Denford Software & Machines

Hello All

Yesterday I got a second hand denford micromill and this morning successfully ran my first gcode.

I powered down the machine while I went to the shop and now I'm having problems connecting to the machine again.

When I open the 'select real machine' it starts initialisation but then I get a message saying that the pc mint and the machine mint do not match. It then asks I want to download the mint from the PC.

Which ever option I select at this point (yes or no) I then get a second message - major time out error.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to fix this error?

Thanks in advance

uninstall VR Milling from the PC and start again.

When you come to shut down ensure you hit the connect/disconnect from real machine button so you disconnect before turning the power off or try to exit from VR milling.

Pete

Thanks Pete,

I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling the VR milling software and I'm still having the same problem.

I have now noticed that when I get this error, if I then press connect / disconnect from real machine I get the following message:

'Access violation at address 77643D63 in module 'ntdll.dll'. Write of address 00000050.'

Have you got the correct machine selected?

It sounds like you have a Denstep control so you need to select the legacy machine type.

Hi Martin,

Yes I've got the correct legacy machine selected. Just double checked.

Nathan

The machine I have selected is the Micromill 2000 Denstep - this is the one I used previously when I successfully ran a G code yesterday.

Something else I think has changed is the noise of the machine (it might be my imagination) but its sounds like the cooling fan (or what sounds like a fan) in the back isn't going as fast (its quieter)

have you tried running the easy upgrade? that should talk to the machine and check a few bits?

If you search for the access violation on here I have seen that come up in the past on threads, i have had it and cured buy uninstall re install.

Might be worth popping the cover off and checking the fuses. I had one fail but looked fine visually, the wire in the fuse had failed within the metal cap and would sometimes touch.

I'm just thinking what it could be rather than an Oh its will be this.

Pete

Hi Pete

Downloaded the easy upgrade - when I tried to use it I get a message saying 'unable to find suitable machine'.

I've also had the back off, removed each fused and tested them - all are ok. (checked 6 fuses in total)

Still no improvement.

After doing a search for 'access violation' on this site I followed some instructions for changing the control type from 0 to 20.

Now when I try to connect to the machine I don't get the message regarding the mint not matching, but now it gets stuck in 'initialising' then VRmillingV5 stops responding.

Something else I've also noticed.....

The machine has a led light in the cabinet, it's now not as bright as it was and looks like it's burnt out (signs of burning in the light)

Don't know if this is a retro fit light or is standard - but think this morning I will trace the led light wires back to see where they connect.

Make sure the RED Led on the Denstep control is lit.

Easy Upgrader only connects to the Nextstep control. You should have DenMint I think on the C drive which should help.

Here's how it looks

It all looks fine.

How are you connecting from the machine to the computer? USB - Serial Converter or straight from a serial port?

Yes I'm using a usb converter. Is it worth trying the usb converter directly into the board?

Could this be my issue?

Middle of the photo there appears to be signs of burning?

The leaking battery has caused issues in the past, there are many discussions on this (give it a search, these boards were used in most machines at some point. It is not needed and can be removed. I cant remember what you need to use to clean up a niMH 'spill'. You need to clean off the corrosion and nutralise the 'acid'. You may find this makes things work.

Pete