Mach3 and Windows 7 64 bit

[ALR]

Hello.  I have just obtained Mach3 and installed on Windows 7 64 bit system.  In a different post I heard from Klaus that these may not be compatible so I thought I would start a new post.  Is Mach3 compatible with 64 bit systems.  If not can the 64 bit system be modified in some fashion.  I found reference on the PC to a virtual PC system.  Does anyone have experience with this problem.  Currently, I am unable to access the LPT port with Mach 3.  I have performed the Driver test with no outcome.

Any help would be appreciated.

ALR

[TOTALLYRC]

The PPort diver will not work with 64 bit.
You could use an external motion control since they don't use the pport.

Mike

[TramAlot]

smooth stepper, it's a usb device that act's like a buffer. They are said to work well

[Jeff_Birt]

Mach's parallel port driver will not work on a 64 bit OS. I would suggest looking at the the SmoothStepper: http://www.soigeneris.com/SmoothStepper-details.aspx (my website). The SmoothStepper is a motion control board. It basically acts like the parallel port drive and parallel port of your PC as far as Mach is concerned. Since all the critical pulse generation is done in dedicated hardware most folks see improved, smoother performance of their machines. There are also similar boards such as KFlop, DSPMS, and Galil. Depending on your machine's requirements on of them may be a better fit for you.

[ALR]

Thanks for all of the advice.  I have decided that I will swap computers and use the older 32 bit XP machine.  I have already swapped the parallel port and software.  I can use Mach3 to control output on the port pins.  However, I am only measuring 3.35VDC.  Is this enough to drive the breakout board?  If not, what needs to be done to get the voltage up?

[Hood]

However, I am only measuring 3.35VDC.  Is this enough to drive the breakout board?  If not, what needs to be done to get the voltage up?

It depends on the breakout, some are buffered and happy on 3.3v some are not, have a look at the manufacturers specs as it should tell you.
Hood

[demenicis]

sorry guys, i already posted this question somewhere else.

I've just ordered on ebay, for 10 pounds (UK) a PCI parallel port which is guaranteed (by the seller) that will work on XP64.

If that is true, is there any chance that mach3 will run properly?

Thanks

[Hood]

Answered to your other   post.

Hood