Windows XP or Windows 2000 better with Mach2

[Beezer]

Just wondering if anyone has tried running Mach2 under Windows XP as well as Windows 2000 for a comparison to see which OS worked better with the software?

The reason I ask is, I am trying to decide what OS I should install on the PC which I will be using for my CNC router. I am almost done with my router and have just started doing some test runs using the demo version of Master5 on my laptop running Win98SE to see how it runs. Now I found that one of my testing NC files, which I created with Mastercam, behaved strangely in Master5 when it came to some of the circular step pocketing operations. The tool would make a large 360 deg. circle when it was only suppose to do a .125" radius corner. This only seemed to happen at a certain point in the pocketing operation for reasons I have yet to figure out. I am still looking over the code with the little knowledge I have to figure it out.

Now today I downloaded the latest Mach2 demo version and tested the same NC file with it and found it ran the file, without any problems and all the toolpaths where the same as verified in Mastercam. So now I will most likely be buying a license for Mach2 and not Master5 since it has alot more features plus it looks like Master5 is being fazed out. Only problem is that XP will not run on my Toshiba laptop but I am hoping Win2000 will, till I build a new PC for the router.

I guess what I am really asking is, does Mach2 work on a Win2000 based system as well as it does on a XP system?

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[ger21]

From what I've heard it works exactly the same. A lot of people use it on both platforms.

[turmite]

Beezer Art also suggest a pc rather than a laptop. It has something to do with the laptops not putting out 5vdc on the parallel ports. I personally run 2000 Pro and have never had a problem with it.

Mike