Error: Security Device is Invalid or has Failed

[mohammadali]

I have a 1992-93 Hurco Mcchining Center with Ultimax 3 Control. On starting up the machine is giving the following error: Security Device is Invalud or has failed.

I have check the ribbon cable on the paralled port and it does have a dongle with a black chip. The ribbon cable connectivity is ok. How can I fix this problem. Can I check the chip or replace it?

Ali

[bloke]

It could be the parallel port gone bad. If so, buy one of those little cards that has LPT/COM/FDD/HDD support on it, turn off the LPT1 in the CPU BIOS, re-configure the little card to be the LPT1. Plug the dongle in and if it works, fine. If it still doesn't work, the little cube that plugs into the dongle will need replacing or re-programming or the dongle itself will need replacing.

[mohammadali]

I am not a computer expert and need your help is replacing the parallel port:

1. How do I get into the CPU BIOS on the hurco and turn off the LPT1.

2. What is the name of the "little card" and where do I insert this card. How do I re-configure it to be the new LPT1.

Thanks

(Info: My Hurco has ISA bus)

[spareribs]

You know, Hurco has a terrific service department. The service manager there is: Doug Hilker. Mr. Hilker's email is: hilkerd@hurco.com. But they do have a number of inside service people. I'm sure they could help you through this problem! It seems like this is the first place to go with a problem with your Hurco. I did not realize that you were in Pakistan when I first read of your problem. I apologize.

[bloke]

You need a card like this one. http://visualflex.net/gigagon/isa.htm

[Buddy1]

The security device is very voltage sensitive. Try connecting an old printer to the port and see if it comes up ( this will alter the voltage). You cannot add a card to the old ISA (multibus system). The 5vdc at the port must be at 5.00vdc, you can adjust this at the power supply. If the port is dead the MPU board must be repaired (not good).

Buddy
www.amtsinc.com

[bloke]

Buddy, you can add a card to the ISA rack to enable the use of a different LPT1. I personally have done this a few times with 100% success. You set the onboard LPT1 to off, configure the Little card to have HDD off, FDD off and coms off.

[bloke]

Multibus, just replace the surface mounted 1488 and 1489 ic's nearest to the port sockets on the CPU.

[Buddy1]

Correct, I mis-spoke. You cannot add a card to Multibus but you can to the PC based systems.

Sorry, I had a brain fart and associated ISA with Multibus.

The 1488 & 1489 chips control the RS232 ports, not the parallel port.

Buddy

[bloke]

Well noticed! My own brainfart for the day.

[RichardEisenman]

Actually, you can test the security device on a PC (having a floppy and parallel port).

You will need the Optikey floppy (usually available in the software folder provided with the Hurco ).

Plug the security device into the PCs parallel port and boot the PC on the Optikey floppy, The floppy is doing some sort of DOS boot and will automatically run an optikey.exe utility and display any valid keys that it finds.

If the Optikey floppy does not find any valid keys, you will know that the security device most likely has a problem. And if the Optikey utility finds valid keys on the PC, then its more likely a problem with the Hurco motherboard parallel port or cable.