Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: ALR on December 12, 2010, 11:00:34 AM

Title: Mach3 and Windows 7 64 bit
Post by: ALR on December 12, 2010, 11:00:34 AM

Hello.  I have just obtained Mach3 and installed on Windows 7 64 bit system.  In a different post I heard from Klaus that these may not be compatible so I thought I would start a new post.  Is Mach3 compatible with 64 bit systems.  If not can the 64 bit system be modified in some fashion.  I found reference on the PC to a virtual PC system.  Does anyone have experience with this problem.  Currently, I am unable to access the LPT port with Mach 3.  I have performed the Driver test with no outcome.

Any help would be appreciated.

ALR

Title: Re: Mach3 and Windows 7 64 bit
Post by: TOTALLYRC on December 12, 2010, 11:35:36 AM

The PPort diver will not work with 64 bit.
You could use an external motion control since they don't use the pport.

Mike

Title: Re: Mach3 and Windows 7 64 bit
Post by: TramAlot on December 12, 2010, 12:08:51 PM

smooth stepper, it's a usb device that act's like a buffer. They are said to work well

Title: Re: Mach3 and Windows 7 64 bit
Post by: Jeff_Birt on December 13, 2010, 10:03:33 AM

Mach's parallel port driver will not work on a 64 bit OS. I would suggest looking at the the SmoothStepper: http://www.soigeneris.com/SmoothStepper-details.aspx (my website). The SmoothStepper is a motion control board. It basically acts like the parallel port drive and parallel port of your PC as far as Mach is concerned. Since all the critical pulse generation is done in dedicated hardware most folks see improved, smoother performance of their machines. There are also similar boards such as KFlop, DSPMS, and Galil. Depending on your machine's requirements on of them may be a better fit for you.

Title: Re: Mach3 and Windows 7 64 bit
Post by: ALR on December 14, 2010, 09:12:55 PM

Thanks for all of the advice.  I have decided that I will swap computers and use the older 32 bit XP machine.  I have already swapped the parallel port and software.  I can use Mach3 to control output on the port pins.  However, I am only measuring 3.35VDC.  Is this enough to drive the breakout board?  If not, what needs to be done to get the voltage up?

Title: Re: Mach3 and Windows 7 64 bit
Post by: Hood on December 15, 2010, 02:41:14 AM

Quote from: ALR on December 14, 2010, 09:12:55 PM

However, I am only measuring 3.35VDC.  Is this enough to drive the breakout board?  If not, what needs to be done to get the voltage up?

It depends on the breakout, some are buffered and happy on 3.3v some are not, have a look at the manufacturers specs as it should tell you.
Hood

Title: Re: Mach3 and Windows 7 64 bit
Post by: demenicis on January 10, 2011, 09:04:10 AM

sorry guys, i already posted this question somewhere else.

I've just ordered on ebay, for 10 pounds (UK) a PCI parallel port which is guaranteed (by the seller) that will work on XP64.

If that is true, is there any chance that mach3 will run properly?

Thanks

Title: Re: Mach3 and Windows 7 64 bit
Post by: Hood on January 10, 2011, 09:10:52 AM

Answered to your other   post.

Hood