First time linux cnc user - no stepper movement.

I tend to get an error when i use the advanced tab and edit my config file. Wont let me continue. Deselected the advanced options, still got an error at the virtual control panel menu.

A much easier way to try motion settings is to invoke the calibrate menu
when running LinuxCNC, Then you can change them dynamically
by just changing the desired parameter and then hitting the "Test" button

is that the motor tuning part during the setup menu?
i manually edited the 5000 lines to 10000, no change. it was called something a little different in the config file.

for posterity, i made a new config. still nothing. at this point i want to drive the motors manually like im pretending to be the the mesa board. where do i send power/gnd to make the driver move the motor?

There is no way to get continuous motion from the motors without
a stream of step pulses

You should be able to tie the drives STEP- to GND
and get a single step each time you connect/disconnect
the drives STEP+ pin to +5V

I did not get anything. Guess its time to try another set of drivers/motors.
The motherboard that I'm trying now has a Serial port, I'm about to run it directly and see if it works but I need to see how to set that up. Heres how i have it wired trying to do the manual test. Dont mind the yellow wire i attached to the drain wire to keep ground loops/noise from the last setup. Its just hanging now.

No wonder it does not move, pulse + is not connected to anything.
pulse+ and dir+ to Mesa 5V
pulse- to Mesa step-
dir- to Mesa dir-

That was for that "bypass" test i was doing as per instruction. I had it hooked up as you said.

omg lol it was one of two things. a: loose connection at the driver (which one wire appeared so. b: the twisted pair wiring was the issue. im about to go back to the twisted pair to test. WHEW. im just glad i got some headway made. i was really losing my mind lol

Edit: not the twisted pair. it was just a loose wire. thank you so very much for helping me work thru this!

*** NEW ISSUE ***

i swapped the mobo back out because the window resolution actually fits the whole window of Lcnc.

anyway, i get an error on startup and it wont discover the board in advanced setup, but it pings 10.10.10.10