Will MACH3 ever support 64-bit systems? Officially? FYI, it's 2010

[smurph]

For people who wish to use (or keep using) the printer port, it will be around as long as Win7 32bit is.  What's that?, 5 to 8 years?  So the basics can still be had.  It's not going away anytime soon.  It's just you can have the basics and Win 7 64bit.

Steve

[sonic1954]

Well I am new to this and gaining knowledge before I spend the first nickle so I get the most bang for my buck and try to utilize the equipment that I currently possess. 

After reading this thread in it's entiriety and other post here I have gleaned the following:

1. Mach3 will run on a 64 bit system running Windows IF you use an external controller.
2. If you use the external controller, you can run Mach3 on a laptop since the power saving interupts are not there on the external controller.

Please let me know if these observations are not correct.

Thanks

[AndrewM]

Correct.

[Jeff_Birt]

If you use the external controller, you can run Mach3 on a laptop since the power saving interrupts are not there on the external controller.

Generally speaking you are correct. Windows still has power savings features that should be disabled before trying to use Mach. Many times things like screen savers, processor speed changes, USB port power down, etc can/will cause problems even with an external motion controller. You can set up a Power Profile to shut off the power savings stuff in Windows that you use when you are using Mach. You may also have to kill some of it in your computers BIOS as well.

[Tinker2010]

Anyone?
Is there anyway to use a64 bit opperating system? besides buy a new puter?
Tinker

[sonic1954]

yep. use an external motion controller. 

Apparently it is NOT the software, it is the drivers. 

[El_Matarife]

Allegedly, Windows 8 will be 64 bit only, and if it isn't it will definitely be the last 32 bit desktop OS. That's going to force the issue sooner or later.

[ger21]

Allegedly, Windows 8 will be 64 bit only, and if it isn't it will definitely be the last 32 bit desktop OS. That's going to force the issue sooner or later.

It'll force the parallel port to disappear, rather than be supported. And the cost of CNC will go up, as you'll be forced to use an external motion controller.

[Jeff_Birt]

And the cost of CNC will go up, as you'll be forced to use an external motion controller.

Why assume it will 'go up'? I can use a cheap PC/motherboard and a $150 motion control card and have a very nice system. No fussing with the parallel port at all. It is a lot simpler, easier and less expensive than spending days trying to find a mother board whose parallel port will work for a CNC controller or to find PCI card parallel port that will work.. If my cheap PC fails I can move everything to a new PC with no fuss. In my mind the total installed and operating costs drop with an external motion control board.

[AndrewM]

From a support standpoint I tend to agree with Jeff.