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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Posts
    21

    Mach3 and PCI port Card

    I have tried EVERY way possible to configure my PCI 2 port card to configure with mach3 ANYONE have anything new to try?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Posts
    85
    Im having the simalar issues too.

    Can not seem to get the pci card to communicate with my g540?
    Nick
    I Know I Cant Spell..Don't Remind Me

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Posts
    4553

    Post

    Is the parallel port card 100% EPP "Enhanced Parallel Port" compatible?

    It must be set to EPP and if it is not 100% compatible most likely it will not work.

    Also there is a file called "driver test" in the c:\mach3 directory.

    Run the driver test, your P.C. must pass the test.

    Jeff...
    Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Posts
    21
    I ended up installing TWO PCI cards to find out what the address of the card I was using was actualy pulling. The number that the device manager was giving just wouldnt work in MACH3. After I found the correct address everything was all good to go. Supposidly there is a software tool that is share ware that will snoop the address for you but I have yet to find it.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Posts
    85
    I still having problems though. (Thread Jacking)

    Pci card said epp compatable when i bought it.
    Checked card drivers..OK
    Mach3 driver test..OK...till you shut it off then the computer starts acting laggy? reinstalled mach and ran memoverride.zip file. (i hate vista)



    One thing i cant get out of my head...is there a difference in parallel cords? Somewhere i read it has to a straight through cord?? Are they all??

    I voltmetered the cord from pin to pin and only a few pins line up??
    Are the pin suppost to line up from on end to the other??
    Nick
    I Know I Cant Spell..Don't Remind Me

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Posts
    4553

    Post

    Finishlinewrx,

    All the pins should be 1 to 1 straight through "lined up", if they are not you have the wrong type of cable.

    Jeff...
    Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538
    Most parallel cables bought at places like Best Buy will NOT be straight through.
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

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

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

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Posts
    127
    ALERT!!! the card you have is the problem,if it says it supports EPP ECP SSP ect (They even claim to be true printer ports...NOT!!!). then it will be up to windows which mode is active EPP, ECP SSP at any given time (YOU NEED TO HAVE EPP ALL THE TIME!!!)...my motherboard does not have a parallel port so I bought 2 cards like yours (EPP ECP SSP compatible),I could get them to work and even run jobs but I could not get my CNC4PC C3 index pulse card to either work or if it did it was very unstable and in accurate (played with the debounce setting and played to no avail.The problem is that without EPP mode Mach can communicate
    but has trouble receiving signals (Index Pulses)

    SOLUTION : I ordered this card which only does EPP mode so windows cant screw up my fun!!!!

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16815317005

    BETTER LATE THAN NEVER!!!!

    Hope this helps someone,

    Robert

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Posts
    761
    Some BIOS have settings for parallel ports. How come folks here did not mention this when the thread was new?
    Wayne Hill

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Posts
    127
    Quote Originally Posted by WayneHill View Post
    Some BIOS have settings for parallel ports. How come folks here did not mention this when the thread was new?
    That is true you can set the bios to EPP only if you have a printer port built into your motherboard, (Good Point)If not you should get a EPP ONLY card or one that has a jumper to set manually...Honestly I have just diagnosed my problem (took along time and much frustration!!!!!)I then found this thread thought maybe my pain will help someone out with this problem.

    Peace Out,
    Robert

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Posts
    127
    Quote Originally Posted by rwestbr View Post
    ALERT!!! the card you have is the problem,if it says it supports EPP ECP SSP ect (They even claim to be true printer ports...NOT!!!). then it will be up to windows which mode is active EPP, ECP SSP at any given time (YOU NEED TO HAVE EPP ALL THE TIME!!!)...my motherboard does not have a parallel port so I bought 2 cards like yours (EPP ECP SSP compatible),I could get them to work and even run jobs but I could not get my CNC4PC C3 index pulse card to either work or if it did it was very unstable and in accurate (played with the debounce setting and played to no avail.The problem is that without EPP mode Mach can communicate
    but has trouble receiving signals (Index Pulses)

    SOLUTION : I ordered this card which only does EPP mode so windows cant screw up my fun!!!!

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16815317005

    BETTER LATE THAN NEVER!!!!

    Hope this helps someone,

    Robert
    UPDATE.......THE card does not workout ....sending it back....getting Motherboard with PRINTER PORT

  12. #12
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Posts
    122

    Re: Mach3 and PCI port Card

    Does anyone have links to EPP cards? I found some a few months back but now I can't find any. That's what I get for procrastinating.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Posts
    122

    Re: Mach3 and PCI port Card


  14. #14
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Posts
    122

    Re: Mach3 and PCI port Card

    Deleted.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538

    Re: Mach3 and PCI port Card

    I have a feeling PMDX is a shifty bunch. I bought one of these parallel port cards without reading all the specs properly (my fault), that card only works on 32bit systems.
    PMDX is one of the most reputable vendors around.

    The 32 bit limitation is with Mach3, not the card.

    You pay more because it's been tested and guaranteed to work with Mach3.
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

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

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

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