Topics

1

Mach3 under Vista / Which OS to go with?

« on: October 15, 2013, 01:52:54 PM »

Good day everyone. I recently bought a Shopmaster Bridgemill which was set up for cnc (4 axis) using servo motors and the servo system from Camtronics. It was using Mach 3 on Windows 2000 and was operational with the only glitches being with the 4th axis. I am in the process to get the system operational again. I will be using a different computer which currently has Windows 7 32 bit installed on it. I understand that Mach 3 should run on the 32 bit version as well as XP. My question is: Seeing that this set up was running on Windows 2000, what operating system would you recommend to run it, XP or 7 32 bit? Another option would be to use windows 7 and add the XP mode. I bought a used computer with 7 on it and intended to switch it over to XP, but I discovered it is a 7 32 bit system and from what I have read it should work. Which set up will work best for Mach 3 and the Camtronics servo system? Thanks.

2

General Mach Discussion / Computer OS opinions please

« on: October 08, 2013, 01:31:41 PM »

HI! I am a new member starting out on his CNC journey. I have a Shopmaster Bridgemill that was operational on Mach3. It was last ran on Windows 2000. It also has servo motors. I need to replace the computer so here is where I need to pick your brain. Should I buy a refurbished computer running XP which should integrate into the system without to much trouble, or should I go whole hog and buy a new one with windows 7-64 and get smothstepper? Remember this system has servo motors. I would prefer to go with XP and get it up and running at the lowest cost. But if I will need to upgrade in the future I may as well do it now. Opinions please. Be gentle, remember you were new at this at one time too.