Cannot detect the machine

[Ironman]

I've been using this Pcam since 2007. About 2009 I did the upgrade to the DHC2, and that turned a useless thing into a wonderful machine. I have had no serious issues, wore out a cam follower, replaced the servo cables, and extended the table to 9ft. Thats it. Had to replace the grate bars a few times.
I am running on Win10, and had no issues. I use an Axxon high voltage parallel PCI port. I installed a new video card and to make it easier, I pulled the parallel port out and re installed after the vid card. Now my machine won't initialize. It "cannot detect the machine, please shut off and wait 5 minutes. Also check the BIOS". That is the message.
I ran for years on a low volt parallel port so I bought a new one and tried that, thinking the Axxon failed. I get the same error message.
As I run 3.11, Plasmacam refuses to speak to me unless I spent about 6 thousand for their new system, to get the same features.
I need help. If anyone has experienced this I would appreciate the input

[weldguy]

I am not a Pcam guy but have a little experience with lpt port. First thing I would do is look in Windows Device Manager to be sure the PC sees the LPT card on the PCI slot and that it is enabled. Your Pcam 3.11 may also require the LPT port to be set to a specific mode which can to be changed in bios and is not difficult.

[adbuch]

Try removing your new video card and reinstalling your old video card.
David

[Ironman]

Try removing your new video card and reinstalling your old video card.
David.

David, thanks for your response. That was the first thing I did, and it made no difference. Checked the box and it is set to 115 volts. I went into device manager and it shows LPT1. Tomorrow I am going to test continuity on every pin on the parallel cable.
I'm 76 now and I use this for so much of the work I still do, I have been doing a lot less work but I hope this machine won't die til I do.

[adbuch]

In any case, I would leave the old video card in place until you resolve your issue. Check to make sure you have a good connection at either end of your parallel cable. You could also try a new parallel cable - they are pretty inexpensive. If you happen to have an older parallel port printer, you could connect it to your parallel port card to check functionality of your card.

David

[adbuch]

If you continue to have problems, I would recommend reaching out to Robert Johnson to ask about the port settings if you have to configure your port manually.

David

490-1.jpg

[weldguy]

I doubt it is the LPT cable since it worked prior to removing the card.

Here is a good topic on the subject by Robert who David is referencing above https://www.plasmaspider.com/viewtopic. ... ct#p202271

I would go over all of that first and it that does not work I would go into the bios and check the port address and mode referenced in the attached pdf below that David posted some time ago for another member.

parallel port BIOS connection settings.pdf

[Ironman]

All good info and much appreciated. I have a sick wife since yesterday, and I will post back as soon as I get to try out these ideas.

[Ironman]

Got out there today and put the Axxon port back in, and checked device manager. Yup, has the Axxon drivers and is working properly Still cannot see the machine, though.
So I turned off the power to the yellow box and turned it back on after 5 minutes. Every single led on the panel is now lit up. The I shut down again and waited 5 minutes and turned it on. Once again, every light is lit up.
I don't think this means anything good at all.

[adbuch]

What happens if you disconnect the parallel cable from the controller and then turn it back on? Do you still see all the lights on?

David

[Ironman]

What happens if you disconnect the parallel cable from the controller and then turn it back on? Do you still see all the lights on?

David

If I disconnect the parallel cable from the control box the lights go off and the pause light blinks

[adbuch]

What happens if you disconnect the parallel cable from the controller and then turn it back on? Do you still see all the lights on?

David

If I disconnect the parallel cable from the control box the lights go off and the pause light blinks

That sounds normal to me with nothing connected. I would suspect a problem with the connection to the parallel port. Did you reach out to Robert Johnson yet?

David

[Ironman]

Not yet, but it is not normal to have all the leds lit when the parallel cord is plugged in, I've never seen that.

[Ironman]

I have located anothe printer cable and want to try that first. It is best that I try all avenues so I don't wast Robert's time.

[Ironman]

SOLVED
I got all my ducks in a row, and called Robert and he helped me. Base address issue fixed and I'm initialized and running.
Thanks to everyone who contributed

[adbuch]

Glad to hear. I figured Robert would know about the address issues and help you.
David

[weldguy]

Great news, Glad Robert was able to get you going. He does know his Pcam stuff.