> Some day I'll try it for myself. However I just had a CNC machine > whichruns under Linux implode on me the other day..  scrambled the
> Compact flash hard drive w/ a Grub Error..  took 18hrs to re-load
> and configure the machine w/ a new flash hard drive..  nobody had
> ever heard of this happening..  everyone said it was impossible..
> it only took me 2 days of using the machine before I destroyed it > :-)
> > I've still got the hard drive [scrambled one] in it's original > form.. and as
> of yet.. no-one has been able to touch it.. No app will open it or > allowany data to come off it..
> > It was an interesting experiance to say the least :-)
> > Jarrett
> > You need to find out what version of Linux it is.
> Different version sometimes have different file systems.
> Fedora has a file system that is interchangeable with Windows.
> Also Fedora can set up different file systems on the same computer.
> > Then get a PC with a new small hard drive and the suspect hard > drive as a
> second
> slave drive. Or a USB drive. Install the same version of Linux on > the new
> hard
> drive. Then you should be able to read the vast majority of data > on the
> suspect
> drive. The file system choices are many. You can get a 1000 page > book on
> Linux
> in the book stores that comes with a DVD with Linux on it. Cost is > about $50
> US
> > Paul Lamar
> > If you can boot the machine from a CD, get a copy of SuperRescue
> (http://freshmeat.net/projects/superrescue/)
> > It's based on RedHat 7, gives a complete rescue system, and will > get you
> into the old file system without swapping drives or building a new > hostsystem.  I've used it to get into damaged windows, Sun > Solaris, RedHat, and
> Suse boxes...
> > Andy Hecker
> (windows/linux/solaris sysadmin/netadmin in a previous life...)
> > Jarrett,
> > My guess is the NC machine controller is Silcon Graphics or Sun > Micro systems.
> > You could send me the USB stick and I could try to read it on > Fedora 8
> and send you the data back on a new stick.
> > Paul Lamar

No actually it's a Centroid controller..  I'm not sure what I'm allowed to do w/
that drive..  I'd gladly send it over but I think I'd better get permission first..
I'd hate to have my tech support revoked because I innocently passed it
on to a third party..

At this point recovering the data on it's kinda moot anyway.. I've already gone
through the whole reload process and the machine is back up and running..
This time I've got a full backup of the entire machine and it's parameters so if
it happens again..  I can re-load in only a few minutes vs hrs and hrs..
Jarrett

OK Jarrett,

I'll look at their web site and see what version of Linux they are
running. It is pretty easy once you get used to it. Interesting
that they used grub to load the Linux. Also interesting thet they load
Linux off a USB stick. That is an option I think very few people
use. Most just buy a DVD. That is real cheap for them.

BTW I have a Kusuga NC mill that I would like to up grade.
Right now it has a Bandit controller.
What brand of mill has the Centroid controller?

Paul Lamar

It's pretty close to a USB, they call it a compact flash card.. its a 2Gb.
~1.5" sqr and 1/8" thick..  lots of Camera's use them.

Centroid is simply a controler. You can also buy servo drives from them
along w/ other equipment.  The machine we have is actually a water jet..

The chassis was built by a company called LaserSpec from Western
Canada and then they buy a Centroid controler and use that to
control the motors and what not. The controler and servo drives will cost
you $10k+ so it's not cheap..  if you are looking to get that mill up and
running for not much $$ then I'd recommend using EMC^2 which is
a linux based control software. Connects to the Parallel port on your
PC and will run the entire machine.

I use Mach3 on my own Cnc router, but it's windows based and
some may not like that idea :-)  It's worked fine for me for the last
two years..  Built a World record setting Kayak w/ it!

Next project.. my own airplane.. [here's hoping anyway..]

Jarrett