Geesh... I didn't realize how long it's been!! Everything that I did so easily before is like learning a new language now!
I finally have a computer that's working right and just put my plotter back together today. I have everything hooked up... but can't seem to get the computer talking to the plotter.
I have VE Express Master and a GCC GRC-61 plotter (VE Ultra-Pro 24"). I used the serial cord... but I don't know if I plugged it into com1 or com2. I tried both and tried a test plot... but no communication. I can't remember loading a seperate driver - just choosing the correct cutter in the sign program set up.
I've tried to read in the instructions... but I have a major case of brain overload right now (which happened when I tried to do stuff in the sign program!!).
I figure I'm forgetting to do something stupid. Any suggestions? Thanks!!
Posted by Tony McDonald (Member # 1158) on :
Hi Dana,
I'll throw out a couple ideas.
I've had a couple versions of the Master software. The first version had an "update" on the install disc, you may need to load that.
You should be able to go the the "control panel" and "device manager" and scroll down till you get to ports. That should tell you which one you're connected to, how many you have and if there is a conflict. If you have only one serial port...it's probably com 1
Did you install the "dongle" for the software?
You can also connect your cutter through the "lpt printer port" with a printer cable. You could try that to see if it will work.
Also there should have been a floppy with your cutter "test disc"
Is this the same computer you had it hooked to before? The software may be old enough it won't work. If you're now using something newer than ME that may be the problem. I upgraded to XP and got new software with a usb dongle.
Maybe you can find something here <http://128.121.181.92/HTML/Cutters/index.html>
Good luck, Tony
Posted by Dana Bowers (Member # 780) on :
No, I don't have a disk. At least... I don't think so and can't find one.
No, it's not the same computer, but I loaded the same software and Windows I had before.
I can't use a parallel port (which is how I used it before) cuz the only one I have on this computer has the software key in it, and I remember you can't run the plotter thru the key without causing problems.
I choose the correct plotter in the production manager (I had written it down the last time!).
I went to the control panel and device manager tells me I have com1 and com2... but it doesn't tell me which one the plotter is hooked to! Is there a way to find out?
I can do a test plot fine offline on the plotter.
Posted by Tony McDonald (Member # 1158) on :
Wish I could be more help........my cutter is at home. It was 1999 when I hooked it up the first time and I'm pretty sure I had to install an update off the cd for some reason....but I don't remember why.
Now I've upgraded my software to version 6.5 or 6.6 so I don't have the old software, dongle, or discs anymore, but when I get home I'll see if I can come up with anymore ideas.
Posted by Dana Bowers (Member # 780) on :
I had to install an update off the program disk for the first plotter I had. But this plotter is listed. I'm sure is something really little that I overlooked.
It's amazing how much I have forgotten in the last 2 years since I had my sign stuff up and running. Feels like I'm having to learn all over again!
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
Dana..I don't understand one thing..why would a software program that comes with a dongle not allow you to plug a cutter into the dongle???
If THAT is the case..buy and install a second LPT printer card (maybe $20 US) and hook it up like it used to be.
Just an idea.
Posted by Bill Dirkes (Member # 1000) on :
Dana, Make sure your plotter and production manager/design software are speaking the same language. The plotter is set (most likely) for "hpgl" or "dmpl". Open the production manager and click on properties, change the language and try the plotter. It should lso show you the port settings Good luck!
Posted by Tony McDonald (Member # 1158) on :
Dana,
I have the Plotter Test Disc if you want me to e-mail you a copy.
Did you set-up the production manager? If you go to the production managers properties there is a "test cut" option there.
Here is the set-up page as shown in the manual I have.
Hope this helps.
Also you might try another cable if you have one.
Posted by Dana Bowers (Member # 780) on :
Thanks for the replies!
Dave - I think alot of plotters are that way - not being able to be hooked thru the key. I don't want to mess with adding stuff to the computer if I don't have to. Besides, I figure why should I when I have those 2 ports already there?
Bill - I can't find anything about language. I did find "handshaking" settings - the default in the program is "hardware" and it was set in the computer as "xon/xoff", so I switched it... but it didn't make any difference, so I switched it back. I does give me choices of com1 and com2, I've tried both settings as well as switching the cable to both ports, no change.
Tony - I don't think I need the test disk, as I can't seem to get the message from the computer to the plotter. I did the update of drivers off the disk already - one of the wonderful people from GBC contacted me and we went thru that, but they were closing for the day and we never could figure it out (I'm gonna call them back on Tuesday if I can't figure it out).
I don't remember there being such a hassle when I hooked it up the last time. I've got the right driver chosen in the program and am not getting a communications error on the plotter. Seems like the computer sends the cut command, but I don't know where it goes!
The plotter read-out is fine. I can test plot from itself fine. Just nothing from the computer. No error messages on the computer either.
How can I tell which com port it's plugged in to? I am using the original serial cord. I tried device manager, which tells me I have 2 com ports, but not what's hooked to them.
I'm totally confused.
Posted by Mark Neurohr (Member # 2470) on :
Dana,
If I was you, I'd put out a call to GBC or Vinyl Express. They should be able to walk you through the setup process (IT'S THEY'RE JOB)!
Rottsa Ruck!
Posted by Dana Bowers (Member # 780) on :
The folks from GBC already contact me - but it was right about closing time for them, so we didn't get it figured out. I'm gonna give them a call on Tuesday, when I will be home all day. They've always been REALLY good to me!!
Meanwhile, I'm really wondering if it's some setting or something in the computer because it seems as though I have everything hooked up correctly. I was kinda hoping someone would come on here and say 'check the such-n-such setting' and that would be it... no such luck so far. I keep thinking it has to be something little that is overlooked, or turned off or whatever.
Thanks for trying guys!
[ December 01, 2002, 03:36 PM: Message edited by: Dana Bowers ]
Posted by Randy Campbell (Member # 2675) on :
Dana you could always try a default printer.????
Posted by Howard Keiper (Member # 1250) on :
Seems like you tried everything except the serial cable. Did you reconnect with exactly the same cable as had worked before? hk
Posted by jimmy chatham (Member # 525) on :
let Bruce figure it out for you. Posted by Gavin Chachere (Member # 1443) on :
*had to edit this once i reread that GBC had contacted Dana apparently after she posted here,so if i'm correct on that point good deal,i'm only posting the experience i had with em,so take the rest as opinion*
Dana,I don't know if this helps or not,maybe I'm too late,but I have the same plotter and software as you do,and approx the same age....save yourself alotta headaches and hook thru the key. I got the same line you did about not doing it blah blah but was never successful in getting it to cut problem free any other way,and noone at GBC could give me a definitive answer as to why I shouldn't do it. I'd say call tech support,but unless things have changed (which since i see them more active here advertising wise i hope they have) it may not be of much help,since leaving a msg and waiting up to 2 days for a call back from someone paging thru the same software manual i have in front of me usually isn't real productive in solving a problem. Or,email them and ask em to reply here,you and I can't be the only ones with their setup that's had these prob's. I'm not saying in anyway that the way I'm doing it is correct,but it's being running that way since 97 so who knows. Only drawback I found to it is that the software won't start up unless the cable is unhooked from the key and the 2secs that takes everyday is certainly worth not having to reconfigure my entire setup just to accomodate one single program,to me anyway...anytime i've ever done that I had problems somewhere else along the line. Just my .02 hope it helps.
[ December 02, 2002, 07:29 PM: Message edited by: Gavin Chachere ]
Posted by Dana Bowers (Member # 780) on :
Update: Still not working, but after much time with a very nice tech support guy, we narrowed it down to the computer itself.
I did find the test disk - we tried that, but no luck, along with a gazillion other things.
Now I'm waiting on my brother-in-law (who I got the computer from) to call me with some ideas of what might be up.
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)