Is there a way to test whether or not your lpt port is working properly? I cannot get my steppers to jog or turn with Mach3. I'm at a loss and have debugged everything except the lpt port. Not sure how to do this as I've been spoiled with USB most of my computer life and LPT is a fairly alien subject to me.

Hello,
Here is one of several topics found with the Forum Search.  http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,4574.0.html
It may help you.
RC

The Forum SEARCH is a powerful tool.

I'm not sure if I'm doing this correctly, but I seem to be getting a constant 0.03 v when i put my meter on pins 25 for ground and 2 for x-dir. Those are the settings for my controller. That is what I have set within mach3.

Are you jogging x left and right ? One direction should read 0v, and the other direction should read 5v.

I'm getting 0.03v constant, jogging or not. I am jogging the x left and right and nothing changes. I do have a constant voltage of near 5v on pin 4 and some of the other higher pins...not on pin 2 like I should.

Hi, Emtffkev

Not all printer port's use/support all the Gnd. pin's 18-25, So try the others Gnd pin's also.

Your axis dir pins need 0 for one dir and 5 Volts for the other dir.

Some printer port's only putout 3 - 3.5 volts and don't work very well if at all.

Hope this Helps, Chip

Thanks Chip, I realized that as I posted. That's what I get for trusting my memory.
And.....it's late.
Thanks for the correction,
RC

Ok, checked with all grounds and getting same readings...

I am getting 3.5v on 2 of the pins...4.5 on others...and .03 on the rest beside grounds...

None are changing with or without jogging...they are all a constant voltage.

The only other item  I've seen mentioned is to try the other driver in the Mach3 folder.
Might try it if you haven't already.
RC

Just want to update...All works fine now, I needed the alternate driver and everything works ok. Got the motors spinning like mad...

Thanks!