I had to try and dig up an old window computer and the best I can find is a laptop with XP. I need a driver for the usb to UART RS232 cable and I went to the site and it looks like driver is not available. Anyone have an idea for a work around?
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That link is broken at the FTDI site but seaching for CDM drivers (what the original link was ftdichip.com/Drivers/CDM/CDM21214_Setup.exe) takes us here. https://ftdichip.com/drivers/d2xx-drivers/
direct link to latest
@Vernon Barry Thanks
Why do you need an older computer? I have switch computers twice and never had issue when using adapter cable to program older TIUs? G
Those drivers are for the chip that drives the USB port in the Rev. L TIU. They may, or may not work with a USB to RS-232 serial adapter.
I agree with GGG. A newer version of Windows will still have the Windows Update feature working. It should detect the USB to RS-232 adapter you are using and find a driver that is compatible.
Did this not work?
I was able to put together a windows 10 desktop computer. I was able to update the TIU, but the remotes (I have two) get stuck at
SEARCHING FOR TIU ON COM 4
In the old days I knew which serial port was com 4. With USB I doubt any of the USB ports are assigned a com port number until they are used.
The software does not let me choose anything other than COM 4 and Auto. I cannot force it to COM1, 2 or 3
Any ideas? I have an older TIU that is USB to RS232
@TMack posted:I was able to put together a windows 10 desktop computer. I was able to update the TIU, but the remotes (I have two) get stuck at
SEARCHING FOR TIU ON COM 4
do you have the cabling correct for the remote?
4 wire cord, remove stereo mini cable, etc.
If not, it won't move forward. The message is a generic for something is wrong.
@Engineer-Joe I have the USB - 232 cable, the stereo cable and the telephone handset cord. I was able to get it to program the TIU with no problems. For some reason when I try to program the remote, the software can’t find the com port.
Telephone handset cord is plugged in to the remote and the correct remote input port.
@TMack posted:@Engineer-Joe I have the USB - 232 cable, the stereo cable and the telephone handset cord. I was able to get it to program the TIU with no problems. For some reason when I try to program the remote, the software can’t find the com port.
Telephone handset cord is plugged in to the remote and the correct remote input port.
Do you have the Stereo cable still plugged into both 3.5mm ports on the TIU?
@H1000 Yes, BUT the TIU programming asked for the stereo cable and the remote instructions do not. I tried it both ways with the remote programing.
Real important. It worked programming the TIU.
This is only with the remote programming.
The MTH software is junk, it should let me manually set com ports 1,2, or 3. It defaults to com port 4 on the TIU and com port 5 in the remote with not other ability to choose another com port.
Hi The MTH software is junk, it should let me manually set com ports 1,2, or 3. It defaults to com port 4 on the TIU and com port 5 in the remote with not other ability to choose another m port
you're entirely incorrect the software work perfecting but you have to do a search for tiu port then it will find the active tiu port if it does not find it you're using the wrong cable!!!!!!!!!!!
see driver below!!!
Alan
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Sometimes it hangs up. So close everything and go back and retry just for remote. And YOU DO NOT need stereo cable when doing the remote. Make sure tiu has power and try again. G
@TMack posted:@H1000 Yes, BUT the TIU programming asked for the stereo cable and the remote instructions do not. I tried it both ways with the remote programing.
Real important. It worked programming the TIU.
This is only with the remote programming.
The MTH software is junk, it should let me manually set com ports 1,2, or 3. It defaults to com port 4 on the TIU and com port 5 in the remote with not other ability to choose another com port.
The Stereo Cable is only needed when updating the TIU Firmware, Once you are done doing that you unplug the power from the TIU and remove the cable. Updating the Remote will fail if the stereo cable is still plugged in.
The software does let you specify a COM port and detects which ports are available on your computer. I always select the COM port I'm using and never use the "AUTO Detect", it takes too long and I usually run into problems with it.
If my COM port doesn't show up in the Loader software, I check my device manager to see which COM ports are available. When using a USB to Serial adapter, I have the device manager open and watch for the COM port to appear when the device is plugged in:
I prefer a computer with a hardwired/built-in COM port, It's almost always COM1 and doesn't usually require some 3rd party USB driver to make it work. But built DB9 COM ports are rare these days.
Also, make sure you are using the correct function on the loader menu, I've caught myself doing that before:
The DCS software works pretty well, I've upgraded countless TIUs, Remote, and Engine with it and rarely have problems.
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If you have a desktop, you can buy a PCI RS-232 board. I also really like an actual built-in COM port, and I've added one to my desktop computer, primarily for the workbench TIU.
@H1000 I dont get that many options with the drop down menu. Only COM 5. You gave me a few ideas to work on.
@gunrunnerjohn Thanks. If I can’t trouble shoot it I think the RS232 card is the next option.
@H1000. I took and old Dell XPS 8700 and bought new HD and got windows 10 pro for a fresh install. The only thing on the computer right now other than the windows 10 install is the DCS software. I don’t think I need to do anything with configuring the USB ports?
No other configuration of the USB ports should be needed. I'd verify which COM port is added in the device manager when you plug in the USB-Serial cable. This COM port should show up in the DCS Loader software.
Another thing to remember… the cord between the remote and TIU must be a
4 wire telephone handset cord
Also, do NOT plug it into the AIU port.
You successfully upgraded TIU, so your computer and cord adapter are fine. Why after a TIU upgrade you can't upgrade the remote doesn't have anything to do with computer, software or cord in my opinion.
I always just use auto and normally don't have any issues. Occasionally and for unknown reason, the second procedure may hang up and I get comm port in use. I just turn off TIU and restart, or shutdown loader and restart it and it always finds the port and will commence working again. I know there was some glitch in the software because this use to be discussed. I went months without it happening and only recently had it glitch on a second procedure. Shut off and on again and all restored.
It is also recommended not to have any other programs operating in background. G
Since I started using a real serial port on my computer, I have never seen an issue finding the TIU 100% of the time. I actually did have issues using a USB direct to a Rev. L TIU for some reason, updates would fail in the middle of the update. Never got to the bottom of that, but the serial port has worked 100% of the time.
There are definitely problems with some USB to serial adapters. Interestingly, I have a few of a very specific variety that were recommended a long time ago for use with some professional audio gear. Those work flawlessly with every serial device I've ever had to attach to. I don't know what made them special, but my guess is that it has to do with the timing of things or a delay introduced by some adapters. Since serial data runs at a certain speed (set when the connection is made) my guess is that the timing of the commands is very important.