Messages

21

General Mach Discussion / Re: Can this computer run mach3

« on: February 16, 2017, 05:11:11 PM »

More playing about with ports and pins and I now have X/Y/Z axis driving *one way* using the jogging keys and code in MPI screen.
Unfortunately the direction cannot be reversed using the same methods.

Can anyone tell me what is incorrectly set?
At least I have proved it is nothing to do with WindowsXP nor port voltages so it must be my setting up!

Malcolm

22

SmoothStepper USB / Re: Wheres my PWM signal ?

« on: February 15, 2017, 04:26:44 PM »

So what was the answer to the problem. ie how did you cure the problem.

Malcolm

23

General Mach Discussion / Re: Can this computer run mach3

« on: February 15, 2017, 04:19:47 PM »

Well, After altering so many pin setting I am totally confused the z-axis will drive downwards with G0 Z-2 but will not drive back up??.
The X and Y axis do not respond. It now looks as though it is not the voltages on the parallel port that are the problem but probably the pin settings, and yes, I have read the manual.

Malcolm

24

General Mach Discussion / Re: Can this computer run mach3

« on: February 14, 2017, 05:27:47 PM »

Today I checked with the computer shop who repaired my HP Invent and installed the XP system. I was told nothing they have done would alter the PP line voltages.
The battery had leaked but I was not told of any damage to the mother board.
Could of course be my setting up of port and pins, will check that again.

Malcolm

25

General Mach Discussion / Re: Can this computer run mach3

« on: February 13, 2017, 05:42:40 PM »

Craig,
I cannot see how XP will change the pin outputs from 5v to 3.3v, is this possible. I have no idea what the pin voltages were under W2000 but the mill part of the electronics has not changed (unless it has blown a fuse somewhere). The spindle runs OK on manual. I have taken a photo of the Driver Test screen on my tablet but so far failed to get it onto the PC.  The pulse rate variation I gave was taken from the Diagnostics screen not the driver test display.

Malcolm

26

General Mach Discussion / Re: Can this computer run mach3

« on: February 12, 2017, 12:51:55 PM »

Yes the pin numbering is reversed when compared to Mach3 manual, so the actual numbers are 2,4,6 and they are measuring at 0/3.3 volts depending on which (+/-) key is pressed. No idea what voltage the pins were at under W2000, I will have to check with computer shop as to whether XP or their repair might be responsible. It certainly ran reliably under W2000. I have not determined which pin controls spindle speed.

Malcolm- who is going out for the evening.

27

General Mach Discussion / Re: Can this computer run mach3

« on: February 11, 2017, 06:42:10 PM »

Hi Craig,
It actually says system excellent, with the green bar at about 50%.
I have checked voltages on the P port. pin8, 0-3.2v with Z+/Z-  using the jog keys.
pin 10 similar with Y+/Y- buttons.
pin 12 0-3.3v with X+/X-
Obviously this is the port at the back of the computer and is not the pins I had expected.
Not so easy to take a screenshot unless I use a camera; there is only the bare minimum of software on the machine.
One other thing that seems odd is the pulse rate shown on the diagnostic screen which varies from 1 to ~ 300

Malcolm

28

General Mach Discussion / Re: Can this computer run mach3

« on: February 11, 2017, 04:41:54 PM »

Well I have made the changes suggested by the Mach3 Optimisation guide. I think XP boots a little faster and the Driver test says everything is OK.
But the drive motors are still not responding.
I think I need to check that the Parallel port is live.
I am using config. P&P setting I had written down when everything was OK using W2000.
Very frustrating.

Malcolm Smith

29

General Mach Discussion / Re: Can this computer run mach3

« on: February 09, 2017, 06:46:44 PM »

Thanks for the replies.
I have found one guide suggesting changes to make using msconfig..
I have printed it out and will see what I can make of it.

Malcolm

30

General Mach Discussion / Re: Can this computer run mach3

« on: February 08, 2017, 04:20:49 PM »

Thanks for the reply joeaverage.
It is XP-service pack3 that is loaded but there is only 1gig of memory aboard. Just booting up is  dreadfully slow compared with W2000 and I can only put this down to XP overloading the system.
There is a minimum of software on the machine.
I have tried Driver test again. Without Mach3 being loaded the system tested as OK. I then loaded Mach3 and ran again and this time it gave the error Pulse Rate too fast, vectors not found. The display then disappeared. Reran and it gave a satisfactory result. This with the mill disconnected. I am not aware what parts of the system are tested.
The computer is an HP Invent e-Vectra if that means anything to anybody. It seems it is not possible to get hold of W2000 anymore hence using XP.

Malcolm Smith