Mach3 - Jogging - strange things happen

[RustyArc]

I had another go at my Dell 3.2GHz Pentium D machine in ACPI Multiprocessor PC mode, but even with the absolute minimum services enabled (via msconfig) I couldn't get rid of the regular clunking while jogging, whereas back with the Standard PC kernel the rapids are smooth, and in Motor Tuning I can wind up the speed to almost double.

However, the main annoyance with the Standard PC kernel is that you have to switch off the PC manually after shutting down XP.

That said, the machine works extremely well with the clunking is gone, cutting quickly and accurately with no lost steps.

I've got my eye on a Smoothstepper, USB or Ethernet, as the multiple ports (2 and 3 respectively) offer a bit more I/O, not that I need much - the only enhancement that comes to mind is controlling the spindle operation and RPMs, which only needs a couple of pins, although if the VFD in my Carving-CNC 6040 was a more common unit, I could probably achieve that using the serial port and Modbus.

[SawDustSniffer]

my min xp install was stuffed up when i added a Telstra G3 modem
ended up re installing xp and manually up dated it to SP3

min install is not shutting down running programs when you want to run mach3 , it a dedicated PC with nouthin but mach3

[Smirkin]

I am getting a very clear message..... PC only for cnc.... Got it! No wireless network or any other addons.... Got it!

The wife picked up an older Dell PC yesterday. I will give that a shot as well. I have to find a solution. No cnc, no chips.

Will be having another go at it tonight. Oh! Bob, I plugged in a ps2 keyboard with no effect. It was worth a try though.

Thank you all for your input... Most welcomed!

Craig

[Smirkin]

I might have a solution! A big thank you to you all for your valued input.

When I was playing around with PC's, I plugged some USB devices into a different ports, and when testing the cnc it worked without a hitch. Thanks for the heads up Bob.

I Intend to do a few more tests - to discover if the fault was caused by a USB hub (connecting the keyboard, a wireless mouse dongle and my USB key that I use to transfer data for my main PC) or front port connections on the motherboard.

I will post my findings in the hope that if someone else finds themselves in my situation, they don't waste a week of their lives like I have.


Once again thanks for your support.

Craig