3.8.10 any takers?

[2Egress Sound & Design]

Hi all,

Brady let us all know that we have new 3.8 software available.

I am running 3.8.8 on my PRS Alpha 96,48 and have to say it's been ok.

Would like to know if anyone else has taken the plunge and what they are experiencing. I see my fellow Canadian Mr Coholic may have.

I am sure there are many of us waiting to know before they jump aboard.

Please share your experience so far, the rest of you that chose not to upgrade we can understand that you won't fix what isn't broke! :)

Been lucky here so far, want to continue that run!

Thanks to all that give their time and advice so willingly here! I know it's saved my skin a few times.

Brock

[adrianm]

I'll probably upgrade over the weekend as I'm still running an earlier 3.8 version (3.8.6 I think) and there are supposed to be issues with that although it's worked perfectly for me.

[srwtlc]

I've been running it since Monday morning. It installed fine, updated the firmware (didn't need to but did anyway just to test it), and worked fine right out of the box, but I noticed that it overwrote my virtualtools.ini file. I needed to edit that to allow the spindle control app to load on startup along with my 'Buttons' window. After doing that I couldn't get it to locate itself and had to unplug/replug the USB cable to get it connected again. After that, it's been running fine. This is on a fresh new PC build, with a clean/lean Win 7 install, that started it's life running 3.8.8. I've also been running it on a lower powered single core system today for a test and it's running just fine.

I've got two issues that I found in early beta testing that is still present on my two different systems. These two issues don't necessarily effect day to day use. They are something that users should keep an eye out for and report on if you see it happen so that SB HQ can track them down (they're not currently able to reproduce).

One issue is if you move the tool out to a location away from 0,0 and maybe even do a z zero there (don't necessarily have to) and then go into preview mode to preview a file. After previewing the file, go back to cut mode and attempt to load/cut a file at that location. What happens to me (it may take a couple tries for it to happen) is that the machine will start to move at a much slower speed and start cutting the file from there or some random location instead of from the true 0,0. The trick to make sure this doesn't happen if you go into and out of preview mode, is to bring up the keypad and move the tool around a bit so the controller location gets updated, you should be fine.

The other issue is if you hit the spacebar during or right at the point that the tool is jogging to another part of the file, it may stop and then start moving slowly for a bit and then jerk around violently a bit before stopping. It may also loose connection after that and need restarting or a unplug/replug of the USB cable to find itself.

Both my systems are running AMD processors. One is a high end 3.8GHz APU with 8gb ram and the other is an old XP 2500+ single core with 2gb ram. Both these PC's run the machine (PRS Alpha) at the same pace with no other problems. The old one has been running along just fine for the last few hours on a large 3D test file that was showing some problems for someone else. The newer one performed the same. Old one has Packet-ET's of 23 and the new one is 15. Both connected without a hub and the new one is using the USB 3.0 ports that use an AMD driver. I've used a 3.0 port on a slightly older system with approximately the same specs of the newer one, but it has NEC drivers for it and it doesn't play well. As Ted mentioned elsewhere, Intel driven USB 3.0 seems to work well for them and it seems like AMD driven USB 3.0 may work well also. YMMV from motherboard to motherboard.

I've been running/testing nothing but beta's for several years. Some of them started out bad, but some of them that were just before 3.8 started out, were solid, and I trusted the machine to run all night and all day unattended without issue. I lost all trust in my machine when 3.8 hit, but my trust is starting to improve now.

[bcondon]

I have my original software 3.5.0.12 and have not upgraded once.

The software is working perfectly from the beginning (for me)
and I just don't understand the need to "keep up" and
jeopardize my setup!

Is there a running list out there of what each version's fixes/functionality improvements out there?

Thanks!
Bob

[jhedlund58]

I have been running 3.8.8 for over a month on AMD processor with no problems. I think new software should work on any machine regardless of setup.

19364

[srwtlc]

I just don't understand the need to "keep up"

Bob, it's guys like me that like to do so to pave the way for you. ;)

There are update history text file in the install folder 'C:\Program Files (x86)\ShopBot\ShopBot 3' and also on the SB site here (http://www.shopbottools.com/mSupport/SBCSupdatenotes.htm) and here (http://www.shopbottools.com/mSupport/SBCSversion38features.htm).

Depending on the version of your control board (http://www.shopbottools.com/mSupport/control_card_Version.htm), you may not be able to run 3.8.XX.

[Bob Eustace]

Scott your attitude and analytical skills are really appreciated and it certainly makes us battling Shopbotters life more predictable. I urge others to try 3.8 as I simply couldnt live without it for just the radio buttons on positions. I now have enough confidence to leave the room but not enough to run all night just yet!

Thanks again Scott - wish I had your brains!

[gerryv]

Is it possible to maintain two different versions on a partitioned hard drive such that you could revert to an older version if a given file is giving you grief. I recognize that it may take 5-10 minutes to flip over but would that not be a better fallback than indeterminate downtime?

[bcondon]

I am sure you could do it with one machine but my recommendation would be to have 2 machines and simply move the USB port from one machine to the other and move the files with a finger stick... You would be up in under 1 minute and not have to wonder if "one" was contaminating the "other". Having worked in the computer field for over 35 years taught me that lesson (I worked in Development and QA).

[Mark Farris]

There are still some bugs in 3.8.8 depending on your setup. When I got my 2010 PRS Alpha up and running I started with 3.8.8 and all was good. I surfaced my sub-top, cut my vacuum grid and holes, and ran several quick 2D files without incident. My next run was a large 3D file and that's where the problems started. I had the previously mentioned "slowdowns" happen at regular intervals which could be stopped and resumed back to proper speed. I then had the total "freeze up" a couple times which required re-starting the file with the FG command, which turned out to be the next problem. I could not re-start the file without weird things happening or the "Runtime 9" error. I mentioned this on the forum a while back and was pleasantly surprised to receive an email from Ted Hall the next day. We worked on the problem on and off for several weeks and just couldn't get it to work on my machine. Ted and the staff at Shopbot ran my file on many different machines and processors and were never able to re-produce the slowdown. They were however able to re-produce the Runtime 9 error when trying to re-start the file with the FG command. I finally, after having this particular carving on the table for a month and a half, had to revert back to 3.6.44 and was able to successfully complete the file with only one small stoppage glitch. I want to thank Ted for sticking with me on the problem and have no doubt they will fix the problems in the near future. Even though I was at my wits end, having Ted personally interested and willing to help strengthened my commitment to Shopbot as a company and I am looking forward to many more years with the blue machines.
By the way, I am running a AMD Anthon 2.8 GHZ 64 bit dual core processor with 4GB of ram with Windows 7 Home Premium. I'll wait a little and get some work done before I try the new control software again.

Mark

[srwtlc]

wish I had your brains!Oh, you wouldn't want to go there, it's a scary place! :eek:

Seriously though, we all have our areas of expertise or talents, I've got no more than the rest of ya. I just enjoy messin' with this stuff and learning along the way. I wish I had the smarts that some of you have with electronics, mathematics, or sign making, so it all balances out. My only formal training was in diesel & heavy equipment mechanics. The rest is just 'seat of the pants', like many things in life. 'Jack of all trades, master of none'. ;)

On the topic of two systems on one machine, I don't see why you couldn't have a duel boot setup with the two OS/SB3 setups on separate partitions and set up a third partition that would contain all your files that could then be accessed from either OS. Reboot and choose which setup you want. No switching of cables, keyboards, mouse, monitor etc. One a known stable setup and one a test bed for new versions.

[GeneMpls]

Another possibility is using Synergy to run two computers from the same
keyboard/mouse. Kinda like the old KVM switches. I had a computer running
a critical (to the business) ripp and print process to a 54" printer that was
being locked up while doing other functions and just swapped in another
puter and monitor- all is well. The cursor goes across 3 monitors and runs
whichever computer is connected to that monitor- you can even copy files
on one screen and drop on another (computer). Gene

[khaos]

Another possibility is using Synergy to run two computers from the same
keyboard/mouse... Gene

I use this FREE app as well in my day to day work and it is the bees knees. This works across OSes too! Drag and drop from PC to MAC. WHHAATT??!! http://www.synergy-foss.org

jus sayin.

I am still on 3.6.44 the new versions always seem to hurt others so bad I just stay away.

[Ajcoholic]

I havrnt had the chance to upgrade to 3.8.10 but I have the software at work.

Will do next week. I have a bunch of files to run (some three D) soon and will test it out. But I think as the rest of the recent upgrades it should be fine on my machine.

[Ajcoholic]

Well, after several days of running various files - no issues with 3.8.10 :D

[2Egress Sound & Design]

Thanks for all of your input.

I rebuilt my system as it had been running for a couple of years with no issues.
Had some issues as far as designing on another machine and then "moving" the files via USB sticks to the bot. Too many revisions and was losing work due to closed windows and not saving is all I can guess.

Decided to network up the bot PC with my MacPro as a server for the files. I am running Parallels 9 and design in VCarve pro on that. I have a time machine back-up also running to ensure all files are safe. I open the files from the MacPro on the Bot PC then save back to the Mac.

I had stripped the machine down on the old setup according to Black Vipers Win 7 "tweaked" settings in the past thus had shut off the ability to network. The reason I had to rebuild was to get the network functioning back.
It has had the DNS function shut down now also so it is unable to access the net.
It still network shares fine. No Antivirus installed as I have read of too many issues with that messing up the Bot. I am hoping that due to the DNS functions being turned off it should be safe. Time will only tell. It not being connected to the net in the past helped it remain such a stable perfect PC I am certain.

I have loaded 3.8.10 and will be running some cuts in the next couple of days and will lt you guys know if I have any issues!

Thanks again for your input guys and gals!

Brock

[bleeth]

FYI:
Although still running 3.6 I have been using the same computer for years. I bought it new from Dell, but instead of just placing the order on line I called in a specifically had them leave all add-ons off. There was only one they couldn't by contract and I deleted it. I then did the full black viper routine but kept internet and networking alive. It starts up in just a few seconds, accesses all the files on my main computer, get's signed onto the internet ONLY for SB downloads, and has good com speed and has performed near perfect. Running XP pro 32 bit.

[GeneMpls]

Will Sbot and Aspire run on 64bit? I ordered a new win7 puter
that has 64bit installed- figured I could always reload 32bit. Gene

[srwtlc]

Yes it will.

[adrianm]

Finally got around to upgrading to 3.8.10 (floods over Christmas put me a bit behind) and I changed the control computer at the same time. No hitches and everything is working smoothly after applying the settings that I prefer.

Running Windows Vista which wouldn't be my first choice but I didn't have any Windows 7 licenses left and I don't fancy having 8 on the shop computer just yet.

The control PC now has 4gb of memory and an AMD Phenom Quad core processor which is still old tech but is a big step up from what I had before so I expect it will do for a good few years yet.