Messages

11

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Suggested OS

« on: January 26, 2018, 11:26:33 AM »

Yes, you can buy an OEM version. I always buy OEM versions, and build my own PC's.

I stand corrected. It seems Microsoft changed their licensing terms to forbid Joe Public from using OEM licenses beginning with Windows 7 but then reversed the decision beginning with Windows 10.

It also seems they didn't make it very clear that they were changing it which lead to many people continuing to sell OEM licenses of Windows 7.

OEM version means you don't have access to basic Microsoft tech support. The last time I called basic tech support I was halfway through explaining what a printer driver did to the 'expert' on the other end of the call when I realised that I was probably wasting my time and hung up :-)

12

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Suggested OS

« on: January 26, 2018, 10:52:39 AM »

Not being very "savvy", are there any foreseeable issues going with the OEM over the retail version? Just for a machine controller.

Assuming you mean Home versus Professional (you can't buy the OEM version, it only comes with a PC) then see https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/compare for the differences.

Assuming you aren't too paranoid about security i.e. can do without Bitlocker which encrypts the hard drive of the PC and don't need to join a domain, you should be fine with the Home version

13

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Suggested OS

« on: January 26, 2018, 06:35:38 AM »

Coming from an IT background as opposed to any Mach 4 specific issues, I'd recommend you go with either Windows 7 or Windows 10.

Vista and Windows 8.1 are both best avoided.

Windows 10 doesn't require any more processing power than Windows 7 so if you had a straight choice between the two, go with 10. However, the cost may be a factor although I'm not sure if you can even legitimately buy 7 anymore?

14

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach4 screen not updating while running Macro

« on: September 26, 2017, 02:42:27 PM »

Can't help you with an answer but I've the same problem.

I believe I recall reading in the documentation somewhere that this was expected behaviour but it was some time ago and I could be wrong.

I'd also like to know if there was a command to update the screen while executing a script.

I did get a workaround by assigning my LUA script as a Mxx code and then running that from a button rather than running the code directly from the button and the screen updates but I've no idea if that's the way it should be done, a dirty hack or an absolute no-no.

15

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Windows 10 IoT

« on: July 14, 2017, 06:31:54 AM »

Are you asking if you could run Mach4 on Windows 10 IOT?

The honest answer is that I don't know for certain but I'd be VERY surprised if you could. Windows 10 IOT is a VERY different beast to Windows 10. It's not intended to be a desktop OS in any way.

Microsoft's insistence on having the same brand identity across as many platforms as possible is the only valid reason I can see for it even having the 'Windows 10' moniker. I'm sure that the platforms share as much code as possible but the same can probably be said for Word and Excel but that doesn't mean they should call Excel 'Word for Spreadsheets'.

Are you looking at the price tag and thinking that's a cheap desktop OS? If so then I'm afraid that's not the case.

16

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: I Need to Choose a Motion Controller

« on: January 13, 2017, 11:06:58 AM »

I was in the same boat, Gecko 540 and wanted to move to Mach4.

I actually bought both the 57CNCdb25 and the PMDX-411. I've ended up using the PMDX-411, it was just more reliable. Also, while the PoKeys support was fine, Steve at PDMX is a level above but to fair it's comparing very good with very very good.

I'd also caveat that I started with the 57CNCdb25 so by the time I moved to the PMDX-411 I was a bit more experienced so that may have been part of the difference. Also, both units have had several revisions of drivers since then so that may make a difference.

Finally, Craig's advice above is very good. With both devices you have limited IO pins. I'm able to do what I need (basic homing and a touch plate detector) with the units but if I was doing it again I'd probably go for a unit with more IO. There's nothing to stop you connecting a 25 pin printer type cable to any other device although it might need a bit more experience if you're not to familiar with the electronics side of things.

17

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach4 builds 4.2.0.3206/3233 released, release notes file updated

« on: December 27, 2016, 12:57:06 PM »

Folks

Anyone else having issues with this build?

My centre bore script just hangs randomly, usually fairly close to the start even when debugging.

I also seem to have lost the ability to incrementally jog?

Running with a PMDX-411 and the latest drivers.

18

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: How many use Notepad++

« on: November 02, 2016, 06:05:40 AM »

Great work, thanks.

But that lime green background for the installer.... MY EYES!!!! :-)

19

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach4 Keyboard Emulation

« on: September 13, 2016, 09:58:18 AM »

It is possible from a plugin to do this, however this can only be done by disabling the keyboard plugin when mach4 loses focus, if the keyboard was enabled when in focus you will not be able to use the mdi panel as the windows event for onFocus will keep enabling the plugin.

Have a look at the function for enable/disable in the startup script, this can be adapted and used within the tabs when choosing between GCode and Mdi screens.

DazTheGas

Daz

I've experimented with this and it doesn't seem to work for me. Is this something you have working on your own setup?

Also, is there some sort of WindowLostFocus() type event that you can tie a script to in order to achieve this?

tommy

20

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Mach4 Keyboard Emulation

« on: September 07, 2016, 08:46:55 AM »

Is there a way to have the keyboard plugin automatically disabled when the focus is not in the Mach4 window, and re-enabled when the focus goes back to Mach4 window?

+1 for this