Help please. Dip switches and mach 3 settings

[Radu_Andrei]

Hi Dasp1976,
I.ve bought some time ago a dell precision m4800 for the future CAD/CAM works.

Running the Cnc, I don have anything special at the moment:
Intel Pentium dual cpu e2180 2.00ghz 2.00ghz
2gb RAM, 32bit operating system
video card intel 829456 express chipset family
128gb SSD, windows 7 home premium with windows 7 basic theme
paralel port built in

in device manager, in Computer, i have only 2 drivers available: ACPIx86 based pc, and Advanced Config and Power Interface (ACPI) PC. I don.t have Standard PC option. Some people say that this can be a fix for steppers missing steps, or making strange noises.
here is a link to someone who is talking about this issue. skip at min 4.30 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n18OTfjbFp4

also in device manager, in Mach3 Pulseing Engine, I have Mach3 Driver version 6.1.0.0 (4/20/2011)

I.m mentioning all this because, running DriverTest in Mach3 installation folder, I get all 3, Pulsing to slow/Pulsing to fast/System excellent messages. If I move or drag any window on the desktop, while the DriverTest is running, I get lots of spikes in that otherwise straight line. Some people say that changing the driver mentioned above to Standard PC will fix this issue, but I could not find what to do if this driver is not available in the option list.

But I guess, as this pc units are very cheap, it does not worth spending so much time troubleshooting the one I have.
I.ve read dell 760.s work fine, but this are core2duo.
You mention single core machines, intel celeron and windows xp. Seems a safer and more stable choise. I.ve found a couple online, to my surprise.
I.ll get back when I have one.

Thank you for your reply.

[dazp1976]

Hi Dasp1976,
I.ve bought some time ago a dell precision m4800 for the future CAD/CAM works.

Running the Cnc, I don have anything special at the moment:
Intel Pentium dual cpu e2180 2.00ghz 2.00ghz
2gb RAM, 32bit operating system
video card intel 829456 express chipset family
128gb SSD, windows 7 home premium with windows 7 basic theme
paralel port built in

in device manager, in Computer, i have only 2 drivers available: ACPIx86 based pc, and Advanced Config and Power Interface (ACPI) PC. I don.t have Standard PC option. Some people say that this can be a fix for steppers missing steps, or making strange noises.
here is a link to someone who is talking about this issue. skip at min 4.30 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n18OTfjbFp4

also in device manager, in Mach3 Pulseing Engine, I have Mach3 Driver version 6.1.0.0 (4/20/2011)

I.m mentioning all this because, running DriverTest in Mach3 installation folder, I get all 3, Pulsing to slow/Pulsing to fast/System excellent messages. If I move or drag any window on the desktop, while the DriverTest is running, I get lots of spikes in that otherwise straight line. Some people say that changing the driver mentioned above to Standard PC will fix this issue, but I could not find what to do if this driver is not available in the option list.

But I guess, as this pc units are very cheap, it does not worth spending so much time troubleshooting the one I have.
I.ve read dell 760.s work fine, but this are core2duo.
You mention single core machines, intel celeron and windows xp. Seems a safer and more stable choise. I.ve found a couple online, to my surprise.
I.ll get back when I have one.

Thank you for your reply.

I can't see having single/dual core making much difference (although I could be wrong)
If it was me. Before I did anything in terms of spending I'd see if I could get hold of a copy of windows XP (for nowt) first.
Then:
1: Create a new partition on the windows7 machine large enough to fit an OS.
2: Install XP on that partition. (will then give you the option of booting to either in the early stages)
3. Boot to XP instead of 7.
4: Go to the MS back catalogue and install the service pack3 update: http://www.catalog.update.microsoft....arch.aspx?q=xp
5: Install Mach3 and see how it runs on XP on the same machine.
I'm not bothered about even trying win7 because XP works with it.

If the machine still plays up then just delete the partition with XP on and the machine will still have win7 to either keep for something else or sell on.

[Radu_Andrei]

Will do precisely.
Thank you.

[dazp1976]

Well an update.
Just tested my old socket 478 pc's and both psu's are dead. Go figure.
They want £23 for another power supply (used) (SFF type).
Just bought a Dell 780 myself with 4GB ram, win 10, for less than £10 more.
I have a sata drive lying around so when it comes I'll be installing that in the 2nd bay and running XP leaving win 10 untouched just in case for re-sale purposes.
If I end up having dual core issues I'll be selling the core 2 and getting a Celeron the same as my other (both socket 775).
Ugh!.

[Radu_Andrei]

I guess I.m the only one naive enough to believe that you just turn on the cnc and it will work like a charm for years. In truth it seems all kind of issues come up.
Hope you.ll get your new dell pc work just fine, and dual core it.s not the problem. :)

[cropwell]

Just tested my old socket 478 pc's and both psu's are dead. Go figure.

Probably the capacitors have gone. Especially if they have just been sitting doing nothing for years. MoBos suffer the same, look at the big electrolytics to see if they are bulging.

Andrei - it looks as though you have a rubbish supply from the pole. You already have an earth fault, maybe you have a poor supply due to a corroded connection.

Clive - is it not possible to put some big caps on the output of the SMPS's. Don't they have quite a wide input voltage range anyway ?

[Clive S]

Clive - is it not possible to put some big caps on the output of the SMPS's. Don't they have quite a wide input voltage range anyway ?

I was going to suggest that but never done it with SMPS's But would be worth a go.

[Radu_Andrei]

Clive mentioned a toroidal power supply in order to fix the rubbishness of the pole supply. From what I read online, it.s a transformer, a bridge diode and a few caps, with a DC output.
Does this not mean that I.m actually replacing my switching power supplies that came with the cnc kit?