gcode, I changed the NCI path to local, and X2 seems OK at this stage, I managed to create 5 different tool paths and with no shut downs. If this solves the problem, then their no point having half the files on the server and the other half on the local machines, (rather messy). I have full admin rights to my machine and full read/write access to my section on the server. I found the bitmap thingy “It’s now off”

Just one more question, what are you chaps using to control the network system, We use "Novell" ???

Well changing, "File Open Dialog style" from Mastercam X to Windows Standard worked for a short time, I was able to create three simple tool paths before I got the familiar “Mastercam has encountered a problem and needs to shut down” message, so that may have helped but it didn’t solve the problem. Still looking for the "Save a bitmap option" to turn off. Colin, your file names are not that different to ours in length or tree depth. I will see what I can do about shorting them a bit, and see what happens. OFR on 'Rryad_pool7_serverGroups3'(G:)workshopMechanical Workshop staff onlymcamx

Very interesting, yes and no. Changing "File Open Dialog style" from Mastercam X to Windows Standard allowed me to open three out of four my test drawing. Where is the "Save a bitmap option" I need stronger glasses.

Yep, Net framework 2.0 is installed. X2 works fine on my PC when all settings are "local" as in the default config file. Problems start when I try the user the server.

Other system info, Graphics card - NIDIA Quadro NVS 120M Windows System Restore - Disabled Network connection - Ethernet At the moment with my current configuration (X2 looking for certain files on the server), I can't even open up a drawing file, as soon as I go to “file open” X2 shuts down, no error message it just shuts down! I can however start a new drawing or play around with the other menus, but as soon as go “file save” it shuts down again. I am going back to our IT guys and see what else they can come up with.

Greg, Bisbane Cheers Bruce

Colin & Bruce Caulley Your running X2 exactly how I want too, and thought you should be able too. I started out with the same setup as you guys quoted, except backup was turned off. The Nethasp is not on the main sever it’s connected to a small local server I have access to, but you can’t used it to save lots of data. I have been changing the settings to try and find the problem, as yet no luck. The PC/laptop I am using as a test bench is a Dell T240 @ 1.83 GHz, 2.00 GB RAM running Windows XP SP2. What should I be looking at with the graphic card settings ? I have tried working locally with the; config/CD/MD/posts/tools/material files on the local C drive and only saving the NC/NCI/MCX (data files etc) to the server, but got the shutdown problems. I wonder if there is a problem, having to save files deep within the “sever tree structure” or having long names on some of the “server directories”.

I don't have the autosave function turned on at this stage, but it sounds like from your responses working directly to a server is not the way to go (what a pity, I had such high hopes). Anyway the weather is nice

Hi there, I purchased X2 with a nethasp a couple of months ago and I am still trying to get it to work, without crashing. I don’t want to bore you all with a lot of history, but a bit of back ground info first. • My reseller is aware of the problem and has spent considerable time trying to find a solution, as yet no luck. • My reseller has been in contact with the MC technical support team, and they have suggested a number of reasons for the problem and how to fix it, however to date there suggestions have not worked. • If I don’t change the files paths as set by the default program installation the software runs fine. • I encounter problems, when I change the path to where I want all the data saved, In this case a server. • Our IT staff have confirmed that their are no limitations placed on us when writing or reading data from/to the server. • The X2 config, machine def & control def files are all saved on the local PC hard drive. • The X2 data files are saved to the G drive, which is a server. Now for the problem, I can be working away happily on X2 and without any warning up pops a message, “Mastercam has encountered a problem and needs to shut down”. It doesn’t happen in any particular operation or function, it’s totally random and without warning. It can happen a 12 times in an hour or day or only once, but as it is, you can’t run X2 without that feeling in the back of your head, that any second it’s going to crash. I can't be the only user; who is trying to run X2 from a number of desktop PC’s and want to save all the data to one location (a server). Has any one else encountered this problem ?????????????????????????????

That's what I thought. Does this mean that the Start/Exit- Default machine “section is looking at the local directory on my PC, and if so how do I make it look for the file that is stored on the server.Why is is not using the path set in the "system configuration section- Files- File usage- Mill Machine Definition" area.

Hi there, a question on using x2 configuration files. How can I set x2 up, so that on start up it loads a “Machine Type” I have pre-defined in the machine manager? In the system configuration section- Files- File usage- Mill Machine Definition- I have set this to the machine I want. In the Start/Exit- Default machine “section should I be able to see and select this machine type defined by me using the machine manager, because I can’t??? Where does this default machine list exist and can the default path be changed?

Hi There, I am in the process of configuring MCX2 for use, and I have purchased three seats. The Nethasp is installed on a dedicated server and MC will not be run from that server. At the moment MCX is only installed on one desktop PC, until it's all up and running and configured how I want it. My question is, when I install MCX onto other PC's is it possible to set it up, so it only uses the config files from the server. I want to make sure that all data, is only saved to the server, and that these settings cannot be changed.

Hi all, Thanks for all the responses, I have decided to give the net-hasp a go and will let you know how it pans out.

Hi all, It's been a while. I am about to upgrade to mcX and am considering using a net-hasp instead of “stand alone Sims”. Some of the forum discussions however do not give the net-hasp a particularly good review. My questions are. 1. where is the net-hasp located and how does it operate. 2. Is the MC software loaded onto each PC or only the one with the net-hasp as in a server. 3. How stable is the net-hasp compared to “stand alone Sims” 4. Is there any information on the MC web page about net-hasps

I have done a drawing in Mcam9 of a simple outboard pod, and have been trying to create surfaces on it. I am having big trouble creating the surface on the ends. I don't have a lot of experience in this area, but I am sure it can't be as hard as I am finding. The drawing is in the MC9_files folder on the cadcam's FTP site. The drawing is called POD.mc9. Any suggestions.

Well guys, Mcam is up and running as it turned out the hardware acceleration on the PC was set to low. Bernie you were pretty close with your suggestion. I have no idea why or how the acceleration got to be set so low. Thanks again for all the ideas and help

Well I checked most of your suggestions and think I have found the problem. However this is interesting in itself. I have an older PC that was once used to run Mcam, I never removed the software just loaded it onto the new PC and fitted the Hasp etc. So today I fitted the hasp back on the old PC, and guess what, Mcam ran. Both PC’s are loaded with exactly the same Version 9 Mcam and both used the same “hasp utility install program” (this is were it gets interesting) on the older PC there is NO “maintenance expiration date” but on the new PC there is a “maintenance expiration date”. So this probably explains why Mcam won’t run on the new PC as the date has expired. So why is there a expiration date on one PC and not the other. ????????????. My Mcam reseller is on holidays for a few days, when he gets back I will have a chat with him.

Well, it's been quite a while since I last used MC9 (back in early 2004) on my PC, and now that I need to it will not start. MC goes through the start up procedure and just when it gets to the last bit it shuts down. I reloaded the software and if you run the hasp9m utility it all looks OK. I can’t see any error messages on start up but it happens so quickly I could be missing them? Any thoughts on what is happening and how I can resolve this problem

I am exporting MasterCam files using the DXF function, into a directory so they can be used by a software package called Camline. We use this software to manage our up & down loading of programs to machines, and it also enables us to save a host of other information, pictures, tooling info, set up sketches, etc all this it linked, to the NC file. The only problem so far is, it the viewer does not read MC8 or MC9 drawing files, hence we save the drawings in a DXF format as well. However the Camline import DXF function does not import all the details. Camline are looking into this problem but it would be helpful if I knew what version of DXF MasterCam are using or if MasterCam only supports certain features with DXF. Do any of you know how I can obtain this information? I raised the question a few weeks back and had no response; maybe I will have better luck this time.

Hello all MC users I am currently using MC 8.11 mill, can anyone tell me what version of the dfx file conveter in installed.

Thanks ThomasF for that, I have modified my post and it works. Such an easy mod to do. Regards Bruce

Hi all, I am running Mill Ver. 8.11, and have a simple question but, is there a simple answer apart from No. Is there anyway that you can input something other than a number in the program # section of the tool parameters. I would prefer it to default to the file name or at least allow me to input some text e.g. 123A, 123B etc.

Thanks for the responses, I am running an "ATI video card" in a Dell P4. How did you know that member 192? Our IT staff have upgraded the drivers but have suggested replacing the card if the problem still exists. Thanks again

Good Morning all, It a glorious friday morning here in Brisbane Australia, no wind, bright and sunny (25 deg C) and I am looking foward to the weekend. MasterCam Ver 8.1.1 Mill This has happened a few times and always quite unexpected, as it happens during no particular function. For some reason the mouse "curser" turn into a rubber (not visually) and as I move it across the screen my drawing disappears in front of my eyes. The only way to stop this is to shut down MC and restart the drawing from the last saved version???? Anyone else come across this?