I know I am a new user to Mach, but seriously folks, I have tried just about everything except purchasing a different CNC controller software (if there is one) and am fairly frustrated. I am not a computer geek; I am a woodworker who is computer and mechanically literate.
I know some of you use Mach3 to digitize parts and create Gcode for copying, HOW do you do it?
I am now using a clean WinXP (how old is that?) computer with Mach3 Version R3.043.022 and the Mill-P profile. At least it has a parallel port (required by the Gecko G540 BOB, again, how old is that?). The probe is now communicating with the software (losing the LED helped). However, when using the Digitizing wizard, or the manual probe function in Mach, the software will produce Gcode, but upon 'initialize' the head will only move to the start point. Then I get the following error 'Previous SEQ not yet complete', at which time the software locks up and does not produce a usable file. Every key stroke just iterates the error code.....
Has anyone got a clue about this error? I have searched this forum and found posts referencing this error that date back to 2008. Robotmar uses a different software, mostly in Italian and using metric values, and Vincent13 downgrades to Version 2.58 (which I do not see on the download page). I tried version 2.63 but it won't work either. Tristar500 got no answer at all in two different posts in 2009.
I have also looked at many posts regarding probes, digitize, and Wizards; I followed one poster's instructions to clean everything out of Windows, like Auto-Update, etc. No success. I have uninstalled and re-installed Mach several times, torn the controller apart, checked the BOB, cable, and ports with a multi-meter, changed and replaced everything I can find to instructions for.....
In reading this post
http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,4352.0.html it seems the answer might be to buy Calypso's screen/function add-on software. Since this is fairly inexpensive, I would seriously consider purchasing it if I thought it would solve my issue. Does any one know if Calypso's MachStdMill software might solve my issue?
I much prefer Win7 but evidently Mach 3 is not compatible, even if Win7 is directed to run it as WinXP
Is this forum the best customer support Artsoft has?? I could use some real help. It feels like I have wasted a lot of time and money on something that doesn't work.
vicrider