MTH DCS loader error message

I would suspect the link between the computer and the TIU.  Also, my best results are with DC on the TIU channel being used for the load.

What REV. of TIU are you using to upload the files?

Thank you

I tried using a 9 volt wall wart (it is all I have) but got the same message.

The TIU is version 5.0 software.

@John1361 posted:

I wonder why it says Conumer loader?

You need at least 12VDC or a pure sine wave transformer also works.  Any chopped waveform transformer will make the loading less reliable.  Also, you should be loading on a test track with NOTHING else connected to the track.  Finally, it sometimes helps to have 20-30 feet of cable between the TIU and the track, especially for loading PS/3 stuff.  At the MTH shop, that's the way their test bench is setup for loading sound and chain files.

@Engineer-Joe posted:

I wonder why it says Conumer loader?

That's pretty funny Joe, I didn't notice that.   Maybe that's why it fails, it detected a spelling error.

Thank you

I think I have an old HO transformer somewhere. I am using a 40" section of track on my computer desk for this. Nothing else hooked up to the TIU.

I will attempt it with the HO transformer and a long run of cable.

Best is a good DC bench supply, the DC coming out of most HO power supplies is pretty ugly.

Wow!

Thank you Gunrunnerjohn!

You just reminded me I have a 12 volt supply in my garage!

Will try again when I het home.

Still having no (good) luck with loading files. Now using 12 volt fully regulated bench power supply & approx. 25' of wire between TIU & 40" track section on my computer desk.  When I attempt to load file (PS32_Steam_3528_CPF) I get the previously posted error message.  I downloaded another file from MTH Website (p151_p_t1_3343_chain) and that gives me the following error message 

2 different error codes for 2 different files. Sound files have no issues loading, they just don't work properly (bell is OK, test whistle tone, no chuff, no cab chatter or PFA, no headlight or tender back-up light). Loco moves & electro coupler fires.

I am beginning to think this may have to go to a repair station to get it straightened out.

Also, the first code says "sending DCC code to engine". Could that be something, since I don't use DCC, only DCS?

Hello again.

I have tried 3 different computers,  short wires, long (25') wires, power by MTH brick, Z 4000 transfirmer & 12V DC regulated power supply.

All with the same result, sound files will load, but will not talk to the boiler board so I can't change the chain file. (I don't know how it got changed in the first place). All sounds & controls work, eccept for lighting. And the morse code beeping on power up & down.

Is there anyone in the Phila. / South Jersey area who can reset the board, or does it have to go to the MTH factory to be done (and is that even an option with the current state of the company)?

WAIT A MINUTE!  I see something about the boiler board in your screen shot.   You do realize that you DO NOT use the chain files from the locomotive you grab off the MTH site, right?  You MUST use the PS32 board specific chain files with the PS32 board.  There is no separate boiler and tender board, so trying to load those chain files really confuses the PS32 board!

Use this chain file, I think you'll have better luck!  I'm assuming this is for the Premier T1 Duplex you mentioned, right?

PS32_Steam_3528-CPF.zip

There are a host of chain files specifically for the PS32 board for various scenarios, if you're going to be doing upgrades, you might want to round up the full set.

Gunrunnerjohn,

Thank you. Yes, this is for the Premier T1 from the earlier.  I copied a link from one of your previous posts which I thought you said was a PS32 chain file.  I will try this file and see if I have any luck.

I have no idea why you'd get an error about a boiler board from the PS32 file.

Possibly from attempting to load a file destined for a board that is not there?

I would like to know how it got messed up in the first place. I had loaded a sound file & everything worked, but the train name was incorrect. (I wanted the "Trailblazer" because the menus in the dining car are from that train, not that you can actually read them!), so I loaded a different sound file and that is when it started beeping upon power up. I checked other threads and they say this is a chain file mismatch issue.

Well, I'd start by loading the proper PS32 board chain file and then the sound file.

Yes, thank you.

I will try that asap

GunrunnerJohn;

Still getting the same error message using the file in your link:

Upon applying power to the engine it beeps 8 times fast, then a pause, then 2 fast & 3 slow beeps. After about 5 seconds, the sounds start to play.

Hey John, You can unzip the chain files and load them one at a time.  The one you are having issues with looks like a chain file for DCC.  You might be able to skip it.  

Just curious why you loaded any chain files with a PS23 setup?  They are meant to use PS2 sound files unless, for some reason, the chain file was corrupt.  Am I missing something here?

I have been using a basic HO power supply with loads for quite a while but you do need more than 9V.  Second, these errors can happen. Either a defective memory section in the board, or during a load it gets bad data in sector that results in the morse code signal that indicates a corrupt processor file.  No tech can reset that.  That requires the factory fixture and reload of basic data to the board.  MTH parts has retained that fixture I am sure because that is how they load SF.  So you only recourse is to email their info account and ask them to examine and reload the board.  G

@David Minarik posted:

Hey John, You can unzip the chain files and load them one at a time.  The one you are having issues with looks like a chain file for DCC.  You might be able to skip it.  

Just curious why you loaded any chain files with a PS23 setup?  They are meant to use PS2 sound files unless, for some reason, the chain file was corrupt.  Am I missing something here?

Dave,  PS-32 boards shipped with a generic testall program.  You can assume the one in the kit are steam, but we know what happens when we assume  I have found diesel in some of them.

Yes you can load individual segments for correction, but skipping a required one probably would not work.  I wouldn't do it.

So I always load the PS-32 steam chain file to ensure that is what is in it.  Then I load the appropriate PS-2 3V or PS-3 Sound file I want.  Then depending on what is being upgraded you may need to use the small smoke file.

Then for PS-2 repairs you have to chose the appropriate file for the repair.  Panto, smoke, coors, etc... G

I wonder if MTH could lock the chain files (for the PS32 board only) from end users so they don't get messed up?

Maybe something the loader could look for and identify?

@John1361 posted:

GunrunnerJohn;

Still getting the same error message using the file in your link:

Upon applying power to the engine it beeps 8 times fast, then a pause, then 2 fast & 3 slow beeps. After about 5 seconds, the sounds start to play.

Looks like George is right, MTH will have to fix this one.

@GGG posted:

Dave,  PS-32 boards shipped with a generic testall program.  You can assume the one in the kit are steam, but we know what happens when we assume  I have found diesel in some of them.

Yes you can load individual segments for correction, but skipping a required one probably would not work.  I wouldn't do it.

So I always load the PS-32 steam chain file to ensure that is what is in it.  Then I load the appropriate PS-2 3V or PS-3 Sound file I want.  Then depending on what is being upgraded you may need to use the small smoke file.

Then for PS-2 repairs you have to chose the appropriate file for the repair.  Panto, smoke, coors, etc... G

George,

I have had luck with loading the individual chain files one at a time when I would run into the situation that the OP has.  I'm pretty sure (it has been a while) that the DCC file is not mandatory for proper DCS function.  You would have a corrupt file that never gets used.  It cannot hurt to try.  

Although I do not doubt that the wrong chain files can be loaded from MTH, I have never run into one.  I'm sure I don't do as many upgrades as you do.  

Dave, There is no stand-alone DCC file.  It loads as part of one of the others.  I too have loaded individually when it was some of those older no chuff, or 5V sound file fixes.  But with the latest FPGA file mth created with the list John posted I have modified so I no longer do individual files.  When MTH created that list they messed up a few small smoke files.  I caught it and told MTH, (and John) but wound up creating the correct file on my own.  This was after Service closed, and frankly MI did not know how to do it, and I guess the Sound Engineer was gone.  Jason knew what to do to correct files.

Early on when the corrupted FPGA issue arose it was the program putting a file in the wrong place.  The text file dictates the load, and since those early issues I have loaded complete chain file. 

I suspect trying to load a board with a 9V (unknown walwart rating) as the power source cause the corrupted load, that has now rendered the board unusable without a factory program reset.  G

@GGG posted:

Dave, There is no stand-alone DCC file.  It loads as part of one of the others.  I too have loaded individually when it was some of those older no chuff, or 5V sound file fixes.  But with the latest FPGA file mth created with the list John posted I have modified so I no longer do individual files.  When MTH created that list they messed up a few small smoke files.  I caught it and told MTH, (and John) but wound up creating the correct file on my own.  This was after Service closed, and frankly MI did not know how to do it, and I guess the Sound Engineer was gone.  Jason knew what to do to correct files.

Early on when the corrupted FPGA issue arose it was the program putting a file in the wrong place.  The text file dictates the load, and since those early issues I have loaded complete chain file.

I suspect trying to load a board with a 9V (unknown walwart rating) as the power source cause the corrupted load, that has now rendered the board unusable without a factory program reset.  G

George,

That clears things up!  Thank you!

So the OP's board is bricked?  That is unfortunate.

Thank you, everyone, for all of these responses.

Dave Minirak,  I didn't (intentionally) load any chain files. I had the sound file loaded and working proprlerly, but changed it because I wanted the Trailblazer train name in the PFA announcements. That is when the morse code started. If it changed the chain file, I did not plan to do that.

GGG;

Thank you for the information. I will contact MTH after the holidays.

GRJ;

Thank you for all of your help in this matter.

Happy Holidays to all.