Difficulty loading sound file

Try simplifying and just use the Fixed #1 input and output to see if it loads.

If you have a filtered DC power supply available try that.  The latest version of the DCS Loader tries to load much faster than earlier loaders.  If the high speed load fails it will try successively lower speeds.  However, it is a little more sensitive than earlier versions of the loader program.  DC track power is usually cleaner than AC and will make it easier for the code to get through.

Which version TIU are you using?  If a Rev, L, are you using the serial or USB port?  If it's an early Rev. L there was a software bug that prevented sound files from loading correctly.  The fix was to install v3.11 in the TIU and then reload v4.20.  However, I believe the current release of v4.20 on the MTH website will also correct the problem.  You might try reinstalling a fresh copy of v4.20 and try again.

It's a pre-L - I3a?

I was running 4.10, just installed 4.20 with no change.

Interesting thought on the DC supply... I have a 12V 1A supply I could try.  Though the error message seems to imply we never even get to the loading stage.

There is a message about "disabling scan" that flashes before it starts looking for the engine.  Not sure what to make of that.

I might try going to just Fixed 1 though it means disconnecting a bunch of wires.  I use star wiring with isolated center rail, and I do get solid 10s.

You really shouldn't do a sound file load hooked up to the layout.  Even if you only have one engine on powered track the load process is too sensative to do with most layout wiring.  You really want to set up a short programming track that is the only thing connected to the TIU during the load.

Update on this - I disconnected everything from the TIU outputs, just ran some alligator clips from Fixed 1 output to the engine.

Same outcome:  "no response received" error message

Given that signal strength is max and all other DCS functions work perfectly, I really doubt this is a wiring issue.  

I would place the engine on a flat section of test track and run your alligator clips to the track and verify that you can read the engine and or load it into the TIU/Remote.  Then start it up and operate the functions of the engine on this test track with the TIU and Power Supply you are trying to load the sound file with.

If all work, but you still can not load, I would try reloading the 4.20 to the TIU/Remote and start over.  All this assuming that your connections from TIU to Computer are good.  If you had another TIU you could try loading with it to see if it works, possible leading to an issue with your cable and or computer.

I have used 4.20 successfully with I3a TIU.  G

Ditto the "loading track" idea.  We ceased to have any problems loading or updating equipment once we set up a 3' section of track just hooked up to fixed one on the TIU with nothing else except the aux TIU power hooked up.

Like I said, the only thing I have connected to the TIU output are alligator clips going directly from the output plugs to the engine.  Just as good as a programming track I assume; doesn't change anything.

If the process failed somewhere during the upload I would believe it has something to do with the wiring.  But despite 10 signal, perfect control, and the ability to add the engine, the loader program does not even detect the presence of the engine.

The TIU - computer connection seems fine, as evidenced by the ability to update the TIU and Remote software without a problem.  Does sound file loading use some aspect of the serial interface that TIU/Remote upgrading does not?

Once I installed 4.2 I was not able to load sound files using my test track with a lionel 180W power house supplying the power through fixed one. I switched to using a DC power source and it has worked on the first try every time since.

What would be considered a good DC power source, ie Troller, MRC, DigiTrax, etc.?

I now have exactly the same problem. Engine has a new install of the ps2 upgrade. Engine shows correct behavior in conventional mode and using the remote for DCS control. But I am unable to load the ps2 upgrade sound file. I am getting the same error message that there is no engine response and the connection times out.

TIU with ver 4.2

tried ac and dc power to the tracks

aux power to the TIU

engine 30-1187-1, 4-6-2 T&P livery

using an isolated programming track

What else can I try?

tried ac and dc power to the tracks

aux power to the TIU

Use DC power to the tracks and do not use external power for the TIU.

Thanks Barry. I was hoping you would be watching for this topic. I will try your suggestion when I get back home tonight.

The download to the engine still does not work. The time out says check for existing engine(s). I restarted the downloader and tried a different sound file. Same result. i reloaded TIU 4.2. No change. I am following the loader instructions and sequence of connections with DC to track power. I tried a different sound file. No change. Any other ideas?

Two questions:

• Are you absolutely certain that the engine is getting power?
• Are you absolutely certain that there are no other engines receiving power?

My engine is on a three foot section of track on my desk top. No other track or engines involved.

I can address the engine with a remote and it will take commands to run forward and backward.

In another thread, I saw a comment about disconnecting a seven pin plug. I have not done that. Does that have a bearing?

In another thread, I saw a comment about disconnecting a seven pin plug. I have not done that. Does that have a bearing?

No, it does not.

Barry, did you see my response to your questions about absolutes?

This kind of problem drove me nuts for months until I discovered, by trying another remote, the problem was a bad pin contact in the remote where the phone cord fits in to it ... so the communications didn't work between the remote, the loading software, and the TIU ...

MTH replaced the pins part on the remote and it's worked fine ever since.

I didn't think the remote had a role in downloading the sound file into the engine. There isn't even a remote that's turned on. I think I'm about ready for the loony bin too.

The remote has no part in loading to the engine, I don't even turn one on for that procedure.

Gunrunner, you've helped a lot of people on this forum. Did you read back five or six comments to see where I weighed in with my problem loading sound into a ps2 engine?

I saw your issue, and nothing springs to mind, you seem to have covered most the common things.

One silly question, are you sure the wire weren't swapped around between common and center rail?  I've also seen a comment about a certain minimum length of wire to the track from the TIU, but I don't recall where I saw that. 

I've programmed them with a standard Lionel brick as power to the TIU on a 45' loop, and on a 30" chunk of track on the workbench.  Since I've never had an issue, I've never researched other sound file loading issues.

I'm assuming you did things like try to do a factory reset on the engine, and also do the Recover Engine procedure?

If Barry doesn't have an idea, you have a live one!

Well, I'll gladly try those things again. Right now, I'm using 18 vdc with positive on the center rail and negative on the outside rail. I have verified the polarity with a volt meter. In the beginning, I was using a z4000 for power. Here is the error message.

An error has occurred during sending the sound file to the engine.

Logged as error in
CHECK_FOR_ENGINES_STATE
Checking for engine using TIU on COM6

Retry count of : 3
Systen error #1 - CheckForExistingEngines()
No reply to command. Timeout-3000ms.
The operation has timed out.

This repeated two more times with Retry count of 2 and 1.

Okay, Gunrunner. I did a factory reset on the engine and then verified that the engine would take commands via the remote by driving it forward and reverse. Then tried to load the sound file. Same error message as before. I've done this with two different TIUs and have powered the TIU with both ac and dc power supplies. There's got to be something I'm overlooking. I've used two different TIUs. I've successfully downloaded and installed DCS updates. But this sound upload has me baffled.

My PC has a 64 bit operating system and runs Windows 7. Could the computer be part of the problem?

Here is my 2 cents worth, If you are using a usb to serial adaptor.

Try closing the loader program, unplugging the usb cable . Wait about 30 seconds then plug the usb cable back in and start all over. I have to do that every once in a while.

My PC has a 64 bit operating system and runs Windows 7. Could the computer be part of the problem?

That's the same setup that I use and  it works fine.

However, are you connecting to a Rev. L TIU via the USB port on the TIU? If so, you need to download and install the appropriate USB drivers from HERE in order for sound file transfers to work.

Read MTH's note at this link: http://www.mthtrains.com/news/013a

If you're using a USB to serial cable, make sure that the cable's drivers for Windows 7 are installed.

Did you successfully install sound files with the same computer and setup as you're now using?

Yes, but I was responding to the OP in the thread.

Barry, I use the generic driver and it works fine for me.

Hello Gunrunner. No I have not previously downloaded or installed a sound file. And it's storming here tonight so I can't go out to my train room to try loading with an updated USB to Serial driver.

Vic

Well, here we go. I have updated the "usb to serial" driver. I've tried both v2.2 and v2.3 downloader programs. My TIU is not a rev L, but is running the ver 4.2 software. The engine responds to the remote commands for forward and reverse and rear coupler open. I've tried dc and ac for track power but still get the same error message that was described on August 13 at 306 PM except that I now get a tone for three seconds from the tender and then the error message. I'm at a loss. What else should I try?

Vic

Is this an upgrade board with no previous sound file loaded?

I would take the engine to a LHS that can load a program for you.  I would bring your TIU and cord that you connect to the computer.  See if they can load.  If so, then the engine, TIU and cord are fine, and you are looking at an issue with the computer/program.

If not, then the LHS can load the engine with their equipment and if it loads, you most likely have an issue with your TIU or Cord.  Since the TIU works normally, I would try a new cord.

You just need to start halving the setup to isolate what could be wrong.  G

If you know someone local that has DCS, they can probably help you as well.  Texas is a bit far for me, but maybe someone local?

 Don't know if this helps, I had a DC source temporarily hooked up with the polarity reversed at the TIU input. The tiu could not find engines when I tried to load the files.

Good comments folks. Thanks. The closest hobby shop with MTH credentials is in San Antonio, about a hundred miles from here. That's just a little piece down the road in Texas. If the service rep is working tomorrow, I'll be paying a visit. Thanks for the suggestion about taking my TIU and cord along. That should help isolate the problem.