Help downloading DCS 5.0

After the Loader Program finds the TIU:

• Did you securely plug in the 1/8" stereo cable between the TIU's ProtoCast and ProtoDispatch ports?
• Did you then power cycle the TIU off and then on again? 

If not, that's exactly what you'll get.

This and a whole lot more is all in“The DCS Companion 3rd Edition", available for purchase  from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

Maybe I've been lucky but I just follow the on screen directions... I power up when told to and let  the loader find the tiu.     How far can you get?   Yep win 7.

Barry,

I did everything you said. I tested the continuity of the mini-connector cable. It is Fine.

I am trying to load tiu5p0.dcst. 

I cannot get the Loader program to find the TIU.

If the 9 pin connector cable between the serial connector and the TIU is faulty, would it be possible to find the TIU but not download?

If your not sure if your cable is good just try another one. or borrow one from someone that you know has a good cable. when you say it finds the tiu are you referring to the remote finding the tiu or the loader program?

Alan

Just don't forget to power off the TIU after any failure.

The loader program can find the TIU when the mini plug connector is unplugged, the 9 pin cable is connected and the TIU is powered through AUX POWER INPUT.

The loader program cannot find the TIU when the mini-plug connector is inserted, the 9 pin cable is attached to the serial output and the TIU is powered through the AUX POWER INPUT.

The 1/8" short connector cable must be a stereo cable, regular mono won't work.

If the 9 pin connector cable between the serial connector and the TIU is faulty, would it be possible to find the TIU but not download?

No, the cable is most likely not the problem.

Are you certain that you powered off the TIU, then inserted the jumper cable (must be stereo as stated above), powered the TIU back up (the red LED should not blink at all when powering up with the stereo jumper cable in place), and then initiated a TIU upgrade?

The older I get, the more mistakes I make. My 1/8" plug is mono-- not stereo.

I have ordered a new Stereo 1/8" cable. That should cure my problem.

Thank you all for your assistance and patience. I will post results later after I get the proper cable.

Walmart also has a compatible STEREO MINI cable set.  This is the one I have used for the DCS TIU 5.00 upgrade.

It is ONN 3 ft STEREO audio cable #ONA14TA033.

Hello,

I am new to the forum. I've been exploring for the past few days. I enjoy reading the posts and decided to join.

I have had the DCS system for several years, but never felt the need to upgrade until now. I'm going from V2.21 to the current 5.0. I downloaded the software and the loader. I am currently using the A/B USB port to attempt to do the upgrade, but the loader is not recognizing the TIU in this manner. From reading the instructions, it seems that I can use the USB cable instead of using the serial cable, but I could be misinterpreting. I have not seen any instructions for the use of the USB method instead of the serial port.  I was hoping that I would not have to purchase the serial adapter. 

Could anyone clarify on this? Any help would be much appreciated. 

By the way... I do have the Rev.L TIU as I recently purchased it to replace one that died.

Thanks,

Marc

Welcome to the forum.

I'd be very surprised if the new Rev L had version 2.21 on it.  Version 2 was gone long before the Rev L was issued.  You can use either a USB cable or a USB-series adapter cable.  I use the adapter cable, since it's needed for the other 3 TIUs I have that aren't Rev L.  Be sure to follow the on-screen instructions in the DCS Loader 5.0 program precisely, connecting wires as set forth in those instructions.  If you have any failures, power the TIU off and then on again.  There are many on the forum who will gladly give any assistance you may ask for.

WARNING:  If you have any device running any form of version 2, you must do a reset of that device after upgrading.  You will also lose all locos, switches, and accessories on the remote.  There is no issue with any device that has a form of versions 3 and 4. 

I should clarify. So the remote I have has version 2.21. I am not sure what version the TIU is. I purchased it about a month ago after the failure and I remember them telling me it was version 4.something. With that in mind, I am looking to get the quillable whistle feature among others. Since the remote is old, it does not have those features available. 

One of the first steps in the installation says "Connect the TIU 9 pin serial connector between the PC and the TIU." 

This is where I am confused. Do I need to use the serial port or can I just use the USB? There don't seem to be any instructions for using just the USB.

Luckily I only have locomotives on my DCS system and nothing else so I won't be losing much. I'm considering just going to my dealer and ask if they can walk me through it when they do it.

Thanks again,

Marc 

Do you have an adapter cable that will connect the USB port on your computer to the serial port on the TIU?  If you do, use it and don't bother with a USB A/B cable.  If you use the adapter cable, you must power the TIU by either applying power to FIXED 1 or the AUX port.  If you use a USB cable, it should provide enough power for the TIU to upgrade (but not to operate a layout).  When using the USB cable, I would connect it after you have the 1/8" stereo connector in place, not before.

You will not have to reset the TIU.  You will have to upgrade it to version 5.0.

Once you update and reset the remote, it will have every feature that a brand new remote will have.  Do be aware that Quillable whistle is an in-loco feature, not a feature that comes about through the use of 5.0.

Thanks for the input. I do not have the serial-USB adapter cable. My understanding from you is that I can in fact use the USB. However, for some reason it is just not working. I connected the stereo cable first. Next, I powered up the TIU via the USB port. To this point, all seems good. Then when I try to make the connection with the TIU, the uploader software switches between COM 1 and COM 3. After it does that a while, I get an error saying it cannot find the TIU. At that point I am dead in the water. 

I guess my next option is to purchase a serial adapter or to head over to my dealer for an upgrade. 

I've only begun to get more serious into the hobby. This is the first time I have tried to do anything outside of just running my trains!

Try this:  disconnect the stereo cable.  Power down the TIU (remove USB cable should do it).  Reconnect the USB cable  In the Loader program, left click on options in the menu bar; then serial port, and then auto search.  Noted the result.  Then power down the TIU again, insert the stereo cable, power up.  In the Loader program, again click options/serialport, but then click on the port you just "discovered."  Alternatively, in Windows 7, you could use control panel/system&security/system/device manager.

I'll give that a try and let you know if it works! 

Thanks!

Just a followup. I got the system to successfully load this evening. I used the serial cable and an auxiliary power source instead of the USB cable and that seemed to work perfectly. I was done in 10 minutes. For some reason, it didn't recognize my USB port even though it was powering on the TIU. Who knows why... Thanks for the suggestions! 

Now after 10 years of having DCS, I can actually run a lash-up. It's great having software actually work!