Qidi Tech 1 - Replicator 1 clone

[rcleav]

This doesn't relate to friction of any gantry. With the stepper motor not attached to anything it still exhibits the erratic behavior.

I just tried to reset the firmware on the machine but now the control panel does not display any info. I have been going back and forth installing and resetting the firmware (7.2) and still no functionality or screen characters despite being able to connect through makerbot software, simplify3d and replicatorG. I have the machine set currently as a replicator 2.

1st What do you mean installing firmware?

2nd the Qidi is a Replicator 1 Dual clone.

If I had to guess on the original problem the stepper driver for that stepper motor is bad.
You should have a spare that came with the machine.