Serial to USB troubleshooting...

[Broadwing]

I will try to be as descriptive as possible under the circumstances - My monitor decided to die during my research here - so the wife is putting up with not using her computer for a few minutes.

I have looked through old posts and have searched, but I cannot seem to find the answer to my problem.

The basics. I have an Etrext legend, black and white display.

In the past I have sed easygps and still would like to, I also recently received Garmin Mapsource Topo.

As part of this, I took some people's recommendations and bought a Serial USB adaptor cable on ebay for about 6 bucks.

I installed the driver that came with it, and tried different orders of connection of the GPS to computer using different USB ports. I run Windows XP, and the programs work fine, but none of the above mentioned programs and Garmin's webupdater can find or recognize my GPS. I have played with the different COM ports and speed, but to no avail.

 

Is there anyway that I have not tried? And yes, maybe buying the cheap cable doesnt help my case, but others experience made me think this might work. If it doesn't I guess I would consider installing a serial port if that is possible. A GPS upgrade is in the future, though I don't see the need when ol' blue is still working just fine.

 

Any guidance is appreciated!

-Erik

[+fratermus]

Is there anyway that I have not tried? And yes, maybe buying the cheap cable doesnt help my case, but others experience made me think this might work.

 

I will assume that the new pseudo-serial port shows up in the windows list of serial ports.

 

Is your GPS interface set to talk Garmin protocol in the unit itself?

[Broadwing]

Sorry to omit that part.

The unit is set as the default "Garmin" in the interface.

 

The list of serial ports I assume is in the device manager? I know just enough about computers to be deadly, so if thats the case, in the list of Universal Serial Bus Controllers there is a "Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller" - I suspect this is it... is that the case?

 

-Erik

[+traildad]

I went through several adapters trying to get one to work. I finally ended up getting a add on serial port card from ebay. It was pretty cheap and has worked great. I have heard some people that got the adapters to work but I don't know what the secret is.

[+Mudfrog]

I too bought a cheapy adaptor off ebay and it is sometimes flaky as well. What i had trouble with getting was the right com port to show up in my setup window. This is most likely the problem. It's been a while since i played with it but it seemed like the right com number wouldn't show up depending on which USB port i used on my laptop. Sure didn't think this would matter but it may make a difference which port you plug into. I believe on mine that com 5 is the one that works.

 

Did you get a "new hardware found" come up when you first plugged in the adaptor? It seems like my adpator instructions told me to cancel that and make sure to load the drivers from the supplied disk.

 

Also, im not positive but it seems to make a difference whether the GPSr is attached and turned on when i plug the adaptor in as well. I'm thinking that it works better if the GPSr is off when i plug everything up.

 

These are just some things to try. Goodluck!

[+niffir]

I am not familiar with using the serial adapter with what you are trying to hook it up to, but with my palm IIIxe, I bought a super cheap adapter from ebay. I used the disk to install drivers, but it didn't work. What I had to do to make it work is to have the Palm software set to use a serial port (even though it is actually hooked to the computer through the usb port). Is there somewhere that you can set that? For the Palm software at least, you cannot have it set thinking that it is a usb connection-- you must tell it that it is using a serial connection.

[+fratermus]

The list of serial ports I assume is in the device manager? I know just enough about computers to be deadly, so if thats the case, in the list of Universal Serial Bus Controllers there is a "Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller" - I suspect this is it... is that the case?

 

That's the actual USB. Your legend does not connect by usb, as far as the PC and GPS know. The PC and GPS think they communicate over a serial connection because of the trick the adapter plays.

 

We are looking for the new pseudo-COM port provided by the adapter. It will be listed (for example) in EasyGPS under Edit | preferences | etrex legend | Settings | COnnect via. The new pseudo-comport provided by the usb-to-serial adapter will show up in the list, and will likely look different than the others in the list.

[Broadwing]

 

That's the actual USB. Your legend does not connect by usb, as far as the PC and GPS know. The PC and GPS think they communicate over a serial connection because of the trick the adapter plays.

 

We are looking for the new pseudo-COM port provided by the adapter. It will be listed (for example) in EasyGPS under Edit | preferences | etrex legend | Settings | COnnect via. The new pseudo-comport provided by the usb-to-serial adapter will show up in the list, and will likely look different than the others in the list.

 

OK, my mistake, it does list the adaptor in Easy GPS. I also played on mapsource with adjusting the COM port between 1 and 6. On 3 and 4, it takes about 10-20 seconds to get the error message that it cannot find the device - on all other ports it just shows the message right away.

 

-Erik

Edited April 24, 2007 by Broadwing

[+JanniCash]

90% of all connectivity problems are cable/plugs.

 

I have successfully used a Belkin USB Serial adaptor with a Legend. I didn't like speeds over 57600 but since those are only used for map transfer and anything else (waypoints, routes, tracks) is communicated at 9600 bps, that can't be related to your problems.

 

Jan

[Broadwing]

90% of all connectivity problems are cable/plugs.

 

I have successfully used a Belkin USB Serial adaptor with a Legend. I didn't like speeds over 57600 but since those are only used for map transfer and anything else (waypoints, routes, tracks) is communicated at 9600 bps, that can't be related to your problems.

 

Jan

 

I'm beginning to think this may be the problem - It is after all a cheap cable and I figured there was no guarantee. This morning I have lined up a free serial port to install, so unless some amazing revelation comes out, this may be the way to go.

 

-Erik

[+dayphx]

I also had trouble using a USB to serial adapter with easyGPS. I discovered that configuring my adapter to use a low number COM port (COM2) fixed the problem.

[Supertrunk]

I've been using a "TRENDnet TU-S9" usb to serial adapter with my Legend for quite a while now. I use TopoFusion, and it picks it up as "Garmin Serial" on COM3.

 

I got the adapter online at Govconnection; Govconnection USB Serial Adapter

 

Hope this helps..........

Edited April 24, 2007 by Supertrunk

[Dale_Lynn]

Here is multiple ways to possibly solve any communications problems between PC and GPS...

 

Finding Com Port

 

It's quite possible your lap top or desk top machine can not "find" correct COM port!...

 

Or your computer does not have traditional serial port. (they are slowly going away in favor of USB). A USB/Serial adapter may be the answer for you.

 

FIRST and foremost, LOAD the USB drivers that came on CD included with USB/SERIAL adapter. Unless you do this everything else you try is a waste of time. IF this has been done them lets move on.

 

If you have Serial/USB adapter and are not getting it to work, suggest you delve into what COM ports or USB/adapter ports your "systems" have available or how they are configured ....

 

The major problem is usually identifying what COM port number the USB/RS-232 Serial Adapter was assigned by WINDOWS system. This is also valid for locating available hard wired serial ports. Port numbers can be verified in the "Control Panel" under "System" under "Hardware" under "Device Manager". Scroll down to “Ports” and it will tell you the “port number” and at what speed (baud) port is configured at. You can actually plug in and unplug adapter and see the "port" appear and disappear on ports field. Right clicking on "port" and selecting "properties" will tell you everything you need to know about port. This info is necessary to get EasyGPS and GSAK and “other” programs to communicate with GPS unit. Yes you do need to set baud rate on GPS to match computer COM port which may be set with whatever software computer is running. See instructions for GPS unit on setting Baud rate and other Serial Port parameters.

 

Most software applications and hardware (modems) like to work with COM 1 ... Also if you have any "synchronize” software running for a Palm or other hand held PDA, it grabs COM 1 and will not let any other applications use it. You may need to disable any synchronization software it you have it as a running application to release COM 1 if you have to use that specific COM port.

 

Also just plugging in a USB/Serial adapter to USB port may not trigger system to assign COM port number. In some cases you must have a valid device (GPS) on end of data cable from USB/Serial adapter and the device must be turned on for system to respond and assign a COM port number. Also having a loop back plug in USB/Serial adapter will trigger adapter/system to assign com port number if serial adapter requires a "valid" device on end of cable.

 

Also be aware you will most likely need to load USB/Serial Port adapter drives from included CD to get adapter to work properly. This should be done before plugging in adapter for first time.

 

 

 

 

Hyper Link Test

 

Here is procedure to test COM/SERIAL/USB port. It will work with both hard wired serial port (COM) on older computers or with USB/SERIAL adapters if proper drivers are loaded. This test will require a “loop back” plug for serial connector that has pins 2 and 3 connected (shorted) back to each other.

 

1. Determine COM port number using the process above to find the port number (Finding Com Port).

 

2. Open HYPER-TERM the communications terminal program that is standard part of Windows supplied utilities. If installed it may be found under “Communications” on main menus. (or any other terminal program you are familiar with).

 

3. Establish a “new connection” file name something like “serialist” or “loopbacktest”. Specifying the specific COM port number (found in above procedure). Set ASCII options to NOT echo characters locally (Uncheck - Echo Characters Locally).

 

4. Plug in USB/SERIAL adapter and install “loop back” plug on serial connector plug ( if using hard wired port on computer that is where loop back plug goes also) . IF you can now type characters on key board and see them appear on screen the com port and path (and USB adapter) are good. If you unplug loop back plug and then type and characters do not appear on screen this further verifies port is working properly and adapter is working. If you type and get double characters (aa-bb-cc) for each key stroke with loop back plug in place it means “local echo” is turned on. If you only get single characters when loop back plug is removed then it still proves serial path is good.

 

Hyper Terminal setup.

 

Start Hyper Terminal and when “New Connection” window box is presented enter your file name (“looptest” or whatever) Click ok.

 

Next box should say “Connect To:”

In this box, at bottom it should say “Connect Using“ and there should be a com port number ( mine comes up COM 4 - Yours may be different). Click OK.

Note: Hyper Terminal should only show you any valid COM ports available by system. IF you don't see and COM ports your adapter is not configured (drivers?). Your computers MODEM should also be listed if computer is so equipped and modem is “active”.

 

With loop back plug in place try typing. Do you get characters? Answer should be yes.

Remove loop back plug, do you get characters? Answer should be no.

 

If you need to change “echo” settings. Go to File drop down menu and click on Properties. In properties box, click on Settings Tab. In setting box select ASCII Setup. Either check or uncheck “ Echo typed characters locally” (what ever you prefer).

 

 

USB-PARAMETERS

 

I think if you will fine that if you set up port parameters in GPS and Software (GSAK-EasyGPS) to same as "default" parameters found in "properties" for USB/Serial adapter you will not have any connection problems.

 

Did you even know that there is a properties setting for COM port on control panel?. Try right clicking “Port" once you have hot swapped - plugged in USB/Serial adapter.

 

By default mine are:

 

Baud =9600

DataBits = 8

Parity = None

Stop Bits = 1

Flow Control = None

 

The driver "defaults" set in port parameters (Properties) in "hardware" can be adjusted and saved so every time you plug in adapter it will default to desired setting... You have to have software and GPS unit set to match.

 

I still believe most of the "problems" is not having "port defaults" at (initialization- plug-in time), software, GPS all set to same parameters.... And boot up has nothing or very little to do with it.

 

Though RS-232 Serial Ports are on way out, it would probably be a little beneficial for one to look up how they function and what parameters do..

 

<http://www.arcelect.com/rs232.htm>

 

FINDING - PORT

 

Here is how I find my USB/SERIAL adapter...

 

Easiest solution to find COM port is to go into "Control Panel" >> Select "System " icon >> Select "Hardware" >> Select "Device Manager" >> Scroll down to "PORTS" (COM & LPT) and see what new "port" pops up when you plug in USB/SERIAL adapter cable

 

Mine comes up as "Prolific USB to Serial Com Port (COM5) "

 

What ever Com port number USB port is assigned by "system" (COM5 in my case) is Com port number you need to use when setting up parameters/properties in your software used to communicate with GPS unit through USB/SERIAL adapter cable.

 

Be sure USB drivers for adapter cable are loaded from CD FIRST (or off I-net) before trying to plug in USB/Serial adapter cable.

 

Pretty much like other user described in previous responses..

 

In this cases you probably need to clean out drivers and reinstall them BEFORE you attempt to plug in adapter cable.... Even though BELKIN is brand name, Prolific makes about 90% of USB/serial adapters on market today...

 

 

NOTE: Some Garmin units using MAPSOURCE seem to prefer using COM 1 or COM 2 or COM 3. You may have to change parameters in “PORTS” setup (hardware manager) as units will not work is using COM 5 or COM 6 as USB/Serial adapter seems to think is ok…

 

 

 

Revised 11-18 -2006

 

IF you are still having problems after exhausting the above procedures, problem may be simply a bad cable/connection.

 

Dale

[Broadwing]

Well, thank you everyone for the information. Good guidance, but in the end, the hassle was just to much. I got lucky and found a NIB PCI Serial port for free and installed it for $5. After the whole cheap cable thing, I'm still doing alright. The thing works like a charm and until I upgrade GPS units, I can be happy with it.

-Erik