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EtherCAT / CS8 Not Connecting — cifxecat Module Not in InTime Autoload Config

CONFIRMED BOLT / MILO / ETHERCAT RIGS

Summary

After restoring or reinstalling InTime (e.g. after a SSD clone, PC swap, or fresh install), the EtherCAT connection to the CS8 fails even though InTime appears to start normally. Root cause: the cifxecat.rta (or cifxsthg.eta) EtherCAT module is not configured to autostart in the InTime Node A autoload config. Fix: open InTime Explorer, check Node A startup items, and ensure the cifx EtherCAT module is set to autostart and plugged into the correct physical port on the cifx card.

Symptoms

  • InTime starts without errors
  • EtherCAT connection to CS8 fails (no green EtherCAT lights, Bolt won't engage)
  • Issue appeared after a fresh InTime install, config restore, or SSD clone
  • Moving back to the original PC/config works fine
  • The cifx card is visible in InTime Device Manager but EtherCAT is not established

Fix

[CONFIRMED] Check cifxecat autoload in InTime Explorer

2023-03-19 — Simon Wakley

  1. Open InTime Explorer (separate application from the InTime taskbar icon)
  2. Navigate to Node A → startup/autoload configuration
  3. Check that cifxecat.rta or cifxsthg.eta is listed as a startup module
  4. If it is not present: add it from the available modules list and set it to start with Node A
  5. Confirm the cifx card is plugged into the correct PCI port on the PC — InTime is port-specific
  6. Restart InTime and check the EtherCAT connection — the Bolt's green EtherCAT lights should appear

Simon Wakley (2023): "Open Intime explorer and make sure that cifxsthg.eta is running. Maybe cifxecat.rta? Should be set to start in the auto load config for Node A. Also must be plugged into the correct port on that card."

Indicator check

"The bolt green lights on its ecat card should flicker and the card in the PC should not be red." — Simon Wakley. If the CS8 EtherCAT card shows solid red in InTime, the module is either not loaded or on the wrong port.

confidence_score: 0.90

WhatsApp Excerpts

[19/3/2023, 7:23:53 am] ~ Simon Wakley: Open Intime explorer and make sure that cifxsthg.eta is running. Maybe cifxecat.rta? Should be set to start in the auto load config for node A. Also must be plugged into the correct port on that card.

[19/3/2023, 7:24:31 am] ~ Simon Wakley: The bolt green lights on its east card should flicker and the card in the PC should not be red.

[19/3/2023, 6:52:54 am] ~ Riley Morgan: I fixed my intime issue by coping over license and config but having an issue with ethercat connection on the cs8 still, will run through it with Gordon on Monday.

Official Documentation

Flair Classic Manual — Ch.2 System Setup: InTime and EtherCAT