ok - so an empty macropump.m1s with the macropump switched on allows Mach to function.
Also, with the macropump switched off the sendserial command works from the vb editor.

so try this in the editor first.

message "hello"
You should see hello on the status line of Mach.

then if that worked try

message rnd(10)
in the macropump - you should see random numbers on Mach's status line.

Yes, and yes, the random numbers just kept changing very rapidly in the status line. I was able to use Mach as normal, no issues.

ok so now change your macropump code from

message rnd(10)
to

sendserial rnd(10)
You should see your LCD fill with constantly changing random numbers - yes?

Yes, the LCD screen is indeed filled with rapidly changing numbers,  BUT, now Mach is crawling and painfully slow. What I mean is, in the status bar, where it normally says Press Reset, it moves VERY VERY slow, as in it takes almost 30 seconds to scroll to the left one place. I can also load a Gcode fairly quickly but again, any actions like zeroing the DRO's is super slow. They also take about 30 seconds to zero after I hit the "zero" button. Rewind, regen all act the same way as well.

Dave

EDIT: I also tried different screen sets with no difference.

I think we have an answer then Dave. The macropump works just fine, the sendserial command works just fine. Calling "message" 10 times/sec works fine BUT calling sendserial 10 times / sec is killing your system.

Just for fun try this in the macropump

cnt=getVar(1000)
if cnt=10 then
  setVar(1000, 0)
  SendSerial _
  "?x03?y0" & Format (Getdro(0) , "+000.0000;-000.0000") & _
  "?x03?y1" & Format (Getdro(1) , "+000.0000;-000.0000") & _
  "?x03?y2" & Format (Getdro(2) , "+000.0000;-000.0000") & _
  "?x03?y3" & Format (Getdro(3) , "+000.0000;-000.0000")
else
  setVar(1000, cnt+1)
end if
and then jog or run a part program

If this runs OK then it will update your LCD just ONCE a second instead of 10 times / sec. Not a lot of use to you perhaps but it should at least confirm the problem.

Yep, a bit better but still a little sluggish for sure. Thanks for all your help Ian, I guess you've helped me figure out here that version 3.039 is not very macropump friendly.

Guess I'll be looking to update my system to a newer version when I get some open time and can be sure it'll run smoothly.

Thank you (and everyone else) as always 
Dave

Out of couriousity DAVE what computer specs are you running?

(;-) TP

Out of couriousity DAVE what computer specs are you running?

(;-) TP

Hi Terry,

It's an Intel MOBO with a P4 (800Mhz front side bus) and 1 gig RAM. Win XP sp2 with 32MB ATI Rage video card. This is for machine use only.

Thanks,
Dave

IAN, What about IF we try to send the data stream out throught the Serial port using the serial modbus ?

I know Mach does not have a problem with that.

Also Henrik has developed a proper serial port useage with mach through an outside DLL. It allows you OPEN the port and then send recieve, then close the port when done.

I don't have the LCD display here so I can't help develope any solutions in real time. (;-(

Just some thoughts, (;-)TP

Dave is that a 800mhz CPU ?

(;-) TP