"ETHERNET COMM LINK LOST": This message comes up when the motherboard is unable to establish communication with the 5axmc card.
It indicates a problem with the computer power supply, the motherboard's ethernet port, the ethernet cable,the 5axmc card,or the CPU module on the 5axmc. It could also simply be an ethernet cable that is not solidly connected.
If this error occurs repeatedly use the loop‑back connecter to troubleshoot.
The computer communicates with the motion card via an ethernet cable. The ethernet cable plugs into a small module mounted to the motion card. The loop‑back connecter ships with the CNC, in a small bag affixed to the back of the monitor. The loop‑back test procedure is described below.
The Ethernet cable is locked in place with a flexible plastic tab. With the "Rabbit" removed from the card, squeeze the connector to depress the tab, and pull the cable out.
After unplugging the cable, plug the "Rabbit" module back into the card. Be careful to line up the pins properly before re-inserting.
Plug the free end of the cable into the loopback connector. Turn the control back on. It will probably take longer than normal to boot, and it may come up with the "Polling Controller" message the first time it's booted with the loopback connector installed even if the port is working OK, so if you get the message the first time it's booted, shut it off and boot it up again.
If you can boot up numerous times without the message, either the motion card or the "Rabbit" module is faulty. Order these two components as a unit.
If you continue to get the message after booting twice, either the computer or the ethernet cable is faulty: continue troubleshooting below.
If you continue to get the error message after booting twice, either the computer or the ethernet cable is faulty. To test the cable, the Super‑Looper must be plugged directly in to the computer Ethernet port.
Turn the computer off then remove the front panel to access the computer
Unplug the Ethernet cable and plug the Super‑Looper into the port. Turn the computer back on and re‑boot a few times to verify the condition.
If it boots numerous times without the error message, replace the cable.
If the error continues to occur the computer power supply or the motherboard may be bad: continue troubleshooting below.
Pull the computer out of its compartment behind the keyboard. There is a 2-wire cable that connects to the right rear corner of the motherboard and is secured with tape. Be sure you note the orientation of the connector before you unplug it. There is another 2-wire cable that connects to one of the power supply connectors on the left side of the computer. Once these two connectors are unplugged and the video and power cables are unplugged, you can slide the computer out of the control.
You'll need to plug an ordinary computer power cord into the power supply and plug it into an AC outlet. Once it's plugged in, you'll need to check the Standby 5 volt power supply. This is located on the 20-pin connector on the motherboard. There should be between 4.5 and 5.5 volts DC measured from the purple wire near one end of the connector to any of the black wires, with the connector plugged in to the motherboard.- If this voltage is good (between 4.5 and 5.5 volts), replace the motherboard.
- If this voltage NOT between 4.5 and 5.5 volts, replace the power supply.