How long should the computer last?

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Thom Davies
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How long should the computer last?

Post by Thom Davies »

Hello!

Just wondering how long should the computer in the cnc control box last? as ours is now 6 years old. should we be looking @ replacing the computer inside it?

Cheers

Thom Davies
DanEpps
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Re: How long should the computer last?

Post by DanEpps »

Geez Thom, that's a loaded question. :joker:

If you mean "technologically" how long should a compluter last, the answer is about three days. If you order the latest-greatest it will be outdated by the time it arrives.

If, however, you mean "mechanically" (for lack of a better term), I have one sitting beside me that is getting close to 15 years old and it just keeps on humming (but I think the hum is the fan :wink: ).

You can run diagnostics on it to make sure there are no hardware errors anywhere but other than that, it is anybody's guess as to how long it will last. As long as you maintain a system (keep it on a protected power supply, clean the vents regularly, run hardware diags, keep the OS updated, etc), it should last quite a while.
Forrest Chapman
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Re: How long should the computer last?

Post by Forrest Chapman »

Thom,

Ours is 8 years old and I've been thinking the same thing lately. Its not as simple to replace as I thought and Thermwood has said it would run in the $12k range to get the latest and greatest.


Forrest
Neville Bastian
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Re: How long should the computer last?

Post by Neville Bastian »

The main items that seem to fail on the older computers are the hard disk then motherboard. I have a Masterwood that we used for 12 years with no stopping it apart from the hard disk failing.
If you haven't a spare 12K kicking around a $200 hard disk maybe a cheap alternative. Buying a spare motherboard might be difficult.
Hope all is well in NZ
Regards
Neville
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Bryan J Tanner
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Re: How long should the computer last?

Post by Bryan J Tanner »

With the amount you guys shake it up down there, I'd say not much longer.... :joker:

I Hope your all well and nerves aren't too jittery.

Ragards
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Thom Davies
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Re: How long should the computer last?

Post by Thom Davies »

Tell me about it!

We had an after shock on boxing day. and ive heard 5 YES 5 Biesse control boxes have blown up cos of the after shocks! yet the thermwood went though 2 big ones while cutting 2day and carryed on worken! Thats how tuff thermwood make them!
FredHirsch
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Re: How long should the computer last?

Post by FredHirsch »

Thom,
I just had to replace ours 3 weeks ago. It was the mother board that went. It was 4 years old. Thanks to THM support I think I was down for just a day with a new board overnight-ed in to Phoenix. About an hour to swap out the boards, pretty straight forward procedure.
Fred
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