Shopbot Control run on Linux?

[David Iannone]

I am doing a aluminum sign with vinyl lettering on it for an IT guy that just moved in a few stores down from me. So I got to talking with him about the Shopbot and the Comm errors. I am gonna take my control computer to him and let him do his thing.

He asked if the SB control will run on Linux? He said something about GUI? I am not that smart with computers so if someone knows the answer to that question I would really appreciate the help.

The bottom line is I am gonna hand him my control CPU and let him wipe it out, fully test it, and load whatever OS will work best.

If I have to use XP back on there again, what would be the best terms to tell an IT guy how to strip it down for a SB control computer. The control CPU is a Dell Optiplex GX620 Pentium D 2.79ghz with 1gb ram.

Thanks,
Dave

[jerry_stanek]

I would have him put a add on USB card in it as I have not had a lot of success with the on board Dell USB's on my gx 745. I have no problem with an HP 5700 though

[Brady Watson]

No Apple. No Linux. Windows only...at this point in time anyway.

-B

[srwtlc]

If he has a lot of time to waste and you don't need your control computer for a while, feel free. ;) Before wiping it, have him do just a dual boot situation. You can always wipe the Linux partition off and rebuild the MBR to get back to normal again.

I have attempted to get SB3 running under WINE, but there are so many dependencies in the way of .Net framework, followed with runtime errors and I'm sure even more in the way of problems recognizing the control box firmware over USB, that it's a great exercise in futility.

On another note, if you have a PC that you want to recommission or just want to try another operation system, Manjaro Linux (https://manjaro.github.io/) (XFCE version) is really nice!

[barrowj]

I had many issues with a Dell 745 so I used one of my high end HP xw4600 systems and upgraded to the latest SB control 3.6.46, installed the upgraded controller card in the 4g box and a new usb cable and have no issues with comm errors since.

Joe

[waterwheelman]

I have been running windows 8.1 on my ShopBot computer for about a year, and have had no problems. I have a dual boot SSD drive with XP as a fallback system but have not had to use it. I have one of the older PR ShopBots that has been upgraded with the 4g controller. I also installed a USB card that is 3.0 or 2.0 . The USB card made the system faster and more stable.

[David Iannone]

Thank you everyone with your advice so far. I am gonna take my control computer to him monday morning and go over the info in this thread with him. I do have a backup control computer I will run with till its finished. Its the same as the one im using basically. Just had a comm error today when I was just about to start the first tool path.

Then I have been running different files for a 3D carve test and its almost done now, no issue the whole time. Been using the SB for about 2.5 hrs non stop after the comm issue.

Dave