SX-Key won't find my Com Port

Tom M · 2007-02-23 05:53

I'm using one of those new fangeled Laptops that don't have a Serial Port.
So I use a USB to Serial adapter that is Configured for Com2.
I works well on many RS232 devices that I use.
SX-Key V3.2.3 just won't find it.
When I open SX-Key the Port Field is Empty.
I recently moved and I can't find my USB SX-Key so I must resort to my ol SX-Blitz with the serial interface.
I hope that someone is using a similar setup and has a suggestion.

Thanks

Tom M.

PJMonty · 2007-02-23 06:36

Tom,

The USB->RS232 adapter that Parallax sells is known to work with the SX-Key IDE. Others are hit or miss. It apparently has to do with the chipset. I have run the SX-Key IDE using the Parallax adaptor and it does work.

Thanks,
PeterM

Tom M · 2007-02-23 07:18

Thanks, I just ordered one.
I need to find some way I can work this Weekend though.

Tom M.

DragonSX · 2007-02-23 14:01

Have you tried using any other device on the USB-RS232 adapter? Something you can use in hyper-terminal so you can prove the adapter is working correctly and communicating in both directions?

-Matt

Tom M · 2007-02-23 16:16

Yes DragonSX
I works well on many RS232 devices that I use.

I found a reference to a command switch in the documentation that forces SX-Key to a particular com port.
It's command: C:sx-key.exe /1 (this would be Com1)

Tried it with no success.
Tom M.

PJMonty · 2007-02-23 18:36

Tom,

What brand laptop? What other RS-232 devices work with the USB COM port properly?

Have you tried configuring the USB device for something higher, such as COM 5 or 6? In other words, get the fake COM port out of the range of the "normal" COM ports.

Thanks,
PeterM

Tom M · 2007-02-23 19:07

PJMonty.
Thanks for your interest.

Actually the Keyspan Adapter originally used Com7.
I've left it there and have used it on a CCD Camera, EEProm Programmer, Telescope Control, and a CNC Machine.
All these devices (application software) expect the user to enter the Com port number. None of this automatic searching for Coms like the SX-Key application does.
I think for some reason that is the krux of the problem.
I tried changing the Adapter to Com1, and did a quick test on my CCD and it still works ok for that, but SX-Key Serial Port Window still comes up empty.

The Adapter has a nice utility for configuring and testing the device in various loop back modes, all report ok.

The Laptop is about 4 months old, HP dv9009, and is running XP.
Hardware Manager shows the device as a Com1 Port and is working properly.

I've also tried running SX-Key with the SX-Blitz connected/unconnected, plugged in and not to target board and even jammed it up my nose.

I know the Blitz is working OK, I've been using it on my computer at Work just last week.

Tom M.

Tom M · 2007-02-23 22:29

So... I solved my communications problem.

I found an older version of SX-Key (V2.0 Beta 3.5) and it allows the user to select the Com Port.

Works like a charm.

Prime example of a Hot Programmer with big ideas screwing up a nice working application and causing nothing but grief and wasted time.

I have always tried to make things functional without excessive bells and whistles that will come back and bite your butt.

Thanks all for you support. I hope to have the Adapter that I bought from Parallax next week, when I'll try it with the newest SX-Key.

Tom M.

PJMonty · 2007-02-24 00:54

Tom,

Good to hear you got it working.

With regards to the IDE, the problem is that Windows allows up to 255 COM ports, and with the proliferation of USB COM ports, it's very easy to have high numbered ports. The older software only allowed ports up to COM8, if I recall. The current IDE does a very extensive search for COM ports, but clearly couldn't find the ones on your system for some reason.

Is this the USB COM port you're using?

www.keyspan.com/products/usb/usa19hs/homepage.spml

Instead of the old beta version you're using, try the one attached to this message and see if it works as well. It should. It's the final release version 2.2 of the IDE.

Thanks,
PeterM

tommy · 2007-02-24 09:17

my experience was the same...
· attachment.php?attachmentid=45597

when the Parallax cable and adapter arrived - they worked just fine.· My guess is that it was designed to work that way.

tommy

Post Edited (tommy) : 2/24/2007 9:22:44 AM GMT

Tom M · 2007-02-25 16:43

Thanks PJMonty!
This version seems much more stable, only an occasional "Key not Found" when programming.
Just hit "Program" again, it'll go.
Yes, thats the Keyspan Adapter. Had about 5 different brands to choose from. The Keyspan
package said it had "Signed Drivers", that helped the sale.

Hay tommy!
That is one cool Diagram. Very nicely done.
I hope to receive my Parallax Adapter tomorrow, I'll post on it's success.

Tom M.

MRL · 2007-03-14 21:18

Tom M. - not sure why you were unable to make the command work - I was having similar difficulties getting a Windows XP laptop without a serial port work. I had purchased a KeySpan usb/serial adapter (USA-19HS) and could not get the SX IDE software to recognize the COM 3 setting that the KeySpan was putting out.

I even called tech support at both Parallax and KeySpan - the techs I got on the phone coundn't figure it out.

When I called the SX IDE with this command: "C:\Program Files\Parallax Inc\SX-Key v3.2>SXKey /3" and it WORKED !!!

Thanks a lot for your help.

Mike

SX-Key won't find my Com Port

Comments