Newbie. LinuxCNC crushing on initial start.

Vladcronos wrote: For me it looks like all the documentation starts from step 5, where steps 1-4 are not documented. But getting to step 5 is kind of important to [proceed further.

I did make a bit of a start on a step-0:

forum.linuxcnc.org/27-driver-boards/37141-mesa-card-basics

And there is some info here: forum.linuxcnc.org/27-driver-boards/3559...ethernet-mesa-boards

But, to a large extent I agree with you, there needs to be an update to the main LinuxCNC docs here:
linuxcnc.org/docs/2.8/html/drivers/hostmot2.html

But somebody needs to write it.

I wish I could write it for you guys but oh well ))) Thanks again Andy!

It would be helpful to know what you are trying to do. So far we know you are using a Pi4 and Mesa 7i96. What are you trying to connect these too?

Downloaded and install the configuration tool that you linked.

Download and install mesaflash that is listed next.

Once you have that you can use the configuration tool to select which firmware you will need. Those files you mention are most likely the firmware files that are needed to interface the board with your hardware selections.

We can help you walk through what your missing but so far its been a bit vague. I don't know if you are making a lathe, mill, robot, pick and place machine, ice cream dispenser, interactive haunted house, gantry, laser, 3d printer, 2d printer.....

Sorry, I didn't provide that because I didn't even get to that point yet to be honest.

I am expecting THIS MACHINE to arrive tomorrow and slowly preparing to do a CNC conversion for it. If anyone could send me some baseline FW for a mill, that would actually help dramatically, since editing settings is much easier than coding it all from the scratch. That's how I edit my PHP website all the time, however, I would have never been able to code it entirely

I also have Telegram and other messengers if someone feels generous with his time. I wont bug much, but that could help a lot too.

What hardware do you want to use to run it? Steppers, limit switches, etc

To get started you have the config tool downloaded.

Did you get mesaflash installed as per these directions at the bottom of this page: github.com/LinuxCNC/mesaflash
I would run this line of code in a terminal before following those directions:

sudo apt-get install build-essential

Also you mentioned you have a bunch of files that you don't understand. I am assuming those are the firmware files and the folder is labeled "7i96"? If not you need to download the file from here under download support software: store.mesanet.com/index.php?route=produc...69_62&product_id=311

To unzip the file something like this should work from a terminal window and its case sensitive:

cd Downloads
sudo unzip 7i96.zip

Once you have the config tool and mesaflash installed, run the config tool. On the machine tab in the middle left is a firmware box. With the card powered up "read".

If you haven't done this step prior then this is most likely your issue as there is no firmware loaded on the card. In the firmware drop down window select a firmware. I would probably choose 7i96dpl for a basic test or configuration. Select this in the drop down menu and then click write.

From here you will need to select settings based on hardware you are running. For argument sake you can add axis and input/output that don't physically exist but adding somethings may require there to be a physical connection for linuxcnc to start correctly. As an example PyVCP and GladeVCP panels will work correctly unless you have those files and components in place.

If you do just the axis setup and manual tool change you should be able to launch linuxcnc and play with some of its features.

Hi again Mike Ok, this is all the hardware so far:

First I bought this junk and returned it super frustrated:
ebay.com/itm/233344754345

Then I bought the following:
amazon.com/gp/product/B014QC600Q (stress relief from first buy)

• Aforementioned HF mill
• Mesa 7i96
• Raspberry Pi 4
• amazon.com/gp/product/B08BBVSK81 48V PSU
• amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZLQL83N stepper motors + drivers
• amazon.com/gp/product/B07J53B7NS/ 15in touch display
• amazon.com/gp/product/B01AI2YGK4 display mount
• amazon.com/gp/product/B07Z3QJKS8 vise
• www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CQ7SMV7 also bought this for now, until I figure out if ATC is even possible on this machine.
• amazon.com/gp/product/B08FBHPWLS 123 blocks
• ebay.com/itm/352270384328 dial indicator
• And a relatively silent air compressor for the heck of it
• Planning to get ballscrews, but size in unknown until I receive the mill and check that, so gotta wait

For endstops I was actually planning to use stall detection from encoders, which was the main reason I even bought a close loop system. I was actually hoping for it to have more functional use, but I have already learned that it wont be a case with my setup. Encoders also only report back to a driver and not to the board, so I am not sure how I will set that up. But at least the stall detection should be possible to use instead of endstops. Endstops get messy on a CNC from my past experience, and I'd rather have a much cleaner setup without them, when possible.

AFA as installation went:

I did install config tool that you mention. I also installed mesaflash by following instructions, except I didnt use GIT for that, just installed from local folder. I then setup a test config manually to my best knowledge, then I flashed that config into the board using configurator button. I have not used the firmware files yet, as I am not sure how to read them by the tool.

Reading the firmware from the card actually returned some data initially, so I think there was some FW preinstalled. In the configurator I chose 4 axis + 1 PWM if I remember correctly. And yeah, I did setup 3 axis, again, to my knowledge. Nothing works yet, but I need to have some more time to play with that some more.

My noob level I would say is 2-3 out of 10. Not zero I do know how to unzip in Linux haha, but I just used GUI for that, easier. I worked with SSH and setup my server for my website on Google cloud VM.

Also you mentioned a good point, as I only have one stepper driver connected, and I am going to hook up the remaining 3 today to see, if that was possible causing the problem.

And I fotgot to mention, loading a config INI file from that downloaded folder actually results in configurator crashing. Go figure.

Thanks again. I will report back about my findings tonight probably.

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Ok guys, I spoke to MESA tech support and as always they have been awesome and actually pointed me in the right direction and the reasons my motors were not moving at all was that my step durations were set too short, slowed that down to 5 microseconds and everything started moving. One small step for man.....