Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: Chris A on May 06, 2015, 03:29:51 AM

Title: New laptop or Desktop? Using ethernet smoothstepper
Post by: Chris A on May 06, 2015, 03:29:51 AM
Hi Guys
I have a laptop already that is quite a few years old, I keep having time out issues with the ethernet smooth stepper, Its totally random, sometime 3 lines of code in and other times thousands of lines in,It will even time out if i am just moving the machine around using the jog keys I have turned everything off, all power settings etc and looked in the bios, anyway I am rebuilding a Mill and decided i would get a new computer for it but i would ultimately like another laptop for its portability but i am concerned whether i will have the same issues again,

In looking for a new computer or laptop is there anything i should look out for? things i should want or things i should avoid? Will a desktop just be plain better cause i want have these issues? This will just be running mach3 and vectric aspire and thats it.

Thanks in advance
Chris
Title: Re: New laptop or Desktop? Using ethernet smoothstepper
Post by: RICH on May 06, 2015, 07:33:09 AM
The main concern on any computer with a pp is that the signal out is clean. IE; I have a DEll GX520 and you need to use an
external motion device with it. I have an old NEC laptop that runs Mach...extremely slow machine / old and it probably wouldn't  run aspire.

For any pp computer you need to run the driver test as that will give the first indication if it will work.
Install Mach on it and then iin the diagnostics page see how stable the pulse frequency is ie; should not vary much and be close to kernal speed.

I had an agreement with builder of my dedicated desktop that if it didn't work he would fix or give full refund.

FWIW,
RICH
Title: Re: New laptop or Desktop? Using ethernet smoothstepper
Post by: joeaverage on May 06, 2015, 08:02:22 AM
Hi,
unless your machine is portable does it really matter if the control platform is portable?

Craig
Title: Re: New laptop or Desktop? Using ethernet smoothstepper
Post by: Chris A on May 07, 2015, 03:14:17 AM
The Machine is 3 meters long and weighs 1/2 a ton so no its not portable, But a laptop would be nice to be able to take home and do a little of the g code editing and drawing while watching tv then come back into work the next day and plug it in, and also for its size aswell, its something that can just sit at the side of the machine and not take up much space with out having towers sitting round But if a laptop is going to be a hassle in as far as running a machine properly then i will go desktop but still like to hear peoples thoughts.
Title: Re: New laptop or Desktop? Using ethernet smoothstepper
Post by: joeaverage on May 07, 2015, 07:43:11 AM
Hi,
laptops don't have a parallel port and various posts I've read where users have tried to retrofit a PP have struggled.
Additionally laptops employ some sophistication to reduce power use and some of those strategies interfere with Mach.
If you are prepared to delve into the OS to defeat or disable those features the a laptop works fine but best with an
external controller.
Desktop platforms are more suitable for PP use.
If you read from the forum at any length you will find plenty of posts about what PP's work and what don't. What I've
picked up are 'serial to parallel adaptors' don't work. If the machine doesn't have a genuine PP built in or a PCI or PCIe
slot to put a card in then PP is likely to be frustrating if not plain impossible.

Craig
Title: Re: New laptop or Desktop? Using ethernet smoothstepper
Post by: TPS on May 07, 2015, 10:50:08 AM
Hi,

if you are looking for a laptop, the also look for a
docking station witch gives you a PP.

my HP is working with a dockingstation.

Thomas
Title: Re: New laptop or Desktop? Using ethernet smoothstepper
Post by: Jeff_Birt on May 07, 2015, 12:11:03 PM
Since the OP asked specifically about the Ethernet SmoothStepper I'm not sure why everyone is going on about the parallel port.  ???

To the OP: Can you post an image of the error you are getting? It sounds like you have a configuration issue with your PC, not that you need a new PC. Any PC needs to be set up properly for running Mach 3. If you have lots of stuff running in the background, like iTunes (or any Apple software), 3rd party update software, etc. then you may have issues. Some firewall/AV software can also cause problems as they will slow things down enough to cause problems with Mach 3 feeding data to plug-ins.

On a few PCs I have seen things are so messed up that a fresh install of Windows is needed. Also be warned that new PC come with a lot of crap installed that needs to be removed.
Title: Re: New laptop or Desktop? Using ethernet smoothstepper
Post by: RICH on May 07, 2015, 08:25:54 PM
Quote
I'm not sure why everyone is going on about the parallel port.

Because Chris  asked it.
I can't comment on an external device since I have not used mine / one in years.

RICH

Title: Re: New laptop or Desktop? Using ethernet smoothstepper
Post by: Jeff_Birt on May 07, 2015, 08:30:21 PM
No he did not :) That is why I was confused  ::)
Title: Re: New laptop or Desktop? Using ethernet smoothstepper
Post by: RICH on May 08, 2015, 08:36:50 AM
Gee's Jeff,

Listen up my friend...... :)

As I have noted so manny times before.......I can't read or spell thus only write. ???
I am confused since no one will believe me. :o

I trained Mia how to read and then she barks out the letters in Morse Code. ;)
I simple hit the letter on the key board.  :-*

RICH
Title: Re: New laptop or Desktop? Using ethernet smoothstepper
Post by: BR549 on May 08, 2015, 01:03:52 PM
Rich it is those TURKEYS in the yard that have you confused.

(;-) TP
Title: Re: New laptop or Desktop? Using ethernet smoothstepper
Post by: Chris A on May 12, 2015, 02:17:42 AM
I never mentioned a parallel port, As you can see in my title i mentioned using a smooth stepper, So i am trying to find a good computer to run using the smooth stepper, as i mentioned previously i was having a lot of issues using an old laptop, I have since been using my newer desktop and it has been running alot better so i may just purchase another desktop
Title: Re: New laptop or Desktop? Using ethernet smoothstepper
Post by: dude1 on May 12, 2015, 04:30:56 AM
weird

OP I have run M4 with ESS on a old laptop Compaq win7, 2 old pc one Compaq one aspire XP, one new laptop Toshiba win 7 and now a all in one PC Compaq all worked fine other than one xp pc that was a aspire it was a complete dog.

the all in one is portable a little bit heaver than a laptop runs M4 with ESS like a dream
Title: Re: New laptop or Desktop? Using ethernet smoothstepper
Post by: Jeff_Birt on May 12, 2015, 08:50:48 AM
This is not really a laptop vs. desktop issue. Both will work fine and both have to be set up properly. I think the key here is Chris saying it is an 'old' laptop. I have seen many an old computer that is fine as far as the hardware goes but has had so much software added/removed over the years that it is overloaded with the 'gunk' left behind. Many times the best solution is to reinstall Windows and start from scratch.

The other issue is setting up the PC for Mach 3. Take a look at: http://www.soigeneris.com/Document/Warp9/Installing_and_Configuring_the_Ethernet_SmoothStepper.pdf for some tips.
Title: Re: New laptop or Desktop? Using ethernet smoothstepper
Post by: Chris A on May 12, 2015, 06:39:47 PM
Its an old laptop, but its had a fresh windows 7 32 install and only mach 3 installed, all power/sleep settings turned off. I went through the settings provided in the link above, It still has time out issues, sometimes just when moving the machine around via the jog keys and every other time when running G Code, it happens between 1-30min of gcode running,
Title: Re: New laptop or Desktop? Using ethernet smoothstepper
Post by: joeaverage on May 13, 2015, 07:07:57 AM
Hi all,
I've read quite a few posts where users have had difficulty running Mach under Windows7 so much so that many have abandoned the effort
in favour of XP.
When building my new platform I decided on Windows 7 Embedded (Standard). It was reasonably straight forward and have had absolutely
had no issues with the result. My guess is that the normal retail version of Windows 7 has a lot of security code that can interfere with Mach.
The embedded version, or least my mix of it, all but eliminates that code. I am no expert but it is my belief that is the reason I have succeeded
so easily where others have not.
Windows 7 Embedded (Standard) can be downloaded free from MS and used for a month without registration or six months if you register.
I registered and tried it out and liked it enough for me to jump through the hoops to get a runtime licence. I'm not a huge fan of MS but I can't
fault this deal.
I would give you better than even odds that it would solve the intermittent fault that you describe and its free to try.

Craig