Messages

1

Machscreen Screen Designer / Re: exporting .set files

« on: September 13, 2013, 02:43:19 PM »

Very good.......feel better about it now, thanks a bunch!

2

Machscreen Screen Designer / exporting .set files

« on: September 13, 2013, 11:54:28 AM »

Hi, I have a question regarding Machscreen.

I recently designed myself a custom screenset using a version of Machscreen that I downloaded about a year and a half ago, don't know which version it is offhand.
I created the .set on a Win732 laptop, saved the file onto usbzip, then installed it to my pc running the cnc router.(win732 pc)

When I copied the .set file from the laptop(drag&drop) to the usb drive, I got a popup warning......something to the effect "am I sure I want to copy file......file properties will not be copied." I don't remember exactly the warning, but I continued anyway.

Everything appears to be working great on the cnc pc via a quick simulation run, but I have not actually ran any jobs.

My question is should I be concerned with this, maybe some sneaky problem that shows up in the worst of times?

Thanks for any input, and for a really useful piece of software!

3

Mach3 under Vista / Re: Mach3 support for windows 7?

« on: November 11, 2012, 03:18:03 PM »

Thanks Gerry, I will try it on the machine when I get the chance.  Yep, it seems difficult to find a NEW motherboard that doesnt have all kinds of unnecessary bells and whistles, and does include the Lpt port.

4

Mach3 under Vista / Re: Mach3 support for windows 7?

« on: November 11, 2012, 12:14:16 PM »

So far, I consider your suggestions successful, but am not quite sure.  I re ran the drivertest after disabling the suggested parameters in Bios, and this time got the flattest line on the chart I have seen yet.  There were very small ripples present, but not the huge spikes going from top to bottom of the chart, as there were before, including the other three computers tried except the Dell.  Again, the Dell worked the best on the router, and incidentally had the flattest line on the chart.

the number in the "pulses per second" box deviated between 25357 to 25369.
the average variation of the ripples in the line on the chart, based on the "Time between Pulses uS" heading on the left side, is between 36 and 38, with the occasional (about one per screen update) spike between 32 and 48.

Does this sound like what I am looking for?

Thanks!

5

Mach3 under Vista / Re: Mach3 support for windows 7?

« on: November 11, 2012, 11:46:29 AM »

Ok Gerry, so far...in the Ai tweaker menu, I have disabled everything that has a "disable" option, which is one thing.  However, most of the menu blocks in this section ask for some actual parameter, none of which I have a clue what to enter.

For example:

Ai tuner offers these choices:
Auto
Manual
D.O.C.P.

The Memory Frequency menu allows:
Auto
DDR3-800
through
DDR3-1866

.....and several other choices.

suggestions while I march on?

6

Mach3 under Vista / Re: Mach3 support for windows 7?

« on: November 11, 2012, 11:26:14 AM »

Nice to at least have a path as I have been at this wall for some time now.  I will attempt Gerry's suggestions as time permits and post back with results.  As far as "permissions" this is quite elusive for me as well.  I read something here about running Mach as administrator, but frankly do not understand what that means, or how to do it.  I normally click on the Mach3 Loader icon and up pops the software.  Any ideas on how to do this?

Yes this machine is completely stripped down, as mentioned it is purpose built for the application.  The only software on it is whatever comes with the os, Rhinoceros, Cambam, and Mach3.  I dont feel like it's an issue with the cad/cam since it wont be running at all while Mach3 is running, but I could be wrong about this.   No network, no AV,no sound,etc.

Thanks for the suggestions, I will give them a shot.  Will post my results.

7

Mach3 under Vista / Re: Mach3 support for windows 7?

« on: November 11, 2012, 10:24:02 AM »

Thank you Gerry, but because I have noticed that you give that recommendation often, it is one of the first things I checked.  Unfortunately I cannot find either of those settings in my bios. I have attached(hopefully) a pdf of the user manual for my latest motherboard. If not, here is the model: Asus F1A55-M LX PLUS.  Have a look if you will, perhaps those settings fall under a different name.  FWIW,  both of the previous mobos I tried did indeed have those settings and they did not solve the problem.  Those two used Intel P4 processors and this one uses AMD, if that makes a difference.

On the other hand, I temporarily swiped my son's old Dell running XP and a core2duo processor just for kicks, and it seemed to work the router without the aforementioned hiccups.  Coincidentally, it also demonstrated the "flattest" line on the drivertest utility graph.  This also seems to justify that all of my hardware downstream of the PC is working correctly.

So why dont I just use the Dell and be done with it?  Well... please refer to my op.  I am not opposed to using XP as a last resort, but because Mach3 is advertised to work with 7, and one of the reasons I purchased it, I would indeed like to use Mach with that os.  And because it is so unsettling watching your router run on a workpiece for several hours , then glitch a time or two and ruin the piece, I want to use all new hardware for this purpose to reduce the chance of end of service life hardware failures.  Not to mention the amount of money and time I have invested directly toward this target.

From the Artsoft webpage:

"Software Requirements

Keeping with our home hobbyist roots, the minimum software requirements to run Mach are very reasonable.  Below are the specifications for running Mach3 stably.
Mach3 Minimum Requirements:

32-bit Desktop (using the parallel port)

    32-bit version of Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 Operating System (64-bit will not work)
    1Ghz CPU
    512MB RAM
    Non-integrated Video Card with 32MB RAM
    Basic Computer Skills (ability to copy/rename files, browse directories, etc)"

I am confident I have satisfied these requirements.

Thanks for the quick reply....do you have any more suggestions?  Are you running Mach3 with Win7 through  an onboard PP?  Do you know of anyone that is?

8

Mach3 under Vista / Mach3 support for windows 7?

« on: November 10, 2012, 09:25:13 PM »

Hello forum,

Does Mach3 work reliably with Windows 7 32bit and the parallel port?  It seems very odd that most related questions to the subject here on this forum go unanswered or are answered vaguely. 

If so, anyone successful with this willing to walk me through troubleshooting erratic, inconsistent "clunks" from the step motors on my router.  This is my third attempt (mildly frustrated, to put it lightly) at a new,clean install, custom built, dedicated PC for the purpose, and still no joy.  Well I haven't connected this one to the router, but the drivertest utility results appear near identical to the first two PCs, very "spikey".  And both of those PCs yielded less than desirable results in actual operation on my small 3 axis router.

My limited understanding of the drivertest is that you want a very flat line, but no joy there for me.  I certainly could use a better understanding of the test, to say the least.  My computer skills are at most, basic, and questions directed to those more knowledgeable often take for granted my knowledge base.  I am hoping that I am simply not catching something with the PC configuration and setup. 

But it also seems peculiar that there is only an "XP optimization" reference file available from Artsoft, not one for 7, even though it has been asked for a couple times right here on the Machsupport forum.

Any suggestions would be most appreciated!