1 Topic by PandolarBear

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Topic: Printer Stopping Midprint (Driver Problem?)

I've been having trouble with my brand new Solidoodle 2. Almost every print that I've printed lately has been ruined by the fact that my printer suddenly stops and loses connection with my computer. I click disconnect and reconnect and then I get the message, "the port does not exist."
          I have tried everything from plugging the printer straight into the wall to changing the baud rate to 25,000. I have also tried using a different usb cable but to no avail. I am using a computer that I built last summer and using windows 7. It's really frustrating me and discouraging me from printing anything remotely large because I'm tired of wasting plastic and time. I may have faulty drivers at this time, but I don't know how to fix the drivers. 
          The Repetier Host log screen says nothing when the printer disconnects. The printer just stops mid-print and when I try to control the printer manually it doesn't respond. The only way that I can get the printer to connect again is by clicking disconnect in RH and then unplug/replug in the usb cable to my computer and then hit connect in RH again. If I do not unplug/replug the usb cable and just hit disconnect/connect I get the message "The port does not exist." Its very frustrating stuff. It doesn't look as if any damage has been done to the motherboard and the packaging looked well done with no damage done to the box when I received it. Any help is greatly appreciated.

2 Reply by 2n2r5

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Re: Printer Stopping Midprint (Driver Problem?)

Sounds like you might be hitting your temp limit. what temps are you printing at? Have you done an pid autotune yet?

SD3 w/ mods:
Glass bed with QU-BD heat pad upgrade, threadless ballscrew w/ 8mm smooth rod, spectra line belt replacement, lawsy MK5 extruder, Lawsy replacement carriage, E3D hotend, Ramps 1.4 w/ reprap discount controller, DRV8825 drivers, 12v 30A PS, Acrylic case, Overkill Y-idlers, Filament alarm, Extruder fan + more.

2n2r5's Website

3 Reply by PandolarBear

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Re: Printer Stopping Midprint (Driver Problem?)

I have not done a pid autotune yet. I am printing with PLA plastic at 185 C on the first layer and 182 on layers afterwords. I keep my bed at 60 C and the temperatures seem as though they stay pretty consistent.

4 Reply by 2n2r5

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Re: Printer Stopping Midprint (Driver Problem?)

what errors do you get when it disconnects? have you tried unplugging other usb devices Or tried other ports?

SD3 w/ mods:
Glass bed with QU-BD heat pad upgrade, threadless ballscrew w/ 8mm smooth rod, spectra line belt replacement, lawsy MK5 extruder, Lawsy replacement carriage, E3D hotend, Ramps 1.4 w/ reprap discount controller, DRV8825 drivers, 12v 30A PS, Acrylic case, Overkill Y-idlers, Filament alarm, Extruder fan + more.

2n2r5's Website

5 Reply by PandolarBear (edited by PandolarBear 2013-10-29 22:50:21)

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Re: Printer Stopping Midprint (Driver Problem?)

There are two usb ports on the front of my computer and I've tried both of them. I don't get any errors when the printer disconnects, the printer simply stops in mid-print. The only way that I can reconnect the printer is by hitting disconnect in RH, unplugging the usb cable and then plugging it back in. If I don't do that and just hit disconnect and then connect again it say "the port com3 does not exist." I've had wireless mice plugged into those ports and headphones and I haven't had any problems with those devices working.

6 Reply by PandolarBear

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Re: Printer Stopping Midprint (Driver Problem?)

Should I try plugging it straight into the motherboard of my computer? In the usb ports in the back?

7 Reply by muddtt

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Re: Printer Stopping Midprint (Driver Problem?)

Maybe test it on a different computer?

8 Reply by PandolarBear

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Re: Printer Stopping Midprint (Driver Problem?)

I tried to print on the windows side of my Macbook pro and it disconnected midprint again. When I tried to reconnect it I got the message "The usb device is not functioning." Could be a faulty motherboard?

9 Reply by muddtt

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Re: Printer Stopping Midprint (Driver Problem?)

I'd borrow a friends computer. Then you know if its the computer or solidoodle.

10 Reply by PandolarBear

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Re: Printer Stopping Midprint (Driver Problem?)

Iv'e tried it on two different computers at this time. My macbook pro laptop and my windows desktop that I built.

11 Reply by Briggs

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Re: Printer Stopping Midprint (Driver Problem?)

Tricky. Check for loose connections, bad USB cable, and overheating of the controller.

12 Reply by muddtt

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Re: Printer Stopping Midprint (Driver Problem?)

hmmm...i just try to give suggestions for the easy stuff. Maybe...does your computer go into some kind of power saving mode? Maybe it's going into standby after 30 minutes?

13 Reply by muddtt

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Re: Printer Stopping Midprint (Driver Problem?)

http://forums.reprap.org/read.php?1,126184,126378

Here's another guy with similar problems, but different printer. Maybe it'll give you some things to think about. Probably a good idea to mail [email protected]

14 Reply by PandolarBear

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Re: Printer Stopping Midprint (Driver Problem?)

Thanks for all the great advice everyone. Yeah I've turned off the power saving modes. It could be a loose connection or a faulty power supply, but I really have no idea at this time. I'm going to check out that link thanks muddtt.

15 Reply by PandolarBear (edited by PandolarBear 2013-10-31 04:06:04)

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Re: Printer Stopping Midprint (Driver Problem?)

I do have my printer set up in my dorm room if it makes any difference. I have a computer, tv, fridge and fan plugged into an outlet. Could a power spike be caused by my fridge even if my printer is plugged into a different outlet? I don't think my controller temps are a problem as I have a fan on in my room and my printer is located right next to my window and there is cold air seeping in. The printer has been disconnecting randomly since I bought it. I fixed it temporarily by plugging into the wall instead of having it plugged into my surge protector. I was able to print out a four hour print without any hiccups and a couple of models after that. It seems as though the problem has only gotten worse now and I can't even push out prints that should only take an hour to complete.

16 Reply by muddtt

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Re: Printer Stopping Midprint (Driver Problem?)

If you could borrow a ups battery backup from someone, maybe you could rule the power issue out.

17 Reply by PandolarBear

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Re: Printer Stopping Midprint (Driver Problem?)

Do you think I should buy a cheap one myself? I am going to Walmart later.

18 Reply by muddtt

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Re: Printer Stopping Midprint (Driver Problem?)

If you're going to walmart you could always buy and return tongue

19 Reply by PandolarBear

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Re: Printer Stopping Midprint (Driver Problem?)

Haha, this is true.

20 Reply by PandolarBear

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Re: Printer Stopping Midprint (Driver Problem?)

Thanks a lot for all your help. I've moved the printer out into the hall  of my townhouse and it hasn't disconnected at all yet. I've printed two 2 hour prints successfully, and I'm printing a three hour print as we speak. So far there have been no problems. I think the issue was the interruption in the circuitry of my room from having so many things plugged in on the same circuit. I have bought a battery backup surge protector and I'm going to see if I can bring my printer back into my room. I think this has solved the problem. Again thanks for all the help.

21 Reply by muddtt

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Re: Printer Stopping Midprint (Driver Problem?)

Go figure. Something ridiculous like that. At least it wasn't some computer problem or SD circuit board problem.

22 Reply by PandolarBear

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Re: Printer Stopping Midprint (Driver Problem?)

Haha yeah exactly.

23 Reply by xlps

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Re: Printer Stopping Midprint (Driver Problem?)

Had a similar problem, thanks to your replies I could solve the problem. Fridge plugged in the same outlet caused power surges - after installing a UPS with surge protection, my printer runs without crashing.