Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: John05 on November 20, 2011, 12:13:16 AM
-
Hello, I am having a problem with my 3 axis cnc machine. The hard drive died in my PC that was controlling the CNC machine.I installed the Mach3 demo in my new PC and after many tries at adjusting the settings, I cannot get the motors to move. I can hear them activate when I turn on the controller but that's all. I would appreciate any assistance on solving this problem.
Thank You
John
-
John,
Post the xml file that you are using.
Also provide some info on your system:
Type of drives,type of motors, break out board if using one.
Make sure you run the driver test and that the port is correctly assigned.
RICH
-
Hello Rich,I have the Xylotex 4 Axis Drive Box with 269 oz.in. Stepper Motors.I am only using 3 axis. Also, what is the driver test?
John
-
Go to the directory where you installed Mach3, probably c:>Mach3, and you will find a file called
Driver Test.exe. Click on the file to execute it. let it run, as that installs the Mach3 driver.
In the same folder you will find a file called Mach3Mill.xml. Copy the file and rename it to something like
John05.xml and post it.
RICH
-
Something else to do is do a search for "Xylotex" on this site as you are not alone in having trouble with that drive.
RICH
-
Hello Rich, Ok, I'll try that.What is the diagnostic test actually telling me?
John
-
Hello Rich, I have attached the XML file.The diagnotic test will not run.It keeps telling me : " No driver sensed installed, Run driver test". It makes no sense because how can I run a driver test if it keeps telling me no driver installed. What driver is it talking about?
-
Hi John,
As Rich says the driver test installs the Mach drivers but if the driver test does not run then the drivers for Mach are not installed. It's a Catch22 situation.
The reason that the driver test does not run is almost certainly due to your PC. I think you should perhaps try another PC.
(Others, in the past, have reported taking the driver test.exe program to their computer shop and said " I want to buy a cheap PC that will run this")
Tweakie.
-
Hello Tweakie, I have other PC'S that I can try. I suppose I need the oldest one I can find. Most have windows XP but I might have a few with windows 2000.
Is there something different in Mach3 that the newer pc's cannot run it?
John
-
Hi John,
I really have no idea, I just know that some work and some don't (onboard graphics controllers can cause trouble and a seperate PCI video card usually works best) - perhaps it's pot luck.
Try another PC and see what happens.
Tweakie.
-
Hello Tweakie, I tried to install Mach3 on three different computers and it installs the program but it will not install the driver. When it comes to installing the driver, it says "no driver sensed' The program finishes installing but the driver is not installed. I can't figure out what is causing this.
John
-
Hi John,
Sounds like you are doing something wrong but who knows what. ??? (I am assuming your computer does have a parallel port ??)
Perhaps your download of Mach is flawed, try downloading the latest lockdown version again, uninstall your existing installation of Mach and delete the Mach folder from your hard drive. Run the Mach setup. Keep fingers crossed. ;)
Tweakie.
-
In windows go to:
SYSTEM PROPERTIES>HARDWARE>DEVICE MANAGER>you should see Mach X Pulsing Engnes> Mach3Driver listed under it. You can rigHt click and uninstall it
then just run the drivertest and it will install the driver OR update the driver.
rich
-
Hello Rich, I have installed the latest mach3 versionbut there is no MachX Pulsing Engine listed in my Device Manager.
John
-
Hi John,
Something you should try before you go any further is the optimisation procedure.
http://www.machsupport.com/downloads/XP_Optimization.txt
Print this out and follow it to the letter, step by step, then see what happens with a fresh download and install of Mach.
Tweakie.
-
Are you using a 32bit operating system?
Hood
-
Hello Tweakie, I will try the process as you suggest except I cannot install windows again because I don't have the disc.Also, I cannot update the drivers because the PC that I use for my CNC is not online.
John
-
Hello Hood, Yes, I am using a 32 bit system.
John
-
Ok was just thinking that maybe the reason the driver is not installing was you had a 64bit OS but thats not the problem. What are the specs of the computer?
Hood
-
Hi John,
Well I am stumped for suggestions - the annoying thing is that it is going to be something really simple that is causing you this problem.
Just had another thought - Are you transferring the same HD between the various computers you have tried ??
Tweakie.
-
Hello Tweakie, I agree,it will probably be something simple that is wrong. I did not swap the hard drive on the pc's.
John
-
How about using a spare axis - "A" for example (on the side of the PCB) and then set up your Mach ports and pins configuration to drive this axis as though it is the X Axis. ??
Tweakie.
-
Hello Tweakie, Without the driver installed ,nothing responds.
John
-
Hello Tweakie, Thank you very much for the link you sent for the Mach optimization txt. . It worked excellent. I have everything up and running.I don't know exactly what part of the optimization made it work because I only did the following steps.6,7,11,12,16,20,21,22,23.Once again,thank you and I thank everyone for their help.
John
-
Excellent news John, I am really pleased you have got it running. :D
Tweakie.
-
Hello Tweakie, Thanks again . The reason I posted the steps that I took was for anyone who might have the same problem.Mach3 should run on any Pc if they follow the steps listed. I tried it on 3 Pc's that wouldn't run Mach3 before and now they can run it.
I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
John
-
According to your Mach3.xml PulseWidth is 0 (zero). It must be 1 to 15 microsecond. Config/Motor Tunning! Don't check DirLowActive in Motor Outputs. Must be red.
Regards!
Rudolf
-
need machx lisence and paperwork/instructions help
-
need machx lisence and paperwork/instructions help
http://www.machsupport.com/help-learning/product-manuals/
http://www.machsupport.com/licensing/
Tweakie.
-
Hi Tweekie, I have the same problem as John05 and not you sent him his reply was.
Hello Tweakie, Thank you very much for the link you sent for the Mach optimization txt. . It worked excellent. I have everything up and running.I don't know exactly what part of the optimization made it work because I only did the following steps.6,7,11,12,16,20,21,22,23.Once again,thank you and I thank everyone for their help.
John
Is it possible to send me the same link to see if it sorts out my problem with the motors not responding, I to have had to change my PC and the new one runs Windows 7 the old system ran XP for several years without any problems
-
ftp://machsupport.com/Extra%20Information/XP%20Optimization%20Guide.txt (ftp://machsupport.com/Extra%20Information/XP%20Optimization%20Guide.txt)
Hood