Thanks for your comments.
I have just checked the parallel port cable for continuity on all pins and it's OK
The stepper motor driver is from Routout in UK. I bought it around 10 years ago and it has been fine. My trouble started a few months ago when I suspected a PC problem, but this has been checked out OK but I reloaded the Mach3 software.
There is power to the driver box and I can set limit switches using the auto set facility so the PC is connecting to Mach 3.
I think I must have a setting in the config area wrong.
The e stop is port 1 pin 10.
The X,Y & Z axes are set as specified by Routout.Could you explain the comment ref. the card enable - where is this option located ?
Any help appreciated