New (to me) computer. Now only one Z stepper works.

I’m still at the exploration / setup stage with LinuxCNC as my CNC router is STILL awaiting its final bits…

I successfully bench tested the Gecko G540 and steppers last week using a really old Dell 1.8GHz ‘poota.

I’ve now got a ‘new’ Dell Optiplex 980 3.2GHz ‘poota and after running the stepconf wizard, one of the Y axis steppers isn’t working. The ‘A’ port isn’t driving the second Y stepper, even though I’ve set ‘A’ as a second ‘Y’ in stepconf wizard.

I swapped the Y motors and proved the second stepper was functional.

So, long story short, I plugged the electronics box back into the old PC and all of the steppers worked as expected.

I’m wondering if I missed something in the setup or maybe the parallel port on the newer PC is toast?

muzza wrote:

I’m still at the exploration / setup stage with LinuxCNC as my CNC router is STILL awaiting its final bits…

I successfully bench tested the Gecko G540 and steppers last week using a really old Dell 1.8GHz ‘poota.

I’ve now got a ‘new’ Dell Optiplex 980 3.2GHz ‘poota and after running the stepconf wizard, one of the Y axis steppers isn’t working. The ‘A’ port isn’t driving the second Y stepper, even though I’ve set ‘A’ as a second ‘Y’ in stepconf wizard.

I swapped the Y motors and proved the second stepper was functional.
So, long story short, I plugged the electronics box back into the old PC and all of the steppers worked as expected.

I’m wondering if I missed something in the setup or maybe the parallel port on the newer PC is toast?

What version of linuxcnc are you using?

If you are looking to square the gantry then you don't use the A axis You would use the Y axis and under joints
in the ini file this is a shortened version .
linuxcnc.org/docs/devel/html/config/ini-...oming,-A%20hal%20pin

[AXIS_Y]
-
-
-
[JOINT_1]
# final home position macine-unit/sec
HOME = 0

# use this to square the gantry
HOME_OFFSET = 2.5

# machine-units per sec next 2 lines
HOME_SEARCH_VEL = 30
HOME_LATCH_VEL = -5
HOME_FINAL_VEL = 0

HOME_USE_INDEX = NO
HOME_IGNORE_LIMITS = YES
HOME_SEQUENCE = -2 (this has to be a -ve number)

[JOINT_2]
# final home position macine-unit/sec
HOME = 0

# use this to square the gantry
HOME_OFFSET = 1

# machine-units per sec next 2 lines
HOME_SEARCH_VEL = 30
HOME_LATCH_VEL = -5
HOME_FINAL_VEL = 0

HOME_USE_INDEX = NO
HOME_IGNORE_LIMITS = YES
HOME_SEQUENCE = -2 (this has to be a -ve number)

No, you're WAAAAY past where I'm at. I've just gotten past the stepconf part.

After i installed LinuxCNC (I think it's the latest one) I connected the steppers and had them on the bench.

When I tested each axis on my original PC, the X stepper rotated forwards and backwards, both Y steppers rotated in sync with each other (after inverting one of them) and the Z axis rotated forwards and backwards. So, all good.

When I got my 'new' PC, I went through the stepconf wizard and set it up (I thought) exactly the same as the other computer, but now, only one of the Y axis steppers rotates.

That's as far as I've got. watching the steppers rotate on the bench. Well, 3 out of 4 steppers rotating on the bench.

As mentioned, if I hook everything back up to the 'old' PC, everything works.

muzza wrote:

No, you're WAAAAY past where I'm at. I've just gotten past the stepconf part.

After i installed LinuxCNC (I think it's the latest one) I connected the steppers and had them on the bench.

When I tested each axis on my original PC, the X stepper rotated forwards and backwards, both Y steppers rotated in sync with each other (after inverting one of them) and the Z axis rotated forwards and backwards. So, all good.

When I got my 'new' PC, I went through the stepconf wizard and set it up (I thought) exactly the same as the other computer, but now, only one of the Y axis steppers rotates.

That's as far as I've got. watching the steppers rotate on the bench. Well, 3 out of 4 steppers rotating on the bench.

As mentioned, if I hook everything back up to the 'old' PC, everything works.

Well you are not giving much info away.

If you look at the top of the axis gui it should show the linuxcnc version.

Can you post the configs files eg. hal and ini files from the config folder of the old pc and the new pc?

What BOB are you using ?

Unfortunately, I'm giving as much information as I'm capable of.

I appreciate you taking the time to help me.

I won't get get a chance to go over to the shed until later in the week. When I get a chance, I'll try to find those files you mentioned.

Cheers

muzza wrote:

Unfortunately, I'm giving as much information as I'm capable of.

I appreciate you taking the time to help me.

I won't get get a chance to go over to the shed until later in the week. When I get a chance, I'll try to find those files you mentioned.

Cheers

Ok but while you are there take some pictures of the BOB and how you are connecting it

By “Bob”, do you mean the thing that connects to the steppers? It’s just a Gecko G540. It’s an all-in-one thingy.

Here are the  .ini and .hal files from the computer that works;

Here are the .ini and .hal files from the PC that don't work properly..