What desktop CNC (similar to a 3040 series) is out there that works with Mach3 in the $800 price range. I ran aground trying to set up a chinese CNC 3040 series with a mini blue box controller with horrible instructions - just can't get it to work.
Mach3 software is working well, driver test successful... I just want to start machining, darn-it!
Thanks for anyone's help.

Ask seller to help you.
You know, this is hot a chineese machine support forum.
And, BTW, you have to learn chinglish

You don’t say what interface it uses. If it is parallel you’ll be limited to a PC with a parallel port and an older version of Windows. If it has USB it should have come with a driver on a CD, and should work with newer versions of Windows.

I have a parallel port on Windows 7 professional 32bit. The chinglish installation CD has three steps which I have followed for a couple of weeks now.
I'm open for recommendations from fellow forum participants that have recently purchased their cnc 3040 and were able to get going with minimal software/hardware interface.

You need to provide a lot of detail of what is not working.

Are the motors locked up?
If so, then most likely either the port address is wrong, or the port and/or pin numbers are wrong.