Computer can't find TIU

Try windows device manager to see which comm port the tiu is on, and then in the Loader program go to options and force the program to seek that port.

I don't see a way to do that.  All it gives me under options is to auto search for TIU, or use com3 for TIU.

Hi NErailfan,

Which port are you using on the Rev L TIU?  USB or RS232?

To see the list of active COM ports, you need to open "Device Manager," as RJR suggested.  Go to the Start menu and open the Control Panel.  Double click on "Device Manager."  That will open a window with a list of hardware devices connected to the computer.  Towards the bottom of the list you should have a line for Com Ports.  If you don't, the computer is not detecting any Com ports.

Report back and we'll proceed from here.

There is a release note on the MTH Web site

that includes a program to download into

your computer for the computer to find the L

tiu connected to the USB port. This program

is not part of the loader program.

The L tiu is much better to up grade because the tiu

gets its power from the USB port so no extra power

source is required.

Guys,

Thank you for your responses.  I will report back this evening.  I do appreciate the help.

Brian

P.S. Dave I tried using it first with a USB to RS232 adapter, and then tried to go straight USB to USB.  Both to no avail.

You will have to go into your computer and find Com 3 and ensure you are connected that way.

I cannot offer much more than that, having not yet connected my TIU's. I will get to that point eventually.

If I recall, a jumper on the TIU is needed in order for the loader to find it?  I could be wrong.  But, if I'm not, is the jumper installed?

Mike

Mike,

If I recall, a jumper on the TIU is needed in order for the loader to find it?  

Only when performing a TIU software upgrade.

The only thing I had to do to get the L tiu to work

with the USB port is down load a driver from the

MTH web site. Go to the DCS news of Dec 20, 2010.

There is a link to the driver.

Well, the link works for me.  Send me an e-mail to the address in my profile and I'll e-mail you the USB driver.

I just tried to connect my TIU to my computer (Windows 7,  64 bit) using a USB to serial port cable.  Computer can not find the TIU.  Gives me a code 43 which I believe says ther is no driver.  I did download the new driver from MTH but that did not work either.  I do not have a revision L TIU though.

Anyone able to help me?  I do not have any com ports on my computer, just USB ports.  In device manager, the TIU shows up as an unknown device.







w

If you haven't already done so, most likely you need to download a Windows driver for the USB - Serial cable.

I agree. I have yet to tie one TIU onto my machine and am working on it.

I am eying that powerful computer power supply. Generates in excess of 1000 watt on a variety of voltages including 12 volts....

Is there anything available to tie THAT into the Layout via the DCS? If such hardware exists, it may render the Z4000 surplus.

Do you have one you can recommend.  I have tried several and none of them work.  I have a 64 bit Windows 7 computer.

No, I do not because the driver is specific to the model of cable. It should have accompanied the cable on a CD, or at least a web site where it can be downloaded should have been referenced in the information packaged with the cable.

Just came across a cable with the correct driver CD here at work.  Since its rainy and raw up here in Boston today, I can't do any yard work.

I'll give it a try tonight, and report back.  My only fear is the driver is for an older operating system, as I am running 64bit Windows7 machine.

Wish me luck!

I have a CD but it has many different items on it and none of them seem to wwork.  I tried them all.

Time to call the cable manufacturer...

As expected the cable is for an older machine.  Nothing is easy!!!  There was no patch on there website for a 64bit system.  I'll have to run by BestBuy or the nearest store like that soon.  I will not let this get the best of me!!! lol

Also for anyone else with a similar problem, just found this...

From a Microsoft forum:

When I upgraded from my XP OS computer to a brand new (2011)

Windows 7 machine, NONE of the THREE USB-Serial Adapter cables worked

with Win 7 and NO DRIVERS were found for any of them that worked on Win 7.

BITE THE BULLET AND BUY **BRAND NEW** USB ADAPTERS

****WITH THE FTDI CHIPSET****

I don't think my cable has this FTDI chipset.

Hi all,

It seems like there's a fair bit of confusion about cables, drivers, USB, and the Rev L TIU's.  Lets see if we can clear this up a bit.

USB/Serial adapters - Any USB/Serial adapter contains a microprocessor that handles the conversion from USB protocols into Serial (RS 232 in this case) and vise versa.  In virtually all cases, the power to run this microprocessor is drawn from the USB port, so they can seem like a very simple adapter cable.  The adapter manufacturer supplies the cable with software (a device driver) that makes your computer think that the adapter is an actual RS 232 serial port.  The device drivers are written specifically for each operating system.  Many adapter manufacturers don't bother writing new drivers for old hardware so that you will be forced to purchase a new adapter.  All of the above applies when connecting to any TIU (including the Rev L) using the RS 232 port.  It does NOT apply when connecting to a Rev L TIU via the USB port.

Rev L TIU's via USB - What MTH has done with the Rev L TIU's is build the USB/Serial adapter into the TIU.  The microprocessor used in the Rev L's has the ability to translate USB and serial.  However, just like any other adapter, the Rev L TIU needs a device driver on your computer so it can be recognized as a serial port.  You can download the driver from the link in this news article on the Protosound2 website.  I have used this driver successfully on Win7 32 and 64 bit machines.  This driver will not work with any other USB/serial adapter.  One nice additional feature of using the USB port on a Rev L TIU is that the power on the USB cable will power the TIU.  You don't need a separate power supply.

FYI, the good old Radio Shack / Gigaware USB/Serial adapter has been working very well for me on both Win 7 32 and 64 bit machines.  The Vista drivers released in 2008 have not been officially tested for Win 7, but they work fine.

I also have no problem with the RS/Gigabyte cable and included driver on my laptop running Windows 7/32bit.

I use the FTDI USB/Serial adapter; I have not had any problems with it...  I have two of them...  I bought both FTDI adapters from DigiKey...  The drivers are available on the FTDI site...  These are lab quality adapters...  I got the one with the 10cm cable attached...  if anyone's interested check the DigiKey website...  or email me at the address in my profile for more info...

Also having this problems.  

loader V2.3 loaded.  rev L TIU.   64bit windows 7 system.  The remote is V 4.10

Cable is a Radio Shack Gigaware USB-A to Serial Cable. 6 ft. With a Driver CD.  Listed for Vista but not Windows 7

Driver installed as well as the patch installed that Dave H. listed above (this news article)

Checked Device Manage/Ports (Com + LPT)  Gigaware USB to Serial(Com7)

I took my laptop and all related TIU items to my LHS where I purchase the items yesterday.  It would not work on Dave M's computer or mine.    We also installed the patch that Dave H listed  in this thread on Dave M's computer with no luck.   We also Used a USB to USB cable Dave M's computer to the L TIU. with no results.  

O.K. what's next?

Mike

I need access to our the master engine list. 

Hi Mike,

I suggest a couple things.  Again, the driver from the MTH news article ONLY applies to using Rev L TIU's with the built in serial port.  Try setting that up on your home computer with no other power supply.  When you plug in the TIU with the USB cable look in device manager to see what COM port it gets assigned.  Then, under "options" in the loader program select that com port rather than auto.

Up and Running!!!

I just want to sen a big thanks (SHOUT OUT) to Dave Hikel for helping me out.

Just want to let everyone know that has the same problem as I did, if you have a RevL TIU and a computer with only USB's you dont need a serial to USB adapter cable.  Just go USB to USB.

But make sure you down load the the latest driver that Dave speaks of first...

As indicated the Serial to USB cable device was working properly.  I switched to another L TIU  and had no problem with the master engine list.   Still not sure if the problem with the 1st L TIU is hardware or software.  I will send it back for repair.   

OK Mike.  I think these two posts might reveal your problem, and a there's definitely a typo on my part.  In the first post you said...

Again, the driver from the MTH news article ONLY applies to using Rev L TIU's with the built in serial port. That's what we are doing.

I left off the word "universal" in front of serial port.  If you are using the USB terminal on the Rev L TIU, you should NOT select your Radio Shack USB/serial adapter on COM 7.  The Rev L TIU should appear in the com port list in device manager as a "UART."

If you are trying to use the RS USB/Serial adapter on COM7 hooked to the TIU's RS232 port I would be suspicious that it is plugged into a different USB port on your laptop than when you installed the driver.  USB is not as "universal" as it's supposed to be.  I have a 64 bit Win XP laptop that will only talk to the Radio Shack adapter on one of its three USB ports.  The computer will say it's there and working properly, but it won't function on two of the three ports.  If you're in doubt, uninstall and re-install the drivers.