cnc3040t

[welshkoiman1962]

hi ppl I got a 3040t I bought about 5 years ago it runs on windows xp I want to run a different program from mach 3 I also want it to run grbl so I can use t2laser software with it is there a cheep option as I have not completed a project on it thanks

[A_Camera]

You want to replace Mach3 with GRBL...? You must be joking...

Get a new PC and (which you need to do anyway) and continue with Mach3.

[welshkoiman1962]

ah that's the problem it is a newer pc with windows 7 but my 3040t will only run on windows xp I just bought a parallel port card but no luck

[A_Camera]

ah that's the problem it is a newer pc with windows 7 but my 3040t will only run on windows xp I just bought a parallel port card but no luck

In that case that's not an XP issue but a driver issue. You have two options, buy a motion controller, or get the right driver for the parallel port card. You must be using 32-bits version of W7 because that's the last one supporting PP card. If you want to use 64-bit version then you must get a motion controller, like UC100 or something similar. A better option is UC400ETH but it is slightly more expensive, and not as plug-and-play as the UC100, which is basically a USB to PP converter, but it is a motion controller, not just a simple converter.

[welshkoiman1962]

I bought a uc100... a parallel port card... but a friend said its not a typical cnc control box think its one of the first only xp will work on it i put the parallel port card in its working fine set up mach3 same as on my xp pc wont work but works fine on xp i got a spare power supply so might get a mana 3 stepper board so i can keep the old pc for when i want to use mach3

[A_Camera]

I bought a uc100... a parallel port card... but a friend said its not a typical cnc control box think its one of the first only xp will work on it i put the parallel port card in its working fine set up mach3 same as on my xp pc wont work but works fine on xp i got a spare power supply so might get a mana 3 stepper board so i can keep the old pc for when i want to use mach3

I am not sure I understand what you are saying. If it is a genuine UC100 then it works with any Windows version and you don't need a parallel port card with it, so if you have a UC100 then I don't understand the problem. What is a "typical CNC control box" according to your friend?

[magicniner]

I just bought a parallel port card but no luck

Parallel Port cards (and later PC integrated PPs) are a Crap Shoot as far as output voltages are concerned, some BOBs need 5v logic levels, some newer PPs don't deliver that.
Just to be sure have you tested your PP with a printer to ensure it's at least functional?

If you want a Gerbil you'll want an Arduino to keep it in, not a PC :D

Have you considered a stand alone box like the DDCSV1.1 or 2.1? I think that's probably the way to go at this point if you want to move away from Mach3, I'm just about to start testing with one on my little 4-Axis Mill -

[welshkoiman1962]

i just dont know y it wont talk to the cnc