XP SP3 No Output!

[sockules]

Hey guys,

Running 3 x Vexta Pk268-02A motors in bipolar configuration off a Rockcliff board. Fresh install of Windows XP SP3 on a P4 3GHz machine. Getting no output from the parallel port to the controller board; or at least that's what I think is happening. Checked the BIOS, made sure it was set to bi-directional (tried EPP and ECP as well). Port is set to 0x378, same as what the hardware device manager says. Read there may be some problems with SP3 and parallel ports; scaled back to SP2, still no dice.

Is there any way to test the output from the computer to the Rockcliff board? I've heard I'd need a scope or something. Running KCam, the I/O display shows the proper output to the pins, but I get no movement; however, in Mach 3, the parallel port seems to be lit up from pins 1 - 8 with no change when I jog the machine. The motors are humming when I plug the power source in, and I can't turn them manually. Triple-checked the motor wiring. Rather frustrating, as I had a very similar setup running about a year ago. Anyone experience something similar? Is my board fried? Thanks.

[rockcliff]

Hi
If the green light on the board is on, it should still be ok, you can test the parallel port a few different ways,

1) plug a printer into it and try and print something.
2) use a multimeter and check any output, +5vdc on/off (careful as it's very easy to fry the PC )

Have you tried a different PC? and or cable ?

Originally Posted by sockules

Hey guys,

Running 3 x Vexta Pk268-02A motors in bipolar configuration off a Rockcliff board. Fresh install of Windows XP SP3 on a P4 3GHz machine. Getting no output from the parallel port to the controller board; or at least that's what I think is happening. Checked the BIOS, made sure it was set to bi-directional (tried EPP and ECP as well). Port is set to 0x378, same as what the hardware device manager says. Read there may be some problems with SP3 and parallel ports; scaled back to SP2, still no dice.

Is there any way to test the output from the computer to the Rockcliff board? I've heard I'd need a scope or something. Running KCam, the I/O display shows the proper output to the pins, but I get no movement; however, in Mach 3, the parallel port seems to be lit up from pins 1 - 8 with no change when I jog the machine. The motors are humming when I plug the power source in, and I can't turn them manually. Triple-checked the motor wiring. Rather frustrating, as I had a very similar setup running about a year ago. Anyone experience something similar? Is my board fried? Thanks.

[sockules]

Thanks for the response,

I just rigged an LED with a resistor up and used a parallel port monitoring program (Parmon) to switch the pin values on and off. The LED lit up alright. I went into Mach 3 and jogged the X axis; again, the LED lit up when it was supposed to... My power supply is reading proper, so it's down to the driver or the motors. I'll take a battery to the motors this afternoon and see if I can get it to step. Is there any way to check the output of the Rockcliff board to ensure it's not fried? Thanks again!

[rockcliff]

Hi
It's hard to test the board's motor outputs without a scope, but if the driver board is getting a signal and not making your motors it could be a fried board, simply return it and we will replace it,

Originally Posted by sockules

Thanks for the response,

I just rigged an LED with a resistor up and used a parallel port monitoring program (Parmon) to switch the pin values on and off. The LED lit up alright. I went into Mach 3 and jogged the X axis; again, the LED lit up when it was supposed to... My power supply is reading proper, so it's down to the driver or the motors. I'll take a battery to the motors this afternoon and see if I can get it to step. Is there any way to check the output of the Rockcliff board to ensure it's not fried? Thanks again!

[sockules]

3 new Keling stepper motors on order... I had the motors hooked up to both the Rockcliff board and a Vexta UD2115A driver I have kicking around and neither worked; so since the parallel port seems to be outputting alright, I imagine the motors are pooched. I'll keep you guys posted.

[sockules]

Ok, so got the new motors all hooked up... and nothing. I decided to check the "supply line". I put a diode + resistor to the parallel pins to test for output; not at the computer, but at the cable before it connects to the board. I'm finding pins 2-5 are permanently on, pin 1 is off. When I try moving the axes in KCam, I get pins 2 and 3 corresponding to pins 15 and 13 respectively once through the cable... Checking the cable, I don't get any continuity between the same numbered pins. Did I pick up a bizarro cable, or should I be watching for a certain type of cable (RS232 or something)? At least I think I know what the problemo is!