Can't get VR milling to start

[tomn]

Good day all:

I've got an older Micro Mill 2000 with VR Milling 2.19 software, but I can't get the software to start. It tells me that I'm missing the dongle. I received a dongle with the machine, but it's apparently not the correct one. I just hate when I'm missing my dongle!

Unfortunately I can't find the machines ID plate, so I don't know what the serial number is. Is ther a way to get around the dongle issue? Can I buy a new one; how much do they cost?

I wouldn't mind upgrading the software, but I don't know if the machine works yet and I don't want to spend money if this machine isn't going to work.

Anyone have any ideas?

Tom

[Steve]

Where are you located?

A machine supplied after 2000 would probably not have been supplied with a dongle but a flash code licence.

Do you have the origional software for the VR Milling? If so is there a 3 1/2" floppy disc with it? If so run the EXE file on the floppy.

[tomn]

Hello Steve:

I'm in Minnesota. I have a dongle, but I don't know if it's for this machine. I got the machine as a gift for Christmas from a buddy.

Where can I get a flash code license? I'd love to get this unit running!

Tom

[Steve]

On the Software CD there is a directory called Utilities.

In the directory is a program called DRIGHTS.exe

This will read the dongle and tell you what product is licenced.

If you dont have the software or licence code you would have to purchase a copy. You would be able to get VR Milling 5 at the same price as a new licence for VR Milling 2. A single seat costs $548.

The attached link covers lost software.

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=2543

[tomn]

Steve;

I really don't want to spend too much money on this machine before I know it works.

Can I run this machine with a different CAM program? A buddy of mine has Alibre CAM and I think he also has BobCad-CAM.

Would either of these work? Would I have to modify the machine to use a different CAM program?

Tom

[Denford Admin]

VR Milling v2 or v5 is the only software which knows how to talk to the machine.

You can download v2 milling and try connecting from MintMan (to see if the machine is working...you should be able to force an axis to move from mintman, if the mint is running and m/c OK):

Firstly - make sure any other Denford software is closed and disconnected from the machine
Then run the file: MintMan.EXE which is located in the VR Milling 2 installation directory (C:\Program Files\Denford\windmill)
Go to menu Setup -> Comm Port
Set the parameters to:
COM 1 (whichever machine is plugged into)
Baud: 19200
Parity: None
Data bits: 8
Stop bits: 2
Handshaking: none
Press OK
Press Upload Version button
If it connects to control OK and finds the mint version, you can now send mint commands to the machine.

See this post: viewtopic.php?t=1898

[tomn]

Well I got into Mint man fine and tries all com ports 1 thru 4 and I got the message "coms not ok". Does that mean I have the wrong type of board in my computer?

Anything else I can check?

Tom

[Martin]

Make sure you have the correct Eprom fitted on the control card. For VRMilling it should be version 2.1 or similar.

Does the 7 segment LED illuminate on the control card when you power it up?

Are you using the correct lead? It should be a straight 9 to 25 converter lead.