SBS

Kimon, Jerry, While I appreciate the responses, I'm not willing to do way with three computers, software, two other working plotters and years of files just to try something new. I know I can resave all of the files from Flexi, as Illustrator files, I've done it before. I cant slow business down that far to start again. Kimon, I'm using a G4 with OS10.4.11. When I use or attempt to use SignCut X2 it would state "test mode. I would get a registration box, for PE & LE even after I had restarted after entering the code. SignCut X2 remains in the "cut area". As for the bar, "SignCut X2 Test Mode / Applicatons/Signct/sc.ai. Once again I would have to go back, enter the code etc. As for the last time, I did this, it shows my expiration as 15/12/08, the date I entered the Code. I just have reentered it all and showing a date of 2011 now..maybe this time it'll "stick.". All of the settings are there, baud, cutter, etc, it recognizes the plotter is there. I'm sure I'll like the upgrade to a newer faster machine, but in time and cost, it isn't feasible. If the Refine 721 plotter "worked" as it should, I would have been able to be cutting by now. Guys, still back to the problem at hand. It should work as a Roland PNC1000. It doesn't.........nor as an 1100 or any of the other Roland or Graphtec drivers that are listed in the plotter setup in Flexi. This is where my problem lies.

The machines are on a local network for file transfer, but have each been attached individually to the cutter and two of the 3 are on OS9.2. Only the laptop is on 8.6. Being these are older machines, it is no value to upgrade to the later 10. xx, being there are no USB ports and the maximum ram and G3 architecture are at the minimum of requirements. Each of these have worked with the Rolands without a hiccup. After changing out the plotters, i.e removing the Roland and plugging in the R721, setup in Flexi was gone through resetting the port with the "proper" driver as stated in the paperwork and changed in Production manager. Once again, nothing. All values in options have been changed, swapped, you name it. Baud @ 4800, 9600, 19200...handshake on / off, data bits...everything. I've tried every combination. Changed out cables, to the point of trying older serial modem cables. Even went as far as taking a pad and writing them all down as trial in HOPES that I'd hit the lucky combo to share. So far I've had the opportunity to waste about 16 billable hours trying to get this to work. :bang:

Hey Guys, new to the forum, but not new to the business. Back in late 2007, bought the Refine 721 25 to have as a backup to my Rolands in case of problems. Well, lost a plotter and finally put the 721 to work or so I thought. i have in use a PNC1000 20" cutter, a PNC 960 24" Roland, and a Graphtec 20" The 24" 960 was the one with the problem, so I unplugged, cabled up the R721, reset my Flexi Cut software to accept the "1000 as the default for the Refine, sent a file and nothing. By what is with the "instructions" stating it works with Flexi, setting the driver to a PNC1000, it should work...right? Wrong. :bang: I have been using these Macs as design and cut since 1999 with Flexi Cut as the bridge to plotter without problem. These are 6400 towers with G3 upgrades, 9.2 OS and a Lombard G3 Powerbook on 8.6 OS, using the standard round pin serial ports. The serial cables are the ones that came from Roland with the plotters for the Mac. I have swapped thes back and forth between machines, and the cables are operating properly with the 20" Roland. Sure, I can use what plotters I have to finish my work, but I do not like having a seam in the middle of 22" letters. I have stayed with these because of the serial dongles provided with the Flexi Cut software. None of these 3 machines have USB ports. I've tried different cables, settings, plotter output devices (i.e. Setup in FlexiCut ) nothing works. From what I've read here it seems like I'm not alone. I probably should have read the boards before my purchase. Plan B...I received SignCut X2 with the machine and had loaded it up on another Powerbook, a G4 Titanium, registered it and tried to put it to use...for some reason it seems to be locked in Demo mode even after registering it with the "3 year site license". I tried to import a Flexi file.open a Flexi file...no avail. When I attempted to use the refine plotter with this machine, I did get the machine to partially cut the SignCut X2 logo, but not a full cut... :bang: I've read about the USB / serial converter to help with the communication, but in honesty, isn't this a "band aid" for an inherent that should have been corrected? Even if I buy the USB unit to get the plotter to work with the G4 I still have the issue of not being able to import / open Flexi files. :notsure: Synopsis...I have a machine that won't work as stated, software that isn't compatible with 8 years of files, and customers that I'll have to buy some time with. I'm open to suggestions and ideas.