Little help pleas

[SkyWorksToys]

Little help please, I changed my computer to windows 7 64 BIT NO PARALLEL output I run Mach 3, question is what device I need to get from USB to parallel I understand it is external motion controller where can I buy it ?

[ger21]

www.warp9td.com

[SkyWorksToys]

Thank you Gerry but there is no support for Windows 7,do you think I can just install PCI parallel board on my PC would that work?

[ger21]

I'm pretty sure it works just fine in Windows 7. Your best bet is to ask on the Machsupport forum at www.machsupport.com

You can't use a parallel port with 64bit windows. Mach3's driver only works in 32 bit versions of Windows.

[SkyWorksToys]

thanks

[SkyWorksToys]

I don't think this people are in a business they don't answer emails, unless they don't want my money ,Gerry any other suggestions

[Joe Cleary]

The trick is to get the parallel port driver from the manufacturer (or off of the CD that probably came with the printer) and load it in. If that doesn't get it installed, then go to the control panel, devices and printers, and have Windows 7 look for the printer. It should find it, but may not find a driver. Browse to the install folder and it should find the ".inf" file it need to do the install. This should work for any device using the parallel port. Windows 7 does not know all the drivers for all devices. Only the most recent and most popular ones.

[Joe Cleary]

Warp9td notes in their website...
We are working very hard to get the initial production boards manufactured. The price of the SmoothStepper is $xxx USD. The current state of the plugin is beta, but is getting close to a release state. Motion is very good, but a number of small details are being worked on to provide as close to 100% compatibility with the Parallel Port driver of Mach3 as possible.
We appreciate your patience.

[MrWild]

I don't think his new computer has a PP. A driver won't help in this case.

[ger21]

Here's a Smoothstepper reseller. You might want to contact them with your questions.
http://cnczone.com/Warp9.aspx

[SkyWorksToys]

thanks guys for help,I decided to make my life easier and got cheap Pc with XP and PP, brand new $120 problem solved everything is working, does not seem like world is ready for USB CNC, sorry to bother you

[rowbare]

Originally Posted by SkyWorksToys thanks guys for help,I decided to make my life easier and got cheap Pc with XP and PP, brand new $120 problem solved everything is working, does not seem like world is ready for USB CNC, sorry to bother you

That is probably the best solution. A lot of the power of your new PC is wasted when using it as a machine controller plus you don't really want to be doing anything on it while it is cutting lest it decides that the cpu cycles are best used elsewhere...