Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: simpson36 on April 23, 2009, 07:33:55 PM
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After much research I bought this dual parallel port to run a second BOB off Mach3. This is, incidentally, my favorite place to buy my geek stuff.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815166007
It works in a really old computer runing Win2000 (the one that actually tuns the mill), a relatively new computer running XP and even a 'middle aged' computer runing Windows 7 beta. I did not test it with Vista. It took quite a bit of tinkering to sort out, so I though I'd pass this info along and save people some time if they go with this card (apparently lots of cards don't work with Mach at all.)
Caveats are:
1) Go to www.MOSchip.com to get the drivers for the chipset on the card. The ones that come with the card didn't work for me . . YMMV.
2) The card has two ports. You need to give Mach3 the address of what the device manger lists as LPT3 as that's the port address for the connector on the card itself. There is a second connector on a bracket that connects to the card with a ribon cable. So that one must be LPT2.
Hope this is helps someone.
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Thanks for the info - I purchased this card earlier this week and installed it yesterday with your recommended drivers. Everything worked great and it plays nice with Mach. I now have an extra parallel port which I could later use to hook up another machine ;)
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You are very welcome.
Since I posted the info, I have discovered that although for me 90% of the time the second port (ribbon cable) was assigned LPT2, the physical ports on the card are not locked in any order and either can be assigned LPT2 or LPT3.
To get the addresses, follow this sequece:
Start>Control Panel>System>Hardware>Device Manager>Ports>Printer Port>Resources
What you seek is the first hex address given for LPT2 and for LPT3. For the port physically on the card, give Mach3 the address shown for LPT3 (that's USUALLY what it is). If that does not work, then just try the address for LPT2 and it should spring to life.
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I wish I would have seen this thread a few days ago...I just ordered this card. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?Sku=C250-3706
Crossing my fingers it will work ???
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You are very welcome.
Since I posted the info, I have discovered that although for me 90% of the time the second port (ribbon cable) was assigned LPT2, the physical ports on the card are not locked in any order and either can be assigned LPT2 or LPT3.
To get the addresses, follow this sequece:
Start>Control Panel>System>Hardware>Device Manager>Ports>Printer Port>Resources
What you seek is the first hex address given for LPT2 and for LPT3. For the port physically on the card, give Mach3 the address shown for LPT3 (that's USUALLY what it is). If that does not work, then just try the address for LPT2 and it should spring to life.
I did some testing of my own as soon as I installed the card to figure out which port was which. Like you said, it assigned LPT2 to the ribbon cable and LPT3 to the card. Before realizing I could swap them around via Windows Config, I physically moved them in my computer case so that there were in order from top to bottom :)
I wish I would have seen this thread a few days ago...I just ordered this card. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?Sku=C250-3706
Crossing my fingers it will work ???
It may, but keep us informed. We could make this thread into a "various PCI parallel ports that play nice with Mach3" thread.
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Will do
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Update...
I got the second parallel port installed and hooked up to a CNC4PC 10 BOB...Only getting 2.4v from all the inputs...
Edit: I added a 5v power supply and all is good now. ;D
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http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815166007
I have been running this one for a while now , you can occasionaly find it at cyberguys for less than $10 , mine didnt work with the driver supplied on the cd either but works well with the one on the chip manufacturers website
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http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815166007
I have been running this one for a while now , you can occasionaly find it at cyberguys for less than $10 , mine didnt work with the driver supplied on the cd either but works well with the one on the chip manufacturers website
That is the same card that the OP linked to.
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Hey Guys
I bought this card SYBA because I needed to set up an 8 axis controller.
http://www.directron.com/sdnecpr2u1p.html
It appears this doesn't work. and tech support at directron is worthless.
the pamphlet w card said in XP no drivers are needed. (disk included was for w98-Me)
XP pro apparently did see the Parallel port and the USB ports and sequentially installed some drivers.
However, the PCI LPT can not be found anywhere even I rebooted a couple of times.
on previous postings was mentioned that the second LPT was visible in device manger.
in my machined only the serial and LPT1 ports from motherboard appear.
UPDATE: I just went searching for the chip and realized that since this card also has 2 USB ports;
this CARD is a PCI to USB Primarily and then they decided to piggy back a USB to Parallel (1284) on that.
http://www.prolific.com.tw/eng/files/PL-2305%20Market%20Spec.pdf
so, Don't buy cards that have USB ports ...I guess...
But the Question still remains.. WHY Doesn't LPT2 it show anywhere?
XP pro did detect both the USB and Parallel ports and drivers were installed....
USING HP/Compaq 2.66Ghz
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You may find it in device manager but it may be LPT3 or whatever, that wouldnt matter to Mach as Mach is only looking for the address and not the name windows gives it. If its not there you may find it from Start, All Programmes, Accessories, System Tools, System Information, Components then finally Ports.
Then again it probably wont work anyway if its not a true port ;D
Hood
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or you can get faster to SYSTEM info by simply typing msinfo32 in the RUN window
but this is just SYS INFO nothing you change, modify, etc.
you still have to go thru the Control panel.
to also gain easier access to SYSTEM you can create a "shortcut" on the desktop by right clicking on the icon in Control panel.
you can even get closer to the Device manager by creating a shortcut on the desktop
but this time, If I remember right, you find the CPL files. I don't remember the name of the one corresponding to Dvce manager but when you find it, or any other one you think is useful to you, just create a shortcut to desktop.
Also, Did you know that you can EDIT the CPLs with notepad??
I not only had quick access to Windows panels I need "NOW" but I could customize them.
I changed some of the windows to replace Windows logo, with my own logo(or any pic) or move components around inside the window.
for customized OS.
I haven't done that in a while since I did not save my modified CPLs to Storage (Trick bag) for use in other computers.
so TIME is the problem here.
Anyway still trying to find a way to POSITIVELY install a PCI LPT2 for mach3 use. (for 5-8 Axis)
(We know that a USB-LPT dongle doesn't work.
I bought a PCI to LPT card that had 2 "Free" USB ports.
XP installs the USB drivers and the LPT drivers upon discovery but then nothing can be found anywhere to use.
upon researching the CHIPs on the PCI card I discovered that the LPT is actually a PIGGY-BACK of the USB.
SO...turns out.. this particular Card is Primarily a PCI to USB card then they decided to use a USB to Parallel-LPT Chip.
so I'm pretty sure that is the problem.
will have to return and start over with ONLY a PCI to LPT port card.
Any other experiences out there, guys??
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i bought a Rosewill rc-303 hoping to have luck and nothing sofar. I went to moschip like simpson36 mentioned and got the drivers from the site but still no dice yet. I am going to create a post begging for help soon but just to let people know the rc-304 used a different chip (Nm9835) than the rc-304.
P.S. a shortcut to device manager is to right click My Computer and click Manage. It brings you directly to the device manager.
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after i went back to moschip website i downloaded the whql drivers for the chip i was able to use the pci card without issue. So if you buy this card dl the second set of drivers for XP.
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I'm trying to figure out the parallel port card problems myself. I bought http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815150143 hoping it would work because it's pretty expensive ( hey it's a theory ;D ) The 2 serial ports worked right away with my shopbot but I can't get anything out of the parallel port for maxnc 10cl or 2 different hobbycnc controllers.
The port address looks pretty weird for the parallel port. It resources it shows:
I/O range 7000-7004
I/O range 7400-7407
I've watched the mach setup video and put in the first number under the port address of 7400 but it doesn't work. I've tried all of them as well and nothing. How do I check the voltage?
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After much research I bought this dual parallel port to run a second BOB off Mach3. This is, incidentally, my favorite place to buy my geek stuff.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815166007
1) Go to www.MOSchip.com to get the drivers for the chipset on the card. The ones that come with the card didn't work for me . . YMMV.
[/quote/]
This is getting really frustrating. I got this board from newegg and installed the latest drivers and NO GO. ???
Can you tell me what version of the driver worked for you?
Looks like from MosChip's FAQ's that EPP is not an option only ECP.
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Rick, I do not have time to answer individual e-mails from forums, but I will post here on the parallel port question where everyone might benefit. I can post the drivers, but would need to know the operating system you need them for, and whether 32 bit or 64 bit.
I am using the WHQL Windows XP 32 bit drivers from the MOSCHIP web site.
In general, I suggest using a straight PCI to LPT card with NO other goodies on it, and avoid multi purpose chips if possible. Mach obviously has some hard coded expectations and it seems intolerant of deviation from the original IBM port standards and will ignore any 'slight-of-hand' tricks where a vendor is intercepting software port calls and redirecting those to their own super slick setup. Mach appears to talk to the hardware and will not utilize such 'do everything' chips.
As noted on another post, converters also do not play nice. USB to parallel and the like regardless if it is in an external purpose-built box, special cable or a chip built onto a board. FTDI makes converter chips (smoothstepper is an example for this CNC group) and the required drivers can interfere with other USB processes. Certain active FTDI interfaced devices can cause file corruption in USB connected hard drives, for example. The FTDI scheme is a codec of sorts, but most people do not realize this and believe such devices are native USB.
Best rule in interacing mach with anything is, in my experience, keep it old school, keep it simple.
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Thanks for the reply.
I am using the same pci board that you are (Rosewill 2 port Parallel (SPP/PS2/EPP/ECP) Universal PCI card Model RC-304). I downloaded the WHQL Windows XP 32 bit drivers from the MOSCHIP web site. I am using version 2.0.0.18 driver dated 1/10/2010.
I am using it on an xp pro 32 bit system.
Rick
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Device manager says I am using 2.0.0.16 dated 12/24/2008. I will need to check to make sure my card has the same xx15CV chip as the current version.
XP home 32bit.
I have the computer's built in parallel port disabled and am using the two ports on the card only.
What problem are you having, specifically?
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Well let's see if I can explain the situation with my limited knowledge.
I'm using a Gecko g540. With no steppers attached, I've got it plugged into the pc. The reason I first suspected the pci card was that I could see absolutely no reaction in Mach 3. And after reading so many posts from people with PCI problems. After changing a couple of settings in Mach, (the db25 connector on the card is lpt3) I was able to see on the mach screen an estop fault when I disconnected the jumper for the estop on the g540. When I reconnected the jumper, and hit the reset on mach, the fault was cleared. ;D ;D So this made me feel better, since I was getting communication from the G540 into the PC through the pci card.
When I switch the charge pump to the on position (on the g540) I get a estop fault on the mach screen. I've gone to the Gen Config then to the Gen Config section and checked the checkbox that says Chargepump on in Estop. This had no impact.
I think I have a problem with the g540, since when I plug it in with nothing connected, only the estop jumper, It will sometimes go to the red fault light. If I disconnect the jumper and reconnect it, the fault will clear and I will get a green power light on the g540.
I've emailed Marcus and he suggested sending it back for them to check it out.
The saga continues.
Rick
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If you are getting any communication pins that work, it is likely all of them are working. The card would not be selective about which pins are functional.
The best port debugger is a BOB that has led indicator lights on each pin. No guesswork. Any voltmeter will suffice also (to see if the pins are changing state), but at a huge cost in time and convenience.
So it is easy enough to check out the LPT lines and see if Mach is talking to anything, but it does sound like you have a different problem than the parallel port.
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I too have struggled with getting a second printer port to work correctly. I have an older SIIG with a NetMos 9835 chip and a newer card with the MosChip 9865.
I've updated the drivers and tried all sorts of stuff to get them working, but they still don't work right.
The one thing I have found that works for either card is as follows:
1. Open the Ports and Pins Screen & set everything up in Mach (make sure both ports are enabled and the second port has the 2-9 inputs check-box selected.
2. Close the Ports and Pins Screen.
3. Re-Open the Ports and Pins Screen, deselect the 2-9 inputs check-box, click apply, reselect the 2-9 inputs, and click apply.
4. Close the Ports and Pins Screen and everything works.
Each time I start Mach, I have to go through this process to get the second port to work. When I first start Mach, the pins on the diagnostic screen are all lit up. After going into Ports and Pins & toggling the 2-9 input check-box, the pins go out and everything works.
I know it sounds strange, but it works every time. Could there be something strange going on with Mach?
Jim
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Well it all works now. Thanks to Arturo at CNC4PC.com and his C26 board. Before this board, I was having partial success, but the charge pump was not working. As long as I kept the charge pump on the G540 to off all worked. I could jog the steppers through Mach 3. If I disconnected the estop jumper I would get a fault (which it should).
But I really wanted the charge pump to work the way it should. The C26 board fits in between the PC and the g540. It gets its power from a usb plug (included). So for less than $20, all works as it should.
I had looked at a lot of forum posts and many have had the problem with not getting the charge pump to work with Mach 3, the Gecko g540 and a PCI parallel port card. One post had suggested the C26 board (and also Arturo suggested it) and said it worked for them.
So if your having this problem, I highly recommend the C26.
http://www.cnc4pc.com/Store/osc/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=c26&x=13&y=7
I really do not think it is possible to get it all to work using a pci parallel port card, a G540 and Mach 3 without using the C26 board.
Rick
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I am also running a Windows 7 PC that came with no Parallel Port. I installed a PCI parallel port card and like many others, got no response from the Gecko G540. My experience matched most of the other threads regarding this issue on the forum; two ports listed in Device Manager, one labeled parallel and one labeled printer. Resource addresses did not actuate the router when entered in Mach Config - Ports and Pins, and the Diagnostics screen did not indicate any active pins.
None of the suggestions in the posts were successful for me (enable one, disable the other, vice versa, check and change addresses, change BIOS - Peripherals to EPP, then ECP, then EPP and ECP, many re-boots, setting addresses in Config Pins and Ports in Mach, uninstall and reinstall Mach, etc.)
After reviewing the motherboard documentation, I noted that there was an un-used parallel port connector (labeled JLPT1) on the mainboard. After entering BIOS, and DISABLING the Peripherals - Parallel Port entirely, then re-booting, Windows 7 recognized ONLY the PCI parallel port, and assigned an address range of E800 - E807. After I entered that address (E800) in Mach - Config - Ports and Pins in Port 1, the router immediately responded to my Shuttle Express. I successfully ran a test sample GC provided by the CNC router manufacturer.
It was a two day fight, but I believe I wrestled it to the ground.
Perhaps this might be a solution for someone else to try before buying more cards or equipment. :)
As a computer and software literate user, I wonder why Geckodrive has stuck to old parallel port technology? Visit any computer brick and mortar or online store and you will be hard pressed to find a desktop with an installed parallel port. Seems like migrating to USB technology would be a logical next step. An additional benefit would be the ability to move the PC farther from the work surface hazards with inexpensive USB cables rather than the more expensive Parallel cables.
I am a CNC newbie just trying to help.
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The G540 cannot run on USB signals.To do that it would have to have an onboard MOTION controller like the Smoothstepper. NOW you could add the Smoothstepper to YOUR G540 and have usb connection to the computer. BUT that is sometimes frought with problems as well. The USB is NOT the best solution to CNC control.
Just a thought, (;-) TP
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Bumping this thread while helping a bddy through some lpt issues.
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Is anyone using a working PCIe card with mach?
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Is anyone using a working PCIe card with mach?
Hopefully someone will post a specific known working card, but I can give you some general guidelines. First, I would suggest using the card mentioned in this thread if it is still available and you have a compatible slot. That would be the safe choice.
If you must use PCIe, and you must choose an untested card, I would advise choosing a card with only parallel ports and not a 'multi function' card with other I/O on it. The fancier the card is the more 'tricks' and redirections the vendor uses and the less likely Mach will be able to talk to the card directly as is required. Since MOSCHIP is known to work, so you can seek out a card that uses their chip . . if possible use the same chip on the card referenced in this thread.
Lastly, get a dual parallel port card as you may find more success using both ports on the card and disabling any existing built in port. In my case, that proved to be the most stable and by far the fastest way to run.
edit: also you may have better luck using a basic driver from the chipmaker's site and not the 'enhanced' driver that usually comes with the card.
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vicrider
is your computer with Windows 7 32 bit or 64. I'm trying not to have to buy an external controller for lots of money if I can use a PCI parallel port card on my 64 bit computer. thanks
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The parallel port driver will only work on a 32bit OS so it would not matter whether you could get a PCI card to work with W7 64 or not I am afraid.
Hood
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I too have struggled with getting a second printer port to work correctly. I have an older SIIG with a NetMos 9835 chip and a newer card with the MosChip 9865.
I've updated the drivers and tried all sorts of stuff to get them working, but they still don't work right.
The one thing I have found that works for either card is as follows:
1. Open the Ports and Pins Screen & set everything up in Mach (make sure both ports are enabled and the second port has the 2-9 inputs check-box selected.
2. Close the Ports and Pins Screen.
3. Re-Open the Ports and Pins Screen, deselect the 2-9 inputs check-box, click apply, reselect the 2-9 inputs, and click apply.
4. Close the Ports and Pins Screen and everything works.
Each time I start Mach, I have to go through this process to get the second port to work. When I first start Mach, the pins on the diagnostic screen are all lit up. After going into Ports and Pins & toggling the 2-9 input check-box, the pins go out and everything works.
I know it sounds strange, but it works every time. Could there be something strange going on with Mach?
Jim
Have you found a fix for this? I have exactly the same problem with a pci parallel card... :o
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I just got a SYBA PCI-Express 1-Port Parallel/Printer Card (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815124083) and it's working great with a Gecko G540. I was worried about all the EPP/ECP problems that others have had with PCI cards, but no problem. I used the standard xml file from Gecko as a starting point. Be sure to set the port address correctly (it's not the default address for on-board parallel ports).
FYI -- I'm using a GIGABYTE GA-H61MA-D3V motherboard with a Intel Pentium G620 Sandy Bridge 2.6GHz processor. So far it seems to be a reasonably fast computer for very few dollars.
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There has been many discussions regarding parallel port cards and Mach3 port settings.
http://www.microcenter.com/product/417093/2-Port_Parallel_PCI_Host_Card
FYI This appears as same card as Roswell 304 just sold at brick and mortar store under diffrent brand.
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Lava Port products, the best there are.
(;-) TP
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I agree. Lava dual PP is what I use. Get em cheap here.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/291067152045?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
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Card I have mentioned above runs on Mos chip with same driver as Roswell 304.
I have disabled my onboard port and installed also entered port address properly yet my second bob is not controlled as it supposed to.
I do know bob works fine. Couse if I switch parallel cable between cards it responds 100%.
I do require 2 working ports due to upgrades and cards need to be low factor due to my Dell being small factor case
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Hello all, I ordered the rosewill card mentioned in this thread and it is on the way. I see this thread is a couple years old and the drivers mentioned were released in 2010. Has anyone used the newer drivers on the moschip website successfully? Im hoping they work because I cant seem to find the older drivers anywhere. Do any of you have a backup copy saved anywhere? Thanks in advance for any help anyone might be able to provide.
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fyi word of advice, as we progress in time and so does technology it may be good idea for you to look in to smooth stepper Ethernet
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I am only just beginning to get into the cnc scene. But, from what I gather about Mach 3 is that it is very feature rich for the price but it is picky. And, with me just getting into the hobby, Id like to stick to tried and true methods. Its only a cnc plasma table. I dont need top notch, nor all the bells and whistles. But, then again this is my first machine. Do you have a good resource for this ethernet smooth stepper topic, where I could read up on it? After all the trouble I just went through with Windows XP and the first parallel card Its sounds like a definate possibility in the future.
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I am only just beginning to get into the cnc scene. But, from what I gather about Mach 3 is that it is very feature rich for the price but it is picky. And, with me just getting into the hobby, Id like to stick to tried and true methods. Its only a cnc plasma table. I dont need top notch, nor all the bells and whistles. But, then again this is my first machine. Do you have a good resource for this ethernet smooth stepper topic, where I could read up on it? After all the trouble I just went through with Windows XP and the first parallel card Its sounds like a definate possibility in the future.
http://www.warp9td.com/
Tweakie.
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Thanks a lot and I will definitely check that out. But, right now I am spending all of my free time trying to get my current setup working. I will post my xml file and hopefully someone would be kind enough to take a look at it for me. I would greatly appreciate it. I have scoured this forum and tried every solution I could find on here, with no luck. Ill try to give as much info as I can:
Windows XP Pro 32bit fresh install fully updated
Addon Rosewill dual PP card rc-304
LPT2 0x9400 Only using port 1, and verified the port in ports and pins
x axis enabled pins 2 and 3, port 1
jog is on
I have the following green port lights on the diagnostics screen: three off five on and the bottom row is completely off
I am completely stumped.
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Ok, I think I have an update. I was messing with the port address, and have noticed that if i try the addresses in between the ones listed in the the resources tab of the device manger, that I can get different light combinations to light up in the diagnostics screen under the port 1 pins current state. But, the most I could ever get to light up at once was the first 7 of the top row and nothing on the bottom row. And this happened on any of the second numbers.
Here is what my device manger lists:
Multifunction Adapters
PCI Mullti-IO Controller
I/O Range 9C00-9C07
I/O Range 9800-9807
I/O Range 9400-9407
I/O Range 9000-9007
I/O Range 8C00-8C07
I/O Range 8800-880F
Ports (COM & LPT)
PCI Parallel Port (LPT2)
Use any interupt assigned to the port (CHECK)
Enable legacy plug and play detection(CHECK)
I/O Range 9C00-9C07
I/O Range 9800-9807
IRQ 16
PCI Parallel Port (LPT3)
Use any interupt assigned to the port (CHECK)
Enable legacy plug and play detection(CHECK)
I/O Range 9400-9407
I/O Range 9000-9007
IRQ 16
Now that I have listed that, it might be easier to explain what I meant. Any of the second numbers ie 0x9407 gives me the first seven pins of the Port 1 current state. And this is the same for all of the second numbers. Anyone have any ideas?
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Nevermind my cries for help. I got it working. Turns out that longs motor has exact directions on interfacing their breakout boards with Mach 3. The online chat support person had screenshots of all of the config settings. Now that my mind is at ease (for now) I will soon make a thread in the show and tell of my progress so far. Just to let everyone know, I have the longs motor 4 axis nema 34 1232 oz in. kit. So if anyone is interested I can list my exact details to make setting up your hardware with mach 3 much easier.
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Hey all.
I was smacking my head against a brick wall for 2 days trying to get mach3 working.
I got it working and so will place my input of how.
My Setup:
- mach3 v2.0
- dual pci parallel port (no brand off ebay $37...NEW PCIe PCI-E PARALLEL 1284 DB25 2 PORT CARD WORK WINDOWS 8 / 7 / DOS / LINUX. seller:chunwai_1996)
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/111581764969?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
- Automated Tec package with: Gecko G540, nema23's an a nema34 + psu
http://www.automationtechnologiesinc.com/products-page/g540-stepper-motor-kits/g540-3-axis-nema23-381ozin-nema34-906ozin-48v12-5a-psu
Process-Symptoms:
- followed installation instructions here: http://www.geckodrive.com/support/application-notes/step-drives/g540-initial-setup-guide.html
installed the xml file from here: http://www.geckodrive.com/support/application-notes/step-drives/g540-xml-file.html
- got to the stage with the charge pump switched off, green led and stepper motor was on/locked.
- no communication with mach3.
- did research and found out how to set the parallel ports: http://www.hobbycncaustralia.com/Instructions/iI20PinsandPorts.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3futACR6dM
- didnt know whether to set the onboard parallel as enabled or disabled etc.
- tried numerous things like changing through all the ltp's and i/o's, no result.
- found I had windows 7 x64. Mach seemed to be working fine, but I got fooled.
- installed windows 7 x32 with stored 'windows old'
- reinstalled mach3, still didnt work
- formatted and did clean sweep of OS and installed windows 7 x32
- installed mach3. came up with a warning popup to install driver, hit ok. waited a couple of mins and it was successfully installed (no popup with x64 bit)
- in bios set the onboard to enabled, epp, left the other settings (even though I dont have an onboard port and installed a pci dual port)
- in mach 3 used the g540 xml,
- went through controll panel, device drivers, looked at the parallel port. it was listed as epc, i/o DD00, LTP2 ( i knew this was the one I was connected to because with the gecko and motors plugged in without charge pump, changing the LTP number made the steppers twitch)
- entered in those details to #1 port mach3
- I went into config ports/pins and unticked the e-stop on inputs and unticked the outputs charge pump (just to temp limit other possible hiccups)
- hit reset button... a popup warning appeared to do with the e-stop, clicked apply/ok,
- used arrow keys and finally it worked.
MAIN PROBLEM- windows 7 64 bit install, seemed to install drivers, but they dont work.
RESOLUTION- install windows 7 32bit FRESH. I had re installed with 'windows old'. This somehow got in the way when trying to reinstall mach3 and getting that driver working!
Tomorrow I will try running with charge pump re-enabled.
Thanks guys for all the chat, took me a while, but I think im nearly there.
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Was having issues with another (SPP/PS2/EPP/ECP) PCI parallel I installed. Swapped it with the Rosewill RC-304 PCI card and got things working.
Most of the configuration info is already been covered in this thread. My configurations hadn't really changed between one card and the next. Just wanted to mention that not all cards that say EPP are created equal. The RC 304 does work. ( at least on an older DELL running XP )
Thanks for the posts.
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Update...
I got the second parallel port installed and hooked up to a CNC4PC 10 BOB...Only getting 2.4v from all the inputs...
Edit: I added a 5v power supply and all is good now. ;D
Help a brother out! How did you add a 5V power supply? Add on with an inline BOB?
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I ended up changing the parallel port and went with a fifth motor on that. I don't have the BOB installed anymore so I'm going on memory.
I believe I used an external 5vdc power supply for the BOB. I think you'd likely blow something if it were supplied inline through a parallel port pin ( unless the motor is incredibly small the current needed for the motor would be too high)
The control of the BOB was through the parallel port pins.
I believe I also shared the ground between the external power supply and the parallel port. I forget the reason but there can be communication issues if there is more than one power source controlling electronics. Sharing ground solves that.
Does this help?
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FWIW,
I just installed a Rosewill RC304 2 port Parallel PCI card. It does work. I read this complete thread and others in anticipation of having problems with the card installation. I used the drivers that came with the card, it did install, but, I had problems with Mach
recognizing the second port. So the follwoing is what I did:
COMMENTS:
0. Make sure you turn off / unplug the pc before attaching or removing any card! :D
1.This info pertains only to the Rosewill RC-304.
2.Info is for an XP installation.
3.MY PCI slot is 5 volts only.The RC-304 is a 5 volt card. Some cards are dual voltage / universal cards.
4.The cable that connects to the card for the second pp must be attached correctly. Get it backwards
and the card will not work correctly since the pins are all screwed up!
The ribbon cable has one RED line on it, and if you look at the card you will see a white dot and also
a white line near the cable connector. So connect the cable such that the RED line on the ribbon cable
is also on the same side as that white line and dot.
5.I removed the existing single pp card and also uninstalled the drives for the card.
This was done via System Properties>Hardware>Device Manager selecting Multifunction Adapters,
select the device , double click on it and select Driver, and finaly click on the Uninstall option.
You will see that the device is no longer listed and that under Ports(COM & LPT) no LPT is listed.
6.Reboot the pc and confirm item 5.
7.The RC-304 card came with instructions on how to install the card for Windows XP and listed the drivers
in folder RC-302\WinXP.There was no folder by that name but there was a folder called RC-302\XP.
( So when the wizard prompts you for the location browse and select that folder as it said it could not
find the file .......NmPar...........)
7a.It was noted by others that the drivers provided on the CD were no good. I downloaded from MOSchip site
and other sites the drivers for the card. What I found was that the drivers provided on the CD were of the
same name and date as all the other drivers that were downloaded. So I used the drivers from the CD.
8.Installed the card, pc found new hardware and followed the installation via the wizard manualy selecting
the folder RC-302\XP. It installed the drivers, but, the LPT ports were LPT2 and LPT3, so I changed the
the assigned LPT part number via:
System Properties>Hardware>Device Manager>Ports,select the port and use the LPTport button to select the port desired port number. Also ticked enabled plug and play detection, and also ticked Never use an interupt.
9.Click the Resources for each LPT and note the I/o Range settings available:
For LPT1 they were: DC00-DC07 I used DC00 ( first number) for port 1 setting in Mach config
D880-D887
Also used the first number listed for port 2 settng in Mach config.
10.NOW FOR THE PITA, part.........
The second port would not work correctly for inputs I had defined to Mach in ports & Pins.
Think i may have had the the ribbon cable backwards - GO BACK AND READ ITEM #4-.
Also in Mach Diagnostics the lit LED's didn;t seem correct.
10a.So I uninstalled the card drivers using the file ....NmUninst....in the Rc-302\XP folder.
10b.Shutdown the computer, removed card, reboot and shut down again.
10c.Installed the card, and confirmed the correct ribbon cable orientation to the card.
Reboot, it found the new hardware, but the install wizard didn't work worth a darn.
11.So...... I used the manual install method:
Control Panel>Add Hardware>ticked that i have already installed the hardware,Selected PCI multi Io controller, when asked for the driver i used the .....NmPar.... file, the card drivers were installed
and LPT1 and LPT2 were assigned. ( I don't remember every single step in this item ).
Both ports work fine in Mach and now have pins 2-9 as inputs.
Note: In Mach config the first numbers for the resources were used, I first unticked the Port Enable,
typed in the resource setting ie; DC00,Mach changed that to 0xdc00, then ticked Port enable.
Did the same for Port 2.
PC'S suck sometimes. :P :)
RICH
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I also purchased a Rosewell PCI to parallel card (single design) for use in an XP Compaq tower with a damaged integrated parallel port on the motherboard. I installed the drivers and PCI board, reconfigured Mach 3 for the new port number and found that Mach 3 could not use the port. After beating my head against a wall for a couple of days, I discovered that the computer's BIOS would not allow the add on parallel to operate until I disabled the internal parallel port, even though the BIOS had no settings for and add on ports. Hope this helps somebody avoid the same headaches.
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jj83002,
I have the exact same problem you had/have. When I uncheck pins 2-9 and hit apply then recheck pins 2-9 and hit apply.... my 2nd PP then works fine. ITS CRAZY!!!
What was the answer or solution to this problem?
does anyone else have anything to say about this?I too have struggled with getting a second printer port to work correctly. I have an older SIIG with a NetMos 9835 chip and a newer card with the MosChip 9865.
I've updated the drivers and tried all sorts of stuff to get them working, but they still don't work right.
The one thing I have found that works for either card is as follows:
1. Open the Ports and Pins Screen & set everything up in Mach (make sure both ports are enabled and the second port has the 2-9 inputs check-box selected.
2. Close the Ports and Pins Screen.
3. Re-Open the Ports and Pins Screen, deselect the 2-9 inputs check-box, click apply, reselect the 2-9 inputs, and click apply.
4. Close the Ports and Pins Screen and everything works.
Each time I start Mach, I have to go through this process to get the second port to work. When I first start Mach, the pins on the diagnostic screen are all lit up. After going into Ports and Pins & toggling the 2-9 input check-box, the pins go out and everything works.
I know it sounds strange, but it works every time. Could there be something strange going on with Mach?
Jim