Mach2 assistance required

[paulC]

Well with all the hype I've seen about Mach software I thought I had better have a look. I am looking at replacing TurboCNC on my homebuilt router.

Found an old PC (PII 200). Yes a bit slow, but please read on before commenting.
New install of XP. Installed Mach2.
Had to use the alternative driver to stop PC rebooting on starting Mach2.
Running 25K mode.
Thought I had everything working.
I can jog the machine. I can "Ref ALL Home" and "Verify", but thats all.
I can't run any code in the MDI screen. It seems to take the code, but does nothing. The coordinates do not increment. It is ignoring me.
I tried running from a file, but it's the same.
The Diagnostic screen looks good. All grey with the exception of the referenced leds.
I re-loaded the software over the top to see if that would make a difference, but no.
I would think that if I can jog the machine, it should be able to at least run a G0 command from the MDI.
Can't help thinking I've overlooked something obvious.
Any help appreciated.
Paul

[KaptainKarst]

Not sure if Art monitors this site or not, but he does real good on the Mach2/3 user's forum: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mach1mach2cnc/

good luck.

[paulC]

Thanks KaptainKarst,
I have applied for access to this group (only about an hour ago) and have yet to see a reply.
Paul

[HayTay]

Found an old PC (PII 200). Yes a bit slow, but please read on before commenting.

I read all of your post but I, and you, can't ignore the fact that you don't have enough processing power to run the operating system let alone any other processor and graphics intensive programs like Mach2/3. Please follow one of the links posted below to obtain minimum system requirements for running Microsoft Windows XP Home or Professional. Note that these are the minimum requirements for "the operating system".

Windows XP Home Edition System Requirements

Windows XP Professional System Requirements

Program requirements for Mach2/3 are much higher. To quote Art from the Mach2.6.11 Using Mach2Mill - A user's guide to installation, configuration and operation, page 2-2, "To run Mach2 you need Windows XP (or Windows 2000) ideally running on a 1GHz processor with a 1024 x 768 pixel resolution screen."

And of course, with any Windows NT/2000/XP O/S the more memory (RAM) , the faster the hard drive, and the higher the CPU processing power, the better the performance, for both the O/S and the running application(s).

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you will definitely need a PC with more processing power.

Hope this helps,

HayTay

[paulC]

Originally Posted by HayTay I read all of your post but I, and you, can't ignore the fact that you don't have enough processing power to run the operating system let alone any other processor and graphics intensive programs like Mach2/3.

HayTay,
Thats what I have been thinking. I have seen other people say they are running on a similar platform but they don't give specifics on memory etc.
As for, Microsoft they always over specify platforms for all their products. Gives them an out when things go wrong. The machine does however fit within their minimum spec.
Don't really want to buy a new PC to leave outside in my workshop. May have to find something better second hand.
Paul

[HayTay]

Paul,

Hmmm. In my experience, it's been just the opposite with minimum specs, especially for games. General rule of thumb has been to look at the specifications listed on the box for memory, CPU, graphics, and required hard drive space and multiply by at least 2 if you want the game to run acceptably. If you seriously want to play the game (or run the application) multiply by a factor of 3 or more. Unfortunately cost is always a factor and almost everyone tries to get by with a minimum cash outlay (myself included).

I was running Mach2/3 on an Intel Pentium-4 1.9 GHz PC running Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional with 256 MB RDRAM, 32 MB AGP graphics card and a 60 GB hard drive without any problems until I started running demos of higher end CAD and graphics design packages. Mach2/3 still ran fine but the other programs were very slow and often caused the application and/or the O/S to stop responding forcing a manual power cycle of the PC. I recently upgraded to a new PC running Microsoft Windows XP Professional on an Intel Pentium-4 3.4 GHz w/HT, 2 GB memory, 120 GB hard drive and a better 256 MB PCI-X 3D graphics card.

AHHHHHH, much better!,

HayTay

[paulC]

Yes, games will use everything your've got and beg for more.
Particularly video processing
Paul

[strat]

when i started into it all i was using a p300 256mb ram and win 2k for os it would run the gcode and control everything but would not convert the graphics to gcode had to use an out side proggy for that

[ger21]

Run the driver test, is it steady at roughly 25,000? I've heard of people who get Mach2/3 to appear to work fine, but won't run code. The lowest speed that I usually see used is around 500Mhz.

The only thing that "Ref All Home" does, is reset the DRo's to zero. It doesn't actually move anything.

[paulC]

Originally Posted by ger21 Run the driver test, is it steady at roughly 25,000? I've heard of people who get Mach2/3 to appear to work fine, but won't run code. The lowest speed that I usually see used is around 500Mhz. The only thing that "Ref All Home" does, is reset the DRo's to zero. It doesn't actually move anything.

The test is steady at 249xx which I thought was ok.
The "ref all Homes" causes my machine to run to the home switches and reset the DRO's. Is it not supposed to do this?

I'm getting frustrated. Think my only option may be to find a faster machine.

Paul

[ger21]

Originally Posted by paulC The test is steady at 249xx which I thought was ok. The "ref all Homes" causes my machine to run to the home switches and reset the DRO's. Is it not supposed to do this?

Sorry, my mistake. I don't have home switches setup, so mine doesn't move. If you have home switches, it should move to home.

I've heard of machines using slow PC's that appeared to function correctly, but wouldn't run code.

Have you tried Mach3?