I need some help....BAD !!!!! I run a 20" Vinyl Express cutter and Vinyl Express Master 6.5v3. All of a sudden now I am getting a "comunication error" on my plotter. I have not changed any settings in the software. I have checked the cables to make sure they are plugged in good, which is what the cutter manual says. I cannot find anything in the software manual. I Think it is a "software" problem as I can do a "test cut" from the plotter and it is fine.
I can contact GBC on Monday, but I am working on a christmas project and if I can't get it to work today I will have to leave some elements out that I really want to add.
Thanks in Advance!!!!
Posted by Roy Frisby (Member # 736) on :
TRY REINSTALLING THE PLOTTER SOFTWARE ( DRIVER) THAT'S HAPPEN TO ME AND THAT CURED THE PROBLEM. GOOD LUCK
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
unplug the plotter..for a an hour or so..see if it resets itsself.
Posted by Troy Haas (Member # 472) on :
I just re in-installed the driver. I still get the same error message on the cutter and when I try to cut a job I get a "can not open port' in the production manager.
Any other help??
Posted by Tony McDonald (Member # 1158) on :
You're plotter should hook up by serial port or parallel port. You could try a different cable if you have one (they can go bad) or you might try hooking it up through the other port.
Have you looked in the device manager to see if you have a port conflict of some sort?
Also look in the "production manager" settings to make sure it's on the correct port.
almost forgot....production manager may be a separate install on your disc. Did you reinstall it too?
[ December 21, 2002, 04:33 PM: Message edited by: Tony McDonald ]
Posted by Amy Brown (Member # 1963) on :
Troy,
My VE Master software is constantly screwed up. The only answer I ever get from GBC is "Clear Preferences"
It does fix the problems normally but it's a pain in the butt to lose all the settings and toolbar arrangements everytime.
You should see it under start/programs/VE Master/Clear Preferences
If that doesn't work you may have to uninstall, clean the registry and reinstall (had to do this before as well).
Good luck!
Posted by dispatch (Member # 1053) on :
Outside chance - the computer's Bios may not be set to allow communication, if you are using on on-motherboard port.
shut down computer, and restart, accessing the bios setup screens (varies -see manual) find the section for ports or peripherals make sure it is set to EPP or ECP (not SPP) if that choice is available, and be sure it is not turned off. save settings & restart you may have to reinstall the port & driver
Also - if you have moved the comuter around a bit - the internal cable could be loose! turn off, open it up, find it and push it back in!
Posted by Troy Haas (Member # 472) on :
I narrowed it down to two things either the cable is bad or a s Dispatch said, the inside cable came loose. This is a possiblity because we recently remodeled this room and moved the computer and have not used the cutter since then.
I have found a parrall cable and have hooked up the cutter this way. Although it is slower than my first computer, it does cut.
Thanks for all your help!!!!!!
Posted by timi NC (Member # 576) on :
Alot of plotters have to use a null modem cable. A normal serial cable will not work unless you have a null modem adapter for it on these plotters.The wires are crossed on a couple of pins on these cables or adapters to allow for a handshake between the plotter and computer,...did ya swap cables accidently when ya moved the pc Troy?
Posted by Troy Haas (Member # 472) on :
Timi Thnks but that is the only thing besides my scanner that isn't USB and the scanner is parrall.
Thanks for the help though, hopefully I can find a new cable.
Posted by Curtis hammond (Member # 2170) on :
port is in use.. usually happenes to modems...... u may look at yer control panel to see if teh serial port is operating right....
If it says port is in use,,, that is not a problem with your cutter or cable.. its an internal windows setting usualy
