Problems with usb-serial port adapter - where to go for advice?

usignuolo

OK will try and test. I don't think the device is faulty per se, when it is plugged in, it lights up and the ATEN cable also lights up and the Bridgemate software then scans a list of COM ports trying to connect each one in turn before failing. (We have cleared down the COM ports does not solve problem).

There is a clue buried in the user guide FAQ where it says

"It is possible for the serial server firmware to "lockup" (e.g., stop functioning) and no longer communicate with BCS.
If the serial server LED is green, but BCS shows "Not connected," the server will need to be reset.
Disconnect the server from the computer.
Remove the power connector. The LED should change to red - indicating the server is running on battery power.
Remove at least one of the batteries. the LED should now be off.
Let the server sit with no power for 30 to 60 seconds.
Reconnect the power adapter - leaving the battery(ies) out. The LED should be green
Reconnect the server to PC.
- If BCS is still running, wait for a minute or so to see if the server will now become "Connected."
- If BCS is not running, it should be started - by itself, or from ACBLscore using BMS. Verify that the server is now "Connected."Occasionally, however, it may be necessary to leave the server unpowered for 30 minutes or longer! Then, repeat the applicable steps above."

This appears to be the solution to our problem except turning it off and resetting, and leaving it unconnected, DOES NOT WORK. In any case my OH disconnects it and puts it away in its box between tournaments which may be several days apart.

Bridge clubs who own the system usually have a dedicated Pc and have it plugged into the same USB port all the time so they just turn it on when they want to use it. My OH does have another friend whose club purchased the same server and devices around 6 months ago and they ran the software on OH's friend's pc. Around a month ago they bought the new version. She says she asked him why and he said it was becoming unreliable to start on his PC so the club bought a new dedicated PC for the new version. So far it is working but it is early days.

My OH simply cannot do this as she takes her PC round to several different locations each week to run games and score, she cannot leave a different pc in each location with its own server, it would be ruinously expensive and a security risk.

The reason we are putting so much effort into finding out the cause of the problem is because we think it may lie in the way she uses it and we do not want this to occur again if she buys a new system. There is little point in discussing it with the current agent who does not have the expertise to make a diagnosis nor the inclination. He just wants the problem to go away by us buying a new system, understandably.

We want to be able to specify the problem so that they (Holland) can guarantee it will not recur in any new system we buy.

usignuolo

Not sure - would PC Anywhere even run under Win 7?

prowla

I've used a USB-serial dongle to talk to a couple of older gadgets, and I found that just using Hyperterm would allow me to configure the port settings (nb. putty & ssh won't work, as they run over network).

Some programs won't work if the port goes above COM4, and sometimes plugging something into a different USB port will cause it to get a new COMn port.

prowla

Incidentally, if you do need to run a program that requires an older version of Windows, you can install VMware player and then install an older OS within it; you can then run it as a VM on your "host" PC, and it will run in a self-contained window which has its own desktop.

I have a USB scanner whose driver runs on XP, so I just run it within a VM, and I also use that VM to talk to a programmable remote control that has a serial port.

Figment

LincolnshireYokel wrote: »

Decades ago there used to be a PC to PC comms package for moving stuff about over the serial COM ports called PC-Anywhere, it was fabulously good at getting a COM port to talk. It must be abandonware by now, wonder if its worth torrenting for it or looking on TUCOWS and seeing if that can establish comms on the PC..

PC-Anywhere is (was) the predecessor to TeamViewer type programs. I believe you're thinking of Laplink Pro?

Im_just_careful

Given the relative costs I would firstly borrow (or go and use) and old tower PC with a "real" 9 pin serial port.

Test if the unit works with that.

If it does then try some different USB - serial adaptors (buy from Maplin as they are really good at taking this kind of stuff back if it doesn't work).

You may have to buy an old style computer with real serial ports running an older operating system to get this to work.