.com/free_registry_...ry_cleaner.htm

[paul_z]

UPS = Uninteruptable power supply

[dhunt]

UPS = Uninterruptable power supply

Aah...the little things that make a control computer run smoothly
so our SB Control software can also run smoothly, on top of a happy Operating System

[steve]

Well...tried cleaning the windows regestry, ne usb hub, relo firmwre, another computer. The othe computer,which is my main one, eemedto run the bot lright but when I tried to do a sped test I could not find a comm port, itis supposed to be port4, when I typed that in Igot a "no response" notice.
It did run a file for a few thousnd lines then the" mising comm return" messge. Mybe it's time to quit wooworking and buy anothr bike and go "on tour"!

Anyone got any more ides?