Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: Htrowrod on February 07, 2009, 04:21:33 AM

Title: When I run Mach it crashes my computer.
Post by: Htrowrod on February 07, 2009, 04:21:33 AM
It's alive... Well it was for about 4 sec. I did a Kitchen (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vance_Miller) table test on my electronics. Hooked everything up, configured Mach and finally got all the axises working. At the table everything ran fine. So out to the garage I go with everything. My X and Z axis were finished, so bolted down the steppers to them. I connected up the computer and controller, and loaded up Mach3. I hit the reset button, and then pushed the right arrow. I couldn't believe it, the darn thing started moving. Well it moved about 3 inches, and then my computer screen went blank. Huh, Ok I'll just reboot. XP loaded up again, so now I will try page down. Things are looking good...... then it crashed again. That's it I better call in the professionals. What do you guys think?

I'll give you some background. I am running a Shuttle computer, 500 megs of memory, I can't remember the speed of the CPU. No other software on the computer other than the demo version of Mach3. When I set up Mach I had trouble getting it to work. I finally had to set the step and Dir to an active high to get everything to run. I am doing this on a Joe's Hybrid 4x4 that I have built.

That's about it. Let me know if you need any more info.

Thanks,
Bruce
Title: Re: When I run Mach it crashes my computer.
Post by: Hood on February 07, 2009, 05:55:38 AM
Not familair with the shuttle but presume its onboard graphics, if so then that may be your problem as some interfere too much with the timing in Mach.
Have you run the driver test to see what the pulse looks like?
Try the optimisation steps  and see if that helps, you will find info at the bottom of the Mach download page.
Hood
Title: Re: When I run Mach it crashes my computer.
Post by: ger21 on February 07, 2009, 09:02:21 AM
Did you use the same computer on the Kitchen (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vance_Miller) table that you are on your machine? And if so, it didn't crash in the Kitchen (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vance_Miller)?
Title: Re: When I run Mach it crashes my computer.
Post by: Htrowrod on February 07, 2009, 11:32:15 AM
I am using a regular video card. Yes, I used the same computer at the Kitchen (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vance_Miller) table, as I did in the garage. I did only run the motors in bursts at the Kitchen (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vance_Miller) table. I also ran driver test and I think it was fine. I will reboot and look at Mach.........Driver test, different driver, and such.

That's for all the help!
Bruce
Title: Re: When I run Mach it crashes my computer.
Post by: budman68 on February 07, 2009, 12:26:38 PM
Bruce,

Just a note, as mentioned above by Hood, the optimization steps are VERY important with some PCs to get them to run right at all.

Dave