Welcome to LinuxCNC.org

Will I need to make any changes in Linux and/ or my bios? Of course I will do this only on my Linux PC. Is it supposed to be done before or after install of Linux on the hard drive (LiveCD first of course)?

What are all the necessary things to do to get a good machine that will run EMC2 perfectly?

I've read a couple of things about modifying/adding things in some Linux file in order to solve a few problems. Will I need to do that?
Also about kernels, etc. I have no clue what that is. What is it for? Do I need to know/do anything with that?

I would really like to know everything necessary to do before I get started. I can play with the software once it is all set-up. Right now I would like to get a head start on setup.

Thanks.

To install LinuxCNC

1. Download the LiveCD
2. Check the md5sum
3. Burn the iso to a CD Disk
4. Put disk in CD Drive
5. Turn Computer Off
6. Turn Computer On
7. Pick Install or Try
8. Run the Latency Test for a few hours.

That's pretty much it... have you read the Quick Start Guide?

John

Really?
Do I need to isolate CPU core to use only 1 core and turn hyperthreading off, etc?
That's the bios stuff I'm talking about.

Nope haven't read it, can you link me to it?

Ah yea that can help a tad see this thread:

linuxcnc.org/index.php/english/component...ew&catid=18&id=10389

The getting started manual is here:

linuxcnc.org/docview/html/

John

Another question just came to mind;

What is a good latency for?
To avoid losing steps? Or to get a faster machine? Or something else?

Also what is HAL?

Latency in this context is uncertainty in timing of a thread. Its especially important for systems that use software step generation. since the step timing accuracy is determined
by the repeatbility of the base thread execution. A late step may cause a complete step motor stall. The other way of looking at it is that the maximum base thread latency should be less than about 1/2 of the maximum step rate (for 1/10 or so ustep drives) Looked at this way, latency determines the maximum (software) step rate.

HAL is the Hardware Abstraction Layer. basically the way LinuxCNC connects the control GUIs, hardware, components, and machine controller proper in a very flexible user editable way

www.linuxcnc.org/docs/HAL_User_Manual.pdf