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Newbie Questions (UBS Serial converter) — Parallax Forums

Newbie Questions (UBS Serial converter)

Tom86951Tom86951 Posts: 14
edited 2006-04-09 02:25 in BASIC Stamp
I am trying to connect my BS2 to my laptop via a UBS Serial converter dongle made by Keyspan.· I've used this converter with other serial devices without problems, but I can't seem to get the stamp editor to "find" by BS2.·

Sorry if this is common post -- I tried the search function, but it didn't seem to be working right (very slow, hanging up, updating page line by line, etc.)?· Common problem?

Comments

  • PJAllenPJAllen Banned Posts: 5,065
    edited 2006-04-03 03:28
    http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=575944
  • ForrestForrest Posts: 1,341
    edited 2006-04-03 03:38
    Before you give up on the Keyspan adapter, make sure you've upgraded to Keyspan's latest drivers and make sure you don't have any PDA sync software installed (if so, uninstall it).
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2006-04-03 05:14
    Also check to see if the FIFO buffers are enabled in the drivers Advanced Settings under Port Properties.

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    Chris Savage
    Parallax Tech Support
    csavage@parallax.com
  • allanlane5allanlane5 Posts: 3,815
    edited 2006-04-03 12:27
    Which Keyspan model is it? I've NEVER had a problem with the K-19. Make sure you read the installation instructions -- some USB devices MUST have their drivers installed BEFORE you plug in the device, others afterward.
  • Tom86951Tom86951 Posts: 14
    edited 2006-04-04 05:45
    Thanks for that link. I went to the Keyspan device driver properties, but could not find any latency timer setting. It's a K-19HS. The self-test in the device manager says the device is working as COM4, but the BSEditor says no stamp found...
  • Tom86951Tom86951 Posts: 14
    edited 2006-04-04 05:47
    Chris Savage (Parallax) said...
    Also check to see if the FIFO buffers are enabled in the drivers Advanced Settings under Port Properties.

    Yes, the FIFO buffer is set to 16 -- ok?

    Can't find a latency timer setting though...
  • Tom86951Tom86951 Posts: 14
    edited 2006-04-04 05:52
    It also won't let me add COM4 to the available serial ports list -- when I type in 4 and hit "add" , nothing happens expect the 4 goes away.
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2006-04-04 13:59
    What version of the BASIC Stamp Editor do you have?· Also, on the FIFO Buffers, they should be off, not at 16.· There should be a checkbox to turn them off completely.· Lower settings usually do nothing.

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    Chris Savage
    Parallax Tech Support
    csavage@parallax.com
  • allanlane5allanlane5 Posts: 3,815
    edited 2006-04-04 23:11
    I believe there was a 'bug' mentioned earlier that if your PC has no "com3", then the IDE won't find COM4. There was a work-around for this, though.
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2006-04-04 23:20
    I'm not familiar with this bug, but then that was why I was asking what version of the BASIC Stamp Editor was being run.· When in doubt always·make sure you have·the latest version.

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    Chris Savage
    Parallax Tech Support
    csavage@parallax.com
  • Tom86951Tom86951 Posts: 14
    edited 2006-04-05 06:11
    I'm using editor 2.2.5

    I have no COM3 -- will see if I can make the Keyspan work as COM3.

    Will try no buffer too.
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2006-04-05 14:44
    In the same window where you disable the FIFO buffers you can also change the assigned COM Port.· Just don't choose one that has (in use) next to it or you may not get it to work).

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    Chris Savage
    Parallax Tech Support
    csavage@parallax.com
  • Tom86951Tom86951 Posts: 14
    edited 2006-04-06 04:10
    Well, I disabled the FIFO buffer and tried other COM ports -- still no go. I may try an old laptop with a serial port, to see if there is something wrong with the BS2 -- it's been on a shelf for a year or so. If the green LED goes on, on the carrier board, does that mean the battery is good enough, or is it still possible the battery is too weak to boot the BS2?
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2006-04-06 04:55
    The LED requires almost no power, so yes, battery is definately a possibility.


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    Chris Savage
    Parallax Tech Support
    csavage@parallax.com


    Post Edited (Chris Savage (Parallax)) : 4/6/2006 3:04:39 PM GMT
  • Tom86951Tom86951 Posts: 14
    edited 2006-04-06 06:13
    Well, I put a new battery in, and tried all the port settings (COM1-4), and changed the buffer to 0 and still could not get it to find the BS2.· So, I got out my old laptop (with a 9 pin serial port on the back) and it worked fine -- no problem finding the stamp.· Must be something about the Keyspan USB/Serial converter I presume.· Maybe I'll need to get a different serial/usb adapter?
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2006-04-06 15:06
    Tom,

    ·· It's possible.· We've tested the KeySpan 19W/19HS on our machines here, but there is always the possibility with any computer system for incompatibility.

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    Chris Savage
    Parallax Tech Support
    csavage@parallax.com
  • Tom86951Tom86951 Posts: 14
    edited 2006-04-07 06:21
    Well, I picked up a Belkin serial/usb converter, and I can't get it to work either. This time, at least the Editor recognizes the com port COM1, but comes back with Stamp not found. I turned off the FIFO buffer, but no go. The same Stamp works fine on my old laptop with a 9-pin serial port. Wonder if there is some register setting in Windows XP that is keeping it from working? The problem is happening on a Dell Inspirion 6000.
  • ForrestForrest Posts: 1,341
    edited 2006-04-07 10:29
    There are numerous failure reports on this forum about the Belkin USB to serial adapters.

    Parallax sells one that's guaranteed to work with the Stamp www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=800-00030
  • allanlane5allanlane5 Posts: 3,815
    edited 2006-04-07 12:31
    The most likely problem with the keyspan is that you need to install the keyspan drivers (and utility program, one of the best) BEFORE you plug in the Keyspan itself. You might try re-installing the Keyspan drivers from the CD without the keyspan plugged in.
  • Tom86951Tom86951 Posts: 14
    edited 2006-04-09 01:55
    Well, reinstalling and trying a different brand seems to do no good. Must be a setting somewhere I have wrong... I'm stumped.
  • ForrestForrest Posts: 1,341
    edited 2006-04-09 02:25
    Have you tried the FTDI adapter that Parallex sells?

    FYI many brands of USB to serial adapters on the market (including the Belkin) DO NOT work with the Basic Stamp because the adapters don't fully implement an RS-232 serial port. The FTDI adapter is guaranteed to work.
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