build yer own ISA computer

Try starting with a manual:

On Jul 16, 12:28 pm, "Karl Townsend" wrote:

one.http://cgi.ebay.com/SOYO-SY-P4I845PEISA-Socket-478-P4-Motherboard_W0Q...>

it:

If you've done it once or twice, it's not a big deal. I pull together computers all the time from a selection of spare parts, but to someone who's never done it before, it can be intimidating. Basically, you want to follow the specifications, and figure out all the parts you need. You can start with the motherboard, and look at all of the connections or some other general specifications listed in the manual. For example, if it says that you have an AGP 8X slot, that is a video card slot. So you need to determine whether you have a) integrated video, b) a video card from your old computer that will work, or c) need a new card. If you can afford it and want high performance, try to get the part that matches the highest capability of the motherboard. You can buy the parts from online sites like newegg.com or amazon.com, stores like Best Buy or other places. Ebay is touch and go with some computer parts, unless you confirm the specs are right on the new part in a store, and then match the model number to an Ebay sale. You may find that it is cheaper and easier to buy new components than to reuse the P3 parts. Prices have come down and the capabilities have skyrocketed since then. One final issue that you should be aware of is the need for some static protection when working with processors and memory. An inexpensive grounding wrist strap from a computer store such as

Woodworker gave great advice. I've built over 500 boxes and it takes me 20 minutes now to first boot. If I can do it, anybody can...'cuz I ain't smart. If you need an instant answer for anything use my toll-free

Karl

This will make a nice computer. You will need an ATX type power supply. Extra 4 pin connector. And the IDE cables for the HD, CD-ROM etc are probably the 40 some pin variety. When I need computer components and want to be sure of them I get them from newegg.com. Right now I have a good supply of things so if I need to build another computer I will have to buy only a MB. I did not think that MBs with ISA slots were still available in good condition. Al least the documentation is available for yours.

Bob AZ

Prescott 3.4 (Socket 478) is likely the best processor to use without going nuts. It should fit in your P3 ATX box but will most likely require a new power supply. Use ddr333 (or DDR266) RAM.

There are still ISA MBs made for industrial apps. This is one example (current product) - generally they are more expensive. It will use STANDARD IDE cables (same as on his P3). The P3 uses an ATX power supply - but MOST P4s require the "extended ATX" with the separate 4 pin CPU power plug.

I agree completely, that starting with a used motherboard (history unknown, not like it's from a friend or a phased-out PC from work, for example), is a poor place to start building a PC to replace a failed or non-existant machine controller.

Especially when the OP implies that he might "need" this machine.

I also don't understand why a machine would need a P4-complexity motherboard, but then I am clueless about CNC. Anticipating obsolescence-proof by design? Good luck with that one.

Next decision.. new or tested/pull CPU, then RAM, and so on. I'd be uncomfortable installing a new CPU on a definite-maybe-works board.

WB ......... metalworking projects

Out of curiosity, why do you need a P4 system to run a knee mill? I run my CNC'd little mini mill on a P3 and it has no performance issues. If you need ISA, presumably you're using a fancy servo controller card which probably offloads even more load from the system CPU.

Pete C.

I use Camsoft. There is a Galil card on an ISA slot to run real time motion control. I've used a P3 for years, its been marginal but I got by. The new version 16 needs more computer and I'm adding analog pots for feed and speed. These are continuously monitored and take a lot of computer resources. And, I run mastercam on the same box. This app. needs WAY more horsepower than I got. Didn't mention it, but I plan to try a serious AGP video card to help out.

Karl

Dunno, I run Mach3 just fine on a P3/700 and W2K and it doesn't have fancy motion control cards to offload from the system CPU. It monitors various inputs continuously just fine, including a spindle tach photo sensor which gives it a signal that ranges up to about 60Hz.

I'm thinking something is either poorly written or poorly configured, or you have excess junk running on the system that doesn't need to be there if a P3 is having trouble keeping up. It's a knee mill, not an ultra high speed 5 axis machining center after all.

That last part is your real problem, your CAD/CAM needs to run on a separate high end machine, preferably not in the shop either. My CAD runs on a P4/3GHz in the house, same machine I do video stuff on. I just grab the files over the net from the shop computer or the CNC computer as needed.

Pete C.

Wow, seems really strange that they'd use a horribly obsolete interface on a machine that needs nearly cutting-edge processor power...

Obsolescence, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder...

Richard lamb 2007

I am somewhat confused why a faster processor is necessary. Older designs did not use interrupts. Much processor time wasted monitoring an IO port that only had useful information in (maybe) one in 10,000 IO reads. A faster processor may mean more computer cycles wasted monitoring the same port. A faster processor would mean more computer instructions wasted making other 'tasks' still appear slow.

IOW I am not convinced you know why a P3 is too slow for monitoring and controlling mechanical motion. P3 should be more than fast enough. But an ISA bus is only 6 Mhz.

ISA bus means system goes to idle (a wait state) for an ISA response. More CPU processing power lost waiting for I/O because an interface board is ISA.

IOW I am not sure that a faster processor will make your system faster. Your bottleneck may not be processor speed. Process> I use Camsoft. There is a Galil card on an ISA slot to run real time motion

It's not for the CAM (CNC) so much as th CAD (design)that he needs the power. Mastercam is a power hog.

On Jul 17, Didn't mention it, but I plan to try a serious AGP

Karl

Hit up a goodwill store or auction and buy a couple of computers and take them apart. Lots of learning there. Bob AZ

OmniTurn CNC lathes run quite well with a 20MHZ cpu.

Gunner

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