I suggest that if the axes are moving then the parameters are 99% correct (and possibly 100% correct). If teh parameters aor diagnostics were missing then the axes would not operate.

Also, can you let us know what is written on the chips highlited in the attached photo.

I think these controls had some separate smaller chips for the RAM parity BIT. They were something like a 16 pin DIL chip next to the larger RAM chips. The existing Parity Ram chips are good upto 120M, then you need to add 2 x more to go past this limit. There should be empty sockets on the board - ...

A stab in the dark....
Have you tried t00.12
This may call up tool 0 (and so not try to index the toolpost), but apply offset number 12.

Hi Karl... I know it's a bit late in the day to post this, but here is the format of a Program Block record (cnc block) that is loaded / saved by the Starturn... blockno: // looks like this is a 16 bit signed integer ?? kind: // byte: 0=blank line, 1=GCode, 2=MCode, 3=comment code: // byte: G or M C...

I've just seen this post - wish I'd seen it earlier to save you folks some pain.

The attached STSPEC.TXT gives the file format the txt file should follow in order for it to be read by the conversion program. HTH

In particuar I am looking for a TurboCAD (.TCW) file viewer

Oh.. and free

Without wanting to appear too sad.... this evening I thought I'd have a go compiling the old BBC starmill software in the rather impressive BeebEm emulator you pointed me to. I've managed to dig out the source code and have had some success in compiling the stuff, but unfortunately not the machine c...

Isn't that a young Harry Hill ???

I'd love to but I don't seem to have the SMCU manual anymore :( I've just been searching thru my old archives & can't find anything - I swapped out my hard drive while back and think it may have disappeared. I originally got it from the old NEE website but I see that no longer exists (and I also see...

But I'm currently trying to find a ROM image of Computer Concepts Basic Accelerator for the BBC (https://acorn.chriswhy.co.uk/docs/CC/CC_ ... nROMSw.pdf) so now I'm not too sure

Well I'd LIKE to think of my self as a geek...

I do remember that the BBC Starmill software was different for the ATC and NON-ATC versions of the machine. I am sure that the machine is being sent a command to datum the axes, then an extra command to tell it to datum the ATC, which it does not understand. Can you get s/ware for a non-atc machine?...

Just got back from a long weekend break so good to see Martin has got you up and running.
Yes - I think it as Alt-H for HOME mode, then just press X, Y or Z to datum that axis.

It sounds like you are running the "non-controlling" version of the software. There were 2 x version of this software with the same name (bad idea!) & I think you're running the wrong one. I've just been searching round the Denford website and can't find any mention of the old DOS software for the N...

Check the Go file. The QDENFORD line should read...

QDENFORD.KBD 1

Everything else you're doing is good... The 'L' and flashing dot on the LED is normal when first turned on, and should change once the software has 'found' the machine.

:oops: You are correct! The Novamill should use FANUCMD (the older starmill machine used FANUCSMD). You seem to be doing everything right. Use the cable that came with the machine (not the ones with the Lindy card) and connect to the COM1 port that's on your motherboard (don't forget to re-enable it...

The problem with the Lindy PCI card in DOS is that all 4 x ports are sharing the same IRQ (irq:5).

The Novamill DOS software requires that each serial port has its own IRQ. This is why the PCI card will not work with the Novamill DOS software in DOS.

Ooops - didn't mean to confuse things further. To sum up. 1) The PCI card will not work with DOS. 2) DOSBOX is NOT dos. It is a windows program that emulates dos (which is why the PCI card may work, but no guarantees) 3) We don't yet know if the machine link is OK (cable OK, machine is functioning O...

I think the 1st goal should be to get the PC to talk to the machine. And the easiest way to do this is by configuring the software to use the QWERTY keypad, and the machine to connect via COM1. This way we eliminate the need for the LINDY serial ports (and you will earn a lot about the basic config ...

I'm not sure on pricing of the windows based s/ware so suggest you try to PM Admin for details. As an alternative, you could try running the DOS software in the DOSBOX emulator ( https://www.dosbox.com/ ). This software runs in windows (certainly in WinXP, not sure about win98) and emulates old PC h...