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Author Topic: Mach3 under Windows 7  (Read 7345 times)

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Mach3 under Windows 7
« on: December 07, 2010, 03:43:58 PM »
Hi tere!

I have a milling machine runnign Mach2 under XP for years. The PC was stolen so I purchased a new one, XP is no lobger available here so I bought Windows 7 starter

I installed Mach3 using the Vista instructions I found on Mach´s site. Everything owrked well, for a while, and then the motors started to loose steps and make strange noises.
It does not happen all the time. If I start Mach3 and do some jogging only, it works. But after I load and execute some g-code the problems start again.
I tried to swicth Mach3 versions, installed aditional LPT boards, change ALL parameters. It improve but the problem allways happen sometime.

Is Mach3 compatible with W7? Do I need a special version? Do I need to buy an XP machine?

Please help!

Thanks in advance

Alex
Re: Mach3 under Windows 7
« Reply #1 on: December 07, 2010, 03:44:37 PM »
One question more: can I run Mach2 under Win7?

Thanks!

Offline Jeff_Birt

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Re: Mach3 under Windows 7
« Reply #2 on: December 07, 2010, 03:52:07 PM »
Yes, Windows 7 works great with Mach. If you want to use the parallel port then you must use the 32bit version. If you are using a SmoothStepper than you can use either 32bit or 64bit versions.
Happy machining , Jeff Birt
 
Re: Mach3 under Windows 7
« Reply #3 on: December 07, 2010, 03:53:43 PM »
Yes, Windows 7 works great with Mach. If you want to use the parallel port then you must use the 32bit version. If you are using a SmoothStepper than you can use either 32bit or 64bit versions.

Thanks a lot!

What can I do? try another PC? another motherboard brand? Is Win7 starter 32 bits?

Thanks again!

Offline Hood

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Re: Mach3 under Windows 7
« Reply #4 on: December 07, 2010, 03:56:26 PM »
Run the driver test and see what the graph looks like, if its not great then you could maybe try some of the optimisation ste[s detailed on the downloads page. They are not meant for W7 but probably a lot can still be done.
Hood
Re: Mach3 under Windows 7
« Reply #5 on: December 07, 2010, 03:59:04 PM »
Run the driver test and see what the graph looks like, if its not great then you could maybe try some of the optimisation ste[s detailed on the downloads page. They are not meant for W7 but probably a lot can still be done.
Hood

Driver test shows a half green bar with EXCELENT legend on it. Is it ok?

Offline Hood

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Re: Mach3 under Windows 7
« Reply #6 on: December 07, 2010, 04:03:15 PM »
Does the line look smooth or are there large spikes every now and then?
Hood
Re: Mach3 under Windows 7
« Reply #7 on: December 07, 2010, 04:07:56 PM »
Does the line look smooth or are there large spikes every now and then?
Hood

No visible spikes, may be some pauses in the display, very shot. THANKS!

Offline Hood

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Re: Mach3 under Windows 7
« Reply #8 on: December 07, 2010, 04:10:40 PM »
Should be ok then.
Is there any power saving options, maybe in the BIOS? Try turning them off if there are.
Hood
Re: Mach3 under Windows 7
« Reply #9 on: December 07, 2010, 04:26:57 PM »
Should be ok then.
Is there any power saving options, maybe in the BIOS? Try turning them off if there are.
Hood

Hood you´re my new GOD. Thanks a lot! Yo saved my day! I tried several options in the bios and now it is working great!

If you ever came to Argentina I will be happy to buy you a steak dinner!

Thanks again

Alex