Laser cutter startup / installation issues

[Mark Langford]

I am trying to set up our new VLS, first time setting one up.

Working through the step-by-step instructions in the manual, I have got as far as plugging the USB cable into the computer, and ground to a halt.

Plugging in the cable is supposed to trigger a “new hardware” pop-up. This is not happening.

Neither is the cutter powering up – yes, it’s plugged in, yes, the mains is on, but when I hit the power button, nothing happens.

The Thermal Sensor battery is fresh, the lid is shut, I’ve even checked that the laser cartridge is plugged in.

What should I check next?

[Martin]

When you open the ULS Control Panel it should say idle in the bottom left hand corner.
If it is saying disconected make sure the USB device is being recognised in Device Manager.

Open Device Manager & then unplug the USB lead. Wait 10 seconds then plug back in. Device Manager should refresh but it may show the device with a yellow question mark in which case you will need to tell it to look for the driver. This can take several minutes on some Vista PC's & older units


What version of Windows are you using?
Have you got full Administrator rights to install the software?

[Mark Langford]

It's XP Enterprise, I think (typing from home now).

I have *no* admin rights on the computer being used, because we're a school, and only the IT chappie is allowed to install anything.

He installed the software for me, before I connected it to the cutter, and says that the lack of pop-ups is nothing to do with him, but I *think* that I can't access all of the device manager.

Hmmm...

Am I going to need an admin access to finish this install properly, and will the installation still work when non-admins log in?

[Martin]

Yes I would think so.

Unplug the USB & then get the Admin to log on. Then when you plug it back in it should detect & install 2 x USB devices.

It should then work fine as a restricted user.