Laptop control

[4lowie]

Hi guys
I've been using my old pc for year to drive my router via Mach3, i think the old pc is about to die! I got an old laptop with a parallel port so I thought I'd give it a go but I can't get it to talk to my Gecko540. I set the port as it should be but as soon as I plug in the gecko it goes into error mode, tried switching off the charge pump on the gecko, didn't go into error mode but wouldn't respond to commands from Mach3.
Tried all sorts of settings but no luck, can anyone please give me some key things to check. I'd really like to stay with mach3 if possible.

Many thanks in advance.

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[ger21]

Make sure the port address is correct.
Make sure it's a 5 Volt parallel port, and not a 3.3V.

You may need to change the PC from ACPI to Standard mode.

What version of Windows is it running?

[4lowie]

Hi Gerry

The laptop is running XP.

How do I tell if its 5 or 3.3v parallel?

So the ACPI and Standard are set in the BIOS, correct?

Maybe it would be easier to get a UC100 and forget about parallel..... If I did this I'm unsure of how to drive the VSD, at the moment (on my current PC box driving my router) I have a simple usb dongle thing that sends control voltage to the VSD. Sorry its so long ago I got it I've forgotten what its called!

Isn't there an output from the Gecko 540 that would drive the VSD?

Thanks

[ger21]

If you are currently using the parallel port, the UC100 is an easy switch. The cable just plugs into the UC100, instead of the parallel port.

Yes, the G540 has a 0-10V speed control for a VFD. But you'll need to add a relay, for start and stop.

[4lowie]

Thanks Gerry, appreciate your help.

I'll order a UC100 as I think it will be easiest in the long run. Do you know if theres a wiring guide anywhere showing the relay and VSD wiring? Not being lazy but there are lots of different examples but I'm not sure if they're correct, you would know the right one to follow. VSD is Huanyang, this has been working very well to date so I'll stick with it.

Cheers

[ger21]

The G540 manual has one I think.

I have a simple usb dongle thing that sends control voltage to the VSD

Sounds like you are using one of the Huanyang plugins? I'd keep using that, as it's simpler.

[4lowie]

Thanks I'll check it out.

Cheers Dave