Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => Mach3 under Vista => Topic started by: ART on February 04, 2007, 04:55:22 PM
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In order to run under Vista takes a couple of steps..
1) First, run the install as per normal.
2) Now you need to run the file enclosed as the attachment to this topic. Save it , unzip it to memoryoverride.reg , and just double click it, it modifies
the registry to allow MAch3's driver to run.
3) Now you need to go to the C:\Mach3 folder, (or wherever you installed Mach3) and right click drivertest.exe , select
"Run as Adminstrator.". It should tell you to reboot. Do so, or you will crash. No question about it..
4) Now you shoudl be able to run Mach3, try the drivertest.exe again, and it shoudl run.
Note:
You may get errors reported when running DriverTest, in fact it may not run at all first time, then
Vista will ask you if you wish to run it in compatability mode. DO so, and it will run..
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Senerio:
Installed Mach 3 as per instructions. Modified registry with .reg file. Everything works, but with version .049 which caused some jittery motion with G-Code.
Un-installed Mach 3 and re-installed using .059 version. Checked driver, all seems well, but Mach 3 does not show driver being enabled on when running the controller.
Tried re-running the .reg file. Re-tested using drivertest.exe. Still no response on the controller.
Please advise.
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Vista Laptop/Notebook wireless-LAN (WLAN) confuses Grex-Loader.exe and G100 Discovery:
I've discovered that Grex-Loader.exe will not find the G100 that's connected to the (wired) LAN in a laptop that has it's WLAN "enabled." I've validated this on 2 different laptops running Vista. Apparently, Grex-Loader.exe only polls the 1st network device it finds instead of enumerating the available devices.
The fix is to simply defeat the internal WLAN hardware using the physical ON/OFF switch or button that most laptops have. If your WLAN hardware is PCMCIA just eject it when connecting to G100 via LAN cable if you're having this problem.
-Haik
Keywords: No G100's found in system, No G100 instances found, Error during DISCOVERY phase, G100 Status
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Vista UAC (User Account Control) is an avoidable hassle:
You know all those popups that nag you to Continue asking you to "Allow" or "Cancel", especially when you've set the property on an application (like Mach3.exe) or it's shortcut to "Run as administrator"?
Well... there's a couple of better ways to go.
1) Log in as "Administrator"; When logged in as Administrator, and beware that logged in with an account that belongs to the "Administrators Group" won't do, you'll never be nagged by UAC again! To do this you will 1st need to "enable" the Administrator user account as it is defaulted as "disabled", then set it's Password (recommended) and you're ready to log in as Administrator. Obviously, Administrator is a "local" account so if you're joined to a domain (not using a workgroup) you won't have access to your domain assets until you log back in with domain user account. Very few of us setup a domain so this should't be a problem.
Or...
2) Disable Admin Approval Mode; This defeats the feature all together, which is kind of dramatic compared to the above. The article at this link explains all about it-
http://technet2.microsoft.com/WindowsVista/en/library/0d75f774-8514-4c9e-ac08-4c21f5c6c2d91033.mspx?mfr=true
(Scroll down half the page and look for title "Disable Admin Approval Mode")
What is it? How it works and more is at that link too.
I like to use the 1st one, It has really simplified my use of Vista while running Mach3 and some other software I use while machining.
-Haik
Keywords: Run as administrator, Allow, Cancel
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Anyone else managed to get Mach3 (latest build) running on Vista?
I can get drivertest and Mach3 to run, but the pulse timing is VERY erratic and makes it unusable.
I'm running on a 2.13GHz Dell Inspiron 9300 Notebook with 6800Go graphics.
(I've just ordered an ncPod - is this the way forward for Vista usage?)
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My way forward with Vista was XP.
Graham.
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Notebooks and laptops often use a 3.3v reference voltage as "High" on their LPT Port, which is down from the IEEE Standard of 5v (this is due to running on battery power and the need to extend operating time when on battery).
Most breakout boards depend on a full 5v logic signal, so this is the likely source of the problem. Also, it helps some to use LPT Mode "EPP" or "Bi-directional", ECP or anything using DMA can become iffy and are not recomended.
If you can do a test using a desktop machine with the LPT Port set (in the BIOS) as "EPP" or "Bi-directional" and see if you get the desired results. This should help get you to the next step. Myself, I've moved to the Gecko G-Rex G100 to interface with my machine's drives. Connecting via LAN is incredibly better than LPT, I haven't used the ncPod but I investigated it a while back and thought it was nice.
Graham: Please don't take this negatively... since this is the "Getting up and running in Vista" forum I think helping people succeed with Mach3 in Vista is a better route. :) I do love and appreciate XP, and like most I use it everyday. I also use Vista everyday and Longhorn/Vista Server, as a network architect for a fortune 500 company I need to be at the top of my game... for both my sake and my employers sake. Vista isn't as bad as some make out, it is new and more complicated in ways that make it costly to ramp-up on. This cost is a real pain and for some it can be put off for a couple years. I still think Vista is worth the trouble.
-Haik
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You may well have a point about the 3.3v issue, especially as I ordered an PCMCIA parallel port card and it was only on the despatch email that the the vendor said it may not be suitable for Dell Inspiron notebooks as they 'didn't supply 5v to the PCMCIA card slot'. However, the card runs a Laserjet 5000 perfectly, and appears to run the Bob Campbell interface board OK, though I can easily solve the 3.3v to 5v level shift if that proves to be an issue.
I suspect though that it's a Mach3 pulse driver/Vista interaction because I'm getting VERY variable rates in the diagnostic test program and in the diagnostics screen of Mach3. The motor movement suggests that the pulse driver is getting its timeslice interrupted as I get short bursts of smooth and then jumpy movement.
I've only got the Dell 9300 on Vista so far (Only willing to go so far along the 'bleeding edge' as all other machines are work critical). The old AJP 300MHz PIII notebook that used to drive Mach2 perfectly seems no longer adequate for Mach3 (and that did drive its built-in parallel port perfectly), so I wanted to try the Dell as I don't use the CNC often (1st time in three years after a house move and renovation), though want to get back to using it more.
Would like to help get Vista running (and have full DevStudio installed and can do any level of debugging if Art will trust me with driver code and test program). In the meantime, I've got nearly all the bits for another PC, so am putting together a 3GHz P4 to run XP.
Colin
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I have an XP PC running my CNC.
Thinking of having another copy on my Vista machine to learn with.
1. Would the registry changes affect my other programs, like Photoshop?
2. Can the changes be easily undone if necessary?
TIA
JIm
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Still hoping for a response. I think my last post was lost somewhere down the list. I cannot get mach 3 to work under Vista. After trying the prescribed installation method the driver check works. But when we go to run the program the drivers are not there. Vista keeps deleting them.
I am going to try and load XP over Vista this evening. From the reading has anybody actually gotten Mach 3 to work under Vista? The program will run okay if its not driving a actual machine tool.
Thanks, John
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Art has a vista machine that is running cutting parts... I think it is time for me to buy a vista machine (Nasty!!!!!!) I am not a fan of Vista but I think I need to get over that ;)
Thanks and I will tell Art about this thread and see if we can find the problem.
Thanks
Brian
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The contents/settings in "memoryoverride.reg" are already in the Vista registry, so running the reg file won't change anything anyway... at least that was the case on my Vista machine.
To be safe and sure it's best to create a new Restore Point in Vista before making any such registry changes. This is really easy to do, just go to
Programs | Accessories | System Tools | System Restore | "Open System Protection" (near bottom-right of open window)... This will open the "System Properties" dialog to the "System Protection" tab...
near the bottom-right you will see a button labelled "Create..." (as in Create a new Restore Point). Click the button and provide a name for your new restore point and let Vista create a new retore point for you.
This retore point can always get you back to where you were... registry and all!
I've been using Vista with Mach3 (w/LPT and G100) very successfully for over 5 months now (I don't even need to use compatibilty mode). If you give my entries in this thead a good read you'll find info that will really help you along. I hope this helps!!
-Haik
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Help
Running Mach 3 under Vista.
Driving g320s
Bought new computer for this because very jittery on my laptop.
System was working several weeks ago with new desktop.
Just fired it up 2 days ago.
Big problems again.
One axis or another would "servo out" the 320
Had to slow the axis way down from where it had been before to get it to run at all.
Now that I have un coupled the reset lines on the 320s I can see that the problem has bounced around from axis to axis (switching to a new 320 didn't help). Seems to be worse in one direction than in the other (ie I can get it to run faster in one direction than in the other) Also, when I jog two axis at the same time it is worse ( I have to slow it down even more than if only 1 axis is running)
I could hear one motor running choppy yesterday and slowed it down until it didn't servo out.
Then I machined part all evening - worked just fine.
PC stayed on all night. This AM I couldn't even raise the Z axis off the block.
Now X is working poorly - first time for that one !!!!
X & Y set at 8000 pulses per inch Speeds used to run at 200 IPM. Now won't run at 120 IPM.
25000 Kernel speed
Time Int. 3.1 to 7.5
CPU Speed +2310.0000
Pulse Frequency 25000 to 58900
HELP!!
Thanks for the help.
Wayne
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My ultimate solution to Vista was to remove it from the PC and load XP. Everything has worked flawlessly since. I have been machining parts on two machines. Also a laptop was not a good choice for me. The pin voltages are lower than a PC. I got microsoft to give me XP after complaining bitterly about Vista.
Hasta la Vista Baby
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I am evaluating Mach3 on a Vista machine. I don't have a CNC attached at this time, so I am trying to get familiarized with the applicaton in general. Mach application seems to be running fine, I can load and run nc files for debugging, and when I call my editor (CNC Syntax Editor) and edit the file and save it, I reopen and verify changes have been made. I then try to load that new file, but Mach will only recall the original version.
I notice that Mach is using dos 8.3 naming, and wonder if that is why the saved version is not being recognized by vista. In looking at the registry, I found: "NtfsDisable8dot3NameCreation REG_DWORD 0x00000000 (0)". I dont know wether a value of "0" means that disable is enabled or enabled.
This is a no-go for Mach3 for me if there is no cure, but I am likely just missing something. Can anyone provide a solution for this problem?
Thanks and regards,
Roger
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no luck at all with vista 64
I have followed the install procedure a the start of this post.
Install 2.49
Modify reg
Checked driver. Nothing
No Driver sensed installed. Run Driver Test.
I hit OK run again and the same message appears.
At no point did the software ask me to reboot but i re booted after each stage.
I was planning not to use this pc for my cnc machine but the old machine has an un usable IDE controller problem which is allway causing disk corruptions and it is pot luck if it works and then may require reinstalling.
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I am also trying to run mach through a virtual parallel port as my motherboard does not have one on the machine.
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found out that it does not work with vista 64
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I bought an e-Machine desk top. I loaded Mach3, removed a whole bunch of stuff - not knowing a darn thing about what I was doing - Everything seems to be working just fine. I've been runnig my Tormach with it now for about 3-4 months.
Kent
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I also have a Cincinnati Milacron Sabre 500. Does anyone know whether I can use a computer to run that thing like I am doing with my Tormach machine?
I can make the connection via RS232, have all the manuals on the machine. The documentation on the Cincinnati is garbage.
Kent
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Hi Art,
I have just installed Mach3 version R1.84.001 on a new desktop computer running Vista.
I have run memoryoverride.reg per your instructions in "Getting up and running in Vista".
For step 3 of your instructions, I ran drivertest.exe in the "run as administrator" mode and it completed with a "Mach1 test complete" window. When I click OK I get a window that says "Mach1 OCX and Driver loader has stopped working". I selected "close program".
The first couple times I did this, I got a blue screen crash.
Next, I re-started even though it did not ask me to.
After re-starting, I started Mach3 Mill in "Run as administrator" mode.
I haven't figured out a pattern yet but almost every time I shut down Mach3, I get a blue screen crash.
Vista has never asked anything about "compatability mode".
Do you have any further instructions?
Should I try a newer release of Mach3?
Thanks, Ed
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I have tried everything to get Mach3 to run on my new Vista ,E machina CPU due to a hardware crash. Have you got any help for me or should I just THROW THE DAMN THING DOWN THE HILL?
Just like everybody else DRIVER ERRORS
What is up with this
It has been about a year now that Vista has been on the market
and it looks like you guys dont have a SureFire fix that works everytime yet
I will keep checking
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Yesterday I bought a new computer with Vista. First thing I did was got rid of all the crap that comes loaded with the new computer.
Then I loaded Mach 3 and set it up exactly as I did on XP. Worked great! No problems. Just had to take the time and clean up the computer of all its crap.
Now I hope that it continues working. All the motors ran smooth and the progam ran well.
Jonny
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Day 2 using Mach3 with Vista, still no problems. Seems like I am in the clear.
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I am new to this forum and glad it is here. I will go right to my problem, I have recently retrofitted a Questech mill (Sherline) with PMDX equipment, have a new HP 6400 series (Vista) dedicated for this machine. As you might expect, I am having trouble getting my motors to jog with Mach3. I will try to consolidate what I have done so far and hope maybe I can be directed what I am doing wrong or have not been able to do due to lack of understanding all this. I also have Bobcad, which in order to open it I had to go into the program files and make compatibility changes.
This being said, I have done sort of the same changes for mach3, then I had to install a moschip parallel port in my PCI slot and download a driver for it since the computer only came with USB. I tried numerous times to get a wave form and finally got that, with a good freq. pulse, set the config. the way he describes with pin numbers I believe are correct from PMDX spec. sheet. I am to the point where I am just trying to get the motors to respond from the keyboard or anywhere but the test switch on the PMDX-150 Driver. I feel there is something simple here that I have done wrong and/or overlooked.
This is all new to me so, I thought it was best to retrofit this mill and give me the hands-on approach and learn it this way.
Can anyone help? Thanks Colin
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Not sure what the fuss is about. Vista worked fine the first try... Now getting the right pins for the speed to the spindle. That i need to learn
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Yesterday I was able to cut parts with an HP running Vista, and a PCI parallel port. It took some doing. The memory registry download fix at the beginning of this thread did allow me to get the driver to load. However, it took forever to get the parallel port working. My PCI parallel port didn't map to typical 378 or 278 address. Instead, it mapped to EC00. (MosChip board for those interested). In Mach configuration, there is a place to enter the port address, but the default uses only three characters (378) It took me forever to figure out that I had to enter all 4 characters (EC00) (entered as 0xecoo), and suddenly I could jog the mill axis.
I also had to chase down the problem with text/font that was too big in the DROs and other places. It turns out that if your display is set for 120 dpi, instead of 96 dpi, that is the result. However, making the font dpi change in Vista is not done the same as in XP. If you google around a bit, you will find some help on changing font DPI in Vista. I think it starts with a right click on a blank part of the display and use the Personalize selection.
Anyway, I am pleased having arrived at this point, but it was not very easy.
Chris
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I am running Vista on a dell lap top the Mach seems to run but with out a parrallel port what do I do? I bought a USB to 25 pin adaprter but dont have a clue what to use as the port number. Maybe this just wont work. Any help would be great.
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I am running Vista on a dell lap top the Mach seems to run but with out a parrallel port what do I do? I bought a USB to 25 pin adaprter but dont have a clue what to use as the port number. Maybe this just wont work. Any help would be great.
No, that will not work (there is no way for Mach to output to a USB port in that way). The only solution for you is to use an external motion controller, such as the SmoothStepper (which runs over USB)... :)
scott
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Thanks for putting this out there. I was seriously worried that I would run into issues if I tried to upgrade my PC. ;D
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I already have the steppers and stepper controls. Does any one know if a port replicator or docking station might work.
Thanks
Rob
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If I only want to use MACH3 on my office PC where I have no needs for drivers, do I need to modify registry?
Cheers
Bengt
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Hi guys,
First, I've tried to do a search in this forum but couldn't find the answer except one which is close but of different cause.
I've just installed Mach3 on my notebook running Vista just to get a feel of things as I'm still in the process of building my router and sourcing for a desktop PC. After installing, I ran the patch and was looking for drivertest.exe. It isn't in installation directory. I have the habit of showing all files regardless of extension or be it systems files in all my notebooks. So it shouldn't be the case described in the closest post mentioned above.
The Mach3 file was downloaded only a few minutes ago.
Hope anyone can help.
Regards,
Wongster
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I think my question is too noobish for anyone to help. I went on to reinstall Mach3 and chose the default of not using a 3rd party controller. This time, drivertest.exe appears. Went on to run the program after rebooting. It ran without problem. Next is to learn how to interpret the result.
I'm using a notebook on vista with no parallel port. Will be ordering smooth stepper given the cost as compared to my original intention of having a CNC Brain. CNC Brain seems a wonderful product and Bruce and those in its forum are really nice and helpful folks. I promised myself to definitely own one when the situation is more stable next year. Job security is a major concern.
To folks using smooth stepper on laptop with Vista, is there anything I should look out for beside disabling speedstep, power saving feature, etc?
Any help/suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Wong
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Hello every one,
I have problem with the mach3.
If I run the program, the notebook is slowing down.
Like example the sound and the vista use is slowing down.
I already install the memory patch.
How can I solve this problem??
Regards,
I.Drenth
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thanks! just posting as per rule of mach3, i'm not a bot..
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I have a brand new computer that is a (HP xw4550 Workstaion AMD64), XP over the Vista. So far it doesnt see my I/O PCI drivers, but M3 is moving on the screen but no movment on the machine YET.
Still trying to figure this out......
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I read that laptops are not recommended for mach3.. laptops are for mobility and expensive, why not purchase used desktops? they are cheaper and easier to use inside machine shop.. pentium III pcs are almost garbage! use it!!!
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I dont have a laptop its a HP Workstation built just for CAD.
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Did you reload the latest version of M3 or the same one you had on the system?
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I didn't install it on the PC.
Its a small program why does is need some much of vista ?
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at the risk of getting myself scraped over the coals here im going to offer my 0.02c..
i have been through this whole Vista/XP fight about many of my cad programs already, on many different forums..
to me the answer is simple..
Mill = US$9750
CAM = US$2999
Mach = US$199
Profit per job = US$100 (in my case)
Controller PC + XP = US$150
no brainer.. everything works with XP.. why mess with it.. if it wont work with your laptop.. buy a refurbed dell unit off ebay for $150 preloaded with xp and have done with it..
this equipment earns you money, its is dedicated , it does only one job, and as such should have a dedicated pc that belongs to it? if it likes XP give it XP..
just my opinion guys :)
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Hi,
I am new to CNC, G code and MACH 3 and I hope I am on the right area of this forum. Please advise if I am not.
I am trying to run a new CNC machine using a new desktop which came with Vista. I was guided to this site to update my Mach 3 to run on Vista but I am getting an unusual problem. In general my motors will run but during longer runs they glitch and get jumpy. You can hear when this happens and it completely ruins the workpiece.
There is a "set steps" feature used to run the tool in the X,Y and Z axis' to check for proper travel length. When I enter a value for the distance that I want the tool to travel the motors jump, chatter and turn in a violent slow way. Its so loud that I have to shut down the program.
I am trying to work with the people at Legacy who sold me the woodworking mill but they are stumped too. Is there anything out there that I can try to solve this problem.
BTW:
1-I have lowered the velocity on all motors with no change (I do not think they are being driven too fast)
2-My driver test will show periodic spikes but not all the time. One test had a very large amount of spikes spaced very close together
3-using the jog/tab keys for movement produces the best motor travel with only a rare stuttering event
4-NEW INFO - I have just lost the ability to move my motors with my arrow keys on my keypad! Even after trying to make them Hotkeys. This is a new glitch.
Any help appreciated. please go easy on me with the lingo. I am new to computers (just a carpenter) and I am trying to learn as I go with this.
Thanks.
-John
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It sounds like some other process (running on the PC) is interfering with Mach's driver.
To use Mach's parallel port driver you have have a very plain-jane installation. Turn all all unneeded services. Uninstall programs like QuickTime and ITunes which have nasty little services that run all the time and check for updates. Some ati-virus software will cause problems too. You'll need to do some investigation as to what is running and if it can be turned off (Google is a great help, search by process name.)
The easy way to do it is to use a SmoothStepper: http://soigeneris.com/Warp9.aspx . It is a motion control board that generates all the step/direction pulses in hardware (making it faster and smoother.) I use one all the time with a Vista laptop that has all sorts of stuff on it. It hooks up via a USB port and talks to Mach directly. It has two parallel port equivalent ports on board as well. You do need the LPH26 to DB25 cable to give you the parallel port style connector though.
Shameless plug I know but the SS makes life SO much easier, no more fighting with the LPT.
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Hi:
Also check that your hardware will accept 3.5 volt outputs.. it maybe you have a 3.5volt printer port.
Secondly, try Sherline Mode in the config, restart after selecting it.. It may be you need wider pulses..
Art
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Thanks Art and Jeff,
I wish I knew about the smooth stepper before I bought my computer. Believe it or not it was a pain to get the PC company to put the old style printer port on back of this PC.
As far as other programs jamming it up I do not think this is the case. I bought this PC to run this machine only and have very little else on it other than Mach. I also shut down any internet connection so I am pretty sure that's not it.
I do not know how to check if my port has a 3.5 volt output or not. Where would that info be?
I checked the Sherline mode in config and restarted but no change. I am in touch now with the company I bought the machine from to get another copy of Mach 3 since I can not find my disk. I am going to reload it get the Vista plug in and start from scratch. Even if that works I will still consider a smooth stepper since it seems from its description to be a better way to drive the motors. What does the board get contained in to protect it?
Please post anymore suggestions. I have nothing but time since I will probably have to wait a while to get my Mach 3 disk copy sent to me. Take care.
-John
PS- What is the best online beginners tutorial for learning Mach 3 and all of its features? I really should be doing that now since I am starting to get heavy into this computer/CNC stuff. It sure was a lot simpler when it was just hammers and chisels! -JD
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Hi,
I have a customer that runs Vista.
We have followed the procedure to run MAch3 on Vista but unfortunately doesn't receive the message "Driver Successfully Initialized".
I have adviced to stop print spooler service (once was working for me) but this didn't help.
I suspect that it's somewhere a service that gets the handle of parallel port and because of that MAch's pulse engine doesn't manage to start.
Any advices ?
I have seen a fellow that said that he has unistalled / disabled unneeded features under Vista. What would be ?
Regards,
Daniel
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Thank you Daniel for your help and interest in my problem.
I after I spoke with you by phone I took out the parallel brakeout board.
Still I didn't get the "Driver Succesfullly Initialized" message but at least now I know that the manufactured hardware I made is not to be blamed.
"Noaptea e un sfetnic bun"
Regards.
Victor
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dose any one ever got a problem running Mach 3 with vista problem such only 3.7 volt fromparallel port to break board unstead of 5 volt?
can something like this will stop mach 3 from running my table i use :6 axies Breakout board, Optically Isolated , E-Stop or Limit Switch can be wired, KL-DB25,
KL- 4030 Micro stepping Driver 40 VDC /3.0A
3 PC NEMA 23 BIPOLAR STEPPER MOTOR 270 oz-in , 1.8 degree, 4 Leads
please help it is almust a week that im tring trouble shooting the problem over the phone with the seller from Kelinging
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It may depend on the breakout board you are using as there are some that are buffered and require another 5v power supply.
The manufacturers of these boards advertise them for this very purpose.
PMDX, CNC4PC to name a couple..
RC
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Thank you for reply
Yes i do have a 5v pwer supply but is only operation is to put 5v to the micro stepping driver
the 5v that suppost make the stepper motor moving should come from the computer that what i been told by seller
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The 5V to the driver may just be for an ENABLE.....not sure though.
A buffered breakout board accepts the 3V signals from the port, then provides stable 5V out to the other components with an extra 5V ps..
Your board may be opto isolated but NOT buffered.
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Language to complicated for me once agai thank you for try to help it is very appriciate
now what do you mean with board may be opto isolated but NOT buffered
and also can you help me or tell me if there is a esear way to make the machine move?
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You said in reply #50 that the 5v was going to the DRIVER...there should be 5v going to the BREAKOUT BOARD as in this picture. Do you have this ?
This will then provide 5v to the drivers..which should make the motors run.
edited for spelling
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yes itis similar to ma drawing i can't upload to show you but if you copy and past this link it is the one that i have(this is 4 axis i only have 3 axis) http://www.kelinginc.net/KL-4030WithDB25.pdf
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OK..I see.
I think that breakout board you have NEEDS 5v from the port.
Take a look at this one.. http://kelinginc.net/c10.pdf ..and you will see that it accepts 3.3v from the port.
I think this is what you may need.
Others people might help here too.
Russ
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http://kelinginc.net/KL-4030WithC10.pdf
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Carmine,
While you were on the phone with Keling, did they say the KL-DB25 board would accept 3.3v ?
Their website is poor, the only specifications on the board is a picture.
Could be other problems, but I would verify this first.
Russ
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Thank you very much Russ please allowd me to 2 more question
1 in the drawing that you send me at frist woul i be able to jump 5v power from terminal 5v to EN terminal or i need a different source of power?
2i have 4 different jumper on my board you are tell me that moving one of the jumper will power bust the 3.7 volt and make 5v or allow the brak board to work with lees v?in the second drawing is different wiring schematics will wor also for my application?
thank you very much for the magnificent help
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and in regard your last question keling keep repeting that the out put from the DB25 sholud be 4.7v to 5v
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Disregard the ENABLE for now, I mentioned that before I saw what you had.
Not sure what you mean by 4 jumpers but moving them doesn't boost the voltage, the electronics on the board must be able to sense the 3.3 volt signale from the port. Then those 3.3v signals are transferred through the opto couplers switching the 5v from the auxiliary 5v power supply creating 5v signals to the drives. This is to keep the machine voltages separate from the PC.
You need to make sure that your board can sense the 3.3v from the port.
Maybe someone else is familiar with that board but I don't know.
I have a Dell PC with a 3.3v port and it works well with the C-10 and the PMDX 122 but they are bot specified to accept 3.3v.
I wish I could help further and hope I did not confuse you too much.
Russ
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no please no confution the digram that you send me seam to make more, sense like i said before the Keling guy keep saing that the computer sure let out 5v true the DB cable but i tried several tower all with 3.7v volt to there parallel port so i thank you for all your help
1 more question which is the ENABLE?thank you russ
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The enable is on each of the drives .
Just leave them UNCONNECTED which leaves the drives enabled.
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I must go now. I will check back tomorrow.
Good luck to you,
Russ
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thank you very much i hope my inexperience di not incovinienced you to much
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Hello Russ do you have a minute
i rewiered the intire machine i also purchased a new break borad for a new application tried to connect the new break out bord to my computer and still nothing it is moving could be vista stopping from running
on the frist machine i took reading of a-,a+,b-,b+ and the last to have 12 v running but notihing was moving any idea?thank you again
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Hi Carmine,
I have no experience with Vista. I can only suggest that you start at the beginning of this topic and try what others here have done.
I wish I could have been of more help to you.
Perhaps someone with more experience will help out.
Russ
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thank you Russ
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I'm a newbie to it all... just acquired a new CNC 3Kw spindle commercial router (just off the boat) for experimental production machining in aluminum. I've got a variety of computers (all operable) of various ages and operating systems etc, that had been replaced by newer, faster machines. I wonder if someone could refer me to a post or other source that describes an appropriate, optimum machine that I could to dedicate to Mach3, given the desirability of a parallel port for a quick start with perhaps something other than Vista as an operating system. I'd like to know whether processor speed is more significant than memory in an older machine, whether XP is better than 95 or 98 to run the router, etc. Seems sensible to wipe the hard drive clean, keep it away from the Internet, load Mach3 and maybe transfer G-code via floppy disk, flash drive or whatever, and keep it in the shop as a single-purpose computer. Would really appreciate some guidelines for computer selection.
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Hi Lazybear,
I have not tried all combinations but I use and can recommend WinXP SP2 and nothing else but essentials on the PC. This is quick to start-up and runs just fine for all my needs.
Tweakie.
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Thanks, Tweakie! I finally got my DSP pendant software loaded into the Windows XP SP2 computer (after requesting an English update from the supplier, which they quickly furnished). I still have no idea how to run the machine from the pendant, because the PDF manual is an English translation by the Chinese, and you know how that goes. My XP computer (DELL) has a couple of USB ports (to which the DSP pendant can be attached) as well as a parallel port. There is, of course, a special cable (50 pin) for pendant-to-machine connection, and a USB port on the pendant for loading G-code through the pendant into the CNC. I believe that short G-code files can also be loaded into the pendant (128MB storage capacity) from the computer, which apparently can be used to run a short program directly without a flash drive attached. I am really only guessing here, because the instruction manual gives very little information... certainly no step-by-step instruction for a newbie. I wonder if you can tell me where I might find an English DSP manual for it, or perhaps direct me to a source for such assistance. I'm still a long way from using Mach3 ! Any suggestions appreciated very much. And I like the Winston Churchill quote... I live by it. Lazybear
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Thanks, Tweakie! I finally got my DSP pendant software loaded into the Windows XP SP2 computer (after requesting an English update from the supplier, which they quickly furnished). I still have no idea how to run the machine from the pendant, because the PDF manual is an English translation by the Chinese, and you know how that goes. My XP computer (DELL) has a couple of USB ports (to which the DSP pendant can be attached) as well as a parallel port. There is, of course, a special cable (50 pin) for pendant-to-machine connection, and a USB port on the pendant for loading G-code through the pendant into the CNC. I believe that short G-code files can also be loaded into the pendant (128MB storage capacity) from the computer, which apparently can be used to run a short program directly without a flash drive attached. I am really only guessing here, because the instruction manual gives very little information... certainly no step-by-step instruction for a newbie. I wonder if you can tell me where I might find an English DSP manual for it, or perhaps direct me to a source for such assistance. I'm still a long way from using Mach3 ! Any suggestions appreciated very much. And I like the Winston Churchill quote... I live by it. Lazybear
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Lazybear,
Type DSP Manual or whatever is relevant into the search box at the top of the Machsupport Forum page and see what turns up.
Tweakie.
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i have loaded the system on Vista - plus the patch. It works up to the parallel port test which seems OK. When I try to get into the system after that I can only get a Demo screen. Any ideas?
Gus
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Im beginning to believe that artsoft and mach3 is just flat out a horrible program. ive ran the program withoput gliches for 5 years on windows 98 without any problems. until my computers hardrive crashed and i had to buy a new version and a new compouter. ive done everything possible to try to runb on windows7 and it wouldnt. so i tried windows vista and it still wont run my plas-table. why would they put under system requirments the it was compatible with both if it truly wasnt? it makes no sinse to me at all and ive virtually done everything that everybody in these forums suggests to no avail. very frusturating in the fact that im losing about $1500-2000 a day without my table running. if you guys cant figure out how to make programs compatible with multi-computers, you may want to re-asses your enging deoartment! very disgruntled and unsatisfied!
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Im beginning to believe that artsoft and mach3 is just flat out a horrible program. ive ran the program withoput gliches for 5 years on windows 98 without any problems. until my computers hardrive crashed and i had to buy a new version and a new compouter. ive done everything possible to try to runb on windows7 and it wouldnt. so i tried windows vista and it still wont run my plas-table. why would they put under system requirments the it was compatible with both if it truly wasnt? it makes no sinse to me at all and ive virtually done everything that everybody in these forums suggests to no avail. very frusturating in the fact that im losing about $1500-2000 a day without my table running. if you guys cant figure out how to make programs compatible with multi-computers, you may want to re-asses your enging deoartment! very disgruntled and unsatisfied!
If you have spent any amount of time on these forums you would know that Mach3 works the best on XP. If you are losing $1500-$2000/day, why are you screwing around with Vista and Win7? Just shell out a measly $150 for XP, reformat, install it, and boom, in 1 afternoon you are up and running! For that fact, you can spend $150 - $200 max and get a complete HP or IBM machine with XP that's more than capable of running Mach3. It should be on a dedicated system anyway.
This was also your first post - so have you even asked anyone what might be wrong? You used it for 5 years presumably happily (this is your first post after all) and now you want to come here and bash it because you can't figure it out? It's also been posted here many times that some systems just won't work with Mach3, even on XP because of how the manufacturer has designed the PC - all PCs are not equal - they are IBM clones and every manufacturer does things slightly differently. HP and IBM are your best bet - but if you've spent time in the forums you should know that already.
I just don't understand people sometimes.... If you want help, ask. Not too many people here are going to help with this kind of negativity. I understand your frustrated, but that doesn't justify it.
If you do have a question, please restate it.
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So, are you attempting to address a specific issue in order to receive some support/help in getting you machine going ? ? Or are you just on a rant to condemn the SW ? If you are just ranting, your post will be moved to the appropriate board, otherwise, please be nice and direct you questions accordingly.
Kind regards,
Russ
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Im sorry in you presummed i was lashing out on you or the company, i merely just dont understand why under software requirments, you wouldnt inform projected purchsers or you program that it is going to be a huge pain in the ass to use our software on anyother program besides windows xp. the time i have invested into making your "competitively priced and user friendly software" work, is ridiculous. if on the "software requirments" page you would have informed me that windows xp was pretty much the only program, i wouldnt have wasted the last week of my time trying to trouble shoot and figure out what i ,ight have been doing wrong. in hinesight, i guess whenever buying anything from you or anybody else, instead of trusting the "software requirments' page, i will merely have to make an account and liog-in to a forum and see what it really works on.
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No apology necessary, I was just wondering if you were going further with this in an attempt to get it working or if you are done with it.
Seems to have worked for many.
It is good practise to search the forum first, but every answer is not always found there.
If you feel you have exhausted every resource available, then I guess that's it.
Otherwise, you can ask specific questions and I'm fairly certain someone will make an attempt to help you.
PS: Of course you know 64bit is out.
Regards,
Russ
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Hi
I have the OS Vista 64 bit only. I heard somewhere that Mach3 must run under the 32 bit version. Is there a solution here, without having to buy a different version of Windows ?
Thanks a lot
Jack
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The only other solution is to use an external motion controller: http://www.soigeneris.com/Motion_Control_and_I_O_Boards-list.aspx (http://www.soigeneris.com/Motion_Control_and_I_O_Boards-list.aspx) (my website.) Ther are also boards made by other companies: DSPMC, KFlop, etc.
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Thanks Jeff
Jack
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Hi guys,
So has this problem for Vista been figured out? Ive been flipping through this thread for a few hours now and I'm probably a bit late to the party but I'm trying to build my first CNC machine and I've done all the installation for 1.83.027. Did the memory patch, and then ran the Driver test. Rebooted and then ran the test again and it seems to be working but right after the test it says "Mach1 OCX and Driver loader has stopped working" I can get Mach3 to move my motor. When I hit left or right key the coordinates move but nothing with the motor. Ive tested for voltage change on the P port pin 2 and 3 for x axis and its just constant. This is the second, non-dedicated 32 bit vista machine that Ive tried it on and will get a dedicated system for the machine but I want to test it first. Any help would be greatly appriciated.
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Check the diags page, if it shows a pulse frequency of around 25000, and your dro's move when you jog, then its probably just the setting of the port address thats wrong.
Art
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Hi Art thanks for the quick reply. Forgive the ignorance but what is a dro? My pulse jumps aroung but is around 25000 to 32000 most of the time. My port address is set to 378 and I made sure that the printer port is set to that also. I changed the bios to epp for the Printer port. I just cant get my motors to move. I upgraded to that latest version of Mach 3 and no more driver problem but still no movement. I tested Pin 2 on my printer cable while jogging and it is a constant 4.42 v but changes to 4.43 when I change from left to right key and then back when changing again. Im lost. Cant get these damn motors to work.
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Now I think its a connection problem beacause I disconected the printer cable from my breakout board and the motor moves a few steps. I wiggled the connector and it does a series of steps but I cant for the life of me get it to move with the software.
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No..if you remove the cable, then the signal floats and noise can drive the motor. All you proved is the breakout board seems to work. ( seems to..)
Basicallly, you seem to have no output from the printer port. Id double check that 378 thing..it shoudl read 0x378, but only if under the resource tab of your device managers
printer port entry also shows 0x378, otherwise it may be wrong. Your pulse freq is jumping too much but it should work anyway if the printer port is OK.
Measure the port pin with the cable off to see if the voltage changes from roughly 5 volts to zero on the DIR pin. For example if the DIR pin is
pin 3, then measure from pin3 to pin 25 ( ground) and see if it toggles when you jog one way then the other. You cant measure a step pin, its frequency is
too fast. If the DIR pin is working, then the step pin is likely fine too. If the DIR pin works, then you may just need a wider step pulse , but see if the DIR Pin is OK
forst, its the best way to start.
Art
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I did the test Art and when I jog it to the right I get 4.43 and to the left 0.
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Ahh, then your port is working fine. No sense screwing in that area anymore. On the motor tuning tab, change the Step Width to 10 to see if it has any effect..try jogging and see if it does anything. If not, set it back to 0 because it doesnt appear to be a width issue. Your breakout baord may require an enable signal on a particular pin or something to turn on motor motion,
its likely that some signal is stopping you...like a required charge pump signal or enable. Your breakout baord specs shoudl tell you if anything else is required, but it sounds to me like
its all working fine, just a matter of enabling the breakout baord. The motor moved from noise when you disconnected the cable, so its likely that the port is pulling an enable pin low, where you
need it to be high..
Art
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Step width? is that the same as step pulse? Its says 1-5us? I can hear a highpitch noise coming from the driver that changes pitch when I jog left or right.
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Dude Art, you're awesome. Thats exactly what it was. What is a good setting for the step pulse? Its working at 5 and 10 but what should I put it at?
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yes, thats the one..set it to 10 and see what happens...just as a test..
What kind of drivers are these, some older drivers needed very long pulse times.. you could test that by checking the
"sherline half-pulse" mode in the config/ports and pins, restart and see if the motors move then. If not, uncheck the "sherline mode".
Sherline mode makes the pulse width very very long, bu is limited to about 12.5Khz output on 25Khz mode..
Art
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its a 1600 oz in motor with drivers from Wantai. Just says 2h microstep drivers and then the model number but I just bought them brand new last week. Ill try that out.
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I am moving to a newer computer running windows 7 home premium. I installed the same version of mach 3 I was running on my old computer R3.043.022. I ran the driver test and it completed successfully. I am running at 35000K kernel speed.
I am moving from an old celeron computer (xp pro) to a core 2 duo 2Ghz computer. Everything is working but I am having an issue.
I have jog speed set to 150in/min. On the old computer I can hold down the jog key and it will read 150in/min on the screen with slight variation of 0.05 ipm. On the new computer it will vary from 146 to 150ipm. What made me notice it was the sound on the steppers. I could hear the variation. Any ideas what would cause this?
Mach 3 is using the same config file (xml) on each computer.
video of new computer with variation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tw9XA-IwPTk
old computer without variation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQfq1hnx7c4
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do we have a problem if running with an ethernet smoothstepper instead of the printer ports? I believe that when I select the option that shows I will not run off of printer port then drivertest.exe does not get loaded on my computer.
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Hi folks, looking for some guidance here please. I am building my first mach3 based system and hit a bit of a snag. I have a small HP dc7800 desktop running Vista Business 32bit, with latest Mach3 downloaded (Jan 2015) and the latest USB smoothStepper drivers and m3p loaded from Warp9 site (Jan 2015) so all up to date. I followed the installation instructions and all seemed to go well. I have added the Vista registry tweak from MachSupport also.
I have assigned basic pin outs and an emulated estop, so I could run some test gcode through, At this stage my BOB is connected to the SmoothStepper but no BOB connections to the Granite Servo Drives yet.
So, after releasing estop, I try and jog the machine with arrow keys, or run basic gcode file through and at a glance nothing happens. No DRO movements on the MACH3 screen and n o BOB led modulation indicating step/dir pulses...... no indication of anything happening. When I run the SmoothStepper plugin debugging screen I can see some x y z activity.
So its like the SmoothStepper is half working behind the scenes its getting commanded to do movements, but MACH is not displaying the movements on DRO and in the end the smoothstepper diagnostic activity I do see does not actually translate into pin pulses!!!!! I'll flesh this out more tonight when I get home and put up some more detailed info. In the mean time if anyone has a cunning idea I'd appreciate the help!
cheers
Rich
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First off I expect that you have downloaded the right drivers for the USB SS? I guess that your BOB since it does not have an error line or reset line coming in from the drivers has deemed an e stop condition. can you send snapshot of the diagnostics screen. I expect that pretty soon some of teh real pros will chime in
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First off I expect that you have downloaded the right drivers for the USB SS? I guess that your BOB since it does not have an error line or reset line coming in from the drivers has deemed an e stop condition. can you send snapshot of the diagnostics screen. I expect that pretty soon some of teh real pros will chime in
yup latest m3p plugin and latest usb ss driver.....
yeah tonight I'll post some more pics if I get a chance thanks for your help Mountainman
and I have emulated estop so I can control that and I can enable/disable the estop
I've tried 2 versions of the usb drivers and the m3p plugin, no difference.
SmoothStepperUSBDriver2.08.30.zip
SmoothStepperUSBDriver2.08.14.zip
and
2014-01-04 PlugIn: SmoothStepper_v17fe.zip
2013-04-03 PlugIn: SmoothStepper_v17fd.zip
cheers
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I've started a new thread instead of hijacking this one...
http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,28900.msg202818.html#msg202818
cheers
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Will Mach3 always say (demo) even though I downloaded the license? Or did I put the license in the wrong place?
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Will Mach3 always say (demo) even though I downloaded the license? Or did I put the license in the wrong place?
If it's any help, your license file is called Mach1Lic.dat and it should be placed in the Mach3 folder.
Tweakie.
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Please help with this if you can?
I am a new beginner. I purchased mach3 which appears to have installed ok but I had to install a parallel port (com 3) the address for this that I was told to use is 0x040 can anyone tell me if this is correct please?
The software seems to run okay but I get no movement from the cnc 3040T. I am hoping this is because the port address is wrong. I am running vista any asdvice would be appreciated and could stop me jumping out the window :)
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Please help with this if you can?
I am a new beginner. I purchased mach3 which appears to have installed ok but I had to install a parallel port (com 3) the address for this that I was told to use is 0x040 can anyone tell me if this is correct please?
The software seems to run okay but I get no movement from the cnc 3040T. I am hoping this is because the port address is wrong. I am running vista any asdvice would be appreciated and could stop me jumping out the window :)
Who did you purchase Mach3 from please ??
Tweakie.
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Newfangled solutions
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Don't jump !! ;D
Windows Device Manager will show the address of the LPT parallel port which you have installed. The first 4 digits are the address you should enter into Port#1 (Mach3 will add the 0x ).
Hopefully, this is all that is stopping movement being achieved.
Tweakie.
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Thankyou for your help. I did that (address was 400..thankyou) but it has made no difference. i purchased my cnd from uk but the manual is a poorly translated from chinese manual. The settings it gives; motor tuning etc are very different from the tutorials on youtube. motor movement (yioutube advises) 1800 steps per and 0 dir pulse. manual instructs steps per 400 dir pulse 10. i have tried both with no improvement. everything ion mach 3 programe appears to work on screen okay but nothing appears to be getting through to cnc
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I had to install a parallel port (com 3) the address for this that I was told to use is 0x040 can anyone tell me if this is correct please?
Just to check - are you sure you're getting the address of the correct port from device manager? It's just that you've mentioned com3. COM3 is a SERIAL port not a parallel port.
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Really appreciate your help with getting started.
Port settings are ok now, getting movement now (was c400)but diagmostics is showing error on output 1.
I can load and run gcode ok now but the cnc is not following the path shown on mach 3 screen?
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diagmostics is showing error on output 1.
I can load and run gcode ok now but the cnc is not following the path shown on mach 3 screen?
Not a lot to go on - can you explain a bit more what you mean by error on output1 and what path IS the cnc following?
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I`m running on luck here :-) no expertise at all first time user.
The diagnostic screen shows output 1 flashing red in the Output Signals section. I have movement on the machine but it is not following the toolpath of Roadrunner gcode. Would the machine automatically go to starrt positions when turning on? I`m just wondering if that is the problem, if it is starting in the wrong position?
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Apart from the out 1 led flashing red. the only other thing that I can see that may not be correct is the led lights on the Port 1 pins current state is showing the first 3 led`s are black followed by 5 lit (green) 4 black, that may be perfectly ok I just mentioning it incase it is wrong
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I think I have done it now by disabling spindle errors have stopped. Many thanks to you for your help, hopefully I will get good at this but I expect I will be begging on the forum for a while yet.
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The diagnostic screen shows output 1 flashing red in the Output Signals section.
Not sure why you've assumed this is an error. All it's telling you is that the spindle pin is active. i.e. the spindle will be on if it's wired appropriately.
You've already said it's not following the toolpath. But I asked what it IS doing. i.e. it's apparently NOT doing what you want so I was hoping you'd tell me what it IS doing that you DON'T want. Remember I can't see what you can see so unless you describe it in detail I can't really help much.
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it was`nt following the toolpath until I disabled spindle. If I enable spindle it stops following toolpath? cutter moves from left to right and drill moves up and down but does not travel up and down along the bed length with spindle enabled.
It seems to all work ok with it disabled and error lights also go off.
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You likely have your spindle output set to the same pin as your Y step pulse..
Art