where can I find a link to price an upgrade control card?

[JamesCar]

We recently bought an older shopbot (like super early model 2000ish) the newest software it will run on the current control card is version 2.38, which also only runs on windows 98! I've spent countless hours over the last several weeks hunting the Internet for part wizard/part works/vcarve and similar software products that are compatible with windows 98 and so far we have found NOTHING! As much fun as we had with Typesetter once we built a functioning (obsolete) antique computer, it is apparent we need to upgrade the control board/box/card so we can run newer control software preferably on windows XP so we can run toolpathing creating software and design software on the same computer. I've looked all over shopbot website and can not find anything about card upgrades or prices. Any ideas would help our brainstorming process lol, thanks shoobotters!

[MogulTx]

I don't believe they have a link on their website. I think you'll have to call and speak to a real live human being. But they are incredibly nice- so it will be a pleasant experience!

[jerry_stanek]

I think you can run files that you create with newer software like vectric. Download a ttial version and see if it will run. They have files to try before you buy

[scottp55]

I second giving Shopbot a call in the morning.
Perhaps Dianne in sales would know, but she will put you in touch with the right person otherwise and then get you a price.
If you haven't talked to them before, I think you may be surprised:)
Wish more companies were like them!
scott

[JamesCar]

Thanks all, I will try to call tomorrow. I have just had the worst luck with remembering they close at 4 my time and my days are so busy until the evening lol
I agree, they are by far the nicest people to deal with when needing help. I probably still wouldn't even know what machine I had if it wasn't for them. It has no stickers or engravings or numbers of any sort because it was one of the first models :)
They also figured it out fast too! They gave me an email to send photos to help me identify my machine, and the guy emailed me within an hour telling me everything I needed to know and even included a link for the ancient software I needed to control it

[coryatjohn]

You can send an email to Diane as well. If you don't have her email address, you can use the contact page.

http://www.shopbottools.com/mCompany/contactinfo.htm

[Brady Watson]

Where can I find a link to price an upgrade control card?


You have a PR model, which means that you need an entirely new control box to run the newer control software, which would be SB3. The newest you can run on that controller is SB2. This means that you need either a PRT 3G, 4G or RCK controls. The only option SB has now for this is either a 4G upgrade (if you locate a used 3G control box and install it yourself) or buy a new RBK control box. Either of these options will allow you to run a modern operating system, such as Win7 or 8, as far back as WinXP. The newer control cards (v201-v213) are not compatible with the PR controls. You'd need a new control box to do this.

There is nothing in the way of you upgrading your CAD/CAM software, which will output an SBP cut file, that will run on your existing SB2.38 controller. However, you'll still need a modern computer in your office for design work. From there you can pipe over the SBP to the Win98 computer via the network or a thumb drive. The CAD/CAM software does not need to be, and in most cases, shouldn't be on the same computer as SB2.38.

-B