Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: widpyro on August 18, 2018, 09:56:36 AM
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I have downloaded a copy of Mach 3 “test” program on a new computer -windows 2000. The motor tuning page doesn’t come up. I also can’t get it to run motors even when I plug the computer into a functional machine. I changed the motor ports to match what works.
Is there something wrong with my software download? Is it standard for the motor tune function to be disabled in the test version?
Thank you,
Jim
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The title says Windows 10, but the description says Windows 2000? Which is it?
Mach3 won't work in Windows 10 with the parallel port.
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Sorry
Windows 2000
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Try running Drivertest.exe in the Mach3 folder.
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Driver test won’t open up.
Disclosure: mach3 is running from a memory stick.
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You need to install it to the hard drive.
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I seem to be unable to download the mach3 .exe file to a memory stick. And this computer with windows 2000 is so old I don’t know how to get it hooked up to the internet. I know this isn’t really a mach3 issue, but any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Hi,
is there a particular reason that you wish to use such an old PC?
Even if you can get it to work the long or even medium term reliability is suspect. You'll no sooner get it to work before it craps
out totally and then you have to repeat the process.
A second hand XP is likewise pretty old and chancy as far as reliability goes. Windows 7 machines however are plentiful and cheap.
Most of the components used in Windows 7 machines have been superseded by later designs but are still available. Thus even if a Windows 7
machine craps out you are still well placed to get replacement parts required to get it going.
Even a new PC is not that out of the way. I use a dual core Atom mini-ITX single board PC much like this:
https://www.mini-itx.com/store/~D2550HN (https://www.mini-itx.com/store/~D2550HN)
Or if you want something more up to date have a look at:
https://www.dfrobot.com/product-1585.html (https://www.dfrobot.com/product-1585.html)
That $209 with memory and HD equiv with Windows 10 Enterprise.....hard to beat that value. Note that with Windows 10 you would require
an external motion controller like a SmoothStepper or UC 100 to run Mach.
Craig
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I use a db25 connector to avoid the cost of smooth stepper. On my milling mach8ne I use smooth stepper, but for other weird projects I just like to use a db25 connection.
Any suggestions on connecting with usb?
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Hi,
I now use an Ethernet SmoothStepper and won't be going back to a parallel port or even a USB connected controller either.
I understand not wishing to spend money on an external controller. Having said that I wonder if the reluctance to spend say $190 on a ESS
for instance may cost you more in the long run.
Your original post is about a Windows 2000 machine.....you might get it to work. Its highly likely that you will have to replace it and probably
in fairly short order. That's dollars that you might have spent on an ESS.
You last post suggests that the machine you are hoping to control is experimental? What sort of money has it consumed in terms of parts and materials?
If its a reasonable sum then the price of an ESS is not out of the way, and remember an ESS doesn't wear out exactly, you'll have it for years.
The ESS and its competitors like the PoKeys 57CNC and the UC300 all have plenty of inputs and outputs, the 57CNC and the UC300 have a few
analogue inputs as well. Any or all are suited to experimental machinery.
As far as USB connected controllers the simplest one port devices from reputable manufacturers are:
http://cncdrive.com/UC100.html (http://cncdrive.com/UC100.html)
https://www.pmdx.com/PMDX-411 (https://www.pmdx.com/PMDX-411)
https://www.poscope.com/product/pokeys57cncd25/ (https://www.poscope.com/product/pokeys57cncd25/)
They are all about $100 -$120.
Don't get ripped off by Chinese UC100 copies on Ebay and Amazon, they don't work like the real thing. Buy direct from the manufacturer or their nominated
distributor or you'll get ripped off every time.
Craig
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Thank you Craig. Good advice all the way around.
I’ve got an extra ESS and will probably end up using it.
My laptop is running the motors very roughly anyways. I hooked it up to a machine that runs fine and the motors on it turned roughly when run by this laptop. Are there laptop brands or OS that won’t run mach3 smoothly? My computer is a dell latitude d600 running Windows XP. I know laptops are not really advised but I need it to be portable.
Jim
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Hi,
laptops of any description are not recommended for parallel port operation.
They should all work fine with an external motion controller like an ESS.
Craig