Thread: Graphic card/smoothstepper advice required

For optimizing mach 3 on windows XP (I figure your running XP)

http://www.machsupport.com/downloads...timization.txt

Read the note at the top of the document as it may fix the problem and it takes about 30 seconds to do.

Basically just go to the Run box, type msconfig, click on startup tab and untick everything, apply and restart.

Hi David,
What you have explained looks like a computer problem for sure. Some computer configs cause problems and given the extensive range of components put into a computer I am surprised there are not more issues than are reported.

I have more success with old discarded Pentium 4 computers as there is not a lot of grunt required for a CNC machine. Last two machines I have run Mini ITX dual core 1.8's with good success but both were connected to a smoothstepper.
I have never done the Mach optimisation but you could try that - details are on the site but it does knock out a few handy features I like.
The video card might help but if it is going to cost a bit I would jump to the smoothstepper first. The smoothstepper does the pulsing and I fit them as a standard fitup now but you don't have to have one to make a machine work well.

Just check your Kernal Speed in Ports and Pins before you do anything. If you have it set too high it will use up CPU and too low and you will limit the motor pulses. Other things to check for are Adobe (major cause in CNC conflicts) or any other running software not required under task manager.

Sorry Chris I have duplicated what you have said as I went and had tea half way through responding. Ooops

Thanks for the suggestion. You are correct in that the computer is running XP.
I had already come across the XP optimization on Machs website. A friend who knows much more than I do regarding computers helped to set up all the machines and has assured me he took note of all the items on the XP list.
I will however double check (hopefully tomorrow) on the machine.

I would still be interested in any feedback on using either a separate non-integrated card or the smoothstepper.

Cheers
David

Thanks Rod
All machine are P4
Kernel speed is 25,000 and tests perfectly on Mach driver test program.
I don't thinck Adobe is on the computer but I will double check. The machine is for cnc use only and is bare.
Video card appears to be about $30 delivered
Are you happy with the smoothstepper? There appear to be mixed results on CNCZONE and I saw a post stating it doesn't support backlash. Can you expand on your experiences with it

Cheers
David

Hi David,
My experience with the smoothstepper is positive. The machines run better than under the parallel port but there are still a couple of glitches - nothing major but things like homing a dual axis machine is dodgy. I don't use backlash compensation so can't comment on that. Logically if we keep adding bits then it is bound to create problems as nothing is 100% percent compatible and as mach3 changes constantly it can create new problems.

Given that you have had your machines working well with a parallel port then a $30 video card is a good thing to explore. Perhaps you can borrow one to see if that is the issue. P4's can have AGP or PCie cards so be aware of that.

Thanks Rod

Originally Posted by berrybuilt

Video card appears to be about $30 delivered

Nothing fancy is needed $16 delivered here, plus quite a few at the $20 delivered mark on ebay

WinFast 3D S325 TNT2M64 32MB AGP | eBay

Again I'd be assuming the PC is AGP.

Anyway good luck getting it working.

Thanks for your help Chris.
Unfortunately the computer needs either a PCI or PCIE card.
This is the one that has been suggested as the best compromise for spec and price, with of course the correct cable.
Cheers
David

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/270686324...#ht_3541wt_910

You might also like to try the Sunday Computer Markets in Sydney and see what they have to offer. You can usually get a good video card here for $5

Thanks for the suggestion Bob. Unfortunately I work every Sunday 7.30-6.00 and cannot get there.
Cheers
David