Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => Mach3 under Vista => Topic started by: b504now on June 13, 2013, 09:54:58 AM
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I had to migrate to a new PC recently, and I have been stumped by the parallel card. I have a windows 7, 32 bit computer with a parallel port attached to the PCI-E bus. And for the life if me I cant get the Mach3 to interact with the parallel port.
A poster on the buildyourCNC forum suggested that MACH3 cannot see the parallel port on a PCI-E bus. Is that true ?
Thanks
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I have never used a PCI-E card but know others that have with good results. Are you loading and running everything as Administrator?
Brett
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Make sure that it is a true P-port and not a usb implementation of one.
Mike
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My old PC is getting past it, I am thinking of running my CNC with a lap top any ideas of what spec I should go for and is there any problems that I might have to watch out for
Cheers
Ray
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I just started this. I struggled to get the thing (Mach3) to even boot up.
Just can't get it to make the mill budge. Nothing. Nada. Not even a twitch, trmmer or shimmy. Nothing.
Am at a loss.
I know there has to be a reason for it but right now I have no flippin clue.
3 days now and not a single thing is moving.
Going to have to dig up some documentation and see if there is something I have to do like sacrifice a chicken at midnight while dancing under the full moon.
It's going to be a VERy rough week.
Hey if this turns into a flop Ill have a PC, Mill and software for sale!
So disappointing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BTW I am running a win 7 64 bit, start with run as admin. All requirements met or exceeded, no alerts or request for action to trouble shoot.
The parallel is a pci card.
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You can't use a parallel port on a 64 bit OS. Mach3's parallel port driver won't run.
A 32bit OS is one of the requirements to use the parallel port.
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So what do I need to do? I went with this assumption that I could. This is off their website. What do I need to do to run my mill with Mach3 off this computer?
Laptop, 32 or 64-bit Desktop – External Motion Controller Only
An appropriate external motion controller (options can be found on the Plugins page)
Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8
1Ghz CPU
512MB RAM
Video Card with 32MB RAM(Large G-code files, especially 3D files will require a video card with 512MB RAM or higher)
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For 64 bit PC's, you need to use an external motion controller. The most popular is the Smoothstepper, from www.warp9td.com
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Why did I not see that coming.
Ok, thanks for the info and the link.
I should have known that the deal on the cnc mill was going to end up being expensive....... >:(
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There are other options. Look at the UC-100, it's a little cheaper. http://www.cnc4pc.com/Store/osc/product_info.php?cPath=93&products_id=481
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It isn't the cost of the solution its the fact I have to come up with a solution that costs.
This is all my own fault for trying to buy a cheap system using an outdated system and trying to use modern software and equipment to run it.
This information is awesome and I thank you vigorously.
I have one more option I want to explore before I buy a new controller.
I have a win 7 32bit disc someone is letting me have since they never cracked the seal on it yet and making a dual boot win7 64/win 7 32 and since this is a free option I will try it first. I hope that makes sense. If it works for this application then I will post it this weekend. I have about half the components to build a new pc but the 3 parts I need are around $350 even going on the cheaper side. If all else fails though I definitely need to pick one of those options you offered.
Wish me luck!
And THANK YOU for the help!