progress. updated to mach 3 version 3.043.062 as you suggested ger. no change. connected my controlling pc to internet and it found an update for the uc300 plugin up to 1.010. once that installed I am getting a plugin defective error when mach loads, but once I ok that it loads fine and the tool probe works... but I now cannot jog the axis with the arrow keys. if I bring the pop out screen up and press the button on screen it will move but now with the arrow keys alone. any ideas about that?