Mach 3 for Microkinetics set up:

[StephenK]

Hi:
Finally getting back in the shop after a few years as a POA and a mild stroke. I'm doing fine.
I have Lathe and Mill set up for CNC using the old Microkinetics set up that I purchased back in about 2000. Runs on DOS and all was ok until today. Went to start up and the message was (missing operating system). I believe that this means a hard drive problem.
My question to you is? Can I download Mach 3 into another computer and run the system with the present set up or will I have to change the drives etc?
The old computer was a Gateway 2000.
Been hearing much about Mach 3 and started downloading information about it.

Good to get back on the Forum. Stephen (NJ)

[Rustybolt]

If they're steppers then it should work.

[macona]

Its not quite that simple. Does the machine use a card on the bus or does it plug in to the parallel port? If it is a card or a DB9 for serial than no. If it plugs in to the parallel port then maybe. At that point you need to see if the control box that has the drives is taking step and direction pulsed from the parallel port or the OS is sending data and the box is doing the motion control. If the box is just taking step/dir signals from the computer then mach should be able to be configured to work.

[Rustybolt]

Ah. Mac. I assumed too much.

[StephenK]

Thanks guys:
You have both helped me somewhat. Had a computer friend come over today and he determined that the hard drive was ok. Took the computer to his shop and will try to find the problem. If not then we will install another hard drive and start from gound zero.
MicroK system runs on DOS and has two separate cards in the system. One for the mill and another for the lathe.
I looked further into Mach 3 and at my age (78) it may take me awhile to really learn everything. But I still may give it a try. Have to get better from the recent stroke. I lucked out, only minor.
Stephen