Silver Bullet Cutters Forum

You would think that I would not have to ask for help on this. I have set up three machines and should know what I am doing by now. But I can't get my Cougar to talk to the computer.

My beloved Cougar has been sitting in its original packing box ever since I got my SB, when the SB came out. So that would be a couple of years, at least. I have a friend that I would like to hand my baby over to, as she and her daughter will put him to good use. I thought I would make sure everything was working fine before I handed him over. Well, the machine turns on and everything seems to work fine, but when I try to cut or test cut, nothing. THe computer acts as if it is cutting, but the Cougar does nothing.

I have done a factory reset, I use a keyspan, I have tried cutting in MTC and SCAL4. I have changed the usb port, and checked the port. I have even hooked up the cable directly to the computer, not using the keyspan. I have used the cable from my SB. When I switch over the cables to the SB, the SB works fine. My baud rate is the 38400 and US is 600. I am in ONLINE mode when trying to cut. I have tried to email Sherri but my email is bouncing back, for some reason. Trying it again, and it takes it a while to bounce back, but will see if anything comes of that. Main reason for emailing Sherri is that I am concerned that this may be something internally wrong with the Cougar due to long storage.

Oh, I normally use the Max drivers but even downloaded the Cougar drivers in both SCAL and MTC. The computer never gives me the message that it can't find the Cougar. Just goes throught the process of "cutting" and the Cougar just sits there.

Hi Kim -

"Usually" when it's a problem like this, it's the motherboard. It sounds like you have done everything that any of us would walk you through. You know what to check and have. You are running a PC - right? If you have a MAC (I can't remember) you can try it on that and be sure it isn't a Windows update that has interfered. But it sounds like the motherboard to me. It if was the port, you would be getting a communication error - something like the program cannot find the cutter.

I am hoping it is as simple as purchasing a motherboard to get it up and running again.
Try emailing Sherri at Sherri@silverbulletcutters.com and see if that goes through.

How old is your Cougar? Did you use the ftdi driver when you purchased it or an older driver?

Thanks, Dawn! I am thinking it is the motherboard also. I will try emailing Sherri at the link you provided. My Cougar is probably around 4 or 5 years old. I bought it when PC was suing MTC and banning 3rd party software. Since I just downloaded the drivers, I am assuming I am using the latest drivers. Or is this something that the machine needs?

Great thought Dawn - I didn't think about the age of the driver and how they have changed over the years....

Even tho I have stored the Cougar in its original box and in the house, not in a storage place, it still hasn't been used in almost three years. Most machines don't do well with non-use and my Cougar is probably upset and jealous that I haven't used him in so long.

No doubt!! You threw it in a dark lonely space for something new and shinier - total rejection!

Poor thing. I have felt so guilty as he did nothing wrong. That is why I am so happy he will be going to such a wonderful home.

Your friend is very lucky!

Only if I can get him purring. I was going to deliver him on Monday, but looks like I may have to delay the delivery date.

You may need an earlier driver, I think it was about June 2010 that we changed to the ftid driver

where do i get the old driver? most of my stuff is packed away in boxes and if I had a disk or something, it is probably packed. THe story of my life....everytime I turn around, something I need is packed. The only things that I didn't pack away was the Cougar and SB.

and, Dawn, I know this is off topic, but I am still wanting to order your files of the zebra and cat, and I did finally get my paypal account, but I was wanting to know where the flower file was that you did on that webinar. A lily, I think, that you used a pen tool on and then hand colored. I wanted that file also and with one thing or another going on in life, I never got around to asking you.

kim wrote:where do i get the old driver? most of my stuff is packed away in boxes and if I had a disk or something, it is probably packed. THe story of my life....everytime I turn around, something I need is packed. The only things that I didn't pack away was the Cougar and SB.

Kim -

Just sent the driver - oops your email bounced. Will PM it to you. Then you can send me an updated email if you need the quick start guide too.

I updated my email in my profile. And thanks for the driver file. I tried it and still nothing. The software thinks it is cutting but the machine is still pouting. No movement. I still haven't heard from Sherri and am unsure if she got my email.

She probably did but had been busy all day. Let me email you the quick start to see if there is anything in there that might help. Thanks Kim for hanging in there...... was hoping the driver would do it......

Thank you! I know we will get it figured out. We always do. I know Sherri will get to me when she can but was only worried that she may not have gotten email since several bounced back. It takes the email about three hours to bounce back.....wierd. But I don't think I got the last one I sent, from the link you gave me, bounced back to me.

Everything seems to be working other than the cutter actually cutting. The software, both MTC and SCAL, seem to think the cutter is cutting.

Hi Kim,
The flower file is here - http://www.thymegraphics.co.uk/proddeta ... werDrawing

thanks, Dawn. I looked after the webinar and didn't see it.

I did try one other thing after looking at the Quick Start Guide. I noticed the USB port, which I have always used the serial port. So I tried using the USB port and still nothing. I did make sure that the software did use the USB port.

Let me see if I can find an older driver than the one I sent you ,Kim.