No Pulses from Linuxcnc

I'm retrofitting a Sabre 408 cnc router with MachDrives and Linuxcnc software. I have the drives working and tuned to the machine's axes. I've also run Stepconf and configured just the X axis for now. I can use the "Test this axis" button to move the X axis easily.

Now, I'd like to run Linuxcnc Without homing any axis - so I can send absolute moves to the X axis and verify positioning accuracy. I only want to move the axis in one direction for now to verify that both the MachDrives and Linuxcnc are configured correctly for X axis positioning.

Running "Test this axis" runs the axis in both directions which I don't want now (since this introduces backlash errors) - this is why I need Linuxcnc to run the axis a known distance in one direction only.

I haven't been able to get Linuxcnc to generate any pulses after starting it and toggling the "E-stop button" (in software - upper left corner) and toggling the "Machine Power" (in software - upper left corner). I also have a Tektronix scope on the "step" line for the X axis - no pulses. If I run the "Test this axis", the axis moves and I get pulses. I've googled for an answer - but no luck. Can someone help me, thanks.

I think home all is a requirement for a gantry machine before any move is allowed.

I would set your joints up in the ini file for immediate homing
linuxcnc.org/docs/2.8/html/config/ini-ho...ml#_immediate_homing

Homing the machine is not going to alter positional accuracy.

comment out your home switches and in the ini just have:

HOME_SEARCH_VEL = 0
HOME_LATCH_VEL = 0
HOME_USE_INDEX = NO
HOME_SEQUENCE = 0

then you just need to press home all.

Thanks for the quick response, I'll try that tomorrow.