Hello everyone!
Browsing forum couldn’t find much on subject so here it is and apologies if I’m repeating the answered question.
Have “extra” T42 IBM Thinkpad laptop, can run XP or W7 32bit, absolutely sure on a hardware health side but, failed to run Mach3 on it.
In particular, and regardless the used platform - “drivetest” goes nuts, “pulsing too fast… not pulsing at all… etc.“.
Followed all possible recommendations on internet but with no success so here is my question:
- did anyone ever succeeded with above machine and if the answer is YES - could you PLEASE advise with step by step guide (do this and do that).

Thanks and appreciate any response on subject.

Eddy,

If you have not done so already, then it may be worth trying the WinXP Optimization steps detailed here http://www.machsupport.com/downloads.php

Tweakie.

If using a laptop you really need to use an external controller such as the SmoothStepper or CSMIO/IP etc. Very few laptops are stable when using the parallel port.

Hood

Eddy,

If you have not done so already, then it may be worth trying the WinXP Optimization steps detailed here http://www.machsupport.com/downloads.php

Tweakie.

I did, as well many other from different sources - hopeless!   :-)

If using a laptop you really need to use an external controller such as the SmoothStepper or CSMIO/IP etc. Very few laptops are stable when using the parallel port.

Hood

I've tried... probably all recommendations can be found on WEB but smoothstepper - never, guess I have to.  :-)   THANKS !

Followed all possible recommendations on internet but with no success

What about the recommendation not to use laptops with Mach3?

Eddy, all the stuff they build into laptops to make them work good as laptops, that is all the processor speed changing and other power savings features will give the parallel port driver fits. It depends on very precise timing from the PC so all of the processor speed changing, etc is exactly the opposite of what you want.

There are several external motion boards out these days. They basically do the job of the parallel port driver in custom hardware that is designed just for that task. I am partial to the SmoothStepper as I have been using them since they came out and was so happy with them that I eventually became a dealer for them. If you have an existing system that you want to add a SmoothStepper to you might be interested in my 'SmoothStepper in a can': http://www.soigeneris.com/motion_control_and_i_o_boards-list.aspx . I came up with this a few years ago when a customer wanted to upgrade their router table without needing to rewire anything.