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Activating controller software

Discussion in 'Troubleshooting and Build Support' started by isrdriver, May 12, 2011.

  1. isrdriver

    isrdriver New Member

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    I just got my Mk III running yesterday. The startup screen showed a 16 digit code for the board. How does one activate this software? So far, I can't do much because the software is only in demo mode. I thought that opening it up while online would help, but I just got a message saying it was installed and ready to go. When I tried again today, it just said "demo mode". I know I need a code to put into the second box, but I don't know where to get it.

    I don't have internet in my shop where the machine is located.
     
  2. kram242

    kram242 Administrator Staff Member

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    Hi isrdriver,
    There are two ways to activate the software. You can read about it here http://www.planet-cnc.com/extra/license/
    You need to have the card connected to your computer and online so that it can download the latest firmware.
    Let us know how you make out
    Thank you
    Mark and Trish
     
  3. isrdriver

    isrdriver New Member

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    I was afraid that would be the answer. Since I spend so much time overseas, it isn't practical for me to have internet at home, so being online when I register isn't going to work for me. Any other options?
     
  4. theothers

    theothers Administrator Staff Member

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    Interesting question isrdriver. We'll forward this to Kroko and see if there are any other options.

    Mark and Trish
     
  5. isrdriver

    isrdriver New Member

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    After going to the link you sent me, I sent an email to planet-cnc asking for assistance. Andrej wrote back that I don't need to be online to do it, all I need is the license. I feel like I'm caught in an endless loop here, and it takes a long time to get a response. I've had the machine for a month already, and can't seem to get it operational because of details. Who actually possesses the license and has the authority to grant me use of it? How can I get a copy? Surely this has come up before.
     
  6. dhc8guru

    dhc8guru Member

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    Mark and Trisha should have sent you a .txt file with the code. You just need to edit the file and remove the sentence before the 16 code. Open the software, goto the help drop down tab,the click on activate license. Now you want to copy and paste the edited .txt license file into the activate license block.
     
  7. isrdriver

    isrdriver New Member

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    Mark sent me the file and it's up and running. I do have two new problems which I will post elsewhere to get them in the right thread: Programs stop executing when spindle is started, and Z-axis is reverse.
     
  8. jonquinn

    jonquinn Member

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    When the activation code box comes up, should you be able to select between controller or computer? And which one should be checked off in the license activation box?
    This could be part of the problem transferring Gcode for me??? its not activated. Also, the last four letters of the code I got from Mark and Trish don't match what pops up in the block, and the computer button is checked, and while I can highlite the code, I can't erase it or check off the controller button.
    It seems like I may be stuck for now.
    The USB card had a good blinking light, the steppers locked with power on and I got solid red LED lights on the stepper controller board. So at least that part looks OK. (it took a long time to get to this point because I had several other projects which had to get done before I could work on some stuff for myself).
    thanks in advance.
     
  9. Kroko

    Kroko Member

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    Computer activation is obsolete and not used any more. You should choose controller activation.
    If you can not then controller does not communicate with computer. Did you install drivers?
     
  10. jonquinn

    jonquinn Member

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    that's the problem, and a very frustrating one at that - I cannot change it to controller activation. the button cannot be checked off. the driver installation was done already and I did it again. I even took the phlatprinter out of my workshop - its a detached building and I can't get my wifi signal out there, and tried this in the house where I do have a wifi signal, still nothing. and I never got a popup when I first connected the USB cable to the lap top, and still when I bring up the CNC USB controller program, and click on activate license on the help tab, I couldn't get the "controller board" button to turn on. it seems to be locked out.

    SO, do I possibly have a bad Planet CNC card? the LED does blink green, so its getting power. when I plug the USB cable from the card into my laptop, I get the tone that somethings hooked up, but no notice pops up telling me the computer has recognized a new device. I'm pretty sure this card is faulty now. I don't know how many more times I can download the drivers for the planet CNC card, and still get the same result. I'm at a total loss now... It shouldn't be this difficult.
     
  11. Kroko

    Kroko Member

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  12. jonquinn

    jonquinn Member

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    the problem I had was out of date firmware on the card I got. it was not the easiest thing to do with the phlatprinter all put together.
    the part about checking the stepper motors with the cards out of the frame ought to be inserted into the build video, and not shown after its all put together.

    My problems are not totally resolved - now every time I turn on the CNC USB controller program I have to paste in the activation code. Its says I have an evaluation version, and I need to register. I'm just a little more than frustrated by having to hunt or wait for everything on this part of the build. I do not see any options in the menu as to where to register.
    At least I was able to start the calibration process. Now I am wondering if all that time spent will be lost or will it save, since I only have an evaluation version???
    I tried to cut out the Jeffersonian F-16 to see some foam being cut, and the machine made two moves before I got an "error" message saying no more moves are allowed with the evaluation version.
    Is this what everyone else had to do? I didn't see any of this mentioned anywhere else in the videos or build threads.
    What an ordeal...I have to haul the machine out of my workshop to the house so I could get a wifi signal, then I jumpered the pins on the board out and hit the reset button. not easy when its way up in the top corner of the cabinet. I saw no prompts or options to try to register online, or saying I was registered when I had the machine on the porch. If this thing needs to be online during every use, that's a non-starter. I do not and have no way to get internet service in my workshop, and this thing will not be running in or outside the house.

    I also had more problems than I expected with the calibration. I followed the video and tried to move the sheet in the x axis 20" - 2 times and it never stopped. I finally had to enter 1/2", and it moved about 15" the first time. It took several iterations to get x set. The Y axis was scary - I tried to be conservative and entered 1" and the head crashed into the other side in no time - too fast to hit the cancel button. now it runs at a snails pace during subsequent calibration moves. I think I know why but I have no idea what parameters to change or to what. (I imported CNC USB 3 settings file too.)
    Did any body else have these issues setting up the CNC controller program???? I set the pots just as was shown in the video, and the DIP switches too. I followed everything on the build video and "start here" disc and I feel I'm still being punished.
    So, right now I still have a $1300 paperweight. Yes, I'm a little bit steamed, to put it politely. I've emailed and gotten replies from Kroko, and to a point that's helped, but no responses from anyone else.
     
  13. 3DMON

    3DMON Moderator Staff Member

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    Have you tried calling Mark? What your experiencing is not normal.
     
  14. jonquinn

    jonquinn Member

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    emailed 3 times but no replies
     
  15. Kroko

    Kroko Member

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    CNC USB Controller software does not require computer to be online at any time. If computer is by any chance online then software can check if new version is available. And that is all.

    If you're asked for registration key every time and you're stuck in evaluation then something is wrong with your license. Please send me activation code and serial number. Here are instructions:
    http://www.planet-cnc.com/extra/license/

    One more time for those who did not read first sentence - computer does NOT have to be online! No need to drag it out of workshop for wifi signal.

    Phlatprinter with controllers default settings moves too far and too fast. My guess is, that you did not set correct values before you start. I hope that this issue is solved now and that you managed to calibrate.

    I understand your frustrations but I assure you, all these problems you have are easy to solve.

    Best regards
    Andrej

    PS
    Computer does NOT have to be online!!!
     
  16. jonquinn

    jonquinn Member

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    OK, thanks to Kroko's help, it is working, albeit at a snails pace. I will need to find a better set of speeds on FFF. The settings file didn't work well for me.
    I had a card with out of date firmware, and the activation code given to me was incorrect (and entirely too short). So now there is a measure of success, but I'd have to say there are a number of things I am not too pleased with, getting to this point.
    Its presently cutting a Jeffersonian F-16, but at the pace its going, it might be done tomorrow morning. Good thing its only cutting one...

    well, more to the ongoing saga. I checked on the machine after about 20 minutes, and I had to stop it as it was just cutting jibberish (or maybe klingon). The cutting was still only running through the lettering that is on top of the f-16 sheet, but it didn't look anything like "skyburners.com" - maybe in klingon it does.
    So, for now, I still have a $1300 paperweight that at least makes some foam dust.
     
  17. jonquinn

    jonquinn Member

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    finally some true success. I cut my first thing on the phlatprinter 3, the f-16 toss glider. It would have worked better with the 1/16' bit, but ran OK (still too slow I think for FFF).
    I tried reversing the Z-axis from preset, and finally was able to make cuts.

    Next project will be my bed rail template (foam then 1/4" mdf for the real pattern template), then a 36" geobat.

    what an ordeal this was. Thanks again to Kroko for his help. Without his patience and his guidance, I would still be utterly stuck. he is the only one who responded to me (good thing he's the expert on this card). I'm a little disappointed that he was the only one who responded to my e-mails, but what's done is done.
     
  18. kram242

    kram242 Administrator Staff Member

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    Hello jonquinn,
    We must apologize for the lack of email response. I believe what may have happened is that your emails fell in a time when we were dealing with difficult family times. We have had much going on at the time and the emails were neglected to say the least. Things have begun to level out and we have been working hard to catch up and get back on track here.
    I understand the frustration about the activation process for the cncusb card. Its seems a little confusing and we get a lot of emails asking for help to activate. I see that you updated the firmware and now your in business, but running slow. The link below to the updated settings file should help with this.
    viewtopic.php?f=264&t=3067&start=0
    Once again we apologize for delay in a response and hope that the Phlatprinter will start to bring you the fun it was intended for.
    Please be assured that we will do our best to respond to future emails in a timely manner.
    Mark and Trish
     
  19. dhc8guru

    dhc8guru Member

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    My software has acted funny with registering the activation code. It only happens when the code is manually entered. I get a failed activation but then the software works fine.
     
  20. kram242

    kram242 Administrator Staff Member

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    Mine says the same, but also is working. I think it may be a bug
    Mark and Trish
     
  21. Kroko

    Kroko Member

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    Can you explain what exactly do you do. I want to replicate this behavor.
    Best regards
    Andrej
     
  22. foamlvr

    foamlvr Member

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    I had a similar problem activating my board. After I tried unsuccesfully to activate my card, the computer button was lit in the license window. I think we can't type the code because some of the fonts are not what they appear to be on our U.S. sold CPUs. On the planet-cnc website is a FAQ section which guides you through resetting the board. You need a jumper. A male jst plug makes a perfect jumper.

    This was a bit frustrating, but only held me up for a few hrs. Go to the FAQ section on the planet- cnc website for clear instructions.
     
  23. Kroko

    Kroko Member

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    Here are some more facts:
    1. If only computer license is enabled then computer can not communicate with controller. In this case toolbar buttons are also grayed.
    2. All characters in license are available on US computer. Licens string is Base64 encoded http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Base64
    3. Old controllers used different communication protocol and new software does not recognize it. That is why manual bootloading is required in some cases. If firmware update goes wrong you also need to use manual bootloading to load correct firmware.
    http://www.planet-cnc.com/extra/firmware/

    Best regards
    Andrej
     
  24. Mark44

    Mark44 Member

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    I'm going thru a very similar problem. I'm getting the message, "Firmware update FAILED".
    I went to the update firmware page, and pressed the reset button, my computer looked for a driver and could not find one. I have tried a number of variations of the instructions and I've gotten no where. Cn someone help with simple instructions, for instance I have no idea what a
    "A male jst plug makes a perfect jumper." is. For me a jumper is a type of womens apparel.

    Thanks

    Later, while exploring http://www.planet-cnc.com/ I found that there is a number of the missing software programs that may be needed.

    These include:

    C software 2.10.1201.3101 or (zipped files)

    PlanetCNC USB Driver
    oftware requirements:
    - DirectX 9c for .NET
    - Microsoft .NET 3.5 SP1 Framework
    Other files you may need:
    - DirectX 9c for .NET
    - Microsoft .NET 3.5 SP1 Framework
    - Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Redistributable Package (x86)

    and more. I was looking for the driver, which I've now downloaded and installed, so now I'll see if I'm good to go.
     
  25. Mark44

    Mark44 Member

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    I don't know what to do about this activation, I can't get anywhere with it. Firmware won't function, activation won't happen, only computer show up, serial number nowhere to be seen, and I'm ready to give up.
     

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