Hi,

I am setting up a CNC machinefor my workplace. It has run using mach3 before but is now using a new drive system and PC.
I am a complete newbie to CNC and require help setting up.

The machine I am using is :

http://microdream.co.uk/dell-optiplex-gx520-desktop-pc-pentium-4-ht-3-2ghz-1024mb-ram-80gb-hard-drive-dvd-rom-windows-xp-professional-sp3-preinstalled.html?gclid=CKyf9rnJlLQCFSTLtAodFTwAhQ

And the system with which I hope to drive my CNC with is the System4C from DIYCNC.COM. Which I have assembled but currently have not plugged in as I just wish to test Mach3 first.

I have downloaded the trial version of MACH and at this stage would like to test that my motors will turn.
My CNC machine is not plugged in yet, I wanted to test MACH 3 first but am unable to use my keyboard arrow keys to jog or change the values in the xyz axis

Where lies my problem?

Any advice

Please help
-------------------------------------------------------

ports and pins:

port enabled
0x378

25000Hz.

Motor Outputs

X axis  Green, step pin 2, Dir Pin 3,Red , Red, step port 1, Dir port 1
y axis  Green, step pin 4, Dir Pin 5,Red , Red, step port 1, Dir port 1
z axis  Green, step pin 6, Dir Pin 7,Red , Red, step port 1, Dir port 1

is the reset flashing ( bottom left )

I Have turned that off.

I have been following this tutorial, at around 19:30
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5_bzkhU3JQ

he mentions changing the step pulse from 0 in motor tunning.
I entered 1 for both and and behold i was able to jog. I set them back to zero after to see if the would stop and found I was still able to jog so I dont fully understand what the fault actually was but it seems to be working now. My next step is to attach my system 4 via the parrell port which will mean changing my pins and ports according to the manual and see if I can control my nema 23 motors.

So the problem may rise again.

I have now connected my system 4c from DIYCNC.com with the parallel port cable, changed the pin settings to as shown in the manual and I hae no movement. I can still jog the motor values on the screen using the keyboard but my motors themselves are not moving. The motors aren't making any noise, though the system is on.

x axis green, step pin 3, Dir pin 2, red, red, step pin 1, Dir pin 1
y axis green, step pin 5, Dir pin 4, red, red, step pin 1, Dir pin 1
z axis green, step pin 7, Dir pin 6, red, red, step pin 1, Dir pin 1

Are your motors properly connected to the drivers (wired properly) and connected (wired properly) to the control board?

Yes, I have checked them several times they are in the correct order with good conections

its seems that although I have changed my pins settings to those stated in the user manual, mach3 isnt communicating to my driver system through the parallel cable.

are the motors locking when the system is turned on (the ballscrews are stiff to turn by hand when locked)

Is your parallel port turn on in the bios by chance?

you will hear a pronounced thump when they lock