Quick Question need some Guidance !!

I am a totally new to cnc. I purchased a drill/mill that has been converted etc.... it utilizes a smooth stepper can I still use Linux cnc or am I restricted to using it with Mach3/4. I have the Mach 4 demo installed and can jog the machine around but that's as far as I have forgotten. Thought I would check to see if linuxcnc was an option before laying out the cash for Mach4.

Sorry mate, but you're stuck with Mach3/4.

A bit of tech:
www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?topic=22821.0

Thanks that is what I was afraid of.

A Mesa card, which works with Linuxcnc, costs about the same as a Mach4 Licence.
If you are so inclined you could convert to Linuxcnc\MESA and maybe recoupe some of the cost by selling the Smooth stepper one.

You'll get plenty of help.

Come to the Darkside, we have Realtime & Cookies.

Part Two and please pardon my lack of knowledge here. My current setup also contains a Gecko G540 can this be directly controlled from the PC if I load Linux cnc on one that has a native parallel port on it ?

Current setup is as follows,, PC/Mach4 Demo >Ethernet port and cable > Ethernet Smoothe Stepper> Gecko G540 > out to motors.

Setup In question? Linuxcnc >out parallel port via cable to > Gecko G540> Out to motors.

Double post sorry about that.

Yep

Thanks everyone Im going to give the Darkside a go !!!

Enjoy