I bought the interface with the Controller with the Black Box 32 over a year ago. I had trouble setting it up so put it aside until I had more time. I used the CNC control via the computer. Now I want use the Interface but I am still finding I am unable to make any progress. I have tried following the documentation but nothing works. every way I try i end up with same screen. I have tried Flashing the drive and following the instructions. When I press the Hold and then press Reset the Screen just stays blank. altered the jumper on the Blackbox 32 but nothing happens I have followed the instructions but to no avail. Its telling me to connect AUX i serial connector not sure wat this involves. I have the cable from the Interface connected to the interface on the black box. There is no Info on the AUX 1 in the Setup instructions. Steve Lynn
Section 5.1 of BlackBox Docs docs:blackbox-x32:aux-serial [OpenBuilds Documentation] For Interface to talk to BlackBox you only need 1) Cable between AUX1(Interface port) on BlackBox and Interface itself 2) USB cable disconnected from BlackBox docs:interface:connect-blackbox-x32 [OpenBuilds Documentation] (Important Note no1) 3) BlackBox in good condition and configuration Not related to this initial connection step, this is purely wired to BlackBox (and USB unplugged from BlackBox) What jumper? (X32 needs no jumpers moved?) docs:interface:prepare-blackbox [OpenBuilds Documentation] - note button, BlackBox X32 = "No preparation required" button on the bottom of the page there
I have plugged the interface port between Interface Blackbox connector and on the X32 its plugged into the Interface connection. I follow the guidance Flash the USB via the Controller Wizard (Prepare USB for Interface) Eject it from the Drive when complete. Plug into the Interface Hold down Mode button and Press Reset. Hold mode button for a few more seconds then release. Nothing happens the screen on the interface remains blank. I have also tried to setup the Wifi it will not connect via settings or via the browser 192.168.4.1
As I seem unable to reset the controller is there any other way I can access the Flashed drive. I have tried to option of moving the jumper on the X32 from Auto to run but it made now difference. The Wifi tells me i have a strong signal but will not connect. I won' be back on until tomorrow
Reset button, on the side of the Interface. Give it one quick click to reset/reboot That is two very seperate processes there... You are mixing up different steps. Gotta work methodologically - finish a step before skipping ahead. Follow the docs in order... USB drive holds the wifi settings and probe macros (nothing related to initial Grbl connection, fine its done, but mainly irrelevant to your issue) docs:interface:wifi-setup-nextgen [OpenBuilds Documentation] Hold and mode is bootloader for flashing firmware from CONTROL (docs:interface:firmware-update-control [OpenBuilds Documentation]). Bootloader mode is for flashing, so yeah nothing onscreen is exactly right. Don't go into Bootloader mode just for fun - also not related or relevant to your Grbl connection issue Well there you are getting even further off track.... Firstly, you havent FINISHED BOOTING (got stuck on connection step per your first messages) - its not booted up so nothing running yet to connect to. Only once its all booted up can you access the onboard webserver.... Right now its stuck on a failed connection and not going to anything more till you fix that. Also (and unrelated/irrelevant to your connection issue), that method of setting up Wifi has been retired for almost a year now! Once you resolved the initial connection issues: Download CONTROL V1.0.376 OpenBuilds Software: OpenBuilds CONTROL and OpenBuilds CAM - FREE software to run your CNC, Laser, Plasma or Pen Plotter Update the Interface to Firmware V1.58 docs:interface:firmware-update-control [OpenBuilds Documentation] with CONTROL V1.0.376 Prep the USB drive with CONTROL V1.0.376 per docs:interface:wifi-setup-nextgen [OpenBuilds Documentation] No more 192.168.4.1 stuff, new method puts the ssid/password on the USB drive, much easier So are you up and running or not? If not, resolve connection issue first. Nothing else works until you have the two talking to each other... (Complete step 2 of the Interface Docs) Not sure what you mean. "Flashed drive?" (You have USB Flash Drive (no -ed) that you use to put your Wifi settings, Probe macros, GCODE files to run etc onto - but that has nothing to do with Flashing (not normally anyway - Primary flashing method is CONTROL+USBCable) Wrong network name, or password, or network itself has an issue (must be 2.4ghz b/g/n with working DHCP) Wifi is least of your worries though - thats ONLY for uploading gcode remotely - slow anyway - much faster to put USB into PC and copy files. Don't do random stuff like that, stick to the docs, as relevant to the versions of the products you have. Random stuff can cause damage - earlier random stuff like this might be in play with why you aren't able to connect as its relatively plug and play - this sort of info worries me as I start to wonder about other random tests that could have caused damage to Interface or BlackBox Take a breath, and start fresh: Go to docs:interface:start [OpenBuilds Documentation] see the buttons at the bottom to guide you through: Use That! Go step by step. Finish each step before moving forward. If you get stuck on a step, don't skip - come asking for advice. Remember to unplug USB cable from BlackBox after flashing newest firmware, USB needs to be unplugged for Interface to connect to BlackBox Got to finish Step 2.1.2 (Connecting to the BlackBox) before you tackle Step 3.1 (Firmware update) before you move onto 3.2 (USB Prep) - each in its own time...
The instructions on the interface offer three options and like you said I am getting confused between each one. One problem i found this morning is the controller is not connecting it is closing the port. I haven't changed anything on the controller? I am running the earlier version of the software V1.0.376. I was unsure whether I would get problem with my settings if I upgrade. I tried the first option connecting with control. The download was successful but nothing happened. Probably due to the controller not connecting. I not sure what I have done to create this problem. This has added to my problems. I am not brilliant on computers being in my seventies and I appreciate your patience and the help you are providing
Messing with the jumpers earlier - possibly related. Autoreset is in relation to the USBs DTR/RTS handshake
how do I overcome it Jumper back in run position I followed advice in instruction 3.1.1.6 Extra: Alternative to MODE/RESET Buttons If you are unable to use the MODE/RESET buttom method above, see 5.4 Run/Flash Jumper
Theres no real locally stored anything worth a reset. Not 'resetting' things wouldn't change much. Its not a case of "something stored wrong" because nothing is stored Undo any jumpers you moved (those steps were anyway just for "if all else fails" with the regular ways) And then follow instructions provided yesterday (Post #5 in thread)
controller is working and connecting to the CNC I have connected the interface with a USB-C lead followed the instructions Click the INTERFACE tab Under Port, select USB Serial port that belongs to the OpenBuilds Interface Click Flash button in the Wizard While its flashing the screen on the Interface will be black The Serial Log in CONTROL will indicate progress Click Reset once the flashing is completed The display on the interface remains as before nothing appears to be updated. The display has a stupid game running. is it time to do this 3.1.1.6 Extra: Alternative to MODE/RESET Buttons If you are unable to use the MODE/RESET buttom method above, see 5.4 Run/Flash Jumper
almost never, just follow the instructions docs:interface:firmware-update-control [OpenBuilds Documentation] (You should be putting into bootloader mode as shown in the gif/video on that page, in extreme circumstances the jumper is an option but not normally used. Clicking two buttons is simple enough) Boot logo shows version, are you on V1.58? Plus your doing Step 3.1 again, did you ever finish Step 2.1.2? If you get the easter egg game you didn't... Skipping ahead again, read my post again, update is not at all related to your connection issue, thats all step 2 stuff. If you arent done with Step 2 (connected, can jog machine using interface) it wasn't step 3 time yet
My interpretation of the instructions. Method One Connect Interface to com port 4 with a USB-C lead this is the port used by the controller. So The only connection is between Interface and Computer Press and hold Mode and push Reset. Release Mode button screen goes black Firmware update tool downloads the update. At the end I am prompted to press Reset. Screen now displays the error shown. I now connect the cable between Interface and the Controller and remove the cable between controller and Laptop Hit Reset stays the same. Question is it because i didn't initially connect the interface between interface and controller does it need it need this initial connection to work
You haven't answered my question. While its booting up, what version does it show (not that this matters as its not related to the error in your last post, but I want you to confirm so we can put the UPDATE question to rest once and for all - irrelevant as it may be you keep doing updates it seems, so lets ignore the step 2 stuff and put step 3 to bed then if you wish), so ARE YOU ON V1.58? Watch the screen while Interface Boots up
Then that concludes messing with firmware you are done. No more. Step 3 (prematurely) done and dusted Now back to Interface Docs. Check Section 2. Lets go back to 2 where we should have started before step 3 Wire up interface to BB. Post pics of how you have it all plugged in. All USB cables unplugged. Check cables for damage. Pretty much plug and play
Sorry that was an earlier pic try this one still has the same fault. I am clocking off for tonight will come back at it tomorrow
Good to see its now unplugged, but if it was plugged Interface wouldn't have access to BlackBox. Only one host (PC or Interface) at any given time can be in charge, can't have two bosses controlling the same controller.
No it wasn't plugged in and just to make sure I reset the interface and the same message appeared on the Screen
Ok thanks for confirming, good to finally work on the step 2 checklist thanks Then next up Any hard tugs or similar, that could have unseated pins from housing, or wires from crimps? Take close up pics of both ends for review, just to make sure wire order etc is correct
