Migration to Win7 - Simulation use only.

[StanLewis]

OK guys this is my situation.  I have two PCs.  One runs the machine (cnc router) and the other is used to check out scripts and gcode before running off to the machine.

The one I use to check out the scripts and gcode is my "main" computer for almost everything and it was time to give it a not so decent burial....

So, I now have a new Win7 Professional machine that will be used for design and check out.

The issue is that scripts (such as zero set plate) do not run (first one checked is a z-zero plate) correctly.  I have attached the script as things may have changed since Mach was installed on the other machine (moving to current lockdown).  But I also used the "older" lockdown version as well (same issue).

I "emulated" the probe key and the "led" on my screenset fires when the key (in this case 'p') is pressed but the script continues to run in the "ismoving" section.  It seems that the script does not "see" the keypress.  The diagnostics screen shows the probe/digitize led firing.

I am not sure if this is a configuration issue or a Win7 issue.  I am not running the PP driver (no need and doesn't work under x64) so I would not expect to see any changes on the Diagnostic screen for the corresponding leds for the PP pins.

This new machine is a quad core processor if this makes any difference.

TIA, Stan

[AndrewM]

When Mach starts are you selecting the PP or No Device? Since you dont have the driver installed you should select the PP option, this allows you to run in simulation mode(simulation works on 64bit).

Mach3 needs to have something selected for motion control, even if its a non existent PP. Also, Mach3 needs to be run in Administrator Mode on Win7.

[StanLewis]

ah the plot thickens....

I do not get a msg asking about using a PP.  Could this be because I did install the driver first thinking that Mach may need it for something else.  I uninstalled/reinstalled mach without the driver the second time.  But I did not see anything anywhere on getting rid of the PP driver.

Just a simple deinstall Mach and reinstall without PP driver.

Stan

[AndrewM]

You need to go to the Device Manager and locate the driver, then uninstall it Directly.

Did you get a popup about it at any time and then checked the do not ask again box?

[StanLewis]

I did not get that message at anytime.  I am familiar with that message and was looking for it.

I also did not see anything in the device manager either.  I am used to seeing it listed as "mach pulsing engine" on WinXP.

Stan

[AndrewM]

When in Mach3 go to Function Cfg's>Reset Motion Device, restart mach3 and you should get the popup.

[ger21]

I am not running the PP driver

That's the problem.

A lot of things won't work correctly without the driver installed.

I found that out a long time ago when testing screens and macros. Even on a 32bit XP machine, some things just won't work without the PP driver installed.

[StanLewis]

Now I have two things in flight...

1) do I install the PP driver even though it wont work on Win7 64bit?

2) if I goto to the Function Cfg->Reset Device Sel, I get a message saying that at the next startup I'll get asked which plugin to run...  Then on the next startup I get the msg agreeing that Mach run dangerous equip.... then nothing.

Me thinks that these two are related.

Stan

[ger21]

1) do I install the PP driver even though it wont work on Win7 64bit?

My guess, is that you won't be able to properly simulate on a 64 bit machine, unless you use a Smoothstepper with it.

[StanLewis]

Well now that kinda bites...  I hate to either have another PC just for Mach simulation of gcode and scripts (much cheaper than buying a smoothstepper to run nothing).

Stan