Mach 3 upgrade....


Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 25

Thread: Mach 3 upgrade....

  1. #1
    Gold Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    175
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default Mach 3 upgrade....

    -
    I fired up my system yesterday to do some work, everything booted up and the table worked great.
    i decided to upgrade to Mach 3, went through the whole setup, rebooted, ocx test looked great, set up my ports and pins per the soundlogix B/O board......went to tune my motors...nothing.
    Checked jog settings ...everything good there....the breakout board LEDs for the dir and step showed no activity, (the step usually dims when jogging).
    So after going back and rechecking everything I decided that the upgrade was not for me....went back and booted up Mach 2 and now it has the same thing...no activity on the dir / step LEDs and the charge pump (pin 17) will not fire the scr (output 4) to turn on my drives.
    After I pulled all my hair out, I loaded Mach 2 on my laptop and connected it to the breakout board, with a NEW profile everything worked like it was supposed to. So, there is something haywire with my computer but I can't figure it out. I uninstalled Mach 3 and Mach 2 and then reinstalled Mach 2 using my old XML profile. Same results.
    My question is this...
    could the old profile for Mach 2 have gotton corrupted somehow?
    I have a few Pentium boards laying around, so i was about to swap the computer board out, but I thought i would ask the experts there opinion on this problem first.
    Any ideals what went wrong?
    Thanks
    Chuck

    Similar Threads:
    Last edited by CRFultz; 04-01-2006 at 10:00 AM.
    Aspire, VCPro, PhotoVCarve, Cut3D, Mach3, Home built CnC.


  2. #2
    Gold Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    175
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Unhappy

    I guess i kinda answered my own question....I deleated my profile from the mach dir...and made a new one ..same thing...no charge pump when i hit reset...guess my motherboard as gone south

    Aspire, VCPro, PhotoVCarve, Cut3D, Mach3, Home built CnC.


  3. #3
    Gold Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    175
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Something else...I just booted it up again and I got a screen saying that "overclocking has failed...press F2 to load default".
    First time I ever saw that one...didn't know my asus board was overclocked to begin with.....the board is a year old so it's time was probably up.....only question now is do I upgrade to Mach 3?

    Aspire, VCPro, PhotoVCarve, Cut3D, Mach3, Home built CnC.


  4. #4
    Member ger21's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Shelby Township
    Posts
    35538
    Downloads
    1
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    The settup is differenent between Mach2 and Mach3, so you can't just transfer the settings. And Mach3 has a lot more features.

    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    [URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html[/URL]

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    [URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html[/URL]

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    [URL]http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html[/URL]

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)


  5. #5
    Registered strat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    175
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    another fast thought is if it was showing change to your bios for the overclock did it change the setting for your port



  6. #6
    Gold Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    175
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ger21
    The settup is differenent between Mach2 and Mach3, so you can't just transfer the settings. And Mach3 has a lot more features.
    Hey Gerry,
    naw..when i tried the mach 3 it was with a whole new profile / setup...I used the xml file from Bob's website so i don't think that was a issue...
    Chuck

    Aspire, VCPro, PhotoVCarve, Cut3D, Mach3, Home built CnC.


  7. #7
    Gold Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    175
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by strat
    another fast thought is if it was showing change to your bios for the overclock did it change the setting for your port
    I'm gonna go check....what should I look for?...I've never made any changes in the setup so I'm not sure what it should be...any ideals? It's a ASUS p4

    Aspire, VCPro, PhotoVCarve, Cut3D, Mach3, Home built CnC.


  8. #8
    Registered HayTay's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    727
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Following Strat's train of thought, maybe the (usually lithium coin cell) battery on the motherboard that enables your BIOS settings to be maintained when the PC is unplugged has died. Make sure it is seated properly if it is in a battery holder. You may want to purchase a new one and try it before going to the bother of replacing the motherboard. It's cheaper and less work. Either way your BIOS settings will have to be set back to their original values (drives, ports, clock speed, etc.).

    Some coin cell batteries are actually soldered to the motherboard. Depending on how brave you are, you probably wouldn't want to fool around replacing the battery on this type. You would have to pull the MB anyway, and if you're going to do that you might as well put in another board. You wanted to upgrade your system anyway, right?

    Rotsa Ruck,

    HayTay

    HayTay

    Don't be the one that stands in the way of your success!


  9. #9
    Registered strat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    175
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    get into your bios not real sure what the asus has in it but once in look for something with integrated peripherals or such you should see something for the onboard par. port and something for the mode make sure the port addy is set to the one you want to use and then try the different mode settings i usally get by with the combo setting some have had probs withthat so thats just kinda try and see which work i use the combo myself ecp+epp



  10. #10
    Gold Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    175
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    In setup I found a setting for parallel port...it shows a address of 378.
    Parallel port mode is normal
    ...should this be ...bi-dir
    or EPP
    or ECP
    parallel port IRQ is IRQ7

    Aspire, VCPro, PhotoVCarve, Cut3D, Mach3, Home built CnC.


  11. #11
    Gold Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    175
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by strat
    get into your bios not real sure what the asus has in it but once in look for something with integrated peripherals or such you should see something for the onboard par. port and something for the mode make sure the port addy is set to the one you want to use and then try the different mode settings i usally get by with the combo setting some have had probs withthat so thats just kinda try and see which work i use the combo myself ecp+epp
    it will only let me choose one

    Aspire, VCPro, PhotoVCarve, Cut3D, Mach3, Home built CnC.


  12. #12
    Gold Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    175
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by HayTay
    Following Strat's train of thought, maybe the (usually lithium coin cell) battery on the motherboard that enables your BIOS settings to be maintained when the PC is unplugged has died. Make sure it is seated properly if it is in a battery holder. You may want to purchase a new one and try it before going to the bother of replacing the motherboard. It's cheaper and less work. Either way your BIOS settings will have to be set back to their original values (drives, ports, clock speed, etc.).

    Some coin cell batteries are actually soldered to the motherboard. Depending on how brave you are, you probably wouldn't want to fool around replacing the battery on this type. You would have to pull the MB anyway, and if you're going to do that you might as well put in another board. You wanted to upgrade your system anyway, right?

    Rotsa Ruck,

    HayTay
    checked it with a meter....show's 3vdc...
    if the board is ok...i would rather keep using it....its a 2.8 and the others are 2.2...not that it matters that much...

    Aspire, VCPro, PhotoVCarve, Cut3D, Mach3, Home built CnC.


  13. #13
    Registered strat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    175
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    try the bi -dir first your sending signals out for control and getting signals back for limits and such if thats no good go with the epp ecp



  14. #14
    Gold Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    175
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by strat
    try the bi -dir first your sending signals out for control and getting signals back for limits and such if thats no good go with the epp ecp
    Ok...I'll give it a shot...
    Naw.....
    same thing with all 4 choices.....
    the parallel port has got to be fried

    Aspire, VCPro, PhotoVCarve, Cut3D, Mach3, Home built CnC.


  15. #15
    Registered HayTay's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    727
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Ditto, try the bi-dir setting first.

    On another note, are you sure you don't have a virus? Also, just checking, did you use the same cable with the PC as you did with the laptop? Another thing, you didn't install another piece of software or printer around the same time, did you? Almost all of the newer printers/printer drivers come with a status monitor that runs in the background that wreaks all kinds of havok (PC won't shut down, PC runs slower, unable to connect other devices to the monitored port, etc.).

    HayTay

    HayTay

    Don't be the one that stands in the way of your success!


  16. #16
    Registered strat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    175
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    one other thought is do you have a par port pci card????? you might still be able to use that mb unless you just gotta have a new one ... should be able to get a port card cheap i think i paid like $10 for mine and you disable the port on the mb also if you go this route try to make sure you can set the addy with jumpers have seen some that are plug and pray that throw wierd addys out



  17. #17
    Gold Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    175
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by HayTay
    Ditto, try the bi-dir setting first.

    On another note, are you sure you don't have a virus? Also, just checking, did you use the same cable with the PC as you did with the laptop? Another thing, you didn't install another piece of software or printer around the same time, did you? Almost all of the newer printers/printer drivers come with a status monitor that runs in the background that wreaks all kinds of havok (PC won't shut down, PC runs slower, unable to connect other devices to the monitored port, etc.).

    HayTay
    This only has mach2 on it..no network, internet or any other thing for that matter....it's mounted inside the cnc cabinet and not hooked to anything else.....the same cable was used with my laptop...it's the 6 inch ribbon cable that comes with the breakout board....
    Thanks for ya's help...I'm gonna change out the board and see what happens.
    Chuck

    Aspire, VCPro, PhotoVCarve, Cut3D, Mach3, Home built CnC.


  18. #18
    Member ger21's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Shelby Township
    Posts
    35538
    Downloads
    1
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by CRFultz
    Hey Gerry,
    naw..when i tried the mach 3 it was with a whole new profile / setup...I used the xml file from Bob's website so i don't think that was a issue...
    Chuck
    What I meant was, if you're starting with Mach2, and decide to upgrade later to Mach3, you'll have to retune your motors, because the .xml's are different. The only benefit that I see to using Mach2, is that it *may* run better on slower PC's. If your PC is 1Ghz or faster, why bother with Mach2.

    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    [URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html[/URL]

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    [URL]http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html[/URL]

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    [URL]http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html[/URL]

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)


  19. #19
    Gold Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    175
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by strat
    one other thought is do you have a par port pci card????? you might still be able to use that mb unless you just gotta have a new one ... should be able to get a port card cheap i think i paid like $10 for mine and you disable the port on the mb also if you go this route try to make sure you can set the addy with jumpers have seen some that are plug and pray that throw wierd addys out
    thats a ideal....ill keep the board cuz everything else seems to work ok...i don't have a pci board right now put I'll pick one up later and test it with a printer to see if it works that way...thanks!
    Chuck

    Aspire, VCPro, PhotoVCarve, Cut3D, Mach3, Home built CnC.


  20. #20
    Gold Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    175
    Downloads
    0
    Uploads
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ger21
    What I meant was, if you're starting with Mach2, and decide to upgrade later to Mach3, you'll have to retune your motors, because the .xml's are different. The only benefit that I see to using Mach2, is that it *may* run better on slower PC's. If your PC is 1Ghz or faster, why bother with Mach2.
    I never got to the tuning part cuz the charge pump output would not come on.....do you think I should give it another go with the upgrade....Mach2 always ran great but if Mach3 will make it run better then I'm willing to give it another go.....I didn't use the same XML with Mach3 as I did with mach2 so I'm sure that wasn't a issue...
    Once I get the new/old board installed I'll try the upgrade again if it will make my machine run smother...the messed up board was a p4 2.8...the one i'm getting ready to put in is a p4 2.2.....

    Aspire, VCPro, PhotoVCarve, Cut3D, Mach3, Home built CnC.


Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  


About CNCzone.com

    We are the largest and most active discussion forum for manufacturing industry. The site is 100% free to join and use, so join today!

Follow us on


Our Brands

Mach 3 upgrade....

Mach 3 upgrade....