Thanks a lot for the reply guys.

So, can i make it work with the current copley controls drive?   

Or will it be much easier for me to buy a new drive?

That part would be up to you .

(;-) TP

Yes the drives will work if you set them up via the software to use Step/Dir signals or Pulse/Direction as they call it. I looked in the software and its just a case of choosing that option.
Personally I would use them as they will be high quality drives.
Hood

Hello Everyone
First of all..... Happy new Year to All.....

I have finally got a 3 axis controller - http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-Axis-TB6560-CNC-Stepp...roller-/270549461424
I was trying to set this up with the demo version of mach 3.

I had a few questions before i started on the process:
I have a Windows XP 32 bit machine. Will Mach3 be able to work on it?
Also, will i need to follow any other steps before i try and connect the controller to the stage?
Are there any extra precautions that i would need to take beforehand?

Looking forward to your help guys

You may find not many will respond to questions on the TB6560.. It is of questionable quality and construction.

Just a thought, (;-) TP

Yes Mach runs great on XP
Regarding the TB driver, really you have taken a big step back from the copely, as Terry says the TB drivers are poor at best, junk at worst, its pot luck I am afraid.
Hood

Yes i heard about the quality factor of the board.
But i am only trying out this board to make sure my system works. 
I will buy a better board once i can make my system work.

And also the copley board connected through a serial rs-232 port which i think would not have worked with CNC controllers since they require a parallel port or better?

If I recall you just needed to connect the drive to the computer, probably by serial port to configure it in their software. Once configured it would accept the step/dir  signals and no further need for the serial unless you wished to change something else in the drives parameters.

Some people find the TB boards to be ok, they will not be a patch on the copelys but they sometimes do the job. Worst thing about them is the documentation and the fact that one vendors board may use one configuration of pins and anothers different ones yet they tend to all ship with the same crap manual
Hood

Yes i tried configuring the drive to accept step/dir signals but the particular model of copley control drive that i have is not configured to do that.
I talked to the guy at copley controls and he said that they had not released the step/dir feature for this drive. 

I am new to this stuff, so an estimate how complicated or simple will it be for a completely noob to connect the board to the stage and configure it?
How will i need to start off with doing that? 

It is relatively easy to set up Mach if you have a look at the videos they should give you an idea. The hardest part will be if your TB manual gives you the wrong pinouts, if you are lucky it will tell you thr right ones.
Hood