R2E3 Boss 8 stopped communicating!!

[s1j1m10]

I have been using a BT R2E3 Boss 8 and programming it myself by using G Code on an adjecent PC and the uploading it using the simple EZIlink software via Port B.
Suddenly it has stopped communicating. When I input the 4 digit program to upload on the machine it just "Hangs" (as if it is waiting for the program to load) and the only button on the display that has any effect is the (Load,Edit,Clear) Button which then throws up the famous 0040 (communication) error. I have checked the commumication settings (Baud etc) and replaced the serial cable without success. I have also checked the EAF and EMC boards in the maching and the Green lights signify that the boards are OK.
Anyone have any Idea what I can try next?
Thanks

[machintek]

What about the settings on the PC side? Baud, parity, stop bits, data bits?
Try clearing the memory of the machine.

George

[s1j1m10]

Checked all the settings on the PC side and nothing seems to have changed. How do I clear all the Memory (I realise that I will have to reinstall all the settings)? we clear the program memory every time we run a new program.

[machintek]

I carry a communications tester that i purchased at Radio Shack years ago. No longer available. It has LED lights to indicate status of most lines used for RS232. I can do a dump to a PC and see if the lights change indicating data. And same for a dump from a PC to the machine. This tells me if data is at least coming from a source or not and thus if not received then I have a problem downstream. On the R2E3 that would be the EAF.

George

[s1j1m10]

I have a simple RS232 testing connector on the that has 2 sets of lights on it. I am going to try changing the Back up batteries on the Boards. I cannot see one on the EAF board but there is one on the EMC board. I will have to remove it to read the spec but it looks like a Li-ion battery from ETERNACELL. Any idea what battery I should use?