Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: DeadTom on August 24, 2009, 11:57:07 PM
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I have a DIY JGRO 3 axis router, running Mach3 and code generated in Vectric Cut2D. The computer is a Dell Pentium 3 500mhz running WindowsXP. Can't remember how much ram it has.
Also I am new to all of this even though I started my machine in late 2006.
The sign I made was fairly simplistic , I thought, and the first pass went just fine and the second pass was fine up to near the end of the entire run. Here are some pics:
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Can you attach the code please.
Hood
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I saw your message while at work, I am finally home and here is the file
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First of all your pc was probably a win 98 w/500 mhz processor. You should have closer to 1 ghz processor, and 512 m ram.
Ed
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Code certainly looks good from first glance so suspect it may indeed be a problem with the low computer specs as Ed has suggested.
Hood
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I concur and yes this was a Win98 machine, I was running a wireless connection, Mach3 and Cut2D with only 256mb of ram simultaneously.....yikes.
I suspected the machine's specs right at the beginning but it is nice to receive confirmation.
This machine was my oldest daughter's computer and since I got her a new computer this was just hanging around for a number of years. She has been out of the house for at least 3 years now...man I am old.
Thank you both for your time and talent in checking this file for me,
Thomas Lightfoot
DeadTom
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I was running a wireless connection
What type of connection? Wireless devices are one thing I personally avoid but I know a few have used wireless devices without incident, however wireless networks have been known to be very problematic with Mach.
Hood
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Well I was connected to my home network as an 802.11g connection; I am amazed that 256mb was running all of that and I did not run into trouble until the end of the code.
I think I will create a logon that will shut down all uneccessary programs to include the wireless driver and also run only Mach3 by itself and also I will see if I can at least double the ram from 256 to 512.
DT
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DT,
I just ran your program my NEC Laptop - 400MHZ - 256 Ram with no problem.
But you should not have anything else running other than MACH. The slow machines can work,
but don't even think of trying something like using a camera, playing with your mouse, connected to anything.
What did bother me some was the cuts into your boarder and the unfinished rough cuts.
RICH
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From Artsoft Home page.
Software Requirements
Keeping with our home hobbyist roots, the minimum software requirements to run Mach are very reasonable. Below are the specifications for running Mach3 stably.
Mach3 Minimum Requirements:
* Windows 2000/XP Operating System
* 1Ghz CPU
* 512MB RAM
* Non-integrated Video Card with 32MB RAM
* Basic Computer Skills (ability to copy/rename files, browse directories, etc)
* Desktop PC if using the Mach3 Driver (Laptops are not supported because the power saving features of the chipsets disrupt the pulse stream)
This pc should be dedicated to Mach. No games , no internet .(my opinion)
Ed
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Yep, should have what Ed posted, and start thinking about upgrading.
But if the old dog still hunts use him sparingly and with kindness, since time is not on his side! ;)
BTW, That old laptop has a PP and is rock solid, she even has a 8 gig hard drive under the hood!. ;D
RICH
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I agree that this computer is marginal, I have upped the memory to 640mb and re-run the code and had no problem but I do fear anything more complex will crash it. I have 4 desktops and a laptop for my home network and I think it is time to add a 5th desktop. When I stopped by the Used Computer Warehouse here in town they had many computers that will fit the bill for around $200 to $300.
Thanks for all the replies
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DT,
I just ran your program my NEC Laptop - 400MHZ - 256 Ram with no problem.
But you should not have anything else running other than MACH. The slow machines can work,
but don't even think of trying something like using a camera, playing with your mouse, connected to anything.
What did bother me some was the cuts into your boarder and the unfinished rough cuts.
RICH
Rich,
Can you elaborate on what bothered you regarding the border and the unfinished rough cuts?
I am new to gcode, Mach3, Cut2D and CNC routers in general so I am like a sponge soaking up all the bits of information I can get my brain around. I do have 25+ years of CAD experience from my job and other personal interests.
DT
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DT,
What is circled in red on the attached. Maybe it's just that the file never ran to the end.
RICH
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What you have circled is the reason for this thread, this is where the machine went wacky. Actually, the computer ran out of memory and that's when the controller and Mach3 got lost. Fill up all the buffers on the computer and she stops, live and learn.