[Oldmanandhistoy]

Hi and thanks for looking in,

This is more curiosity than necessity and could be a very short thread but I would appreciate any input.

What I would like to know is, is it possible to run a PC with Mach3 without a key board, monitor and via a laptop?

The idea would be to boot the PC and then access it via the laptop.

Why; because I have a PC for Mach3 and would need to invest in a TFT monitor and keyboard to go with it. I have an oldish laptop which incidentally would not run Mach3 direct so I wondered if this would work.

So

1, Cannot be done.

2, Can be done but would be more trouble than it is worth.

3, Can be done and reasonably easily.

4, Get a life.

If you believe #3 is correct can you please explain how or point me is the direction of more information.

John

[Hans_G]

I vote #3

UltraVNC (www.uvnc.com) works well if both pc and laptop are networked. Actually, they could be connected directly with a ethernet crossover cable or a USB->USB pc connector cable as well. Takes very little processor power, which is nice. Remote Desktop could also work.

[Kipper]

2

[pminmo]

Interesting thought. WinXP has a remote destop, I've never tried it, but maybe I'll give it a whirl.

[ger21]

I used to use VNC on a PC I used for 3D rendering, and didn't want another keyboard and monitor. It worked fine for me, and I'd imagine it would work. Although you might see some delays if you need to Estop or pause. Give it a try and let us know.

[pminmo]

This is what I've been able to verify so far. A winxp laptop and a winxp dexktop with mach3. Using remote desktop connection built into XP, was able to connet to the desktop and run Mach3. But mach3 wasn't hooked to a machine, and the desktop had keyboard,mouse, LCD. The desktop (different than the trial) with Mach3 that runs my machine is on a wireless gateway that I have rigged up using a old wireless router as an access point. I haven't been able to connect to it, and I'm sure it's because of the access points firewall, but wasn't able to get the right settings to get through.

What I did see on the non machine descktop was that it looked pretty normal on my laptop, just the little remote desktop bar at the top.

Now one thing that might be an issue though, is the amount of network traffic to send the screedata may use enough cpu resources on the desktop running Mach3, that it won't be able to do the correct pulse timing.

[Hans_G]

Now one thing that might be an issue though, is the amount of network traffic to send the screedata may use enough cpu resources on the desktop running Mach3, that it won't be able to do the correct pulse timing.

give UltraVNC a try. I use it to view assembly equipment running in China and there is very little delay in viewing from 1/2 way around the world, and no impact to the equipment performance either, then again the PCs in this case are pretty new (Core Duo processors).

[ger21]

Now one thing that might be an issue though, is the amount of network traffic to send the screedata may use enough cpu resources on the desktop running Mach3, that it won't be able to do the correct pulse timing.

Turning off the toolpath display might help there.

[Oldmanandhistoy]

Thanks for all the replies and advice, I will give it a go (as soon as I find some time) and report back.

John

[tbar2485]

You could also try a KVM switch which would allow you to use one monitor, keyboard and mouse with multiple computers. No network needed only issue is proximity as you have physical cables from your current monitor, keyboard, mouse to the switch and from the switch to each computer.

[WayneHill]

I second a KVM to replace a second monitor and keyboard. A KVM would work with the PC's in the same location. Remote desktop connection with a VPN is another viable option for PC's on different networks locations.

[keebler303]

I don't think the KVM would work, he wants to use a laptop as the display for the desktop, I don't think you would have a laptop with video IN.

If it were me I would just pony up the small price of a monitor and be done.

Matt

[LeeWay]

I recently bought as spares a near brand new CRT 17" for $20 at a flea market and a 15" LCD like new off Ebay for $40 buy it now. I lost the image on my IBM laptop that I use on one machine. I can still see the image, so it's the inverter, which I also bought for $20 on ebay new.
I needed another monitor for my plasma machine anyway and now this gives me one spare. Since I will be running 4 machines at that time, a spare is a good thing.

My point is that you can get great deals on monitors and keyboards are dirt cheap too. Just stay home one Friday night and you got it covered.