My SO3XL had sat idle for over a year but during that time I had kept up with upgrades to Carbide Create & Carbide Motion. When I brought it back on line all worked except for the operator whose memory (never very good) needed a lot of work but eventually operating procedures got refreshed/updated. One error kept recurring which I did not remember.
I am using an older Laptop with Carbide Motion
Model - Dell Inspiron 15 3521
OS - Windows 10
CPU - Intel i3, 3rd generation
Display Adapter - Intel HD Graphics 4000
The following were the steps taken:
Open Carbide Motion 653
Turn on Shapeoko
Connect to Cutter
Initialize
Load File
The machine would disconnect as soon as File Explorer opened
Connect to Cutter
Initialize
Load File successfully
I remembered seeing various posts on this forum about drivers causing issues.
I checked Intel.com for a new driver for the Display adapter and there was one included in a larger package.
After installing the package I noted the newer Display Adapter driver.
This has resolved the issue.
The file from Intel.com is specific to this CPU / Display adapter but it is an example of a disconnection problem being resolved with a new driver.
The bad news is eventually you will have to update to Windows 11. Win 10 is EOL and there is no more updates or support. If you old laptop is too old then Win 11 wont even load unless it has TPM 2.0. There have been hacks to get Win 11 loaded on hardware that Microsoft said was not supported. Slowly but surely they have stopped the hacks from working. So sooner or later you will need to update to Win 11 and possibly a new computer.
Microsoft has basically forced a lot of users to abandon perfectly good hardware and buy new. I have worked with MS since DOS and all versions of Windows. Never in the history of the world has such a defective product lasted so long and made so many people rich. C3D is working on a Linux solution which might help you keep your older hardware. I like Linux but the problem is most consumer apps do not run on it. So you can go Mac but their ecosystem ties you to them pretty much like MS. Proverbially stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Guy:
Thanks for the reply. Disclaimer: I was a computer tech (a guy with a screwdriver) for 38 years.Retired now for over a decade and just a user.
The laptop I am using is a single purpose device - run Carbide Motion. I think I will be okay for some years to come with Windows 10. It is not connected to the Internet. I think I hear it smile with relieve
I have other computers that have Windows 11 on them.
Yep I could rant over windows 11 but that would be a very long rant I do use windows 11, had to buy 2 new machines, however most of my machines cant run it, so they are getting a new life with Linux Mint. I am not a stranger to Linux but I have to say I was impressed with how much development has happened on the desktop in the last couple of years I am now spending most of my time on a Linux desktop
It is nice to give those machines a new life in my shop.
I certainty cant afford all new machines big enough to run windows 11.
Two thumbs up to C3D for working on a new Linux CM. I think it is a great move for many reasons. Maybe we will see CC in Linux one day. Keep up the good work.
I am now spending most of my time on a Linux desktop