Hi I'm new to this site and just starting out trying to set up a mini lathe cnc set up and looking to see if I can use Mach3 it seems like it is quite complicated and not sure that I can learn all that is required. Right now I'm trying to figure out what operating system that I need to be running, from what I can tell I need to be running a 32 bit version of windows 7 is this true?
Mach3 Minimum Recommended Requirements:
Requirements if using the parallel port for machine control:
Desktop PC (Laptops are not supported) with at least one parallel port
32-bit version of Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 (64-bit versions will not work)
1Ghz CPU
512MB RAM
Non-integrated Video Card with 32MB RAM(Large G-code files, especially 3D files will require a video card with 512MB RAM or higher)
Requirements if using an external motion device for machine control:
An appropriate external motion controller (options can be found on the Plugins page)
Desktop or Laptop with Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8
1Ghz CPU
512MB RAM
Video Card with 32MB RAM(Large G-code files, especially 3D files will require a video card with 512MB RAM or higher)
Tweakie.