Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => FAQs => Topic started by: Steve Kestle on December 13, 2016, 11:53:48 PM
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Started my Chinese 6040 cnc on Windows xp, parallel port and all was good, Mach 3 flawless. Ran for almost 2 years. P.C. died and a new P.C. loaded a 32bit windows 7 with parallel port. Mach 3 loads seemingly ok but jogging the XYZ axis has no reaction at the machine. The DRO's on the program run screen indicate movement of the relevant axis but at the machine nothing happens. Tried differend leads. Parallel port is loaded correctly. Config is correct. Tried on a friends P.C. with windows XP and functions perfectly. Unfortunately can't load XP on the new P.C.
Anyone have any knowledge of a cure?
Steve.
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Just a couple of things to try...
Check that the Mach3 port#1 address matches that shown in Windows Device Manager for the LPT port. Also check that it is enabled in Mach3.
Run DriverTest.exe (Mach3 folder) just to make sure that the drivers are loaded ok.
Tweakie.
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thanks Tweakie.CNC
I'll let you know how it went.
Probably try on the weekend.
Steve
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Is this correct for windows port settings
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Sorry! There is already an attachment with the same filename as the one you tried to upload. Please rename the file and try again.
Why do I get these messages and failing to post.
I
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I've got three pix I'm trying to load to help explain and I'm getting no where. Can some one help.
I've read many pages of stuff and more confused than ever.
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Hi Steve,
All attachments posted to the forum have to have a unique name. When you get the message (Sorry! There is already an attachment with the same filename as the one you tried to upload. Please rename the file and try again) you need to rename your attachment to something unique (perhaps add a letter or number following the name) then make the post again.
Hope this helps.
Tweakie.
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lets try again.
2 years running on XP with cambam and auto cad into a Chinese CNC router. All good. Electrical storm blew out the hard drive. Decided on a new tower and bought one and had parallel port installed. Loaded window 7 32 bit. All good so far.
Loaded other programs all good including cambam and autocad. This PC is a stand alone and is in the shed where the machinery is. No internet connection.
Loaded Mach 3 and loaded as normal with no apparent issues. Set native units, set port values at motor inputs as per the specifics previously and worked through the configuration. All set. Restart etc. Applied the license.
Try to jog the CNC machine and nothing moves. DRO's on the program run page indicate the XY and Z axis are moving but nothing at the machine.
2 days at the computor repair shop of no value.
Suggestions to date via friends and this forum are first
Run program in compatibility mode of XP. no value. next
Check LPT port address of mach 3 and window are the same. I'm assuming the Mach 3 port address is on the screen of ports and pins under config? Hopefully a pix is attached.
I've also attached a pix of what I think the window port setting are. Or may be not? Am I right? These settings seem lacking in detail. Am I right? Am I in the right spot? next
Run driver test in the Mach 3 folder. Another pix hopefully? Is this the driver two thirds down the first column where it says driver test? I click on it nothing happens or rather nothing appear to happen. Again am I in the right spot?
Another thing my Asian computer people discovered is in the devices manager and clicking on Mach pulsing engine a line appears below Mach 3 driver with a question mark? Hopefully a pix is here
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Hi Steve,
From your pic's...
The Mach3 driver has not loaded correctly. You could try running Driver Test as Admin. and see if that works.
Your parallel port address is the first hex address of the I/O Range shown under the Resources tab, in this case 0378 (see attachment).
Tweakie.
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Thanks for your reply - looks like I'm getting somewhere.
My main issue has been where I've received advice ie check the port addresses are the same. I have no idea what or where to find them. Your pix helped me find the properties of my port settings in window 7 and they are not the same as what's in Mach three. See pix.
My question is now how do I change the windows 7 port settings? Is it as simple as writing in the same numbers as your pix shows? Or is it done by other means.
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I found some more stuff.
Under hardware there are two listings for parallel ports. Previous post showed properties for one of the listings these two pix show the five alternatives for the other ports settings. This one also fails to have the same port address as in Mach 3.
I'm still at a loss how to change them.
I've clicked on them and tried to manually over write to no avail.
Here's hoping.
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Hi Steve,
I am a bit concerned when you say that you have been told that WinXP cannot be loaded on your new PC. I understand that you have loaded a 32 bit version of Win7 but please check that your PC is not a 64 bit machine – if this was the case then you cannot use the parallel port with Mach3 on that PC, an external motion controller would be necessary.
(I have never tried loading a 32 bit OS onto a 64 bit PC but I am guessing that it’s possible).
From your pics the LPT parallel port address, which is entered into Mach3 for the Port #1 address is 0xE100 (Config. / Ports & Pins / Port Setup and Axis Setup).
Tweakie.
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The Mach 3 port address is 0x378. The OxE100 is the windows port address. Or are you saying the Mach 3 address now needs to be 0xE100
When I bought the machine I stipulated I was going to set up windows 7 32 bit and that I needed at 32bit machine. I'll find out.
I also have failed to be able to run a driver test as you suggested to do.
I'll let you know. Merry Christmas from Australia.
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Or are you saying the Mach 3 address now needs to be 0xE100
Yes, Mach3 uses the address you tell it to use, which must be the Windows address.
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Thanks heaps - so I need to change the Mach 3 port address. Does that effect the pins settings the machine manufacturer recommends?
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Thanks heaps - so I need to change the Mach 3 port address. Does that effect the pins settings the machine manufacturer recommends?
No.
Tweakie.
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Thanks everyone - It's all set and functioning.
Half my issues are where to find things such as the port address of windows 7 etc. Being on the other side of the world doesn't help.
Thanks again
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Excellent news, I am pleased to hear that you have it working.
Tweakie.
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Houston.....we have a problem. My Mach3 suddenly won't open files. I get a quick pop-up that I think says Generating Pathway or something like that. Any suggestions? Thanks bunches.
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Hi DebbieC,
These threads refer to the problem and it's solution;
www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,37291.msg255042.html#msg255042
http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,37670.msg257402.html#msg257402