[nego_0]

I've searched and searched. What is a good PCI / PCIE Parallel port card for the g540 and Mach 3? I've tested my hardware on an old pc, and all went well. But i am unable to find a good PCI EPP parallel port card for a machine without parallel on the motherboard.

[nego_0]

http://www.siig.com/ViewProduct.aspx?pn=JJ-P01211-S6 Its the only one i found to work with Win 7 64 bit and all other O/S's what dose the community think.

[Torchhead]

If you are running XP any card with a NETMOS chipset works with MACH. There are cheap ones at

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...llel+port+card

If you are a "Pioneer" and using Windows 7 then it's not going to be as easy. Most cards don't have drivers yet and those that do I wouldn't trust them.

I have two customers now trying to get ports installed in Windows 7 machines with no luck.

TOM caudle
www.CandCNC.com

[ger21]

http://www.siig.com/ViewProduct.aspx?pn=JJ-P01211-S6 Its the only one i found to work with Win 7 64 bit and all other O/S's what dose the community think.

You can't use the parallel port for step direction with a 64 bit OS.

[nego_0]

You can't use the parallel port for step direction with a 64 bit OS.

Is there a reason why?. Is it do to the way bits are flipped in the 64bit os?

[ger21]

Mach3's driver is 32 bit, and won't run on a 64bit OS.

[nego_0]

OH! ok then its back to running xp on a small rig then. I have not seen anything to make me think there will be an update to a 64bit os, so xp here we go! thanks for the replies evryone. I am shocked that a 10$ card works with charge pump.

[ger21]

You can use 32 bit Windows 7.

[nego_0]

I do have win 7 32 around some place. i think the best route at this point is to run 2 OS or have 2 machines. Im tinkering with the idea of building a lcd in a stand with all of the cnc and computer componeents in one small box

[Ezra]

Are you guys talking about "Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English"?

I just got a quote today from Dell for the computer I want to buy to operate my Joes 2006.

If you are talking about the above, should I contact them and tell them I want the 32 version?

Thank You

[Torchhead]

It's your money, but for about $125.00 you can get a refurbished Dell with 3GHZ processor, 1G ram, internal parallel port and XP Pro loaded and ready to run. If you run the PC as suggested as a dedicated controller, optimized, and just running MACH3, that is plenty of horse power. Pretend you are buying a CNC controller not a PC,

Ebay auction ID # 170532955611

Then you can buy your whiz-bang 64 bit, killer PC to do your CAD and CAM work on (or not and save several hundred bucks!)

MACH will NOT run in Windows 64 bit version.

TOM caudle
www.CandCNC.com

[Ezra]

Torchhead,

Thank you!!! I looked at that auction. Do you see anything with that auction that would contradict with the :

Mach3 Minimum Requirements:
32-bit version of Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 Operating System
1Ghz CPU
512MB RAM
Non-integrated Video Card with 32MB RAM
Basic Computer Skills (ability to copy/rename files, browse directories, etc)
Desktop PC (if using the Mach3 Parallel Port Driver - laptops are not supported because the power saving features of the chipsets disrupt the pulse stream, PCMCIA and USB parallel adaptors will *not* work.)

Thanks!!!

[Torchhead]

The only thing listed that is different is the Video. The Dells have internal video (that can be turned off and a PCI video card installed) BUT the video on the Dell does not use shared RAM with the CPU and does not cause problems. We are running a shop full of GX260, GX270 and GX280 Dells P4 from 2.4G to 3G and they all work great for running MACH. I even use one from my MACH development computer. XP is stable and efficient and just about any card you might elect to add later will have tried and tested XP drivers.

[ger21]

MACH will NOT run in Windows 64 bit version.

Actually, Mach3 will run in a 64 bit windows. But, you CAN NOT use the parallel port. You'd need to use a Smoothstepper or other external motion device.

[Ezra]

It's your money, but for about $125.00 you can get a refurbished Dell with 3GHZ .............

Ebay auction ID # 170532955611

Then you can buy your whiz-bang 64 bit, killer PC to do your CAD and CAM work on (or not and save several hundred bucks!)

MACH will NOT run in Windows 64 bit version.

TOM caudle
www.CandCNC.com

Torchhead,
for some reason i cant send PM's on here so i will say it publicly...........thanks for your post, i did buy the above mentioned computer and just finished installing windows xp.........the $200 bucks i saved is now being routed to the steppers and Gecko

again, thanks

[Torchhead]

Torchhead,
for some reason i cant send PM's on here so i will say it publicly...........thanks for your post, i did buy the above mentioned computer and just finished installing windows xp.........the $200 bucks i saved is now being routed to the steppers and Gecko

again, thanks

You are more than welcome. Sometimes we lose perspective of what the role of the PC is with MACH and a machine. If you pretend that it's a Controller rather than a PC and should be dedicated and optimized for a single task then it's easier to not get bogged down in things like missing ports or OS compatibility issues. A lot of embedded industrial computers in controllers don't use the latest fast processor or even Windows as an OS.

We are playing with a tiny processor card that we are working to load Linux and EMC2 (From SD Chip). It will have a parallel port but to soothe the hand-wringers we will call it a "High Speed CNC bus". The whole thing will fit into a space smaller than a shoe box.

TOM caudle
www.CandCNC.com

[Ezra]

The only thing listed that is different is the Video. The Dells have internal video (that can be turned off and a PCI video card installed) BUT the video on the Dell does not use shared RAM with the CPU and does not cause problems. We are running a shop full of GX260, GX270 and GX280 Dells P4 from 2.4G to 3G and they all work great for running MACH. I even use one from my MACH development computer. XP is stable and efficient and just about any card you might elect to add later will have tried and tested XP drivers.

Hi Torchhead,

Ok, so am I correct when I say I need to next purchase a PCI video card?

When I install it, will the Dell's internal video card be automatically turned off?

Do you have a good source to purchase the above mentioned PCI card?

After buying the PCI card, will I then be all set to operate my Joe's 2006?

FedEx tracking number says it arrives tommorow:cheers:

Thank You