Geeetech prusa i3 pro b clone not connecting to mac (repetier host 1.1, not baud rate issue)

[precociousmouse]

Hi all

I have just completed the build of my prusa i3 pro b and am currently trying to get it connected to a macbook pro. The setup is:

Macbook pro running Sierra
GT2560 rev a+ board
FTDI drivers installed

I have tried a number of plugin orders, eg. boot up repetier then plug in printer, plug in printer then boot up repetier. I have set the baud rate in repetier host to 115200 and have also tested at 250000. I have swapped out the USB cable to make sure its working, and I know there is some connection as when I plug in the usb but not the mains power to the printer it powers up the board. The issue is that in the port dropdown the printer doesn't appear.

I have also plugged in an arduino to the laptop via the same usb cable to make sure it mounts and compiles in the arduino IDE and it does.

I do have a backup plan of running repetier on a raspberry pi which I will permanently connect to the printer if I absolutely can't get the laptop connecting but I would prefer not to do that.

Anyone have any experience of this?

[SilstonGeezer]

I have exactly the same problem. Did you by any chance solve this ? (I know there were no replies)

Thanks

[William]

You should check the driver of your printer
FT232R or CH341SR
It is not same and you need to ensure it
viewtopic.php?f=21&t=60612&p=81974#p81974

[GJRTimmer]

You probably need the CH34* drivers. Had similar problem.

Printer LCD was working, but no USB connection and unable to flash firmware.
I got eventually a new board because of a bad chip.

You can try the following:
If you have VMWare parallels or similar software, create and boot a Ubuntu 17:10 Virtual Machine.
The drivers for the GT2560 Rev A+ are default present within Ubuntu default kernel.

So you only have to connect your Host USB (Mac) into the Guest Virtual Machine (Ubuntu) install Repetier-Host in Ubuntu.
Then run 'cat /var/log/syslog' after connecting the USB cable of the printer to find the USB port.
Something like /dev/ttyUSB4; configure and connect; if that isn't working, then contact Geeetech for sending a new board.

Because then I suspect you have the same problem I had, a faulty chip on the board.

[Soadyheid]

[quote]I do have a backup plan of running repetier on a raspberry pi which I will permanently connect to the printer if I absolutely can't get the laptop connecting but I would prefer not to do that.[/quote]
I'd suggest running Octopi on the Raspberry Pi then you can off load the printer control stuff from the Mac completely.
Check out Octopi here: https://octoprint.org/download/

You communicate via your home network; ethernet cable or WiFi dependant on the RasPi you have.
There is an added bonus to using Octopi in that you can also download an App to your mobile which allows you to control the printer from your phone and, if you attach a webcam, either Raspbery Pi's own one or a USB one, you can view the print and even set up a time lapse video.
If you have one of the later Pis, you can even slice the print on the Pi using Cura (I'd reckon it'd be dead sloooow though) easier just to upload the Gcode file from the Mac over the network.

That's my two cents worth!

Play Bonny!

Soadyheid