> Paul,
> > This is obliquely related to Aircraft  perhaps a good metaphor for > rotaryengines as well  so enjoy:)
> > > If Operating Systems Ran The Airlines...
> > UNIX Airways
> > Everyone brings one piece of the plane along when they come to the
> airport. They all go out on the runway and put the plane together > pieceby piece, arguing non-stop about what kind of plane they are > supposed to
> be building.
> > Air DOS
> > Everybody pushes the airplane until it glides, then they jump on > and let
> the plane coast until it hits the ground again. Then they push again,> jump on again, and so on...
> > Mac Airlines
> > All the stewards, captains, baggage handlers, and ticket agents > look and
> act exactly the same. Every time you ask questions about details, you
> are gently but firmly told that you don't need to know, don't want to
> know, and everything will be done for you without your ever having to
> know, so just shut up.
> > Windows Air
> > The terminal is pretty and colorful, with friendly stewards, easy > baggagecheck and boarding, and a smooth take-off. After about 10 > minutes in the
> air, the plane explodes with no warning whatsoever.
> > Windows NT Air
> > Just like Windows Air, but costs more, uses much bigger planes, > and takes
> out all the other aircraft within a 40-mile radius when it explodes.
> > Linux Air
> > Disgruntled employees of all the other OS airlines decide to start > theirown airline. They build the planes, ticket counters, and pave the
> runways themselves. They charge a small fee to cover the cost of
> printing the ticket, but you can also download and print the ticket
> yourself.
> > When you board the plane, you are given a seat, four bolts, a > wrench and
> a copy of the seat-HOWTO.html. Once settled, the fully adjustable seat
> is very comfortable, the plane leaves and arrives on time without a
> single problem, the in-flight meal is wonderful. You try to tell
> customers of the other airlines about the great trip, but all they can
> say is, "You had to do what with the seat?"
> > Lee, UK
> > > Doug in Japan
> > That used to be true. Now you don't have to assemble the seat :)
> You really need to get one of those EeePC's the next time you come > to the
> states.
> > Paul Lamar

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