usb port issue

[David Rowland]

i dont use this software, but a COM port (as in a RS232 9pin D) which are refereed to in windows as Com1 Com2 Com3 or Com4 are not USB ports. They are normally named something else in port settings.

[Allan Wright]

I’m pretty sure I’ve narrowed it down to the usb ftdi drivers not installing properly

BUT they don’t have a lot of support for the driver
it just doesn’t install the way it says it should on the install pdf
For instance :
It doesn’t install a usb serial converter
and it doesn’t install a usb serial port

The installer also doesn’t behave the same way the pdf writes
It just opens a dos box, quickly does its thing and disappears

here’s the link to the pdf file
http://www.ftdichip.com/Support/Documents/InstallGuides.htm

I hope I’m allowed to post the link

I’ve spent a lot of hours searching for the answer to this problem
and google has been given a very thorough workout.

[David Rowland]

It’s often posted on here that USB serial converters dont work with some plotters, some people list ones that do work with plotters, might help your research.

[Allan Wright]

VEEEEERY interesting

thanks for the pointer

[Allan Wright]

turns out that it doesn’t need a com port , , the new drivers are set to give full access via usb (to usb plotters)
when installing art cut ,choose the plotter (art-cut 630)
and choose usb (pcutusb)

this is also where you can change offset and such

thank you for your help Dave 🙂 you’ve been a prince 🙂

[Frank Droog]

Pcuts seem to use one of 2 USB methods.
The first is via the FTDI chip which adds a fake com port that you can see in device manager under Ports Com and LPT.
Any software can then cut to that com port.

Some Pcuts now use PcutUSB.dll which sends data directly via usb.
There is no com port involved.
But it means that software ( signlab/flexi/corel) needs to load and use the functions in this DLL to send data to the cutter.
But i thought it was only the 730 and the and the 1300 that used this.
I only ever heard of 630s using FTDI chips

Maybe there is a new line of 630s

[Allan Wright]

Hi Frank

thanks for having a look at my post 🙂

there is no pcut dll on my comp (just did a search)

I’m a bit stumped as to how it works to tell the truth
especially as i take pride in hunting virus` and deleting them by hand , so to speak
I thought I was pretty pc savvy .

what was Very strange was the way art cut had to be installed
1 install from the Cd
2 install patch (over the top of previous install)
3 install from Cd AGAIN !!

all without uninstalling anything just to get art cut running
I’m pretty sure iv gotten a little grey because of this

and getting flexisign , vinyl master ,signblaser just wasn’t working
because of the older drivers on the disks

I had to track down the newest flexi starter to get it working with usb
(which was tougher than it may sound)

BUT , here i am , ready to get my hands dirty !
I figure ill give myself a while to dig DEEP into coraldraw(which ate most of my budget)
and play with flexi starter before I even think about looking for customers

again . . . Thank you everyone , thank you uksignboards

[Andy Taylor]

quote Dave Rowland:

It’s often posted on here that USB serial converters dont work with some plotters, some people list ones that do work with plotters, might help your research.

I know of some that work with cutters if you wish to pm me. I wont post links in here as I am still unsure of my standing in the forums.

[Andy Taylor]

quote Allan Wright:

Hi Frank

I had to track down the newest flexi starter to get it working with usb
(which was tougher than it may sound)

This is a problem I come across all the time. A major problem I have without insulting anyone is asking if their version of flexisign pro is genuine.

With a low cost cutter comes a low spending, high expectation customer, a lot of the time. 🙂 People like you who are prepared to investigate are few and far between.

[Allan Wright]

hi Andy 🙂

well to tell you the truth I’m almost glad i had to work so hard at getting this started , makes me feel like i earned the right to keep going

believe it or not i still haven’t cut a single thing , I’m still in study mode
iv been using large format paper with a pen for testing
I’m glad i found flexi starter , when things start getting productive I’m pretty sure ill be buying the full version ($$$ouch) 😉