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Mach3 on another computer
« on: May 22, 2013, 08:28:32 AM »
Hi,

Yesterday, my old computer was broken while I was using my CNC. Then I installed mach3 on another laptop with a parallel port. I moved the mach3mill.xml file to the new installed mach3 folder. But now I'm not able to use my CNC. The steppers doesn't move. They don't give any reaction.

I realised that when I load and start a G-code or drive the motors manually, the X Y Z location adresses on the screen doesn't change. Mach3 starts timing the elapsed time but it seems Mach3 doesn't work.

Addditionally, I moved the Mach3 folder from the old computers hard drive (without installation). Mach3 worked but still the same problem.

Now I don't now where to look at to solve the problem  :-\

P.S:
I checked the parallel port root adres,
Checked the motor pins&ports,
Checked the cables,

anythings seems ok.

« Last Edit: May 22, 2013, 08:33:52 AM by furkan »

Offline Chaoticone

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Re: Mach3 on another computer
« Reply #1 on: May 22, 2013, 08:34:38 AM »
Laptops running parallel ports are not supported.  You probably want to look for an external motion device such as the smooth stepper.  You may want to read the Mach3 Mill Install and Config. Guide.  It can be found under the support tab at the top of this page in the the documents section.

Brett
;D If you could see the things I have in my head, you would be laughing too. ;D

My guard dog is not what you need to worry about!
Re: Mach3 on another computer
« Reply #2 on: May 22, 2013, 08:46:14 AM »
when you copied the xml was mach off, and when you pasted the xml into mach was mach off.
Re: Mach3 on another computer
« Reply #3 on: May 22, 2013, 09:30:52 AM »
Chaoticone,

Thanks for the answer. But once I could use Mach 3 on a laptop. Maybe there's something about laptops hardwares.

angel tech,

I couldn't really catch. Do you mean xml file says the software that it is off?

Offline Chaoticone

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Re: Mach3 on another computer
« Reply #4 on: May 22, 2013, 10:38:54 AM »
If you could run Mach3 on a laptop with a Parallel port consider yourself lucky.  I know some have gotten away with it but it is not recommended for good reason.

brett
;D If you could see the things I have in my head, you would be laughing too. ;D

My guard dog is not what you need to worry about!

Offline Tweakie.CNC

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Re: Mach3 on another computer
« Reply #5 on: May 22, 2013, 12:07:29 PM »
Quote
Thanks for the answer. But once I could use Mach 3 on a laptop. Maybe there's something about laptops hardwares.

Could be that your original laptop had a 5 Volt TTL parallel port and your new laptop has a 3.3 Volt TTL parallel port - not all stepper motor controllers will accept the 3.3 Volt standard.

Tweakie.
PEACE
Re: Mach3 on another computer
« Reply #6 on: May 22, 2013, 12:18:12 PM »


angel tech,

I couldn't really catch. Do you mean xml file says the software that it is off?
before you copy or paste the xml, mach has to be off.
Re: Mach3 on another computer
« Reply #7 on: May 22, 2013, 09:58:50 PM »
angel tech,

Oh, understood. It was already off.

Tweakie.CNC,

I found the old Toshiba laptop that I used to use.  It worked like a charm for hours. But then suddenly it stopped working. On mach screen everyting seems ok, seems like working but nothing happened on the CNC side.