+Liyah Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 Hello, We just got a serial cable for the garmin Etrex (yellow), we downloaded GSAK and loaded a pocket query into it and on the GPS Setup we choose the serial port and com1 We keep on getting an error when we try to send waypoints of: garmin can't init com1 Are there any drivers or anything else we need? Quote Link to comment
+ventura_kids Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 Some guesses.... press the gpsr setup button in gsak and check the speed for 9600 baud. Have you ever used any other software to download previously? Perhaps it's not on com1. Quote Link to comment
+IBcrashen Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 (edited) Com port 1 is usually taken up by a modem or PDA or some other device. try switching to another com port in gsak. Edited February 19, 2009 by IBcrashen Quote Link to comment
+StarBrand Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 Do you have a palm device you use on the same PC?? The synch software will often interfere with other serial devices. Quote Link to comment
+Liyah Posted February 20, 2009 Author Share Posted February 20, 2009 Thanks for the replies so far. Here are some answers to your questions: I checked the speed in the gpsr setup and it is 9600 baud There is only an option for com1 or com3 I have tried both with the same error and it looks like the modem is useing com3 no PDA connected for the computer There is nothing else besides the gps that connects to the computer via serial port There is only GSAK on this computer (laptop), there have been no other gps programs downloaded. Quote Link to comment
+_dxd_ Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 Sounds like the same sort of problems I was having trying to connect via serial with my eTrex and USAPhotomap. I think I did eventually get it to work on com3. My real "fix" of the problem was to get a USB-serial convertor cable from eBay for much less than the Garmin manufactured one. It works fine (after a little BIOS update) and I've been using it for months now. Just something to keep in mind if your current cable doesn't work out. Quote Link to comment
+_dxd_ Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 Sounds like the same sort of problems I was having trying to connect via serial with my eTrex and USAPhotomap. I think I did eventually get it to work on com3. My real "fix" of the problem was to get a USB-serial convertor cable from eBay for much less than the Garmin manufactured one. It works fine (after a little BIOS update) and I've been using it for months now. Just something to keep in mind if your current cable doesn't work out. oops, error in that. That was almost a year ago, after all. I did the BIOS update to fix the connection problem, I don't remember if I read about that on here or a GPS tech support forum. The cable purchase was to make connection to my computer for a fraction of the price.... Quote Link to comment
+StarBrand Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 Check to make certain the serial port on your computer is really enabled. Sometimes a tech will have you disable such things to fix something else. Quote Link to comment
+Cachesaurous Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 HELLO I got myself that cable but even with trying with drivers I had trouble getting to to find device, What is a BIOS? I must need to do something with that too? Quote Link to comment
+redvark Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 I use a usb cable to connect my old etrex to my laptop to download stuff from my MemoryMap software, and I get a Comm error when the cable isn't connected, have you got everything set up ok If all else fails try contacting Garmin they are usually very helpful R Quote Link to comment
+Wadcutter Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 Make sure your Etrex is set to "Garmin". Go to "setup" then to "interface". Select "Garmin". Quote Link to comment
+Team Dromomania Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 (edited) Are you using Windows? If so bring up the Task Master (CTRL/ALT/DEL) for a list of running files. If you see one named wcescomm.exe then end that process (it is used for sync. devices). That should free up your com port. At least that works for me with my little yellow e-trex. Edited February 28, 2009 by Team Dromomania Quote Link to comment
+fireman121 Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 When you hooked up your GPS to your computer did it down load all of the drivers for it? If not you will get an error message. Quote Link to comment
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