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Re: Suggested OS
« Reply #30 on: January 27, 2018, 05:26:12 PM »
 :) I knew I saw this earlier, don't know how I overlooked it while searching this time.
http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,31954.msg222381.html#msg222381

The following is from the PMDX website.

System requirements for the computer running Mach4 are:

PREFERRED: 32 or 64-bit Laptop or Desktop - Using an External Motion Controller

    Windows XP with SP3, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 10 Pro
         (Windows 10 Home not recommended because updates always install automatically)
         (As development tools evolve it is becoming harder to support XP and it may become
         deprecated in the future.)
    An appropriate external motion controller such as the SmartBOB series by PMDX.
    Mach4 Plugin for the selected Motion Controller
    2Ghz processor in native mode (virtual machines not supported)
    Multi-core processor strongly recommended. If single core please enable hyperthreading in your BIOS.
    minimum memory 1GB RAM for XP or Vista, 2GB for Windows 7 and later, Mach4 updates may raise minimums
    recommended memory 2GB RAM for XP or Vista, 4GB for Windows 7 and later
    Video graphics (card or integrated) with 256MB RAM minimum (Large G-code files, especially 3D files will require a video card with 512MB RAM or higher)
    Video graphics must support Open GL version 1.5 or later
    Wired Ethernet controller (USB adapters are OK but must remain plugged in, using a wireless Ethernet adapter for your PCID will cause problems) Network connection is not required while running MACH4.

ALTERNATE: 32-bit Desktop - Using parallel port for control

    32-bit version of Windows XP with SP3, Windows Vista, or Windows 7
    (Windows 8 and later cannot use the printer port for CNC control)
    Desktop computer with a parallel port using a DB-25 connector
    Using a laptop and its parallel port with Mach4 is not recommended or supported.
    Using a USB to printer converter will not work because the converter will corrupt the timing.
    Mach4 Parallel Port Legacy Plugin (must be purchased separately)
    Legacy Parallel Port Plugin does NOT support Lathe Threading, Backlash Compensation, or Plasma Cutter Torch Height Control and these features are NOT planned for the future.
    2Ghz processor in native mode (virtual machines not supported)
    Multi-core processor strongly recommended. If single core please enable hyperthreading in your BIOS.
    minimum memory 1GB RAM for XP or Vista, 2GB for Windows 7 and later, Mach4 updates may raise minimums
    recommended memory 2GB RAM for XP or Vista, 4GB for Windows 7 and later
    Non-integrated Video Card with 256MB RAM minimum (Large G-code files, especially 3D files will require a video card with 512MB RAM or higher).
    Motherboard based video graphics generally will not play well with the parallel port driver.
    Video graphics must support Open GL version 1.5 or later.
    Wired Ethernet controller (USB adapters are OK but must remain plugged in, using a wireless Ethernet for your PCID will cause problems) Network connection is not required while running MACH4.

Still wondering if one is correct, and the other not.  :-\
Thanks,
Russ
« Last Edit: January 27, 2018, 05:47:16 PM by Overloaded »
Re: Suggested OS
« Reply #31 on: January 27, 2018, 05:28:56 PM »
Windows Vista was released 11 years ago. That's a long time ago. :)

My 39 Chevy is all original ... and still runs fine.
If it ain't broke, why fix it ? :)

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Re: Suggested OS
« Reply #32 on: January 27, 2018, 05:36:22 PM »
I'm not completely sure on this RC but I think the reason Vista is not listed for use with an external motion device is that no external motion device manufacturer tested their plugin against Vista. I can't say as I blame them either. Vista was\is considered by most (evidently, microsoft too) a big typo in itself. Kind of a bastard child. Coupled with the fact that Microsoft had ended support for it before Mach4 even came out......... yeah, I wouldn't have given it the first thought myself.
;D If you could see the things I have in my head, you would be laughing too. ;D

My guard dog is not what you need to worry about!

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Re: Suggested OS
« Reply #33 on: January 27, 2018, 05:39:48 PM »
And I'm guessing Art was kind of forced into making the parallel port driver work in Vista with 3 years ago (which was a huge pain form what i understand). Yeah, if you have it, might not hurt to throw it in. But if you don't, surely not worth the effort to.
« Last Edit: January 27, 2018, 07:57:06 PM by Chaoticone »
;D If you could see the things I have in my head, you would be laughing too. ;D

My guard dog is not what you need to worry about!
Re: Suggested OS
« Reply #34 on: January 27, 2018, 05:42:11 PM »
OK, thanks. But PMDX does list it. (see above)
Here is an earlier post by PMDX referencing the NFS site that INCLUDES Vista.
http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,28907.msg202863.html#msg202863
Currently, NFS does NOT include it, but PMDX does ?
Oh well, I guess we are all still just guessing. :)
Re: Suggested OS
« Reply #35 on: January 27, 2018, 05:44:33 PM »
And I'm guessing Art was kind of forced into making the parallel port driver work in Vista with 3 years ago (which was a huge pain form what i understand). Yeah, if you have it, might not hurt to through it in. But if you don't, surely not worth the effort to.

That's the good part. I have two fresh, free vista pc's all cleaned up and ready to go. (for what its worth  ;D)

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Re: Suggested OS
« Reply #36 on: January 27, 2018, 07:54:50 PM »
Yup, guessing here confirmed. Not like I have a Vista PC so can't confirm or deny either way.

Quote
That's the good part. I have two fresh, free vista pc's all cleaned up and ready to go. (for what its worth   ;D)

Good for who? Lol

Quote
My 39 Chevy is all original ... and still runs fine.
If it ain't broke, why fix it ?  :)

Good point. But installing Mach4 and using an external motion device on a Vista PC is the equivalent of adding air ride, ABS brakes and electronic fuel injection to that 39. If Vista works good for you, I'd run it to death. But similarly, if your car breaks chances are it's gonna be a bit more troublesome to fix than something that has parts that are readily available and doesn't require a specialist with knowledge of ancient technology. Well, setting a system up with Vista is no different. I think what you need to do is push on through with the Vista/Mach4 setup. When you get done you can be the resident specialist for such cases. You could probably even make some money doing it. Tons of it. I'm talking Elvis Presley rich.  ;D
« Last Edit: January 27, 2018, 07:56:34 PM by Chaoticone »
;D If you could see the things I have in my head, you would be laughing too. ;D

My guard dog is not what you need to worry about!
Re: Suggested OS
« Reply #37 on: January 27, 2018, 08:55:32 PM »
Cute analogy ... a little off  ::), but cute ;D

I've only ever had 95, 98 and XP.

Didn't realize vista was such a turd. wow ... that different, huh ?
I don't have the time, money or resources to be the guinea pig on this one.
If the developers did an intentional detour around vista, that's cool. All I'm asking is for them to say so. :)
Till then, I guess me n' you'll keep guessin'. ;D

Thanks Brett,
Russ

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Re: Suggested OS
« Reply #38 on: January 27, 2018, 09:54:57 PM »
Yup, and you know what they say.......... can't polish a turd.  ;D

I wish I knew definitively for you but I don't. But I do know that most anyone knowing just a little about OSs avoided Vista all together.

The only thing about PCs that were designed to run a certain OS is that often they are lacking resources to run the next (even more bloated) version. But I guess since they didn't run a few hundred extra wires in that 39 in the anticipation of future advancements I can understand.

I hung in there with XP like a hair in a biscuit.... or so I thought. I only updated because I had to get a new UPS and it did not have drivers for XP. Some still run it today while I have been through Windows 7, 8.1 and for the last year I guess, 10. I haven't missed XP at all. But I sure didn't want to move on from it. It did all I needed (except work with my UPS..... and pretty much every peripheral device I have gotten since then). I have had to learn a few things over or the new ways of doing old things. It really wasn't that bad though and some of the new features are easy to warm up to.

My experience is the sweet spot for users of OSs and the hardware that it runs on is in the drivers seat (where most are, they drive the market). Not on the bleeding edge (hood ornament) or stuck in the past (holding onto the bumper with all you got to keep from getting left behind).

;D If you could see the things I have in my head, you would be laughing too. ;D

My guard dog is not what you need to worry about!
Re: Suggested OS
« Reply #39 on: January 27, 2018, 11:25:07 PM »
It is true that PMDX has not continued to test against Vista. Vista was
never very popular and we have not emphasized support for it.

That being said, Vista was the first of the Windows platforms to offer the
current set of Microsoft API interfaces and as such offers much better support
for Mach4 than XP does. Current development tools from Microsoft are making
it difficult to compile Mach4 to run on XP and it is likely that XP will be
deprecated in the future.

Currently we recommend Windows 7 as the best choice for people who
do not like Windows 8 or Windows 10.
« Last Edit: January 27, 2018, 11:27:20 PM by Steve Stallings »
Steve Stallings
www.PMDX.com