Parallax USB Oscilliscope not working!

JSWrightOC

I just got my Parallax USB Oscilliscope the other day, and installed the software (version 4.0.0) and connected the unit. Windows assigned COM4 to the device, so when I launched the software I selected COM4 in the list. At this point the software became very sluggish in response, and continued to indicate that the 'scope was not connected. I'm running Windows 2000 SP4 with Administrator privileges. Any ideas?

Chris Savage

Try forcing the COM Port assigned (in the Device Manager) to a different value, such as COM5 (be sure it’s not listed as IN USE) and restart your PC and try again, remembering to change the COM Port number in the software. I have seen rare cases where the assigned COM port (when 1-4) causes a conflict. I hope this helps. Take care.

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Chris Savage
Parallax Tech Support

JSWrightOC

Wow! A reply!

I can try that, however I know for sure that there are only two other serial devices consuming COM resources - the hardware RS-232 port on the computer (COM1) and the internal modem (COM3). I have an IR port (this is on a laptop btw) but it is disabled in BIOS and shows up on COM2 when enabled anyway. When I first installed the software, it initialized the 'scope at COM5, and after I tried another USB port (on a different USB controller) it assigned it to COM6. After all that, I blew out the software and the FTDI drivers, and started anew....that's when it assigned COM4...

Chris Savage

Hello,

The delay in replying is that you posted your message in the Sandbox. As this is a non-Parallax topic forum we don’t put a priority on posts here as they are presumed to be off-topic for our products or at least non-support. Also, your initial post sounded like you just got the scope and never got it to work. Now you indicate that you had it working and something happened. I’m not sure how to interpret “I blew out the software and the FTDI drivers” but I will assume it means you removed them for whatever reason. Nonetheless, since that has happened I would be sure you have the latest driver from the FTDI website. Take care.

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Chris Savage
Parallax Tech Support

JSWrightOC

For future reference....where should I post topics like this?

I never did get it to work. When I said "it initialized the 'scope on COM5" I meant Windows assigned COM5 to the device when I plugged it in. The software never did work with it. I should have been more specific about that...as for "I blew out the software and FTDI drivers" that's a casual slang way of saying that I uninstalled the mentioned software from the system, and tried again. I did go and get the latest drivers from FTDI and updated them, but to no avail.

Is there a different method that I should use to seek support on this matter?

Chris Savage

Well since the USB Scope is part of the Understanding Signals for Stamps In Class it could be posted in the Stamps In Class Forum or the BASIC Stamp Forum. In any event if you tried my above recommendation of changing the COM Port to 5 and it still doesn’t work please contact our Tech Support Dept. by phone @ 1-888-997-8267 to obtain an RMA number to send it in for testing. If defective we will replace it. I would also recommend if you have access to another PC trying it on that PC just to verify that it isn’t a PC issue. Often we find that is the case. Take care.

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Chris Savage
Parallax Tech Support

JSWrightOC

That makes sense (posting in Stamps In Class)...it just didn't seem obvious to me at first. Thanks for the help, and if I continue to have problems I'll give you guys a call.

Steel

I would suggest changing the comport as well...I was under the impression that COM4 was reserved for Parallal port...(But I could be wrong)