Originally Posted by
loopster
I bought a Carvewright unit from a lady. Her story was that she got it from a lady who did not use it and that it as still in the box brand new. She said she has had it for two years and used it once and basically, it was too hard fo her. After making the deal with her. I asked her about the software. She said I can download it from the site. So I said, "Ok" I will do that. I got down the road and looked over at the machine. I started to think. How does this thing hook up to a computer. I am thinking to myself. Well, no usb cord. So I need to pull over and check the unit. So I see one serial type connection in the back and no other. When I saw that I said oh no! Red Flag! So I called her and asked her about it. She acted like confused about what I was asking her. I said to her. You told me you used the machine once and you had to have connected it to a computer. She said I will look around for a cord. So I continue on my way. I get the number off the machine and call the company. they tell me that the memory card hooks to a module and that module then you connected it via usb into your computer. The guy said that serial port is only for them for troubleshooting purposes. So I call the lady back and asked her about the memory card cradle. She again acted like she did not know what I was talking about. I explained. She said send me a picture and I will look for it. There is another "RED FLAG". I said ok. I go home and look up the part and it is 100 dollars! For an old type PCMIA card. At the time I said to myself. Why the heck are they using this old technology? I mean taking a card in and out of a machine to run jobs is crazy. Why not a simple usb connection to your computer? Anyways that throws another "RED FLAG" at me. Like what in the world man! Now comes trying to register an account with Carvewright. It asked for a serial number on the registration. I put it in and it says it is registered to another person. Another "RED FLAG" for me to wear! On top of that. The software is 300 dollars! That's another "RED FLAG" to wear in my hat. Now I am pissed! I do not know what to do. The machine turns on and I was able to check that it homes. But I do not know if I will ever need that security code in the future that you put in when you first get the machine. I do not know if ever it is going to ask me for it. I contacted the lady by text. She is real slow about answering. Now I have a machine I can not even use. I mean ultimately I buy the card reader and say spend the money in buying the software. Is this thing even going to run with that? I worry about the initial security code. I do not know if you only use it once. Like to unlock the machine.
It may help if you post your location. There may be someone close by willing to mentor you a bit. Help you get it set up an ease some of your worries. There is a version of the software you can download and use without purchasing the upgraded version. I would look in the forum for users near you. If you decide not to keep it you may be able to unload it to someone who has all the software and needs a second machine. depending on how much you paid you might even get your money back.
Brent
A,B machines, PE,probe,conforming vectors, centerline, 2d,3d,stl and dfx imprt, rotary , 3.xx, Pattern Sculptor
OS X Yosemite
Woodwork is what I do to pay for my tool addiction.