I am having trouble getting my parallel port to communicate Mach3 with my motion controller card.  No motor movement.  Using HP with XP.
P2 through P9 are Step and Dir + and -.   the + are connected to 5VDC+

What have you done with the inputs?  Have you looked at the diagnostic screen to see if for example Estop is asserted because the associated input is in the wrong state?  Or the limits?  Have you got a common ground between the 5V dc supply and the PC?

I have ground from 5VDC supply to computer.  I have not done anything with the 5 input screws on the board yet.
Thanks

On some of these boards you have to have pin 14 enabled to activate the outputs.
 

Attached is a diagram of what I have.  I could use some help with wiring it up and help with inputs and outputs for this with Mach3.  Sorry but as I get older, my comprehension has slipped a lot.
Thank you all for any assistance you can provide.

Ray

Graham you said some boards you have to enable pin 14 to activate the outputs.  How do you activate the pin 14?
Where do the Dir- and Pul- and the Dir+ and Pul+ go on the board?  I know it says P2-P9 are outputs.
I really want to get this Mill working.  If I could get help getting 1 motor working, I believe I can manage the other three.

Thanks,

Ray

If pin 14 needs activating it will need either a logic high (+5V) or low(0V) on it.  Do you not have a data sheet or manual for the BoB?  By "motion controller" do you mean BoB?

It looks like the board has opto isolated outputs - your drivers probably have opto isolated inputs too.  The trouble is we don't have the information needed to know if the outputs are "open collector" - the following is written assuming they are.

- Connect all the "+" inputs on the drivers to +5V (i.e. DIR+, PUL+) - you don't need ENA and usually it can be left disconnected.  Use a separate wire from the 5V on the board to each drive (common up the two + terminals at the drive end).
- Connect the "-" inputs to the appropriate BoB outputs.
- Connect a common earth from GND (next to p17) to each supply negative on the drivers (i.e. a separate wire to each driver).

Really without having a data sheet or manual for the BoB this is an educated guess.

Thanks John Haine.  I will go out and try that after Church this evening.

Ray

Even better if you have or can find a manual!

You are right there John.  The board came with my Steppers, drivers and power supplies.   There was no paperwork at all.   This system is so much different than what I had with my other milling machine.
Thank you, I will see how it goes and let you know.

Ray