I am trying to resolve an issue. I can go through 4 or 5 jobs and all is good. Then there are times where I can't get through 1 small job without Mach3 hanging and if I unplug the usb cable to the computer from the smooth stepper it frees up but I have to reset everything.

I would appreciate some advice -
Thanks

If you  have had the SS for a while then it might be worth looking at this thread, if you have just got it in the last month or so then its likely been done by Greg already but check and see.

http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,16386.0.html

Hood

It looks as if I do not have those on mine. I purchased this a week or two before Christmas.

Have a look in device manager at your USB roots and see if power features are turned to allow windows to switch them off.
Hood

Yeah - That was one of the first things that I did when i got the card.

I just upgraded CNC drivers to this
http://cgi.ebay.com/TB6560-3-Axis-CNC-Motor-Stepper-Driver-3A-12-36V_W0QQitemZ120662908081QQcategoryZ71394QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp5197.m7QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D5%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D6136377105423246465

I know that it should not be my card and couldn't afford the gecko yet so I will give this a try when I get back home. Just hooked it up. With this card my motors hum really loud though. Not sure why.

This was posted in another thread and may be helpful

I will add some useful info

I was having some issues with my lathe and i was putting the blame on the Smooth Stepper (Mach freezing)

I changed to the PP well what can i say the RPM which was rock steady on the SS was all over the place with the PP the machine sounded much rougher using the PP also.

I finally found the problem, i had a USB pci card that was a magnet for all the crud floating in the workshop air and had built up over all the ports and circuit board.   

So if you want good threading get a SS

Phil