(Download a .PDF file of these instructions with illustrations at the bottom of this support article. There's also a link to download both Starlan PCI board drivers and ENS software.)
July 9, 2003
Melco Network PCI and ISA Boards Installation Instructions 31252 Rev. C
Introduction
Melco’s EMC line of embroidery machines uses a feature known as the Melco Network that provides communication between EDS and the machines. This network was implemented in EDS II, EDS III, and ENS. Originally, the Melco Network consisted of software and an ISA networking board that plugged into the user's PC. Computers produced in recent years contain PCI connectors rather than ISA connectors. For this reason Melco has developed a Melco Network PCI board (which plugs into PCI connectors) that provides the same functionality as the Melco Network ISA board. This document provides installation/configuration instructions for both of these network boards.
Melco Network PCI Board Installation Instructions
The Melco Network PCI board is ONLY compatible with the following Windows operating systems:
• Windows 98
• Windows ME
• Windows 2000
• Windows XP (32-bit Only)
• Windows VISTA (32-bit Only)
Please note that to use the Melco Network PCI board, you must be running ENS Version 2.0.002 or higher, either installed from the standalone ENS CD or from the DesignShop CD (Version 4.02.038, Release 060403.0, or higher). The Melco Network PCI board does not communicate with EDS III or earlier versions of ENS.
Follow the procedures below to install the Melco Network PCI board.
Installing the Melco Network PCI Board
1. Shut down and turn off the computer, then remove the case from the computer.
2. Discharge any static charge in your body by touching a non-painted area of the computer frame.
3. Locate an empty PCI slot and remove the blank plate for the slot.
4. Install the Melco Network PCI board into the computer and secure it with a holding screw.
5. You are now finished installing the Melco Network PCI board and can replace the computer case.
Driver Installation Instructions
At this point you will need to install the driver for the Melco Network PCI board. This driver is available at the bottom of this page, and is also on the ENS Installation CD (Version 2.00.002 and higher) or the DesignShop Installation CD (Version 4.02.038, Release 060403.0, or higher).
1. Turn on your computer.
2. Your computer will display a message stating that new hardware has been found. Click OK to proceed to the New Hardware Wizard.
3. Insert the ENS or DesignShop CD. The CD provides the driver for the Melco Network PCI board.
4. The first screen in the wizard will ask you to choose a method to search for the board driver. Select the recommended option - (Search for the best driver for your device).
5. Click the Next button.
6. On the next screen, make sure the Floppy Drive box is unchecked, then check the CD ROM box.
7. Click the Next button.
8. The driver for the Melco Network PCI board will now be installed. After the installation is complete, remove the ENS or DesignShop CD, then restart your computer.
Upon reboot, Windows will ask for a Virtual Device Driver. This driver does not exist, but you must step thru the prompts one time, just keep clicking on Next...otherwise it will come up every time you start the computer. The last screen is checked by default, Do not look for this driver again.
ENS Installation
If you do not have ENS Version 2.00.002 or higher installed on your computer, complete the following steps to install it. (If you installed ENS when installing DesignShop, you can continue to the next section if it was DesignShop Version 4.02.038, Release 060403.0, or higher).
Installation from ENS CD (Version 2.00.002 or higher)
1. Make sure you have an ENS, DesignShop or EDS IV dongle attached to your computer. You will not be able to install ENS on your computer without one of these dongles. NOTE: If you are only running EDS III, you will need an ENS dongle to run ENS Version 2.00.002 or higher.
2. Insert the ENS Installation CD.
3. The ENS Setup program should begin automatically. If the Setup program does not start automatically, click on Start->Run and type D:\SETUP (where D: is the drive letter of the CD ROM drive) and click OK.
4. After the ENS installation is complete, restart your computer.
Installation from the DesignShop CD (Ver. 4.02.038, Rel. 060403.0, or higher)
(These instructions assume you have already installed DesignShop)
1. Make sure you have a DesignShop dongle attached to your computer, then insert the DesignShop CD.
2. The DesignShop Setup program should begin automatically. If the Setup program does not start automatically, click on Start->Run and type D:\SETUP (where D: is the drive letter of the CD ROM drive) and click OK.
3. Follow the onscreen instructions. When you are asked to select the components you wish to install, make sure ENS is selected (you can de-select all other components).
4. After the ENS installation is complete, restart your computer.
ENS Settings
You now need to enable the Melco Network PCI board in ENS.
- Click on START->Programs->Melco Apps->ENS to start ENS (or you can access ENS from DesignShop).
- Select Tools->Properties.
- Make sure the StarLAN Enable box is checked (enables StarLAN). If you are not using Ethernet functionality, it is recommended that you disable Ethernet (uncheck Ethernet Enable box) in ENS.
- Click the PCI radio button.
- Select the unit number for each of your EMC machines.
- Click OK
Troubleshooting Guide
If after following the installation instructions you receive an error that the Melco Network PCI board does not work, or it will not see the EMC peripheral correctly, follow the steps below to determine the problem.
There are three LEDs on the back of the Melco Network PCI board. These lights are the WD (Watch Dog) light, the T/R light and the DT light. There is a sticker on the board to identify the lights.
1. When the PCB is installed in the computer and the computer is first turned on, the WD light will flash off and on. If this light does not come on at all, try a different slot in the computer to ensure the slot is good. If it does not come on in a different slot, the Melco Network PCI board will need to be replaced. (NOTE: The WD light will flash off and on until it connects with ENS properly. Once ENS is opened and everything is configured properly, the WD light will come on solid and stay this way until the computer is turned off and back on again.)
2. If the WD light never becomes solid (it continues to flash) when going into ENS, an error is generated, or a window is displayed that states the Melco Network PCI board is not functioning, check the following:
a.) Ensure the drivers are installed. Right-click the My Computer icon on your desktop, then select Properties from the popup menu. Click the Hardware tab and click the Device Manager button. Check the Device Manager Window for the proper listing of the Melco Network PCI board (will be under Melco in the list) and that it does not have problems. If needed, re-install the board using the installation instructions.
b.) If re-installing the PCB and drivers does not fix the problem, go to a DOS prompt or Command Window (click the Windows Start button, then select Accessories->Command Prompt in the menu). Change to the drive with the ENS CD (type E:, where E is the letter of your CD-ROM drive, then press ENTER). Type "wdregins" and press ENTER. This runs a program that puts the proper registry entries into the registry to load and call the drivers needed for the PCB to operate. It will display the results.
Windows 2000 and XP will display:
Creating driver entry... Failed
Starting driver entry... Failed
If the results say FAILED, this means the proper registry entries are already there and loading correctly. It the results say OK, then it means the driver installation and registry entries were
just completed successfully for the first time.
Windows 98 and ME will display:
Creating driver entry... OK
Starting driver entry... Failed
WinDriver already exists in Win-98 registry
Dynamic Loading of (SYS) driver not available for WIN 98.
This is a Windows 98 limitation. Please reboot the system.
For a reboot free installation on 98, use the -VXD option
This display will always be the same in Windows 98 or ME. This is normal. The top line where it creates the driver entry must always say OK. This indicates the command was successful. The computer must be restarted for the changes to take effect.
c.) Check to ensure that in Tools->Properties of ENS, StarLan is enabled (Enable box is checked) and PCI is checked. Also highlight the unit number of your machine. After making changes to these settings, exit ENS and re-open it to ensure these settings take effect. There should be no error messages when re-opening ENS.
3. If the Melco Network PCI board seems to be installed properly but it will not communicate with the EMC peripherals, check the following. (NOTE: When the PCI PCB is communicating with an EMC peripheral the DT light will flicker. It only flickers when transmitting data. This should occur during download of the RSA file, the download of designs, and it should flicker when it is polling the machines connected to it for their status. It is normal for this light to be bright and then dim. What is not normal is for it to never flicker off and on.)
a.) Check that ENS has the proper unit number(s) enabled for the peripheral(s) and that the peripheral has the same unit number enabled in it.
b.) Check that a proper Melco StarLan Network cable is used. A telephone cable will not work.
4. Disregard the T/R light. This light comes on when transmitting and off when receiving but is so dim it is not recognizable. This is normal operation for the T/R light.
DOWNLOAD ENS SOFTWARE HERE (Only for Legacy EMC, EMT, EP1 machines...not compatible with any AMAYA-class machines!)
DOWNLOAD STARLAN PCI DRIVER SOFTWARE BELOW (ONLY compatible with the StarLAN PCI Card!)