Home CNC Computer of Choice Using Older Components

[Too_Many_Tools]

I have access to a number of older computers, laptops, CRTs, LCDs and various keyboards, mice, trackballs , etc.

What are the desirable features for a computer that will be used in building a CNC system?

What speeds, form factor, ISA/PCI/? bus, I/O - serial/parallel/USB, monitor choice/resolution, etc. should a person use to build a good computer targeted for the shop environment and usage?

I also have a number of rack mounted computers...is there any advantage to using them over a desktop or a laptop? They are older and slower but extremely well built.

Finally how much speed, memory, hard drive does a homemade CNC home computer need for the popular softwares in use? This will likely decide which computers are used and which are salavaged.

Thanks

TMT

[ger21]

It depends on the software you plan on using. If you pkan on using Mach3, you'll want at least a 1Ghz machine with at least 256 MB of RAM, preferably 512. And a parallel port. Pretty much any hard drive from the last 10 years will work. 5Gb minimum, probably.

[CNCRob]

Like Gerry said it mostly depends on the controll software. But if you are using a dos based program like TurboCNC or CNCZeus or any of the other dos based programs, I would think just about any computer that could run a newer version of DOS without any trouble would do the trick. But this is just my thery and there are probably several others that can give you a better answer then myself. As far as connections go, I have a K2 built machine, and all I need is a parallel port and a usb port. The parallel for controlling the machine and the usb to supply a small amount of power. Hope this somewhat helps- Robbie