Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] EMC2 requirements.

Weeeelll - it could work, but it would be a *lot* of work.

That machine isn't a high enough spec to install Ubuntu, and it's
probably not big enough for the latest BDI either. I think BDI 2.12 was
based on a 2.4 series kernel, which no longer works well with EMC2.

If you could install more memory, and you use a hardware-based step
generator or analog I/O card (like the Mesa, Pico Systems, Servo-to-go
or Motenc), then it may be just barely enough for you. The install
works best with 512M or so (256M sometimes just stalls), most of which
can be removed after installation. If you can't get Ubuntu or a recent
BDI installed, then you'll be back to the old days of compiling your own
kernel, realtime system, and EMC. That's not recommended.

So, the short answer is that you'd probably get better use of that PC if
you have a boat in need of an anchor ;)
- Steve

John Dammeyer wrote:

>Hi everyone,
>
>I was house cleaning a bunch of older PCs I had lying around. Hooked up one that booted BDI EMC 2.12. That was way back in my "Let's play with CNC on a break out box" days. It's a Pentium 133, 8GB hard drive, 77MB RAM ISA and PCI bus.
>
>Does anyone know if this is too small for EMC2 for just playing around. I have a Smooth Stepper for MACH3 for the main CNC system but does EMC2 require that much more resources?
>
>Thanks
>
>John Dammeyer
>