Mach3 -> Camtronics -> Parallel P Replacement

I have a Shopmaster Patriot 2011 that came with a Dell computer loaded with Mach3 and Wondoz. That sent signals to a Camtronics built unit via a C10 Parallel port interface to Geckodrive 6203V Stepper drive. The Dell PS died, the HD about died a few years back. I grabbed a new PS, used clonezilla replacing the HD with an SSD.

Because of CORVID-19 I have a huge amount of home time to do what I wanted way back then. Get rid of Wondoz.

My goal.

• Replace Mach3/Wondoz with LinuxCNC/Mint.
• Replace the C10 with Mesa 7i76e

I received the 7i76e card yesterday and so it begins.

I'm not savvy with non RedHat Linux variants, LinuxCNC or electronics for that matter.

This thread could get interesting.

Hopefully I escape the white smoke.

Attached is what I will be working with.

Great. I am hoping so.

I downloaded the Mint variant on this forum and started guessing at the best process to install a conservative release of LinuxCNC on this thing.

The process (seems like there are 50 ways to get said point) this is my first stab at it:

• Download a spin of Mint from one of the LinuxCNC threads
• Threw the ISO on a flash drive from the Mac
  sudo dd if=./linuxmint-19.2.0-20200306-LCNC-2.8-RT-UEFI-mate-64bit.iso of=/dev/disk2
• I got a little stuck here not knowing what is the best strategy.
  • git clone -b 2.7 github.com/LinuxCNC/linuxcnc.git linuxcnc-2.7
  • cd linuxcnc-2.7/debian
  • ./configure uspace
  • cd ..; dpkg-checkbuildeps
  • sudo apt-get install ... packages ... # At this point I am wondering if I derailed because I am using a custom ISO for linuxcnc installing packages
  • dpkg-buildpackage -b -uc
  • sudo app install linuxcnc-uspace
  • linuxcnc &

On to the Camtronics and the C10 to 7i76e.

I made mount/(Corvid-19 Home Lock Down hack) made from materials in the garage and past projects back in the 80's...

Attached is a CAT-5 to parallel Male to a parallel Female to CAT-5 plugging into the 7i76e board.

I tested the config on the home network and it seems to work just fine.

hi we got a external user that has quite a Good if not the best follow throu
gnipsel.com/linuxcnc/uspace/debian9-emc.html

look here

as you are new to the Linux system why dident you go for the almost redy to run Version on DVD Debian
just insertt the DVD and go ahed cabeling ans configurating

I am installing from a USB thumb drive to a 64g SanDisk card. Going with no HD in the Zotac.

I will take a look at that.

I am newish to Debian flavored ice cream. Kinda avoided it as much as Wondoz. Not new at all to Linux but that never means I don't learn something everyday

I tested/verified the 5v source that was going to the C10 and sent that to the 7i76e P3 plug.

I am now onto where I run out of talent and onto remove/replace.

C10 has the following set on the jumpers.

• COM 1-2 GND # I'm Ok here
• Pins 2-9 Pull down # I honestly do not know at this time what pull down/up means.

The 7i76e has something extra from the C10 that I am not getting.
Pin 1 GND # I am Ok with that
Pin 2 STEP0-
Pin 3 STEP0+
# I am stuck...
Pin 4 DIR0-
Pin 5 DIR0+
# I am stuck....

Step and Dir the - + option.

I am going with +, it sounds so much better than - today.

I wont throw the power till I understand this better.

Any advice is totally welcome.