Hi there,

I have been setting up mach3 on a laptop, but couldn't run
with stability-it always stalled after a few minutes.  So I purchased a used
desktop, punched in all the identical settings that I had on my laptop,
and of course, it doesn't work the same.
  The desktop would pop up a message if I hit the shift key 5 times in a row
(which I often do to rapid jog) that said something about a hot key?? it
gave the option to delete this so, I did.
  Did I mess up the way the computer sends printer port info to the
Geckos? I've tried many combinations of step and direction pin assignments,
but no combination will run correctly.
  The closest I can get is when I hold the up arrow (x-) and the left or right
arrow (z+ , z-) down at the same time, the z drive runs roughly.
  I think the problem is in ports&pins, but I go round and round because I'm not sure.
    could it be the computer's printer output is setup with the wrong assignments for
each pin? 

Thanks,
 Glenn

The shift key 5 times thing is a windows function called "sticky keys", it allows you to use the shift key and another key by pressing them individually where normally you would have to press them together, this is primarily intended as an aid to handicapped people. Turning this off should not affect your setup in Mach.
 Are you using a different parallel port cable than you did before when it was running?
 Have you got the correct port address set up in Mach (ports and pins main page)?
 Do you still have the setup on the laptop? if so then you can look in the Mach folder and copy the Mach3Mill.xml (Mach3Turn.xml if its a lathe) and put it into the Mach folder on the desktop, this will get all your settings back the way they were on the laptop. You will still have to make sure you have the right address for the parallel port as more than likely it will be different from the laptops.
 If you still have problems post a screenshot of your ports and pins settings, that may give us a clue.


Hood

Hi Hood,

  Thanks for the fast reply, it's still early in the day here!
I use the same parallel port cable for both computers, I
can change over to the laptop and all works smooth, then
switch over to the newer desktop and nothing happens.
  I started with the same identical setup in ports and pins but
when I didn't even get a click or hum from my steppers,
I started tinkering with the motor outputs and output signals
until I finally was able to get clicks and jerks and occasional movement
from the z axis when moving at an angle (like when x and z both move).
  The port address is the same, port 1 enabled 0x378.
 
  Hood, you asked for a screenshot of the ports and pins settings, I will
try to figure out how to do this, after I send this reply, 'cause I already
erased this post once and fear I'll repeat the tragedy again! I admire your
computer savvy
  Thanks,
  Glenn

Hey Glenn,
     To help with the screen shoots, go here and download the free version of screen hunter. I have a folder on my desktop named screen shots that I save the pictures to in a jpeg format. When you open screen hunter after you have downloaded choose one of the three options for the type picture you want to take, choose your hot key and press enter. You can add your pictures to a thread with the additional options tab lower left corner of the reply page. An old fifer told me about this once.


http://www.wisdom-soft.com/products/screenhunter.htm


Brett

If its working fine on the laptop then copy the xml from the laptop to the desktop and the only thing you may have to change is the port address.
 Also run the drivtest.exe to make sure your desktop is ok running Mach.

Hood

Hi Brett,
    I've downloaded the screen hunter and will post my ports and pins picture when I figure out how to
get it transfered to the computer in the shop- not the same computer as in the house that is on the
internet..I'm sorting it all out in my mind, this could take awhile!
  Hood,
     Is it ok to transfer the xml file of the laptop to the desktop via a jumpdrive? or a phone line??
It's all new to me, I haven't the foggiest idea ...
    Thanks,
Glenn

Yes, floppy, CD. pen drive, network, whatever
One thing to check after you have transferred it is that if you right click on the xml and go to properties, make sure its not "read only" as transferring by a CD may do this.

Hood

BTW same goes for transferring the screen shot, just put it to a floppy or pen drive to transfer to your other computer.

OK gentlemen,
  Here goes...
- <Preferences>
<PulseSpeed>0</PulseSpeed>
<Profile>Mach3Turn</Profile>
<Layout>TurnSilverBlue.lset</Layout>
<Configured>1</Configured>
<XRefHome>0</XRefHome>
<YRefHome>0</YRefHome>
<ARefHome>0</ARefHome>
<BRefHome>0</BRefHome>
<CRefHome>0</CRefHome>
<BLState0>0</BLState0>
<BLState1>0</BLState1>
<BLState2>1</BLState2>
<BLState3>0</BLState3>
<BLState4>0</BLState4>
<BLState5>0</BLState5>
<XStart>32739</XStart>
<YStart>0</YStart>
<ZStart>3982</ZStart>
<AStart>0</AStart>
<BStart>0</BStart>
<CStart>0</CStart>
<BaudRate>9600</BaudRate>
<ComPort>1</ComPort>
<FeedMode>0</FeedMode>
<AAngular>0</AAngular>
<BAngular>0</BAngular>
<CAngular>0</CAngular>
<BacklashOn>0</BacklashOn>
<PathMode>2</PathMode>
<ThrottleFunc>2</ThrottleFunc>
<JoyOn>0</JoyOn>
<PWMBase>5000</PWMBase>
<JogSpeed>32.</JogSpeed>
<m_SafeZ>0.</m_SafeZ>
<JogInc>0.25</JogInc>
<JogSlide>0.1</JogSlide>
<THCMax>1.</THCMax>
<THCMin>0.</THCMin>
<RadiusA>0.</RadiusA>
<RadiusB>0.</RadiusB>
<RadiusC>0.</RadiusC>
<ZRefHome>0</ZRefHome>
<Units>1</Units>
<AxisKeys0>40</AxisKeys0>
<AxisKeys1>38</AxisKeys1>
<AxisKeys2>34834</AxisKeys2>
<AxisKeys3>34834</AxisKeys3>
<AxisKeys4>39</AxisKeys4>
<AxisKeys5>37</AxisKeys5>
<AxisKeys6>999</AxisKeys6>
<AxisKeys7>999</AxisKeys7>
<AxisKeys8>999</AxisKeys8>
<AxisKeys9>999</AxisKeys9>
<AxisKeys10>999</AxisKeys10>
<AxisKeys11>999</AxisKeys11>
<DROHotKey>999</DROHotKey>
<MDIHotKey>999</MDIHotKey>
<GCodeHotKey>999</GCodeHotKey>
<XRev>0</XRev>
<YRev>0</YRev>
<ZRev>1</ZRev>
<ARev>0</ARev>
<BRev>0</BRev>
<CRev>0</CRev>
<SpinCCW>8</SpinCCW>
<SpinCW>7</SpinCW>
<Flood>9</Flood>
<Mist>10</Mist>
<SpinDelay>2.</SpinDelay>
<NoSpindle>1</NoSpindle>
<NoFlood>1</NoFlood>
<RefSpeed0>1</RefSpeed0>
<RefSpeed1>1</RefSpeed1>
<RefSpeed2>1</RefSpeed2>
<RefSpeed3>1</RefSpeed3>
<RefSpeed4>1</RefSpeed4>
<RefSpeed5>1</RefSpeed5>
<FullSpeed>0</FullSpeed>
<XNeg>0</XNeg>
<YNeg>0</YNeg>
<ZNeg>0</ZNeg>
<ANeg>0</ANeg>
<BNeg>0</BNeg>
<CNeg>0</CNeg>
<AutoZero>1</AutoZero>
<Enc0Cal>1.</Enc0Cal>
<Enc1Cal>1.</Enc1Cal>
<Enc2Cal>1.</Enc2Cal>
<BackX>0.</BackX>
<BackY>0.</BackY>
<BackZ>0.</BackZ>
<BackA>0.</BackA>
<BackB>0.</BackB>
<BackC>0.</BackC>
<BackSpeed>20.</BackSpeed>
<SlavePrim>0</SlavePrim>
<Slave>-1</Slave>
<SpinActual>1</SpinActual>
<AutoTurnOff>0</AutoTurnOff>
<AutoEStop>0</AutoEStop>
<G92Off>0</G92Off>
<ToolOffsetOff>1</ToolOffsetOff>
<RadiusCompOff>1</RadiusCompOff>
<OriginsOff>1</OriginsOff>
<SPEED1>80</SPEED1>
<SPEED2>4000</SPEED2>
<SPEED3>8000</SPEED3>
<SPEED4>16000</SPEED4>
<PULLEY>0</PULLEY>
<Editor>C:\WINDOWS\notepad.exe</Editor>
<Debounce>0</Debounce>
<PWMin>0</PWMin>
<DROPERSIST>1</DROPERSIST>
<IJMode>1</IJMode>
<BB>0.</BB>
<BR>0.</BR>
<BG>0.</BG>
<FB>1.</FB>
<FR>0.</FR>
<FG>0.</FG>
<RB>0.</RB>
<RR>1.</RR>
<RG>0.</RG>
<AB>1.</AB>
<AR>0.</AR>
<AG>1.</AG>
<EG>1.</EG>
<ER>1.</ER>
<EB>0.</EB>
<Compass>1</Compass>
<XMax>9999.</XMax>
<YMax>9999.</YMax>
<ZMax>9999.</ZMax>
<XMin>0.</XMin>
<YMin>0.</YMin>
<ZMin>0.</ZMin>
<SoftRampX>1.</SoftRampX>
<SoftRampY>1.</SoftRampY>
<SoftRampZ>1.</SoftRampZ>
<Vel0>0.6991</Vel0>
<Acc0>4.5675</Acc0>
<Steps0>40000.</Steps0>
<Vel1>2.788</Vel1>
<Acc1>60.1875</Acc1>
<Steps1>2000.</Steps1>
<Vel2>0.875</Vel2>
<Acc2>1.771875</Acc2>
<Steps2>40000.</Steps2>
<PulseWidth>8964</PulseWidth>
<DirPulse>8964</DirPulse>
<GPath>C:\Documents and Settings\S\My Documents\pegs\baton</GPath>
<AAxisOn>0</AAxisOn>
<PWM>0</PWM>
<BAxisOn>0</BAxisOn>
<CAxisOn>0</CAxisOn>
<XAxisOn>1</XAxisOn>
<YAxisOn>0</YAxisOn>
<ZAxisOn>1</ZAxisOn>
<SpindleControl>0</SpindleControl>
<Port2On>0</Port2On>
<Port1On>1</Port1On>
<Port1Add>888</Port1Add>
<Port2Add>632</Port2Add>
<Activate1In>0</Activate1In>
<Activate2In>0</Activate2In>
<Activate3In>0</Activate3In>
<Activate4In>0</Activate4In>
<DigitizeIn>0</DigitizeIn>
<Encoder1>0</Encoder1>
<Encoder2>0</Encoder2>
<Encoder3>0</Encoder3>
<HomeA>0</HomeA>
<HomeB>0</HomeB>
<HomeC>0</HomeC>
<HomeX>0</HomeX>
<HomeY>0</HomeY>
<HomeZ>0</HomeZ>
<IndexPulse>0</IndexPulse>
<THCOn>0</THCOn>
<LimitAMinus>0</LimitAMinus>
<LimitBMinus>0</LimitBMinus>
<LimitCMinus>0</LimitCMinus>
<LimitXMinus>0</LimitXMinus>
<LimitYMinus>0</LimitYMinus>
<LimitZMinus>0</LimitZMinus>
<LimitAPlus>0</LimitAPlus>
<LimitBPlus>0</LimitBPlus>
<LimitCPlus>0</LimitCPlus>
<LimitXPlus>0</LimitXPlus>
<LimitYPlus>0</LimitYPlus>
<LimitZPlus>0</LimitZPlus>
<LimitOverRide>0</LimitOverRide>
<XDirPort>1</XDirPort>
<XDirPin>3</XDirPin>
<XStepPort>1</XStepPort>
<XStepPin>2</XStepPin>
<XDirNeg>1</XDirNeg>
<XStepNeg>1</XStepNeg>
<YDirPort>1</YDirPort>
<YDirPin>5</YDirPin>
<YStepPort>1</YStepPort>
<YStepPin>4</YStepPin>
<YDirNeg>0</YDirNeg>
<YStepNeg>0</YStepNeg>
<ZDirPort>1</ZDirPort>
<ZDirPin>7</ZDirPin>
<ZStepPort>1</ZStepPort>
<ZStepPin>6</ZStepPin>
<ZDirNeg>1</ZDirNeg>
<ZStepNeg>1</ZStepNeg>
<ADirPort>1</ADirPort>
<ADirPin>8</ADirPin>
<AStepPort>1</AStepPort>
<AStepPin>9</AStepPin>
<ADirNeg>0</ADirNeg>
<AStepNeg>0</AStepNeg>
<BDirPort>0</BDirPort>
<BDirPin>0</BDirPin>
<BStepPort>0</BStepPort>
<BStepPin>0</BStepPin>
<BDirNeg>0</BDirNeg>
<BStepNeg>0</BStepNeg>
<CDirPort>0</CDirPort>
<CDirPin>0</CDirPin>
<CStepPort>0</CStepPort>
<CStepPin>0</CStepPin>
<CDirNeg>0</CDirNeg>
<CStepNeg>0</CStepNeg>
<SPDirPort>0</SPDirPort>
<SPDirPin>0</SPDirPin>
<SPStepPort>0</SPStepPort>
<SPStepPin>0</SPStepPin>
<SPDirNeg>0</SPDirNeg>
<SPStepNeg>0</SPStepNeg>
<Enable1Pin>17</Enable1Pin>
<Enable1Port>1</Enable1Port>
<Enable2Pin>0</Enable2Pin>
<Enable2Port>0</Enable2Port>
<Enable3Pin>0</Enable3Pin>
<Enable3Port>0</Enable3Port>
<Enable4Pin>0</Enable4Pin>
<Enable4Port>0</Enable4Port>
<Enable5Pin>0</Enable5Pin>
<Enable5Port>0</Enable5Port>
<Enable6Pin>0</Enable6Pin>
<Enable6Port>0</Enable6Port>
<Enable1Neg>1</Enable1Neg>
<Enable2Neg>0</Enable2Neg>
<Enable3Neg>0</Enable3Neg>
<Enable4Neg>0</Enable4Neg>
<Enable5Neg>0</Enable5Neg>
<Enable6Neg>0</Enable6Neg>
<Extern1Neg>0</Extern1Neg>
<Extern2Neg>0</Extern2Neg>
<Extern3Neg>0</Extern3Neg>
<TrigDigitizeNeg>0</TrigDigitizeNeg>
<TrigDigPin>0</TrigDigPin>
<TrigDigPort>0</TrigDigPort>
<Extern1Pin>1</Extern1Pin>
<Extern1Port>1</Extern1Port>
<Extern2Pin>14</Extern2Pin>
<Extern2Port>1</Extern2Port>
<Extern3Pin>16</Extern3Pin>
<Extern3Port>1</Extern3Port>
<ChargePin>16</ChargePin>
<ChargePort>1</ChargePort>
<OutActive1>0</OutActive1>
<OutActive2>0</OutActive2>
<OutActive3>0</OutActive3>
<Enable1>1</Enable1>
<Enable2>0</Enable2>
<Enable3>0</Enable3>
<Enable4>0</Enable4>
<Enable5>0</Enable5>
<Enable6>0</Enable6>
<Charge>0</Charge>
<TrigDigitize>0</TrigDigitize>
<Active1Pin>10</Active1Pin>
<Active1Port>1</Active1Port>
<Active2Pin>10</Active2Pin>
<Active2Port>1</Active2Port>
<Active3Pin>10</Active3Pin>
<Active3Port>1</Active3Port>
<Active4Pin>10</Active4Pin>
<Active4Port>1</Active4Port>
<RaisePin>11</RaisePin>
<RaisePort>1</RaisePort>
<LowerPin>12</LowerPin>
<LowerPort>1</LowerPort>
<TorchOnPin>10</TorchOnPin>
<TorchOnPort>1</TorchOnPort>
<TorchOnNeg>0</TorchOnNeg>
<RaiseNeg>0</RaiseNeg>
<LowerNeg>0</LowerNeg>
<HomeAPin>10</HomeAPin>
<HomeAPort>1</HomeAPort>
<HomeBPin>10</HomeBPin>
<HomeBPort>1</HomeBPort>
<HomeCPin>10</HomeCPin>
<HomeCPort>1</HomeCPort>
<HomeXPin>10</HomeXPin>
<HomeXPort>1</HomeXPort>
<HomeYPin>10</HomeYPin>
<HomeYPort>1</HomeYPort>
<HomeZPin>10</HomeZPin>
<HomeZPort>1</HomeZPort>
<IndexPin>10</IndexPin>
<IndexPort>1</IndexPort>
<LimitsOvPin>10</LimitsOvPin>
<LimitsOvPort>1</LimitsOvPort>
<LimitAMinusPin>0</LimitAMinusPin>
<LimitAMinusPort>1</LimitAMinusPort>
<LimitBMinusPin>0</LimitBMinusPin>
<LimitBMinusPort>1</LimitBMinusPort>
<LimitCMinusPin>0</LimitCMinusPin>
<LimitCMinusPort>1</LimitCMinusPort>
<LimitXMinusPin>11</LimitXMinusPin>
<LimitXMinusPort>1</LimitXMinusPort>
<LimitYMinusPin>12</LimitYMinusPin>
<LimitYMinusPort>1</LimitYMinusPort>
<LimitZMinusPin>0</LimitZMinusPin>
<LimitZMinusPort>1</LimitZMinusPort>
<LimitAPlusPin>0</LimitAPlusPin>
<LimitAPlusPort>1</LimitAPlusPort>
<LimitBPlusPin>0</LimitBPlusPin>
<LimitBPlusPort>1</LimitBPlusPort>
<LimitCPlusPin>0</LimitCPlusPin>
<LimitCPlusPort>1</LimitCPlusPort>
<LimitXPlusPin>0</LimitXPlusPin>
<LimitXPlusPort>1</LimitXPlusPort>
<LimitYPlusPin>0</LimitYPlusPin>
<LimitYPlusPort>1</LimitYPlusPort>
<LimitZPlusPin>13</LimitZPlusPin>
<LimitZPlusPort>1</LimitZPlusPort>
<EmergencyPin>10</EmergencyPin>
<EmergencyPort>1</EmergencyPort>
<DigitizePin>10</DigitizePin>
<DigitizePort>1</DigitizePort>
<EmergencyNeg>1</EmergencyNeg>
<Activate1Neg>0</Activate1Neg>
<Activate2Neg>0</Activate2Neg>
<Activate3Neg>0</Activate3Neg>
<Activate4Neg>0</Activate4Neg>
<DigitizeNeg>0</DigitizeNeg>
<HomeANeg>0</HomeANeg>
<HomeBNeg>0</HomeBNeg>
<HomeCNeg>0</HomeCNeg>
<HomeXNeg>0</HomeXNeg>
<HomeYNeg>0</HomeYNeg>
<HomeZNeg>0</HomeZNeg>
<IndexNeg>0</IndexNeg>
<LimitOverRideNeg>0</LimitOverRideNeg>
<LimitAMinusNeg>0</LimitAMinusNeg>
<LimitBMinusNeg>0</LimitBMinusNeg>
<LimitCMinusNeg>0</LimitCMinusNeg>
<LimitXMinusNeg>1</LimitXMinusNeg>
<LimitYMinusNeg>1</LimitYMinusNeg>
<LimitZMinusNeg>0</LimitZMinusNeg>
<LimitAPlusNeg>0</LimitAPlusNeg>
<LimitBPlusNeg>0</LimitBPlusNeg>
<LimitCPlusNeg>0</LimitCPlusNeg>
<LimitXPlusNeg>0</LimitXPlusNeg>
<LimitYPlusNeg>0</LimitYPlusNeg>
<LimitZPlusNeg>1</LimitZPlusNeg>
<Motor0Active>1</Motor0Active>
<Motor0DirNeg>0</Motor0DirNeg>
<Motor0DirPort>1</Motor0DirPort>
<Motor0DirPin>3</Motor0DirPin>
<Motor0StepNeg>1</Motor0StepNeg>
<Motor0StepPort>1</Motor0StepPort>
<Motor0StepPin>2</Motor0StepPin>
<Motor1Active>0</Motor1Active>
<Motor1DirNeg>0</Motor1DirNeg>
<Motor1DirPort>0</Motor1DirPort>
<Motor1DirPin>0</Motor1DirPin>
<Motor1StepNeg>0</Motor1StepNeg>
<Motor1StepPort>0</Motor1StepPort>
<Motor1StepPin>0</Motor1StepPin>
<Motor2Active>1</Motor2Active>
<Motor2DirNeg>0</Motor2DirNeg>
<Motor2DirPort>1</Motor2DirPort>
<Motor2DirPin>5</Motor2DirPin>
<Motor2StepNeg>1</Motor2StepNeg>
<Motor2StepPort>1</Motor2StepPort>
<Motor2StepPin>4</Motor2StepPin>
<Motor3Active>0</Motor3Active>
<Motor3DirNeg>0</Motor3DirNeg>
<Motor3DirPort>0</Motor3DirPort>
<Motor3DirPin>0</Motor3DirPin>
<Motor3StepNeg>0</Motor3StepNeg>
<Motor3StepPort>0</Motor3StepPort>
<Motor3StepPin>0</Motor3StepPin>
<Motor4Active>0</Motor4Active>
<Motor4DirNeg>0</Motor4DirNeg>
<Motor4DirPort>0</Motor4DirPort>
<Motor4DirPin>0</Motor4DirPin>
<Motor4StepNeg>0</Motor4StepNeg>
<Motor4StepPort>0</Motor4StepPort>
<Motor4StepPin>0</Motor4StepPin>
<Motor5Active>0</Motor5Active>
<Motor5DirNeg>0</Motor5DirNeg>
<Motor5DirPort>0</Motor5DirPort>
<Motor5DirPin>0</Motor5DirPin>
<Motor5StepNeg>0</Motor5StepNeg>
<Motor5StepPort>0</Motor5StepPort>
<Motor5StepPin>0</Motor5StepPin>
<Motor6Active>0</Motor6Active>
<Motor6DirNeg>0</Motor6DirNeg>
<Motor6DirPort>0</Motor6DirPort>
<Motor6DirPin>0</Motor6DirPin>
<Motor6StepNeg>0</Motor6StepNeg>
<Motor6StepPort>0</Motor6StepPort>
<Motor6StepPin>0</Motor6StepPin>
<GeckoMode>0</GeckoMode>
<USBINPUTS>16</USBINPUTS>
<USBOUTPUTS>16</USBOUTPUTS>
<MaxCL>0</MaxCL>
<MaxNC10>0</MaxNC10>
<Input0Active>0</Input0Active>
<Input0Port>0</Input0Port>
<Input0Pin>0</Input0Pin>
<Input0Neg>0</Input0Neg>
<Input0Emulated>0</Input0Emulated>
<Input0EmuKey>0</Input0EmuKey>
<Input1Active>0</Input1Active>
<Input1Port>0
<
thanks for looking
  Glenn
<
  
  

Sorry about that, this doesn't look like anything
I've seen on here before,can you see What is connected wrong from ports and pins?
Or does this printout not show any problems?
 Just this morning, I managed to get z to jog+
and x to jog rough if holding down the z jog button
at the same time, like it completes the signal by being
depressed? Does this sound like I'm getting close?

Brian- please remove my prior thread if it interferes with, or doesn't comply
with the fair rules of this forum..no offense taken with me,
I am very happy with the chance to work out my cnc problems w/
pro's.
thanks

Glenn

Hey Glenn, I sent you a PM.

Brett