[kjl-pdx]

after 10+ years my x/p machine died, motherboard i believe. i was about to go thru all the steps to reconfigure using another x/p machine [somehow mach3 got confused], and realized that this "new" x/p machine is also very old, and perhaps i should buy a new computer. i have a CRP4848 cnc router and the x/p machine has been fine. any suggestions on a simple new computer? the prior computers have been Dell desktops. i am just a hobbyist. reliability would be my highest concern. cpu speed seems to be magnitudes higher than ever needed. storage for cambam and mach3 isn't an issue either.

[joeavaerage]

Hi,
if you are using Mach3 and an XP PC I guess you are using a parallel port? If so and you wish to stay with the parallel port there are limited choices.

Machs parallel port WILL ONLY RUN on 32bit Windows 7 or earlier, and that will limit your choices to old or very old PCs. If you can find an old PC but does not have
a parallel port you can fit a parallel port card. Note however only some of the parallel port cards work properly with Mach, you need one of the original MOSTEK ICs,
there is a specialist seller if you need one.

If you want to use a 64bit PC or say Windows 10, then you will need an external motion controller. I use an Ethernet SmoothStepper ($190),
but there are others cheaper, like a UC100. Note that if you buy a UC100 don't buy a knockoff Chinese made copy from Ebay or Amazon, get the real deal
or don't bother. I would not recommend any of the cheap Chinese motion boards, they don't work well, if at all, and often only with pirate copies of Mach3.

A PC to run Mach does not have to be powerful. I run my mill, and have done for seven plus years, on a 32bit dual core Atom PC without a graphics card,
well less than is recommended for Mach, but aside from being slow to load big toolpaths files it works fine. One of the kids cast off school PCs or an old
gaming PC would be fine.

Craig

[dazp1976]

When I used parallel I would just buy a cheap replacement motherboard. However, not cheap to do with the Dells. I have generic home built machines. I have since updated to a uc300eth and laptop.

Like Craig says the way to go now is ethernet motion controllers. You can run them from windows 10 laptops, mini pc's etc that have an ethernet port.

The UC400eth is cheaper than a smoothstepper although has less I/O pins and works with Mach3. It's worth changing to ethernet now rather than spending on another pc.
Plug your existing parallel breakout board into it via IDC26 to DB25 cable - change port and pin numbers accordingly and off you go.

I have my mill on a dedicated laptop used solely for it. (You can get a good used one for <$100).

To save money to afford the ethernet motion card you could split your own existing laptop hdd into 2 partitions for now. Install a 2nd Windows installation on to new partition and make the laptop dual boot. This then keeps the machine used side clean as it's solely for that purpose. Then boot to your general side for your use when finished with machining.
You can use: easeus partition manager, rufus, easybcd boot manager and a USB flash drive, to do all this.

[A_Camera]

I stopped buying Dell computers a long time ago. I always buy HP, have and have had several laptops and desktops and I am very happy with them. Just be careful when you buy one, don't buy any PC with Windows 10 Home S version.

While you are at buying a computer... ever considered to get something else than Mach3? I am using UCCNC since several years and very happy with it. Anyway, even if you want to stay using Mach3, you could get a UC300ETH, or UC400ETH. These can be used with Mach3 through a plugin, so you don't have to be concerned about parallel port or unreliable USB.

[jamespeter35]

Ideas for a solid new computer for a hobbyist CNC router: Think about getting a Dell computer with a fast processor and enough space for Cambam and Mach3.