Windows 7

[Bob La Londe]

It took me a long time to figure out a stable reliable configuration using XP Pro SP2 with my Taig.

Now I am looking for a PC for the little MaxNC I finished retrofitting with bigger motors, better screws, and a Gecko Controller.  I tested it all out on my design computer, but I don't want to take that machine away from being available for design.  I was looking on Staples website today and found no options for XP Pro except a downgrade (maybe) to SP3.  I was told by everybody here, "STAY AWAY FROM SP3."  

By the way, my design computer is running an SP3 downgrade from 7.  

Anybody getting good reliability under Windows 7 or am I going to have to go yard sale hopping to find a licensed copy of XP Pro SP2?  

On Amazon a full verison is going for as much as a whole computer still. 

[Rift]

My setup is on a computer running win 7 ultimate 32bit, and iv had no issues at all. I'm still very new to CNC and in the process of learning, but everything iv cut so far has been just fine. The computer is running Mach with zero issues. Solid as a rock so far. I never even though of running XP. The computer itself is a mini ATX computer I put together myself.

My setup is a Taig being run by gecko 203vs with some 286oz steppers driving the axis. Also have a relay in there for the spindle, and a safety charge pump. All works great. No complaints yet.

[Bob La Londe]

How big of code files are you running?  I routinely run 50,000 lines of code now and run over 100K once in a while. 

[Rift]

My files are only around 2-5k lines. I'm just getting into this so my stuff isn't hugely complex. But I would think (and I'm open to correction on this)  this sort of thing would mainly depend on your computer and not the OS. Windows 7 is extremely stable in my experience and I run it on all my machines.

The computer running Mach is a 3ghz celeron (E3300 Wolfdale to be exact socket 775) with 2gigs of ram and a decent 7200rpm HD. I personally haven't experienced any issues on any of my machines running 7. I'm very new to CNC but not computers so I'm pretty confident in my claim that if the computer is good enough it shouldn't be an issue. I personally think a lot of the issues that happen with this stuff are down to old janky computers being used to run these machines. I think sometimes people have some unrealistic expectations.

[gene8522]

Some where I read that Mach3 runs best under the 32 bit format. Stay with Windows 7 32bit and it should run fine. Mine does 

[Hood]

Some where I read that Mach3 runs best under the 32 bit format. Stay with Windows 7 32bit and it should run fine. Mine does 

If using the parallel port driver then 64 bit operating systems will not work.  If using external pulsing devices then 64bit should be fine.
Hood

[Bob La Londe]

32 VS 64.  How do you tell?  

32 bit is necessary when using?

1.  Just a break out board? 
2.  G540?
3.  Smooth Stepper?
4.  Other? 

[Hood]

The operating system should say whether its 32 or 64 bit.
If using the parallel port then 54 but will not work, so your first 2 options will only run on 32bit OS's. The SmoothStepper does the pulsing itself instead of using the parallel port driver so it should be fine. Other device which should be fine are the Kflop, DSPMC and Galil.

Hood