error code (13)

I am getting this error sometimes:

hm2/hm2_5i25.0: Smart serial card
hm2_5i25.0.7i77.0.1 error = (13)
communication error

There are a few other similar errors that come up also but I think they may be a function of the first and the (13) error will show up on the screen several times. I am still using an older pc which i plan to replace as soon as $$ is there. The error can show up if the machine is sitting idle or in the middle of running a program and it shuts down the drives. I was also having comm. errors with the same pc when running acromill so I am thinking there's a problem with the pc........maybe a power supply? Anyway, hoping to get some info. that may help until I get the new pc. Outside of that I am very happy with the linuxcnc system so far. Thanks.

If the error shuts down the drives that means its not just a
random CRC error from noise but rather total loss of communication
with the 7I77 (the analog section in this case)

This suggests a power issue. I would check the 7I77s 5V power
at TB1. If you are powering the 7I77s 5V via the 5I25
I would suggest using a good external 5V supply instead

It's getting the power from the 5i25. So does this mean the 5i25 is not getting enough power? Is this problem common with the mesa cards ( they are brand new). Wondering if changing the pc's power supply would help or if it's just an old pc and wearing out........

From the 7I77 manual:

EXTERNAL 5V POWER
The 7I77s 5V power for the analog, RS-422, and encoder section has an
approximately 650 mA current drain. Installed encoders, RS-422 devices, and load on the
analog outputs can increase this to up to 2A. This is in excess of the host FPGA cards
current supply capacity. So when longer cables or high power drain encoders are used, or
PC 5V is toward the low side, external 5V power should be supplied to the 7I77s TB1
connector. Both the FPGA card and the 7I77 have power jumpers that must be correctly
set to match the 5V power source (see hardware configuration section)

I have hooked up the 5v external power supply and it's running fine. I'm still getting the same error Code though from time to time. Any ideas what else could cause this?

I would check the external 5V to the 7I77 with a voltmeter to make sure its not sagging

also posting the entire error message will help

(starting linuxcnc from a terminal make it easier to copy and paste the errors here)

Most random sserial errors are extra character errors or CRC errors, these are typically caused
by electrical noise/grounding issues and may require changing wiring paths, the grounding scheme
or adding filters or common mode chokes to major noise generators like VFDs and servo drives.

The power supply looks good. It's brand new and is good for 3 amps but I tested it anyway and it looks good.

I have noticed that I get the error usually within 20 minutes of starting the system. Then I reboot and run the machine all day with no problems. Any ideas?

This is either a power or noise issue.
Can you capture all the error messages?

(launching linuxcnc from a terminal will help here)

also a dmesg list may help

sudo dmesg -C
(launch linuxcnc)
dmesg > log.txt

and paste log.txt here

I'll try to get the message today. It just seems strange that it only will do it once a day ( first pc boot up ). Is it possible that something is warming up and stealing power...........strange.

Could also be a bad power or signal connection.
Since you lose all connectivity, this means its likely not noise but rather
loss of power or connection somewhere in the system.