Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: PCH on February 15, 2010, 10:02:28 AM

Title: parallel cable
Post by: PCH on February 15, 2010, 10:02:28 AM

I want to run my controller from a laptop.  Right now I have a parallel printer cable from my controller to a pc tower.  I do not have a
parallel port on my laptop.  Does anyone know how I can do this?

pherf3pcherf@gmail.com

Title: Re: parallel cable
Post by: RICH on February 15, 2010, 10:16:01 AM

Then I suggest you use the usb along with something like the Smoothstepper.
RICH

Title: Re: parallel cable
Post by: mr.c on February 15, 2010, 11:01:52 AM

How about a High Speed Parallel Port PCMCIA Cardbus Card For Laptop? I just looked on ebay and they are right around $20.

Title: Re: parallel cable
Post by: Hood on February 15, 2010, 11:18:07 AM

Quote from: mr.c on February 15, 2010, 11:01:52 AM

How about a High Speed Parallel Port PCMCIA Cardbus Card For Laptop? I just looked on ebay and they are right around $20.

That may work as long as it is a real parallel port and not just emulating a port. Then the next problem will likely be that modern laptops have a lot of power saving features which can not easily be turned off and these will interfere with the pulse stream. No harm in trying but be prepared for it possibly not working.
Hood

Title: Re: parallel cable
Post by: Jeff_Birt on February 16, 2010, 10:35:19 PM

If you want to use a laptop your best bet is the SmoothStepper: http://soigeneris.com/Warp9.aspx . The power saving features built into the laptop will want to change the processor speed which will mess up Mach's driver.