Missing com messege

[jkaras2000]

I have been getting the "MISSING COM" message popping up during a part file run. Very annoying and frustrating. It will not allow me to connect to another com port, and I end up having to close the shop bot software and restart it along with part file that was interrupted. I am using a Sony Vaio Laptop with Windows XP. Does anyone know what may be causing this? Could it be my laptop is the issue? I am at my wits end. Thanks Joe :cool:

[Steamplates]

Joe,

I wasn't aware you were using a laptop - Advice on other machines (my Sieg X3) is NOT to use a laptop of any kind. Problems can be generated by the nature of a laptop, especially a dual core processor when it's in power saving mode. They are a different beast altogether.

I only run my machines from dedicated desktops with their modems disabled and never, ever connect them to the 'net as an aside. Also, I only load Aspire etc. and the control software. I load nothing else, not word, office or anything.

But what do I know? I still get problems!

Regards

Steve

[jkaras2000]

Hey Steve: Thanks for the good advice. I have been wondering about the laptop being the problem. I have a Shopbot PRS Standard 48x96. The folks at Shopbot Tech Support don't seem to think the Laptop is the issue, or at least some of the fellows at support feel this way. I have an email out to them concerning this very problem. I may just be better off looking for a good desktop to dedicate to the machine. Thanks Again Joe:cool:

[Steamplates]

Well good luck Joe.

My advice doesn't come from experience but I am a stickler for following instructions to the letter, something I had to teach other people do for a long time. Gary seems to agree with some of it on another thread if only to show that it's a good idea to have no other programs of any kind on the computer, and I think that if your machine has a dedicated computer, things are simpler when troubleshooting.

I have earthed my spindle independantly to discharge static, the wire is attached to the tube that collects the dust. This is shown in the pic. on my 'mods' thread. The other end of the earth wire is fixed to the metal frame of my workshop.

See my comment on your thread about prox. switches, I definately have a beginner's perspective on that :D !

As a footnote, your machine is probably identical to mine in spec, depending what spindle / router you have.



Regards

Steve