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Author Topic: Mach will not use my parallel port....  (Read 5855 times)

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Mach will not use my parallel port....
« on: September 12, 2006, 03:53:52 PM »
First I'll give you a run down of my setup:

P4 3.0 GHZ
1 gig DDR2
Abit AW-8 MB
CompUSA PCI Parallel Adapter card

Xyoltex 3 Axis Parallel port stepper driver
425oz/in Stepper Motors from Xylotex
straight thru parallel cable
24VDC/10A PSU


Heres my problems.....

I can't seem to get Mach3 to communicate thru my parallel adapter. The drivers for my adapter are installed correctly. I have Mach3 setup to use the "0xEF00" address.....which is what the parallel adapter uses. Still get nothing. I've tried about 30 different "common" addresses other than that also.....and nothing. Maybe I am missing something in the setup? I have the E-Stop disabled and all pins setup correctly.

One more weird thing to throw in... If I change ANY setting on the actual parallel card itself (via device manager), the stepper motor will move ever so slightly....so I know there is communication there. Also, if I dsconnect the 24vdc power supply from my driver board...the power light on the board stay lit (but dim). That means the parallel port is supplying SOME power to the driver board. But if I leave the driver board only powered by the parallel port and load Mach3, the light goes out. Hmmmmmm.

Any idea's???

Thanx in advance.

« Last Edit: September 12, 2006, 04:00:56 PM by Digital »
Re: Mach will not use my parallel port....
« Reply #1 on: September 12, 2006, 04:28:42 PM »
What Windows version are you using.

Darek
Re: Mach will not use my parallel port....
« Reply #2 on: September 12, 2006, 04:34:23 PM »
I'm running Windows XP. I can't seem to find any software that will show if my Parallel Port is actually working for XP.
Re: Mach will not use my parallel port....
« Reply #3 on: September 12, 2006, 05:06:44 PM »
I'm no expert but I think you should be able to see the PCI card under control panel - system - hardware - device manager check that is working there.
Re: Mach will not use my parallel port....
« Reply #4 on: September 12, 2006, 05:46:33 PM »
Yes, it says that the car is working properly in the device manager.
Re: Mach will not use my parallel port....
« Reply #5 on: September 12, 2006, 07:14:29 PM »
Again not to technical but did you try hooking a printer up to the port?
Re: Mach will not use my parallel port....
« Reply #6 on: September 13, 2006, 07:03:06 AM »
Ok, thanx for the suggestions, guy. I got it working last night. I ended up uninstalling the card completely. After reinstalling everything, it works.

Again, I really appreciate the help.

Clint