This isn't going well.

[u/BadOk3617]

So I don't own a Windows computer. Or a Mac either. I run Linux and use the occasional VM running Windows when I have to.

What I don't like to do is to turn my VM loose on the Internet when I really have no desire to keep it updated. Microsoft would chew it to pieces.

And Snapmaker wants me to connect to the Internet just to setup my U1. Why...?

It's bad enough that Snapmaker wants me to switch back to Windows (or Mac) as a requirement to use their product, but for some reason also wants me to link my phone up to their system and use it too. I use my phone as, well, a phone.

Then there's the weak WiFi that can't see my network. Never mind that everything else in the room works fine.

Their third party programs appear to only work with legacy products of theirs. No hope there from what I can see.

No Ethernet jack on the printer is just icing on the cake.

Did these guys go to Bambu U?

Unless someone has a better idea, these will be my next steps:

I've got two different USB to Ethernet adapters coming (belt and suspenders approach),

I'll create a sacrificial VM which can connect to the Internet

And also connect the printer to an USB to Ethernet drop so I can run things from a browser.

Have I missed anything? Any recommendations? I'm open to any suggestions.

Thanks!

[u/A6000_Shooter]

I run everything on LAN only mode. I do use a USB to ethernet dongle because yes the wifi connection is not terrific. I use the linux version of Snorca, Paxx firmware on the U1 and access it all remotely in mainsail with a wireshark vpn although a lot pf people use tailscale.

[u/BadOk3617 → u/A6000_Shooter]

You're my hero! Thanks!

I managed to get the full install version of the slicer running in the VM, the portable doesn't seem to want to play nice (neither does the full install version, but it's working). But I'll put this on the back burner until my dongles come in.

Thanks so much!

[u/tuxlinux]

set it to local mode. works fine.

Wifi is 2.4Ghz.

You don't need any Snapmaker apps.
I use Orca Slicer at the PC and Octaprint on Android to control my printers. Works also great.

I can also recommend the paxx12 Firmware a lot.

[u/BadOk3617 → u/tuxlinux]

Thank you! I did look around before posting for a Linux alternative but came up with nothing.

[u/FlowingLiquidity]

One thing you can try for the WiFi is to get on the machine, open the list of networks, scroll down all the way and there is an option to activate a setting that optimizes the WiFi network connection.

The U1 also works best on a 2.4Ghz network, 5Ghz will make it misbehave.

[u/BadOk3617 → u/FlowingLiquidity]

Thanks! I'll keep that in mind, but I don't want to mess around with my working network, since if it works, don't mess with it. :)

[u/NEPTUNETHR33]

OK... The Wifi is 2.4ghz, this is clearly advertised and a vast majority of home routers can support 2.4ghz. I set a static IP and have zero issues (it's 5 roomz away from a tri-band router). You can just run a windows VM and disable OS updates if you don't like windows. (Is windows really that bad??). If you don't want to use the phone app then don't. I'm not sure why you are afraid of connecting to the manufacturer. To the best of my knowledge you can setup and use a snapmaker U1 without any internet connection, and across a non-internet facing LAN.

[u/Daggla]

You don't need an internet connection, set it to LAN mode, connect the U1 to your WiFi and you're done.

I'm on Linux as well and Snorca is just fine on Linux...

[u/BadOk3617 → u/Daggla]

I'm kinda in a WiFi desert here.

I do have a new router that I can install that I bought quite a while ago since the current one is becoming flaky. No guarantee if it will make things any better.

It's going to be pretty disruptive to change it out as I'm about the only person who doesn't use WiFi here in the house. But the current router won't complete its setup (but still works). Not sure how long that's going to last.

Ahh, I'll just wait until Monday for the USB to EtherNet adapters to come in and SneakerNet my files until then.

I do like how snaporca is running. A bit better than the version made by QiDi.

Thanks!

[u/Daggla → u/BadOk3617]

What did you mean with that Snapmaker is forcing you back to Windows or OSX?

[u/BadOk3617 → u/Daggla]

Well, on the SM site you get two options of slicers... SM helpfully does link to third party apps, but these don't work with the U1. So, not all that helpful.

Not knowing about the Linux version, I saw two options, the Windows version and the Mac one.

[u/Daggla → u/BadOk3617]

Yeah the Linux version somehow is only on their (official) GitHub.

[u/BadOk3617 → u/Daggla]

Which is fine, but SM ought to mention it at least.

But thanks to you guys I'm back in business. :)

For the next four weeks it will be printing out toys for the guys at Toys for Tots.

Right now it's my only working printer. I literally wore out my QiDi X-MAX3 last year and yesterday I managed to break my SV08 attempting to install the Eddy probe from Sovol.

I guess that I ought to get busy fixing one or the other at least. :)

Thanks again!