a busted machine

I can see that the original installation created a launcher with a command line that told LinuxCNC where the .ini file was located. The ini file tells the program where the .hal file is. So far so good. I put my .ini and .hal files in a new folder and manually launched LinuxCNC from the command line. I see there is an XML file that has a configuration specific name, which suggests that it is also a configuration file. If I want to back up the essential configuration information what are ALL the files I should select ? I see no reference to the XML file in the .ini file.

When I start LinuxCNC I get a message that there is a problem with trivikins.ko -- the file is however, present. There is an error message from line 4 in the .hal file (I think) which reads loadrt [KINS]KINEMATICS so a real-time module isn't being loaded...

The Mesa 7i92 uses a Xilinx FPGA. I worked for Altera for many years so it is out of the question.

clive wrote:

The Mesa 7i92 uses a Xilinx FPGA. I worked for Altera for many years so it is out of the question.
 

This probably wont change anything but the newer 7i92T are using an  Efinix T20F256 FPGA  (blame it on chips shortage)

What is working for me is to backup the whole folder/directory  under /home/username/linuxcnc/configs/   (replace username with the correct name)

Then you can also create a new launcher but to me the easiest way is to copy an existing one then edit it and change the name and the command (4th tab in debian) to something like this: linuxcnc /home/username/linuxcnc/configs/FOLDER_NAME/INI_NAME.ini

Replace above 'username' with your user name.
Replace FOLDER_NAME with the name of the folder/directory
Replace INI_NAME with the name of you ini file

Note: The folder name does NOT need to somehow match the name of the ini file and you don't have to change anything to any file in the folder. You can then have an exact copy of a folder with a different folder name with a different launcher. Easiest way to have a backup on the same machine in case I screw up modifying the in or hal files...

Any ideas on the loadrt [KINS]KINEMATICS issue ? Is the XML file part of the configuration ?
 

Could the XML file be something left over from when I converted from Mach to LinuxCNC ? It was years ago so I have forgotten.

clive wrote:

Could the XML file be something left over from when I converted from Mach to LinuxCNC ? It was years ago so I have forgotten.
 

Yes, this could be since Mach3 configs are XML files. Maybe check the date of the file to find out if it was created/edited before you've install linuxcnc?

Also, I have a 'basic' linuxcnc config here with nothing fancy except mesa cards. The only xml file I have is pyvcp-panel.xml. I believe this is for my spindle at speed panel. I also have a backups folder (under the config folder) with several xml files but all with a name beginning with 'pyvcp-panel'.

 

clive wrote:

Any ideas on the loadrt [KINS]KINEMATICS issue ? Is the XML file part of the configuration ?
 
 

For loadrt [KINS]KINEMATICS you first need to inspect the [KINS] section of your INI file  (not HAL). You should find something like:

[KINS]
JOINTS = 3
KINEMATICS = trivkins coordinates=XYZ

Here is how this works:

When linuxcnc read the HAL file and see something like [KINS]KINEMATICS it will look for the section [KINS] in the INI file, and try to find the 'value' of KINEMATICS. In this example it is 'trivkins coordinates=XYZ'

The hal line loadrt [KINS]KINEMATICS will then be read as loadrt trivkins coordinates=XYZ  by linuxcnc

For this to work you obviously need the correct reference in the ini file. If you are unsure and want us to have a look at this simply attach your hal and ini file here.




 

Thank you. I'll cross check the hal and ini values.
Looks like the ini has XYZX which is correct.