red lights on circuitboard

[mikep608]

I have a micromill 2000NS. I'm trying to hook it up thru the USB port. The machine turns on, but the software can't find it. I looked at the curcuitboard to see if any fusses were blown and noticed there is a tiny red light on either side of where the fuses are wired in. One is lit, the other isn't is this a sign of what might be wrong? The green LED says 2. Should I just get an adapter and hook it directly to the printer port? My printer port is called LPT3. How would I enter tthat in Vr mill?

[Martin]

You won't be able to connect to the Micromill using a printer port.

Have you installed the USB driver?

[mikep608]

in the vr mill (version 2) file on my harddrive has a usb folder with baldorf files in it. if i left click on them, they don't do anything. how do I install them. They aren;t listed in the usb device manager.

[Martin]

Does the machine have both RS232 & USB connections?

If it is only RS232 are you trying to use a USB to RS232 converter? If so you will need to install the manufacturers driver then in device manager/ comm ports change the com port to a lower free number( Com 3).

[mikep608]

Yes, I'm using a a USB to RS232 converter. It shows up in the device manager under ports ( not Usb) it's adress is COM 4. I don't see a way to change it to a lower adress number. Is there a way to hook the machine up using Mach 3 ? also, when I plug the machine in, it auto matically is turned on. the key can be turned, but dosen't do anything. I don't know if this has anything to do with it.

[Martin]

Com 4 should be fine.

Have you selected the correct machine type in VRMilling?

It should be a NS.

[mikep608]

I have it set for a micromill 2000NS. That is what is on the side of the box. In the "communication" section it is set at COM port 3 and control type 0. Is there more settings?

[mikep608]

MY COMPUTER IS A HEWLETT PACKARD XP FROM 2006

[Martin]

Have you tried running EasyUpgrader?

It is the second option when you run the install app on the VRMilling CD.

If you then ask it to search for the machine it will check all available ports.

We did only manage to find a few USB to RS232 converters that worked well. I think there is a post regarding them.

[mikep608]

I TRIED EASY UPGRADER. IT SAYS MY MACHINE IS CURRENT, BUT VR MILL 2 STILL CAN'T FIND IT. SHOULD I JUST INSTALL ONE OF THESE?

http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-RS23 ... 2+pci+card

[Martin]

What did it say the node was?

[mikep608]

what's a node? is that found in the device manager?

[mikep608]

The cable that I'm using is the Lindly cable(came with machine) that has 25 pins connected to the machine, and 9 pins connected to the computer through a Dynex brand USB PDA/SERIAL ADAPTER http://reviews.bestbuy.com/3545/7135664 ... eviews.htm
Yes. the computer has RS232 & USB connections. Nothing is connected to the 25 pin port. ( you asked this a few lines above)

[Martin]

When you connect via EasyUograder it should display the node.

It would normally be set to 2.

[mikep608]

Easy upgrader says: firmware 5216
FPGA 17
CLPD 9
machine ID-unknown
serial number - it shows a lot of U
connection ok on COM$ Nextmove ST-RS232 only

[Martin]

If you right click with the mouse while in EasyUpgrader, then select Advanced (password=dave) then check it's set to node 2.

If EasUpgrader can detect the machine & the node is correctly set it should just connect. Will it connect if you set VRMilling as a different NS machine?

[mikep608]

so, i uninstalled, then reinstalled vrmill 2. it dosen't say that machine can't be found or isn't turned on. it now says emergency stop is on. also, if i try to press any axis in the window, it says driver not installed. is this getting better?

[Martin]

Now this is when you need to release the emergency stop push button & turn the power button which you said earlier did not work. It may be worth dropping the front control panel off & checking for loose wires.

[mikep608]

it works!!!!! thanks.