Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: mrpeja on October 02, 2009, 06:46:52 AM

Title: Mach3 and SMI (System Maintenance Interrupt)
Post by: mrpeja on October 02, 2009, 06:46:52 AM
Hi,
Reading about EMC under Linux, I see it has problem with uniform pulse stream generating, because motherboard's SMI function (if takes too long) can disturb uniformity of pulse stream.
QUESTION: Does this problem exists under Win XP running Mach3?
mrpeja
Title: Re: Mach3 and SMI (System Maintenance Interrupt)
Post by: RICH on October 02, 2009, 08:18:35 AM
Mach uses a driver test to inform you how stable your computer is. Your deeper into the computer workings than i know anything about and also don't use EMC or Linux.  Different computer systems provide different quality of output pulses.
RICH
Title: Re: Mach3 and SMI (System Maintenance Interrupt)
Post by: mrpeja on October 02, 2009, 09:09:08 AM
So,
If driver test says my computeri is not enough stable, is there any method to improve it and solve the problem?
(For Linux there are tools to stop SMI function, complete or partially)
mrpeja
Title: Re: Mach3 and SMI (System Maintenance Interrupt)
Post by: Hood on October 02, 2009, 09:34:19 AM
There are  optomisation steps you can take, they are detailed on the downloads page.
Hood
Title: Re: Mach3 and SMI (System Maintenance Interrupt)
Post by: RICH on October 02, 2009, 10:16:46 AM
Try what Hood just posted. Depends on the computer. I use a Dell Optiplex GX520 and it is a great machine for everything, except, the signal quality out of the pc is bad. It works great with a SS, but, out of the PP, can't
run the machines worth a hoot. I tried everything and nothing fixed the signal quality out of it.

So I did what I should have done a year ago.

Yesterday i fixed the problem permanently by having a new computer put together and it is rock solid!
I need to do some more testing and I will post in near future with info on the new pc.
RICH
Title: Re: Mach3 and SMI (System Maintenance Interrupt)
Post by: mrpeja on October 05, 2009, 02:41:01 AM
Hi RICH, Hood,
I know about optimisation, but this is Windows optimisation?
The problem I expect is with newer Mainboards who have SMI function built in. (this is the problem witch Linux guys have).
I think optimisation can't  solve this?
mrpeja
Title: Re: Mach3 and SMI (System Maintenance Interrupt)
Post by: RICH on October 05, 2009, 07:57:16 PM
Well the new computer i had put together didn't require nothing to be done to it!
I posted info on it in thread about my lathe conversion.
What more can i say ???
RICH
Title: Re: Mach3 and SMI (System Maintenance Interrupt)
Post by: edvaness on October 05, 2009, 08:17:05 PM
mrpeja,

How old of a pc are you running? Do you have the required processor and ram.
If so you should have no problems running Mach.
As far as Linux goes, I also run A CNC on Linux with no problem , but its not EMC.

Ed
Title: Re: Mach3 and SMI (System Maintenance Interrupt)
Post by: mrpeja on October 06, 2009, 12:39:23 AM
Hi Ed,
I'll run brand new mainboard, I think 2,6 GHz, 1 GB ram, external video card
Witch CNC sofrware you run on Linux?
mrpeja
Title: Re: Mach3 and SMI (System Maintenance Interrupt)
Post by: edvaness on October 06, 2009, 01:37:18 PM
mrpeja ,

I'm running a mill on Linux with an Ajax control. No hard drive. the machine runs off a flash card with Linux, and have NO problems.
The benefits of running off a flash card, means no moving parts , not effected by any vibrations, as in machining enviorment. Has been running  for 4 years now. The cost was a little over 4,000 for the install, just for the electronics.
But Mach is a lot cheaper , and will do more than the Ajax setup.

Ed