Mach under Windows 7 64 bit- XP Emulation-Again-Help

[Mike E]

I am not a Computer minded person so don't flame me to bad. I know a the specs call for a 32 bit operating system, but will Mach run under windows 7 Pro 64 bit in XP mode? I can save a couple of hundred bucks going that route by not having to buy a new complete retail box of 32 bit, and then paying someone to make it a dual boot box.

Thanks Much
Mike

[Hood]

64 bit OS is fine if you are using external pulsing devices such as SmoothStepper, DSPMC, Galil etc but the Parallel Port driver will not run under 64 bit OS so you cant use the Parallel Port.
Hood

[Mike E]

64 bit OS is fine if you are using external pulsing devices such as SmoothStepper, DSPMC, Galil etc but the Parallel Port driver will not run under 64 bit OS so you cant use the Parallel Port.
Hood

Oh Well
  Back to 32 bit I go.

Thanks
Mike

[demenicis]

Sorry guys, I'm new in this forum.

Could you guys clarify a bit more why i can't run Mach3 on XP64 bit?

I just bought a PCI Parallel port which works on XP64. Is the limitation made by the Mach3 software or by the Parallel port itself.

If I can manage to have a parallel port up and running on my XP64, will mach3 work?

Thanks

Demenicis

[Hood]

The parallel port driver for Mach, in other words the pulsing engine for the parallel port,  will only work with a 32bit OS.
If you use one of the external pulsing controllers then you can use a 64Bit OS as Mach itself will run fine on the 64bit OS and you will not be needing the driver (pulsing engine) as you wont be using the parallel port.

Hood

[demenicis]

Thanks Hood for your quick repply.

I'm not sure if i got it right.

1- lets assume that my PCI parallel cards work fine on XP64 - problem 1 solved
2- Mach3 runs fine on XP64 as a software only, problem 2 solved
3- Mach3 cannot send pulse to a working Parallel Port due to its achitecture. I should then give up of 64 bit since it is cheaper to buy another computer than an external motion controller (I may be wrong).

Sumarily, this is an Mach3 issue/limitation.

Pls correct me if I'm wrong.

best regards

Demenicis

[Hood]

More or less correct, but another two options, first a 32 bit OS will likely be cheaper than a new computer and second the SmoothStepper that I use on all my machines may also be cheaper, it is about $150 if I recall.

Hood

[AndrewM]

A 32-Bit Version of Win7 OR XP is very much so cheaper then a new PC, (150-300$) Or as Hood said, if you already have spent the money on the 64-bit OS then you would be best off purchasing a External Motion controller(IE: Smooth Stepper)

It is of course, Entirely up to you

[ger21]

OEM copies of 32bit Windows 7 are about $100. Check www.newegg.com

[demenicis]

Thanks a lot for you guys clarification.

As you would have noticed, my english is a bit crap.
When I said a "NEW" computer I meant to say "another second hand and chepo old one"

But anyway, I think our point of view is more or less the same and I will now (at least) give up of this 64 bit idea and do the job I have to do so I can test my DIY machine I've made in my garage.

There is a picture for you guys so I can intruduce my work a bit better.

Best Regards to all of you and thanks again for the advices.