Getting up and running in Vista

[HRobH70]

I already have the steppers and stepper controls.  Does any one know if a port replicator or docking station might work. 
Thanks
Rob

[Bengt]

If I only want to use MACH3 on my office PC where I have no needs for drivers, do I need to modify registry?

Cheers
Bengt

[wongster]

Hi guys,

First, I've tried to do a search in this forum but couldn't find the answer except one which is close but of different cause.

I've just installed Mach3 on my notebook running Vista just to get a feel of things as I'm still in the process of building my router and sourcing for a desktop PC.  After installing, I ran the patch and was looking for drivertest.exe.  It isn't in installation directory. I have the habit of showing all files regardless of extension or be it systems files in all my notebooks.  So it shouldn't be the case described in the closest post mentioned above.

The Mach3 file was downloaded only a few minutes ago.

Hope anyone can help.

Regards,
Wongster

[wongster]

I think my question is too noobish for anyone to help.  I went on to reinstall Mach3 and chose the default of not using a 3rd party controller.  This time, drivertest.exe appears.  Went on to run the program after rebooting.  It ran without problem.  Next is to learn how to interpret the result.

I'm using a notebook on vista with no parallel port.  Will be ordering smooth stepper given the cost as compared to my original intention of having a CNC Brain.  CNC Brain seems a wonderful product and Bruce and those in its forum are really nice and helpful folks.  I promised myself to definitely own one when the situation is more stable next year.  Job security is a major concern.

To folks using smooth stepper on laptop with Vista, is there anything I should look out for beside disabling speedstep, power saving feature, etc?

Any help/suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Wong

[idrenth]

Hello every one,

I have problem with the mach3.

If I run the program, the notebook is slowing down.
Like example the sound and the vista use is slowing down.

I already install the memory patch.

How can I solve this problem??

Regards,
I.Drenth

[betacircuits]

thanks! just posting as per rule of mach3, i'm not a bot..

[scottybev]

I have a brand new computer that is a (HP xw4550 Workstaion AMD64),  XP over the Vista. So far it doesnt see my I/O PCI drivers, but M3 is moving on the screen but no movment on the machine YET.
Still trying to figure this out......

[betacircuits]

I read that laptops are not recommended for mach3.. laptops are for mobility and expensive, why not purchase used desktops? they are cheaper and easier to use inside machine shop.. pentium III pcs are almost garbage! use it!!!

[scottybev]

I dont have a laptop its a HP Workstation built just for CAD.

[scottybev]

Did you  reload the latest version of M3 or the same one you had on the system?