I got a CNC machine a while ago and am a licensed user of the Mach software may be a little out of date since I haven't had a lot of time to use it recently and I have a basic question. So don't flame on me if it is too basic or it is a well repeated question. I looked around on the site and a lot has changed and I am wondering my system uses the parallel port for the data transfer from my PC to the CNC machine and I was wondering if it can be to use the USB port instead and if so what does it take to so I was looking at another CNC machine and it has USB on it so I was wondering if I could use the Mach software via just the USB port.

IF so could some one please let me know somewhat in detail exactly what I would need to make this work.

Thank you and I apologize if I am just out of times with the version of this software

You can use the USB or Ethernet port if you use an external controller such as SmoothStepper, CSMIO, Kflop, DSPMC, Pokeys etc etc.
Ethernet is a better choice in my opinion.

Hood

Another USB option is the UC-100 from CNC4PC (http://www.cnc4pc.com/Store/osc/product_info.php?cPath=93&products_id=481)

I have one in service and another on order.  I also have and use a USB SmoothStepper. 

The UC-100 is simpler to install and use IMO, but the SS is more versatile. 

Regards,
John Champlain