Not Communicating.
Not Communicating.
A. If data was sent from the computer to the plotter, and the plotter does
not respond, examine the display on the plotter. If the plotter
displays:
Host Plot
Time: 00:00:00
then the plotter did not receive any data. When the plotter receives
data, the plot time will begin to increment from 00:00:00.
B. If using a switch box, buffer box, or connected to a network
connection, disconnect them and directly connect the plotter to the COM
port on the computer in order to isolate the problem.
C. For serial port connections, this plotter uses a straight-through 25-
pin serial cable (CalComp part # 11772-0102, 10 ft. serial cable or
part # 11772-0250, 25 ft. serial cable).
1. A serial port on a PC is either a 9-pin or a 25-pin male port
(pins sticking out). Connecting a 9-to-25-pin adapter, available
at a local computer supply store, is acceptable.
2. The serial cable must be no longer than 50 feet.
3. If having problems communicating, try another serial cable. Cable
failures are common, even when new.
4. Ports on the back of computers are sometimes mislabeled. If
outputting to COM1, data may have been going to COM2 instead (or
vice versa). Also, if the COM port address was modified from the
standard configuration, then the plotter will not be able to
communicate. COM port default addresses are :
COM1 Address = 03F8H Interrupt 4
COM2 Address = 02F8H Interrupt 3
COM3 Address = 03E8H Interrupt 4
COM4 Address = 02E8H Interrupt 3
a. To check the PC COM port addresses and verify that the
cable is connected to the correct COM port, use the
MicroSoft Diagnostics program, called MSD, which is
provided with DOS 6.0 or better and/or Windows 3.1 or
better. Perform the following:
i. Turn off the plotter power and ensure the cable is
securely connected between the PC and the plotter.
ii. Exit to DOS. (If in Windows, exit from Windows
completely).
iii. Type: MSD
iv. MicroSoft Diagnostics will examine your system.
v. MSD will then display a menu. Select COM Ports by
clicking on COM Ports with the mouse or by simply
typing the letter C.
vi. MSD will display how many COM ports are detected and
what the addresses are.
vii. Check to see if the COM port addresses are a standard
address. If it is not, then the computer hardware
will need to be reconfigured. A local computer repair
shop should be able to assist in reconfiguring the
COM ports.
viii. With the Plotter power off, MSD should show the
following:
CARRIER DETECT = NO
RING INDICATOR = NO
DATA SET READY = NO
CLEAR TO SEND = NO
If any of the answers are YES, then either the
plotter is not connected to that COM port, or the COM
port is faulty.
ix. Turn on the plotter power. At the computer, either
click on the OK box or simply press to accept
the MSD menu. After the plotter has completed
initialization, reselect COM Ports by clicking on COM
Ports with the mouse or by simply typing the letter
C.
x. With the Plotter power on, MSD should show the
following:
CARRIER DETECT = YES
RING INDICATOR = NO
DATA SET READY = YES
CLEAR TO SEND = YES
xi. To exit from MSD, either click on the OK box or
simply press to accept the MSD menu and then
press F3.
b. If the results from MSD differ from the above, note the
following:
i. It is possible that the COM port on the PC is faulty.
Try connecting the plotter to another PC.
ii. If an incorrect cable is being used, or if this cable
is defective, then try another cable.
iii. It is possible that the internal cable going from the
back of the computer to the I/O card inside the
computer is loose and needs to be re-seated.
D. It is possible that the data being sent to the plotter did not contain
any plot data. Perform the following:
1. Create a plot file using the software application package to plot
the file to the hard disk. Observe the full directory path where
the plot file was written to.
2. Exit the software package and perform a directory listing of the
file (e.g., If the filename created was C:\TEST.PLT, then at the
DOS prompt, type DIR C:\TEST.PLT). If the file size equals zero
bytes, then nothing will be sent to the plotter.
E. If using a CalComp 906/907/PCI driver, then the sync char, number of
sync chars, end of message character, and checksum need to be correctly
set up. Since the sync and end of message characters envelop the vector
data, the plotter will discard data until it detects these characters.
The following is a general procedure for configuring the plotter:
1. Examine the communication parameters in the software application.
If the software application does not provide a way to configure
these values, then refer to the Artisan User's Guide, chapter 3
for a list of common 906/907/PCI settings for the most popular
software packages. If the software application is not shown, then
contact the software manufacturer for the information.
2. The following communication values will be needed in order to
configure the plotter. Recommended values are shown in
parenthesis:
baud rate (9600), number of data bits (8), number of stop
bits (1), and parity (N).
The following additional parameters will be required if using a
CalComp 906/907/PCI driver:
sync char (2), number of sync chars (1), end of message
character (3), and checksum (NO).
3. Turn the plotter power on.
4. Load and size the media.
5. Press the EXIT key on the plotter's keypad.
6. Press the NEXT key twice.
7. Select SETUP by pressing the softkey above setup (the soft keys
are the four light colored keys that surround the plotter display
window.
8. Select HOST by pressing the softkey under HOST.
9. Select FORMAT by pressing the softkey above FORMAT.
10. Press either of the bottom soft keys until the plotter displays:
PCI , then press EXIT once.
11. Select BAUD RATE. If the software is using a different baud rate
than what is displayed, select it by pressing either of the
lower softkeys. Note: A baud rate above 4800 will not cause the
plotter to produce the plots any faster. Once the value is
selected, then press EXIT once.
12. Select DATA by pressing the softkey under DATA. Match the
settings on the plotter with the software application setting
values. For example if the software application requires 8 bits,
1 stop bit and no parity, set the DATA menu as follows:
a. Press the top left softkey to change to 8 BIT.
b. Press the top right softkey to change to 1 STOP.
c. Press either lower softkeys to select NO PARITY.
d. Press the EXIT key once.
13. Select HANDSHAKE by pressing the softkey under handshake. If the
software is using a different handshake than what is displayed,
select it by pressing the lower right hand softkey and choosing:
Hardware (Direct Control), Xon/Xoff, or Ack/Nak.
14. Press the EXIT key once.
15. Press the NEXT key once.
16. Select the softkey above SYNC and enter in the sync that the
software requires.
17. Press the EXIT key.
18. Press the softkey above END MSG and enter in the end msg value on
the keypad that the software requires.
19. Press the EXIT key.
20. Press the softkey below CHKSUM and enter in the checksum that the
software requires.
21. Press the EXIT key three times and the plotter will prompt to
save these settings. If there are no other settings stored in
the plotter, press YES. Otherwise, select a different User
Number to save to. The plotter has 4 unique user numbers: 1, 2,
3, 4.
22. The plotter is now ready to receive PCI (CalComp) data from the
software application.
E. It is possible that the port on the plotter is bad. If so, then the
plotter requires on-site service to verify and repair.