Problems with BridgePort Explorer

[bgator220]

Hello,

I have been having problems with my explorer 1 cnc (dx 32 control), and having more trouble getting information as how to diagnose it. The manual is very slim.

Over the past few weeks, when booting my machine the software will not load and ends up displaying the the c prompt. I found if I let it sit a couple of days it would load properly, it would work for a while then be back at the c prompt unexpectedly. Now its seeming to work less and less.

When it was running it would occasionally crash, put some 200000 number in the federate and and tool -25 for tool number, I would reset the machine and it would continue working.

I would greatly appreciate if anyone could help me figure out where the problem is and what needs to be done?

Thanks,
Brian

[machintek]

Sounds like possibly a hard drive issue or CMOS issue. Because of the age of the machine there is no guarantee of what is inside control wise. But I would start with going to CMOS and checking date and time. If that is wacked out chances are the hard drive settings are also. Then standard computer PM. Do a SCANDISK and DEFRAG to check for problems. If found, you may need a hard drive, and software. It may also be logic power supply related. check your fan on the power supply to see if it is running and the 5 and 12 VDC.

George

[bgator220]

Well today the software was loading. However it repeatedly brought up the message, must reload executive software. I went to the cmos settings and the time and date was correct. I exited the dx32 control, went to dos and entered scandisk, it returned with no errors. Did not do a defrag as everything else about the hard drive seemed ok.


The fan is running ok.

I am having a hard time to understanding how to check to supply voltage to the bmdc. In the manual itsays to check for +5vdc, +12vdc, and -12vdc, at inputs on the p8 and p9 connectors from dx power supply to 486 board (the 486 supplys 5v to the bmdc). How am I supposed to measure the voltage. The connectors are way back in the control and it makes it difficult to put probes on the 486 board. The only thing I could think to do was strip part of the wires, but I would like to avoid that. Is that the correct place to check voltage?

Thanks
Brian

[machintek]

Logic voltage is measured at one of the spare white connectors. Red and black is 5VDC. yellow and black is 12 VDC.

Also try pulling out the BMDC (carefully) and cleaning the edge connector with a soft eraser. Insert it back in the same or any other ISA slot it can fit into.

George

[bgator220]

So I did that, the yellow measured 12 and the red measured 5.5v. Is that too much, or does it just need to be greater than 5?

Does that eliminate the power supply as an issue?

I am hesitant to unplug the bmdc, as it has never been taken out. How could the connections suddenly go bad? Is that a potential problem or just another maintained thing that should be done?

What did you mean by CMOS issue? We have had some trouble with the machine and quite stupidly changed some of the CMOS settings (by hitting delete key when booting up). If I post a picture of the CMOS screen is it possible someone could tell me what the options should be set at?

Appreciate the Help!

Brian

[cncbasher]

one quick point , i would also change the cmos backup battery . but do this while the machine is on , and just be careful . that way it will save the current settings from being reset back to defaults .

this is often an over looked item when intermittet problems arise , and should be changed on a yearly basis

[bgator220]

The link above is an album of pictures of my 486 board.

Sorry for my ignorance, but I cant seem to locate the cmos battery. Can anyone point out where it is on that board.

What would be the best way to replace. I did some searching on other posts and really do not want to make my own battery. I just want the cheapest and quickest solution to eliminating the cmos as an issue.

Thanks Again.

[bgator220]

Sorry, did not realize the link did not show up to the album

ImageShack Album - 8 images

ImageShack Album - 8 images

[TNBG_LTD]

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[bgator220]

After doing some research, I am pretty sure what the battery should be and it seems to be missing from my board.

If you notice the white circles, it all fits with where to cmos battery should be. The jumper is right next to it and the bios chip is close by.

Where can this tell us about the problems with the machine?

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