control freq is set to1khz, 500mhz on the x and z axis , spindle and all others are set to 256 

in monitering the only thig flagged is a check box labled "is still"

not sure where the time out setting is , maybe thats my problem

should be on the config page if you have the latest plugin, its called Watchdog.
I would set the axis that arent being used to 32KHz and presume you are meaning 512KHz rather than MHz but whatever it is just set to the setting just above what you actually need.

Hood

Also, the message you get does it say something about it will be handled more elegantly in the future or words to that effect? If so try unplugging your keyboard and seeing if that helps.
Hood

I am not finding anything labled watchdog , I downloaded and installed the latest plugin yesterday , its labled as  vo15ogb.

here is the message I get

Ah ok thats not the message I was meaning so diregard the keyboard thing.
Watchdog should be in the latest plugin, maybe its called something different, I have a Beta.
Hood

thanks Hood, I see the watchdog now , same problem . I have to load a job in the big Haas mill but as soon as its up and running I will be swapping out the computer  in the troublesome lathe

may be speaking to soon but so far all looks well.

I was pulling the computer out of the cabinet at the front of the machine and noticed I had neglected to disconnect the two 12 foot long PP cables that run to the cabinet at the back of the machine. I detached them form the PC and have been running for a little over an hour with no problems yet , maybe they were acting as a big antenna. Will feel foolish (and happy) if it was something so simple

Will be running it for the next 8-10 hours threading hundreds of suppressor end caps

Sounds like that is quite possible, lets hope so
Hood

had a pretty good run, got about 85 parts turned and threaded before it lost touch with the SS this time. Now its back to dropping the connection about every 5 minutes . Going to try the other computer

I installed a different computer , complete format , latest version of mach, latest plugin and SS driver and its losing contact with the smooth stepper within 3-4 minutes , same issue . Not much left to swap .
Vfd is no where near computer , bob or drives , everything is properly grounded .  I dont know if its an issue or not but the usb cable from the computer to the SS is about 10 feet long

 Any thoughts appreciated