Machine consistently pausing briefly, after 15-20min in to a job?

[charlieuk]

possibly, I ran the same file today I did not have any problems

[A_Camera]

possibly, I ran the same file today I did not have any problems

I still think it is the PC grabbing resources. Mach3 may not be able to detect it if it is halted by the OS. Another thing I thought about is the look ahead buffer. I have a weak memory that I had similar issues a long time ago while I used the parallel port of a Windows XP computer. After I changed to USB the problem was gone. My current laptop has Windows 10 and anti virus on, it has Internet connection as well and don't seem to have problems. Is your computer still running under XP? Is it old? Are you using the parallel port?

[lucan07]

The Mach3 software tends to operate at a low level and on older machines its biggest competitior for resources can be the graphics especially with onboard or lower spec GPU that can grab memory fo compensate. I have seen similar problems and sorted them by simply reducing graphics overheads you don't need full 32bit graphics for mach3 and reducing graphics overheads can free a large amount of resources on older machines, but worst offender is if you enable Mach3 hi res screens options it will then draw screens twice to remove pixelation.

[charlieuk]

it was a new pc about for the machine maybe just over a year and a half ago running windows 8.1 64 bit I think. the machine is connected via Ethernet cable to a csmio motion controller

I guess if there is anything I can turn off or get rid of on the pc its worth it to rule it out? (im not much of a computer person though)

[lucan07]

Running via ethernet on a 64bit machine its unlikely to be overheads as Mach3 will not be running the parallel driver to generate pulse the pulse generation is I believe carried out entirely by the CSMIO controller, apart from virus software or windows itself maybe starting housekeeping or attempting to enter power saving mode I cannot think of much that would likely affect it in that way. Turn of any virus software if running and disable power saving and screen savers not much more you can do PC wise. If it occurs after that you may have to look elsewhere for the problem, I haven't used the CSMIO although have one ordered so cannot really advise regarding the controller I would just double check earthing and maybe add EMI / RFI filter if not already fitted.

[A_Camera]

it was a new pc about for the machine maybe just over a year and a half ago running windows 8.1 64 bit I think. the machine is connected via Ethernet cable to a csmio motion controller

I guess if there is anything I can turn off or get rid of on the pc its worth it to rule it out? (im not much of a computer person though)

If you still running under Windows 8 then the first thing I'd do is get rid of that, download Windows 10 free of charge (the free offer ends on the 29th July). Mach3 works fine under Windows 10 and if you are not using the parallel port than it should not be a problem at all, unless the dll is a crappy one. Windows 10 is much better than Windows 8 or anything else before, the only possible "disadvantage" is that it no longer supports the parallel port.

[charlieuk]

ok many thanks every one i will have to start looking and checking those things though its going to be tricky to know with it being a little intermittent