Hi Guys
I have a laptop already that is quite a few years old, I keep having time out issues with the ethernet smooth stepper, Its totally random, sometime 3 lines of code in and other times thousands of lines in,It will even time out if i am just moving the machine around using the jog keys I have turned everything off, all power settings etc and looked in the bios, anyway I am rebuilding a Mill and decided i would get a new computer for it but i would ultimately like another laptop for its portability but i am concerned whether i will have the same issues again,

In looking for a new computer or laptop is there anything i should look out for? things i should want or things i should avoid? Will a desktop just be plain better cause i want have these issues? This will just be running mach3 and vectric aspire and thats it.

Thanks in advance
Chris

The main concern on any computer with a pp is that the signal out is clean. IE; I have a DEll GX520 and you need to use an
external motion device with it. I have an old NEC laptop that runs Mach...extremely slow machine / old and it probably wouldn't  run aspire.

For any pp computer you need to run the driver test as that will give the first indication if it will work.
Install Mach on it and then iin the diagnostics page see how stable the pulse frequency is ie; should not vary much and be close to kernal speed.

I had an agreement with builder of my dedicated desktop that if it didn't work he would fix or give full refund.

FWIW,
RICH

Hi,
unless your machine is portable does it really matter if the control platform is portable?

Craig

The Machine is 3 meters long and weighs 1/2 a ton so no its not portable, But a laptop would be nice to be able to take home and do a little of the g code editing and drawing while watching tv then come back into work the next day and plug it in, and also for its size aswell, its something that can just sit at the side of the machine and not take up much space with out having towers sitting round But if a laptop is going to be a hassle in as far as running a machine properly then i will go desktop but still like to hear peoples thoughts.

Hi,
laptops don't have a parallel port and various posts I've read where users have tried to retrofit a PP have struggled.
Additionally laptops employ some sophistication to reduce power use and some of those strategies interfere with Mach.
If you are prepared to delve into the OS to defeat or disable those features the a laptop works fine but best with an
external controller.
Desktop platforms are more suitable for PP use.
If you read from the forum at any length you will find plenty of posts about what PP's work and what don't. What I've
picked up are 'serial to parallel adaptors' don't work. If the machine doesn't have a genuine PP built in or a PCI or PCIe
slot to put a card in then PP is likely to be frustrating if not plain impossible.

Craig

Hi,

if you are looking for a laptop, the also look for a
docking station witch gives you a PP.

my HP is working with a dockingstation.

Thomas

Since the OP asked specifically about the Ethernet SmoothStepper I'm not sure why everyone is going on about the parallel port. 

To the OP: Can you post an image of the error you are getting? It sounds like you have a configuration issue with your PC, not that you need a new PC. Any PC needs to be set up properly for running Mach 3. If you have lots of stuff running in the background, like iTunes (or any Apple software), 3rd party update software, etc. then you may have issues. Some firewall/AV software can also cause problems as they will slow things down enough to cause problems with Mach 3 feeding data to plug-ins.

On a few PCs I have seen things are so messed up that a fresh install of Windows is needed. Also be warned that new PC come with a lot of crap installed that needs to be removed.

I'm not sure why everyone is going on about the parallel port.

Because Chris  asked it.
I can't comment on an external device since I have not used mine / one in years.

RICH

No he did not That is why I was confused 

Gee's Jeff,

Listen up my friend......

As I have noted so manny times before.......I can't read or spell thus only write.
I am confused since no one will believe me.

I trained Mia how to read and then she barks out the letters in Morse Code.
I simple hit the letter on the key board. 

RICH