Are they compatible?
Thank you
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I think this is more complicated than that.
First off, it's MTH DCS Conumer Loader V5.0.0 that we are talking about as an application. In and of itself I believe it could and should load and operate on Windows 11.
The bigger problem is when you plug in your TIU- or more importantly a USB to serial adapter that is a 3rd party device that then ALSO has an operating system compatible driver to enumerate and create the virtual serial port connection the app must use. This would be the layer of complication to the app that has the higher risk factor. It's not technically part of the app- but a resource the app uses- especially when we start getting into a typical 3rd party device like a USB to serial driver.
So, the bigger question- have you tried it, why are you asking? Did you get an error message or other problem that you need help with?
If it's to pre-plan something, like stated, it depends, and so you are just going to have to try it out. There are hardware specifics involved that are more than just the app and the OS version.
Does the MTH software work with windows 11? -- Yes.
Make sure you have a working serial port via a USB adapter or built in to the computer (hard to find these days) and you'll be good to go.
There are still lots of serial port PCI cards available for desktop computers as long as you have an open PCI slot. I prefer that to the USB<->Serial adapter when possible.
I am in the process of buying new laptop and wanted to make sure it played nice; my current (chromebook) will not
Obviously, a Chromebook won't work, it doesn't run Microsoft Windows! You need Windows to run the MTH Loader.
I tried to install the DCS 5.0 consumer loader on a windows 11 (has .NET 4.8 already installed).
says the setup required .NET 3.5, do i want to do this now? If I anser No, it ends without finishing. If yes, it takes me to the latest Microsoft site that have much higher .NET versions.
I then found an old setup.exe with .NET 3.5 I had from previous laptop running Windows 10 where I have the DCS loader installed and working. Since I'm trying to get rid of the old laptop I'm trying to get all this working on new Windows 11 laptop.
Should I try to install .NET 3.5? Microsoft website says you can have multiple .NET installed.
Just install .net 3.5 since that is what the application requires.
Yes, you can have multiple versions of .net
thanks, Installed .NET 3.5
loader program installed. Let me see how things go from here, thanks.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:There are still lots of serial port PCI cards available for desktop computers as long as you have an open PCI slot. I prefer that to the USB<->Serial adapter when possible.
. These seem to work fine and the second one I found best.
Here is one:
StarTech.com USB to Serial Adapter - 1 port - USB Powered - FTDI USB UART Chip - DB9 (9-pin) - USB to RS232 Adapter (ICUSB2321F)
A better one:
Gearmo USB to Serial RS-232 Adapter with LED Indicators, FTDI Chipset, Supports Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7, Mac OS X 10.6 and Above
I have had windows 10 for years. I didn't know their was a windows 11.
I have a Sabrent USB to RS-232 9 pin DB9 serial cable adapter. Been using it for years. I have an old rev H2 TIU (no USB jack).
I was able to reload DCS v6.10 to the TIU and remote (even though they already had that version) to make sure things worked. was able to copy a PS2 steam engine sounds to a file on the PC.
I'm trying to find a PS2 sound file for a PS2 GP9 I have. looking to test out the new laptop and setup and make sure I can upload a sound file. Looked around and saw this https://mthtrains.com/20-20134-1
I can't download the sound file. It opens up a hexadecimal looking file when I go to support then click the protosound icon.
Is it an issue with the website? same problem with a few others from that catalog, 2011 vol 1 (can't use newer catalogs because they are PS 3 files).
I just went and grabbed the file. p111pf3_gp_9___chs110325a_2x.mth
I think you have it (your OS) hiding extensions????
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@SteveG posted:I can't download the sound file. It opens up a hexadecimal looking file when I go to support then click the protosound icon.
Right click on the icon and then select 'save as' in the menu that pops up.
Right click => save link as. That works.
The MP3 icon does not work. Right click only gives options to save the image of the icon.
I downloaded adpcm GNU freeware that analyzes and allows you to edit sound files. I will try to use the file with that tool before I spend time loading it into the engine.
@SteveG posted:The MP3 icon does not work. Right click only gives options to save the image of the icon.
I downloaded adpcm GNU freeware that analyzes and allows you to edit sound files. I will try to use the file with that tool before I spend time loading it into the engine.
The MP3 is just a preview of the sounds the sound file will make, not all engines on the website have one available. This one is greyed out with no preview.
Be careful with the ADPCM, when not used correctly it's possible that damage can occur and you may be sending the engine to a tech for repairs.
Well that's not good to hear, but thanks for the heads up. I am not going to edit any sound file with ADPCM. I just want to hear the sounds before taking the time to upload to an engine. As long as the file timestamp does not change after using ADPCM, I should be OK.
@eddie g posted:I have had windows 10 for years. I didn't know their was a windows 11.
Just came out.
@ThatGuy posted:Just came out.
"Just" a year and a half ago (Oct 2021). But in our hobby that's like yesterday.
Judging from the number of folks who consider command control "new", even though its almost thirty years old now, Windows itself (e.g. v 1.0, c. 1985) should also be considered "new".
Mike
@SteveG posted:Well that's not good to hear, but thanks for the heads up. I am not going to edit any sound file with ADPCM. I just want to hear the sounds before taking the time to upload to an engine. As long as the file timestamp does not change after using ADPCM, I should be OK.
I'm not saying don't do it, but just be careful and read Mark's website thoroughly to make sure you have success instead of frustration. He has a lot of information out there and it's pretty cool to make your own custom sound files.
@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:"Just" a year and a half ago (Oct 2021). But in our hobby that's like yesterday.
Judging from the number of folks who consider command control "new", even though its almost thirty years old now, Windows itself (e.g. v 1.0, c. 1985) should also be considered "new".
Mike
wait! when did we move away from 3.1.1 ? LMAO
OK, so I loaded a PS2 sound file from a GP-7 2010 volume 2 to a PS2 3V engine without a problem, windows 11 using a usb to serial cable. This was part of my testing the new laptop with Windows 11. I then was experimenting a bit and thought I would install a windows driver for the cable (even though it worked w/o one - with windows 10 about 5 years ago I had to install the driver). I was using adpcm on the same file I had successfully loaded to the engine and wanted to add an alternate horn, but found the clip # for it was empty, so I unchecked the box, effectively making no change to the file. But the timestamp on the file changed (as expected). Now I load that file and I get static sound, no sound, static, no, then engine is inoperable. Says not on the track.
I downloaded a clean copy of same sound file and tried to load it again, same result. I then did an engine reset, both factory and feature. Tried to load same sound file, same result. Also just deleted the engine, then added it. same problem.
I looked for the original sound file installed with the engine, but there is no sound file on MTH website. Then I looked for a file I was using the past many years on that engine and that is also not on the site.
Any ideas on what to do?
I might try to remove driver for the cable, but seeing how the loader finishes clean, I'm not sure that's the root cause.
As a rule of thumb, I always download the file from the engine first and save a backup copy that will remain unaltered just in case something goes wrong with ADPCM. Not all sound files are available on the MTH website, you might be out of luck locating that file again.
If the cable worked in windows 11 by default, why install a driver... there was nothing to gain by doing so.
It is possible that the board is "bricked" but I assume the loader does identify the board as 3 or 5 volt, gives the engine assigned DCS address and the memory size of the board (2 or 4 MB). You have to make sure that the replacement file you uploaded initially is not bigger than what the board can handle (make sure you don't try to upload a 4MB file to a board that only has 2MB of storage space).
the first time or two I tried the cable the loader did not recognize the TIU. I thought I would try it with the driver, but I'm certainly aware of the uncertainty with these types of things.
I don't like the idea that the same file before being modified worked earlier in the week. Concerns me that there might be permanent damage.
File is 1 MB in file explorer.
I did a windows recovery to before I installed the FTDI serial cable driver. Reinstalled DCS Loader 5. Loaded 20-2805-1 sound file which is same catalog as my engine (sound file for my engine is not on MTH website). It does load, but I get constant static mixed in with sound. It was able to respond to the remote and move on the track.
Then I tried a file from next catalog year, 2008 v2 GP-9 20-2898-1. It is a 3V PS2, so it matches what my engine is. Same thing, sound with static and remote says engine not on the track. basically inoperable.
wondering what next steps would be.
@SteveG posted:I did a windows recovery to before I installed the FTDI serial cable driver. Reinstalled DCS Loader 5. Loaded 20-2805-1 sound file which is same catalog as my engine (sound file for my engine is not on MTH website). It does load, but I get constant static mixed in with sound. It was able to respond to the remote and move on the track.
Then I tried a file from next catalog year, 2008 v2 GP-9 20-2898-1. It is a 3V PS2, so it matches what my engine is. Same thing, sound with static and remote says engine not on the track. basically inoperable.
wondering what next steps would be.
This is a PS2 3V, and it's not unheard of for those 4 Ohm paper cone coated magnet speakers to fail.
I personally would check a new good speaker before going much further.
Being PS2, you cannot flash chain files- so it can't be that, all you can change is the sound file. it's either good or bad.
One note with Windows (not really this specific case), if you are running a newer version of Windows and you have an existing application that seems to be having trouble, Windows supports "compatability' mode for applications that for that application mimics the old version of windows. I believe it is set through program manager, you can set it into compatiblity mode there. It doesn't sound like the loader has that problem, this is just a general fYI.
@bigkid posted:One note with Windows (not really this specific case), if you are running a newer version of Windows and you have an existing application that seems to be having trouble, Windows supports "compatability' mode for applications that for that application mimics the old version of windows. I believe it is set through program manager, you can set it into compatiblity mode there. It doesn't sound like the loader has that problem, this is just a general fYI.
Spot on:
Right-click on the program you want to run, select "Properties" then go to the "Compatibility tab":
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Thanks for the replies.
I will see about compatibility. I also still have the old Windows 10 laptop and might run DCS loader from there.
I emailed MTH to put up the sound file for that engine, but am not optimistic.
I thought it could be the speaker, but DCS says engine not on track, yet sometimes it will "start" as you the engine come to life with static sound. If it was only the speaker, it should start and stop and move around the track without a problem.
@SteveG posted:Thanks for the replies.
I will see about compatibility. I also still have the old Windows 10 laptop and might run DCS loader from there.
I emailed MTH to put up the sound file for that engine, but am not optimistic.
I thought it could be the speaker, but DCS says engine not on track, yet sometimes it will "start" as you the engine come to life with static sound. If it was only the speaker, it should start and stop and move around the track without a problem.
No, that's sadly not how that problem works. A bad speaker can effect every function and even kill or damage the board.
Again no, a bad speaker can load down the amplifier and thus voltages powering the amp and/or worse- short to frame ground. None of that is good for the electronics and can manifest all kinds of problems.
How can I test a speaker, assuming I can remove it?
@SteveG posted:How can I test a speaker, assuming I can remove it?
You need a good known audio source, and a multimeter, but more importantly, be able to visually inspect as well.
First, visually inspect the magnet for flaking, bulging, or deformation.
Then you unplug the speaker from the board. Then you check for any continuity between the terminals and the metal frame and magnet pole assembly. That is to detect a voice coil shorting to the pole piece. Then you check the speaker with a different known good audio source for crackling and other bad noises (often caused by junk in the voice coil to pole gap- jamming the cone movement).
Or you just replace it with a known good new speaker.
PS2 3V uses 4 Ohm like PS3.
PS2 5V uses 16 Ohm.
https://www.mthpartsandsales.com/shop/search/results
search speaker and then the correct impedance (Ohm value) and diameter (mm).
@SteveG posted:I'm trying to find a PS2 sound file for a PS2 GP9 I have. looking to test out the new laptop and setup and make sure I can upload a sound file. Looked around and saw this https://mthtrains.com/20-20134-1
Back to this previous post, I do not know the product number of your "PS2 GP9". That's important to know what exact electronics you have PS2 5V VS PS2 3V because the speakers are different impedance. Again, you were searching for sound files but more important, we need the engine you are having problems with.
20-2802-1 Santa Fe GP-9. I believe it's a 3V board. I once determined it (I think), but it was several years ago.
Yes, PS2 3V so a 4 Ohm. Unsure of exact size of speaker in the fuel tank, could be 40, 45, or 50mm, and may be a low profile.
And Yes, I have seen my fair share of bad 4 Ohm PS2 3V speakers.
Not able to lift it enough 
to unplug from the board.
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The fuel tank coms down off the frame typically 4 screws
Speaker is held inside fuel tank by 2 to 4 screws.
One of the wires broke off the solder point.
do I remove the chassis to get to it?
