Upgrading CNC7 to CNC10 - Project Log
OK so I've decided to upgrade my control software to the latest available with the existing hardware (ISA card and down). I hope to end up on CNC10 v2.72.
Background: I've got a CNC router with a M39 control. I've posted previous stuff on how I recovered from a crashed motherboard by dropping the isa card and old hard drive onto a new motherboard and was back in business (except the case was hanging outside the cabinet at the end). I then upgraded the floppy to a usb floppy emulator to use a usb key (formatted to floppy size) - which worked awesome but anyhow now that I am thinking of selling the machine I want to get it as recent as I can - and back in the cabinet - with usb support and maybe network capability.
So I've been gathering the pieces: A new control computer case (that fits back in the M39 cabinet), a new motherboard with ISA slot and enough juice to power a slightly over minimum spec'd linux CNC10 installation. Apparently not all motherboards work. I used a MSI MS6368 board with a celeron 1.1ghz and 1 gb ram as I was told this board would work (they are not that common). If I can I'd like to find another motherboard to test out too.
I will hopefully be able to use the Startech CF to IDE converter and a random new CF card (which sounds like might also be an issue) but if not I can always find an old IDE hard drive or use an IDE to SATA converter. I'd rather not use an IDE drive as they are getting on the ancient side.
So today I backed up the old system settings as described in TB167. Now if you need this, you'll need to ask Ajax or your dealer as it is one of the very few technical bulletin that is not on the Ajax website. However I couldn't follow the technical bulletin exactly as the dos centroid system uses an uncommon archiving program that does not work on 64bit windows machines (though a dos emulator might work). I decided instead to do the unarchiving (this will make more sense if you have the TB167) on the old system and then transferring to the floppy afterward. I did the same for the gcode archive but I could have just transferred them bit by bit on the floppy too. I don't store too many g-code programs so it would have all fit on a floppy anyhow. I had to get the funpack.exe program from the dealer support area of the centroid site as it was not on the cnc7 computer (as described in the TB167). Not even sure I should be able to access that but if you know the direct path you can.
I then burnt a CD of the cnc10 2.72 ISO image. Oh and you apparently need to have your serial number. Marc from cncsnw.com is helping me and had that - so I don't recall where you would find it.
That's it until I get my new motherboard and can test the flash drive which should be Monday.
Cheers, GF
In case anyone is wondering, I'm the twin of the other gfacer on cnczone...