Thanks, Tweakie!  I finally got my DSP pendant software loaded into the Windows XP SP2 computer (after requesting an English update from the supplier, which they quickly furnished).  I still have no idea how to run the machine from the pendant, because the PDF manual is an English translation by the Chinese, and you know how that goes.  My XP computer (DELL) has a couple of USB ports (to which the DSP pendant can be attached) as well as a parallel port.  There is, of course, a special cable (50 pin) for pendant-to-machine connection, and a USB port on the pendant for loading G-code through the pendant into the CNC.  I believe that short G-code files can also be loaded into the pendant (128MB storage capacity) from the computer, which apparently can be used to run a short program directly without a flash drive attached.  I am really only guessing here, because the instruction manual gives very little information... certainly no step-by-step instruction for a newbie.  I wonder if you can tell me where I might find an English DSP manual for it, or perhaps direct me to a source for such assistance.  I'm still a long way from using Mach3 !   Any suggestions appreciated very much.  And I like the Winston Churchill quote... I live by it.   Lazybear      

Thanks, Tweakie!  I finally got my DSP pendant software loaded into the Windows XP SP2 computer (after requesting an English update from the supplier, which they quickly furnished).  I still have no idea how to run the machine from the pendant, because the PDF manual is an English translation by the Chinese, and you know how that goes.  My XP computer (DELL) has a couple of USB ports (to which the DSP pendant can be attached) as well as a parallel port.  There is, of course, a special cable (50 pin) for pendant-to-machine connection, and a USB port on the pendant for loading G-code through the pendant into the CNC.  I believe that short G-code files can also be loaded into the pendant (128MB storage capacity) from the computer, which apparently can be used to run a short program directly without a flash drive attached.  I am really only guessing here, because the instruction manual gives very little information... certainly no step-by-step instruction for a newbie.  I wonder if you can tell me where I might find an English DSP manual for it, or perhaps direct me to a source for such assistance.  I'm still a long way from using Mach3 !   Any suggestions appreciated very much.  And I like the Winston Churchill quote... I live by it.   Lazybear      

Lazybear,

Type DSP Manual or whatever is relevant into the search box at the top of the Machsupport Forum page and see what turns up.

Tweakie.

i have loaded the system on Vista - plus the patch. It works up to the parallel port test which seems OK. When I try to get into the system after that I can only get a Demo screen. Any ideas?
Gus

Im beginning to believe that artsoft and mach3 is just flat out a horrible program. ive ran the program withoput gliches for 5 years on windows 98 without any problems. until my computers hardrive crashed and i had to buy a new version and a new compouter. ive done everything possible to try to runb on windows7 and it wouldnt. so i tried windows vista and it still wont run my plas-table. why would they put under system requirments the it was compatible with both if it truly wasnt? it makes no sinse to me at all and ive virtually done everything that everybody in these forums suggests to no avail. very frusturating in the fact that im losing about $1500-2000 a day without my table running. if you guys cant figure out how to make programs compatible with multi-computers, you may want to re-asses your enging deoartment! very disgruntled and unsatisfied!

Im beginning to believe that artsoft and mach3 is just flat out a horrible program. ive ran the program withoput gliches for 5 years on windows 98 without any problems. until my computers hardrive crashed and i had to buy a new version and a new compouter. ive done everything possible to try to runb on windows7 and it wouldnt. so i tried windows vista and it still wont run my plas-table. why would they put under system requirments the it was compatible with both if it truly wasnt? it makes no sinse to me at all and ive virtually done everything that everybody in these forums suggests to no avail. very frusturating in the fact that im losing about $1500-2000 a day without my table running. if you guys cant figure out how to make programs compatible with multi-computers, you may want to re-asses your enging deoartment! very disgruntled and unsatisfied!

If you have spent any amount of time on these forums you would know that Mach3 works the best on XP. If you are losing $1500-$2000/day, why  are you screwing around with Vista and Win7? Just shell out a measly $150 for XP, reformat, install it, and boom, in 1 afternoon you are up and running! For that fact, you can spend $150 - $200 max and get a complete HP or IBM machine with XP that's more than capable of running Mach3. It should be on a dedicated system anyway.

This was also your first post - so have you even asked anyone what might be wrong? You used it for 5 years presumably happily (this is your first post after all) and now you want to come here and bash it because you can't figure it out? It's also been posted here many times that some systems just won't work with Mach3, even on XP because of how the manufacturer has designed the PC - all PCs are not equal - they are IBM clones and every manufacturer does things slightly differently. HP and IBM are your best bet - but if you've spent time in the forums you should know that already.

I just don't understand people sometimes.... If you want help, ask. Not too many people here are going to help with this kind of negativity. I understand your frustrated, but that doesn't justify it.

If you do have a question, please restate it.

So, are you attempting to address a specific issue in order to receive some support/help in getting you machine going ? ? Or are you just on a rant to condemn the SW ? If you are just ranting, your post will be moved to the appropriate board, otherwise, please be nice and direct you questions accordingly.
Kind regards,
Russ

Im sorry in you presummed i was lashing out on you or the company, i merely just dont understand why under software requirments, you wouldnt inform projected purchsers or you program that it is going to be a huge pain in the ass to use our software on anyother program besides windows xp. the time i have invested into making your "competitively priced and user friendly software" work, is ridiculous. if on the "software requirments" page you would have informed me that windows xp was pretty much the only program, i wouldnt have wasted the last week of my time trying to trouble shoot and figure out what i ,ight have been doing wrong. in hinesight, i guess whenever buying anything from you or anybody else, instead of trusting the "software requirments' page, i will merely have to make an account and liog-in to a forum and see what it really works on.

No apology necessary, I was just wondering if you were going further with this in an attempt to get it working or if you are done with it.
Seems to have worked for many.
It is good practise to search the forum first, but every answer is not always found there.
If you feel you have exhausted every resource available, then I guess that's it.
Otherwise, you can ask specific questions and I'm fairly certain someone will make an attempt to help you.
PS: Of course you know 64bit is out.
Regards,
Russ

Hi

I have the OS Vista 64 bit only. I heard somewhere that Mach3 must run under the 32 bit version. Is there a solution here, without having to buy a different version of Windows  ?

Thanks a lot

Jack