Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: allanjs on November 24, 2007, 10:50:35 PM
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Hi all, I'm sure this has been covered here some where but I can't find my answers.
I have been using Mach 3 on a PC with great luck for some time now.
Now I want to use it on a laptop with the same machine. I have tried 2 different laptops
both with WindowsXP and get the same results. All functions, movements, etc. work
fine on the screen but I get no machine movement(s). I tried to access the motor tuning
screen and it will not come up. I am using the exact same cable and software version I have
on the PC that works fine. I copied the complete mach folder from the PC to the laptops.
I also tried the latest Mach version and when I run it, the computer crashes.
Maybe I should just stay with the PC but the space saved with the laptop would be great.
Thanks
Al
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Hi, Al
In C:\Mach3 folder try the driver test, Let it run it will close out by it's self, Then reboot.
Try a complete Mach3 Install from download.
Some laptop's printer ports only put out 3.5 volt's, May need a PCMCI printer port card, This one may do it.
http://www.transdigital.net/info.htm
Hope this Helps, Chip
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Hi Chip,
I tried the driver program and reboot. Did not get any results. I also tried a download and install but it just crashes
the laptop when I start Mach. The PCMCI card looks interesting but seems a bit spendy if it doesn't fix the issue.
(cheap if it does though). Maybe I will try one. First I should porpably try to check the volatge.
Thanks
Al
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Hi, Al
There is an alternate driver in C:\Mach3, called SpecialDriver run it, If it doesn't help run OriginalDriver again.
Check for printer port, Dir pin for one axis , Stepping one dir 0 volts the other dir 5 volts, 3.5 is usually to lo.
Thanks, Chip
That could be it also Brett this is true
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Might want to look at the optimazation file found in the downloads section. Have you tried to disable your network connections and tried to run Mach? Do you have quick time installed on the lap tops? Start up programs can be turned off, this is covered in the optimaztion file.
Brett
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Chip, I ran the special driver program and it makes the computer crash, reboot with errors, when I tried to run
Mach. I then ran the original driver test program and the same thing still happens.
Brett, I will check out the optimazation file area. Quick time is not installed on the laptop.
I will check this out further tomorrow. Thanks guys for the help.
Al
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Chip, do you have one of the transdigital pcmci cards? and can you recomend it?
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Hi, Al
No, But it was in a post hear where someone was using It.
I'll look for it, I think I did a search hear for PCMCI.
Hear it is http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,1437.0.html
Thanks, Chip
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Ok, I got the crashng to stop. I ran through the optimization settings. I think that's a good idea in my situation because the laptop will be used only to control a machine and nothing else. Still no movement on the machine. Checking the output voltages I get 4.3 volts all of the time on pins 1 thru 16, pin 17 is .44 volts and 18 thru 25 are grounds. Makes no difference if Mach is running or not. What am I missing here ?
Al
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I think you may need to check you have the correct port address in the ports and pins page.
Hood
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Hi, Al
In Ports & pins, Motor Outputs, Did you miss the Port settings to the far right.
Is Ports & pins, Is the port#1 set to 0x378 default, May be a different address ?
Thanks, Chip
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Yes, the port setting is 0x378. How can I tell what the correct port address should be ?
Al
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In the Device manager it shows 0378-037A and sys it is working properly.
Do I need to tweek something here ?
Al
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Nope 0378 sounds like the correct address, strange how its not working.
Hood
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Can you post your xml file and we can have a look and see if we notice anything untoward.
Hood
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Hood, I can't for the life of me remember how to post a file here. Can you help me ?
Al
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This should be the .xml file.
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You will need to copy your xml to your desktop (or any location other than the Mach3 folder) and rename it to something like allanjs.xml This is because the standard Mach3.xml wont post here as it has already been posted and the forum will only allow a file to be posted once.
Ok now on to posting it, use the full reply page by hitting the reply button, then choose additional options and browse to your renamed xml and it should post ok.
Hood
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ha ha, after I typed all that out you have already posted it ::)
:D
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Hi, Al
Also look in Config, P & Pin's, Motor Outputs, Change the Dir, Step Active Lows to the other state if its X then to Check, some step cont won't work if you don't change it
Chip
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I have just used your xml and I get the proper voltage on the Dir pins of both X and Z axis, ie 0v one way and 5v the other. This suggests the xml to be set up OK and to me this means either you are possibly checking the wrong pins for the voltage (I always have to look at the Mch manual to make sure ::) ) ) or that your parallel port is screwed up.
Hood
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Hood, That is the same xml as I use on a PC and it works fine. Did you try it on a PC or a laptop ? I have tried 2 different laptops, even different brands with different processors, ram, etc. and get similar results. Voltages as described in an earlier post with no voltage changes under Mach. Also no movements at all. I am going to try and find an updated driver. Maybe that will help. I am pretty sure I am checking the voltages correctly.
Thanks for the help,
Al
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It was a Desktop I was testing on but really that should not matter, then again .......... ::)
If you shut Mach down do you still get the same voltages on the pins?
Hood
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Yes, the same voltages.
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Seams to me as though Mach is not getting a hold of the port. I may try reloading Mach yet again. I have allready installed and unistalled
it 2 or 3 times. Getting pretty frustrated. I think I'll walk away from it for a bit and try again latter.
Thanks again for your help.
Al
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If its not too much hassle I think I would format the drive and install XP again then install Mach. Could be something on your drive is grabbing the port.
Hood
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Hi, Al
Try these port #'s, 0x3BC, 0x378, and 0x278
Thanks, Chip
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Chip, Those port #'s did not make any difference.
Hood, I think may do just that. I'm going to try another thing or 2 first because it takes so long to load XP.
Thanks again guys,
Al
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Hi, Al
Will it run a std. Printer ?
Thanks, Chip
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Hi Chip,
I don't know yet. That's one of the things I am going to try here. Maybe yet tonight. Not sure.
I just installed a much better defrag program and am running it now. It is a mess as I expected.
Too many crashes.
Al
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Does anyone know of a particular combination of LAPTOP brand & model, operating system, and Mach version that works ?
No matter what I have tried I either get no output on the printer port or the computer crashes.
Thanks
Al
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If they are fairly new laptops then they could be using power saving functions, they could be interfering with Mach. That still wouldnt explain the port problems but it could explain the crashing.
Did you get a printer to work?
Hood
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Try checking out your hard drive and system with a registry checker, such as PCTools Registry Mechanic. I had to use it to get my Toshiba Satellite Pro to run Mach3 without crashing.
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I have downloaded Mach3 (current version) to my PC (in the office) and also to my laptop - driving the machine in the workshop and it all works fine.
The laptop is a Toshiba - about 5 years old with a Com1 and LPT1 port. It has 2 USB ports, but they are the earlier slower versions before USB became all the rage. Perhaps a second-hand earlier model would suffice. Voltage outputs on the laptop are 5v
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That is all extremely interesting as one of the laptops I have been trying to use is a Toshiba. It is older though, 4010CDT Satellite.
The other one is a Compaq.
I will try a registy mechanic program.
I was going to reformat and reload XP but now I can't get either laptop to boot from a floppy or the cd drive. !!ugh!!
Hood, I thought I had a printer to try but turned out it is setup for usb only.
Thanks
Al
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I ran the PCTools registry checker (only the free version) on my Toshiba and it helped. Using Mach2 I was able to get port output. Unfortunately It only outputs 3.95volts so I get no motor movements. I then tried Mach3 and the computer crashes again.
The registry checker did not help any on the Compaq laptop. It still crashes when trying to run Mach2 or 3. Does anyone know of any particular problems with the current lockdown Mach3 version that could be causing this crashing problem ?
This is one of those things I should just let go and give up but it would sure be nice to be able to use a laptop to control this machine.
Thanks
Al
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I have given up trying to make either of my laptops work with Mach 3. The Toshiba is out due to low voltage output.
The Compaq is just too old I think. It was originally a Windows 98 machine so it is marginal on running XP anyway.
Also the floppy drive quit working so I think it's going in the parts only stack. I will keep an eye out for a newer laptop
to try again. Thanks for all of your help.
Al
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True, I purposely bought a Pentium III laptop with a parallel port on it, The motors only scream but it doesn't move. Maybe what we can do is to use a breakout board with optocoupler to make sure the signals are solid enough to perform CNC operations
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The SmoothStepper might be the answer to you LapTop guys prayers, its in Beta testing at the moment but things are going great.
Hood