Limit Switches, EStop and Spindle

I added a 3.3K resistor but still no signal.
I checked the hal meter signal and no change.
(The voltage between gnd and pin 10 with the resistor reads 6.7 volts)

I am beginning to wonder if the Parallel Port is the suspect.
It is a dual parallel port of which I am just using the first one.
It is a StarTech PEX2PECP2 which uses the MCS9865 chipset which in my research has been cited as good for LinuxCNC

The Estop is still ineffective.

The way my drive works is that it accepts an analogue signal.
I can control this with a potentiometer so this problem can be overcome 'manually' - not relying on LCNC.

As I mentioned just now in my reply to tommylight, I may need to investigate the parallel port further.

Does the voltage go down when the switch is triggered ?

Hi again,

Yes, it drops from 6volts to zero.
Does the same without the resistor but from 9volts to 0
(NB I am currently just using a wire to do this test rather than the physical Estop Switch. So it's going from open circuit to closed activation rather than the opposite NC state of the EStop switch)

So if you are seeing a voltage drop, you should be able to run halshow (or Show machine Configuration in Axis),
Click on the watch tab and find the pin you are connected to. Trigger the sensor and you should see a pin trigger on and off by changing colour.

In my experience, people jump ahead a few steps instead of taking a slow methodical approach. A few more minutes here will save much gnashing of teeth!
Steps should be:
1. Confirm sensor behaviour is working with a multimeter ( you seem to have done that)
2. Confirm the sensor is triggering the pin you have connected it to using halshow (what I have asked)
3. Connect the sensor in Hal to where you want it connected.
4. Confirm that pin triggers with the sensor
5. Fix any errors in your thinking by editing your hal files.

Please remember that Linuxcnc has its own paradigm which defines expected use.
Rule #1 of any computer system. DO NOT FIGHT THE PARADIGM!

Hi rodw,

Thanks for your reply (and indeed to all who have responded so far. it is much appreciated:) )

I have tried this before, but done it again just now.
There is NO response from the ESTOP pin.
The limits switches are the same with no response.
The xyz axis are all responding.
Even the Spindle (out signal) is giving a response here, but nothing at the BOB



Does the HAL SHOW facility give the actual response/voltage/signal at the Parallel Port
or are we still in the 'virtual world' of programming - if that makes sense???
In other words would this indicate that there might be problem with my PCI card?
(I have checked the integrity of my parallel cable and it is fine.)