gotswrv

I tried it, doesn't crash, just says it is having trouble connecting. The port settings are the same as what I've been using. Any other suggestions? Is it time to start buying boards?

Ok, I'll start with this cutter (Refine MH1351) has been setting around for years. It has been passed around between friends without any use. So getting bumped around and such, without anyone knowing if one of the bumps did it in. Original purchase was early Jan of 2009. Probably 3 years since it was last powered up. The software I'm running is WinPCSign Pro 2007. The computer is an old XP laptop that has been intentionally kept from updating for many years as well. I use this laptop to run my laser cutter, home made CNC stuff, as well as flash automotive ECUs, It is always kept offline. I've always run a keyspan usb to serial. The symptom: I click the start job button on the laptop, program goes non responsive. Requires me ending the task to get out. If I intentionally put in incorrect port com settings (like wrong port) the software pops up a message stating the things are bad, that I need to check settings. The cutter is otherwise working correctly. Reset drives to the end of travel switch(red light is always on). Test does it's little funky motion. offline lets me drive around and set my origin. Redraw comes back with no data. Steps taken: I've been digging around for several hours trying to locate correct port settings. All documentation seems to say only that I should not need to change the settings. Nothing I've found lists correct port settings. Most links to drivers are old and broken. It is reasonable to think that over the years, one of my other projects have required my changing the settings from the default. I may have even changed the defaults. The keyspan is defaulting to 2400 baud, cannot remember why I would have forced that, but I think it is proof that my defaults are not standard. I've found that the documentation shows that if I experience communication issues to slow the baud rate. The instructions for this are to press the reset button after changing the setting. However, both the documentation and my testing show that the reset button resets the baud setting back to 9600. I've tried installing drivers to use the on board usb to serial converter for use with a newer laptop(windows 7). I've also tried using the keyspan on the newer laptop. On the newer laptop I've also tried a gigaware usb to serial, and a second keyspan. Both of these laptops were used successfully with the cutter years ago. What is the correct method for setting the baud rate? What are the correct port settings? Whats the problem? Thanks, Sam

Will do.

It's your call, let me know how to proceed. Do I need to start a repair ticket?

The unit being the entire cutter?

The e-mails have all been sent to the same place I sent the videos, the messages have been left on the voicemail with your voice stating your name. I'll copy in the last try minus our addresses: FW: ebay / gotswrv cutter issues‏ From: Sent: Wed 2/25/09 7:07 PM To: Ken, I'm resending this as I was told you had been out. Sam -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: To: Subject: RE: ebay / gotswrv cutter issues Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2009 17:23:32 -0800 Ken, I got the motherboard installed. Not much change in behavior. It will start up about 80% of the time with the setup light flashing fast. I did take the top cover off and found an insulating sleeve and a strip of plastic with two nuts hot glued on it... Seems to have corrected the issue with the horrible noises when driving off the reset limit switch. Guessing that helped get to the results list below. After either powering on and off or pressing reset, over and over, it will home the carriage, usually(70%) turning off the flashing light. The welcome screen will not likely be shown, a line or blank screen is usually what I get. However, it seems that everything functions normally once it flashing light stops. I can set the origin, change speeds, force, and run the test function. What do we do next? Thanks, Sam Steeb With each e-mail I tried to call the day prior, leaving a message, and have also called several times without leaving message too. If the forum is a better medium that is fine by me, I would just like to know how to proceed... What do we do next? Another MB, perhaps the wires/cables, try unhooking stuff, whatever, whats next? Thanks for the response, hope we can make some progress soon. Sam

Well, I have tried calling, and e-mails... No responses to either for a long time. Short story goes like this my 1351 was used for around 10hrs(over around 3months) and it quit. Ken was sure it was the MB so I shipped it off to him. Weeks later the replacement arrived and did not help, the machine is still broken. I tried calling the tech line when I couldn't get through to Ken and was told it would be best to wait for Ken to come back to work the next week. The guy said he would be sure to let Ken know I was still having trouble. Gave it a week and started back calling and e-mailing Ken... Nothing! Been weeks now, I'm quite sure that it has been down almost 1/2 of the time I have owned it. I know I didn't spend outrageous money buying it, but I do think it should have at least worked for more than a couple months. The cutter flashes the setup light fast at power up, blank screen After pressing reset repeatedly it may home After homing I will get lines across the screen/or not, press reset some more Eventually it will home and show the welcome screen It may or may not keep the screen working while jogging the machine around for a few moments Screen will go blank at some point during basic job setup As I said MB was replaced (tech said it still sounds like the MB, wait for Ken) I have found some extra parts laying inside the machine (jammed into the carriage path) Lots of metal chips were inside the machine as well (holes were drilled for bottom panel) So... Do I buy another MB and ship this one back? Do I start trying other parts? Thanks for any help, Sam