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NEWBIE QUESTION: SX Key 3.2 software help for changing COM ports — Parallax Forums

NEWBIE QUESTION: SX Key 3.2 software help for changing COM ports

MigsMigs Posts: 95
edited 2007-07-20 23:34 in General Discussion
Friends:

I'm trying to get my RobotOlympics medals programmed and am having difficulties getting the SX Key 3.2 software to allow me to change my COM Port from COM 1. Ideally I would like the application to find whatever COM port the key is on.

I'm using the SX key plugged into the medal, circuitry on the key side up, a serial to USB converter cable, plugged into my Windows XP laptop.

I will be grateful for any ideas or suggestions.

Migs

▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
"Sometimes we forget that the world itself is paradise." Douglas Coupland, 'Microserfs'
"If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is, infinite" - William Blake
"We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same." Carlos Castaneda
"One single grateful thought raised to heaven is the most perfect prayer. " G. E. Lessing
“How much of human life is lost in waiting.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Men often mistake notoriety for fame, and would rather be remembered for their vices and follies than not be noticed at all.” Harry Truman
My website: www.intoku.net my e-mail:mreznicek@pretensa.com me:Miguel Reznicek

Comments

  • JonnyMacJonnyMac Posts: 9,298
    edited 2007-07-18 23:00
    It's not likely that your USB adapter is assigned to COM1. You should use the device manager to determine its assignment and then open that port. Valid comm ports will show up in the Run>>Configure dialog.
  • MigsMigs Posts: 95
    edited 2007-07-19 00:16
    Dear JonnyMac:

    Looking at the USB controllers I cannot determine which one corresponds to the one where my USB to serial cable. I know that the laptop is recognizing the cable because the list updates when I unplug and replug the cable. (The cable at the other end is plugged into the SX Key which is plugged into the turned on RoboMedal.)
    In the Device Manager under USB: The same ammount of devices are on the list when plugged or unplugged
    4 say Intel... Enhanced host controller
    4 say USB root hub

    Any ideas?

    Thanks for your help JonnyMac!-Migs

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    "Sometimes we forget that the world itself is paradise." Douglas Coupland, 'Microserfs'
    "If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is, infinite" - William Blake
    "We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same." Carlos Castaneda
    "One single grateful thought raised to heaven is the most perfect prayer. " G. E. Lessing
    “How much of human life is lost in waiting.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
    "Men often mistake notoriety for fame, and would rather be remembered for their vices and follies than not be noticed at all.” Harry Truman
    My website: www.intoku.net my e-mail:mreznicek@pretensa.com me:Miguel Reznicek
  • JonnyMacJonnyMac Posts: 9,298
    edited 2007-07-19 00:21
    In the Device Manager, look under "Ports (COM & LPT)" -- you should see your USB port # assignment when you plug in the USB adapter; this is assuming, of course, that you've installed the drivers for it.
  • MigsMigs Posts: 95
    edited 2007-07-19 00:35
    JonnyMac:

    I plugged the USB end to the other USB port and it ran the driver wizzard succesfuly. Then on, the list would refresh each time I unplugged the USB plug from the port or when I replugged it, but the only listing is for COM 1 and LPT 1 and no new one appears. COM 1 does not disappear from the list even when there is nothing connected to any port.

    ?

    Thanks again JonnyMac! -Migs

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    "Sometimes we forget that the world itself is paradise." Douglas Coupland, 'Microserfs'
    "If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is, infinite" - William Blake
    "We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same." Carlos Castaneda
    "One single grateful thought raised to heaven is the most perfect prayer. " G. E. Lessing
    “How much of human life is lost in waiting.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
    "Men often mistake notoriety for fame, and would rather be remembered for their vices and follies than not be noticed at all.” Harry Truman
    My website: www.intoku.net my e-mail:mreznicek@pretensa.com me:Miguel Reznicek
  • JonnyMacJonnyMac Posts: 9,298
    edited 2007-07-19 15:55
    Are you using the Parallax USB adapter? If so, they have an installer for the driver that you should run.
  • MigsMigs Posts: 95
    edited 2007-07-19 19:38
    Hi JonnyMac:

    I have not the Parallax adapter, but 3 different others. I will try them first as I suspect this must be the problem.

    I will post as soon as the eurieka bulb lights!

    Migs

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    "Sometimes we forget that the world itself is paradise." Douglas Coupland, 'Microserfs'
    "If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is, infinite" - William Blake
    "We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same." Carlos Castaneda
    "One single grateful thought raised to heaven is the most perfect prayer. " G. E. Lessing
    “How much of human life is lost in waiting.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
    "Men often mistake notoriety for fame, and would rather be remembered for their vices and follies than not be noticed at all.” Harry Truman
    My website: www.intoku.net my e-mail:mreznicek@pretensa.com me:Miguel Reznicek
  • MigsMigs Posts: 95
    edited 2007-07-20 01:19
    Friends:

    Sucess at last! I used another USB to Serial adapter and it all worked fine. I managed to program my SX RoboMedal!

    Thanks again amigos!

    Migs

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    "Sometimes we forget that the world itself is paradise." Douglas Coupland, 'Microserfs'
    "If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is, infinite" - William Blake
    "We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same." Carlos Castaneda
    "One single grateful thought raised to heaven is the most perfect prayer. " G. E. Lessing
    “How much of human life is lost in waiting.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
    "Men often mistake notoriety for fame, and would rather be remembered for their vices and follies than not be noticed at all.” Harry Truman
    My website: www.intoku.net my e-mail:mreznicek@pretensa.com me:Miguel Reznicek
  • Sparks-R-FunSparks-R-Fun Posts: 388
    edited 2007-07-20 01:55
    Migs,

    I am glad you finally got a USB to Serial adapter working with your SX-Key!

    Question: Do you mind sharing what brands did not work for you and what one did? I think that will be of benefit to others who may be looking to purchase one or may already have one of the brands that did not work for you.

    Thanks.

    - Sparks
  • MigsMigs Posts: 95
    edited 2007-07-20 23:25
    Hi Sparks:

    I used the USB to Serial adapter found here:

    http://www.usbgear.com/computer_cable_details.cfm?sku=U232-P9&cats=199&catid=177,199,601,461,142

    Works like a dream. Comes with a small CD that auto installs the driver in Windows XP.

    All the best, -Migs

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    "Sometimes we forget that the world itself is paradise." Douglas Coupland, 'Microserfs'
    "If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is, infinite" - William Blake
    "We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same." Carlos Castaneda
    "One single grateful thought raised to heaven is the most perfect prayer. " G. E. Lessing
    “How much of human life is lost in waiting.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
    "Men often mistake notoriety for fame, and would rather be remembered for their vices and follies than not be noticed at all.” Harry Truman
    My website: www.intoku.net my e-mail:mreznicek@pretensa.com me:Miguel Reznicek
  • MigsMigs Posts: 95
    edited 2007-07-20 23:34
    By the way, I posted the way I connected and installed the software into the medal into another post:

    http://forums.parallax.com/forums/default.aspx?f=7&m=196956

    (look towards the bottom)

    ... because someone else needed help. Its the post where Parallax announces the medal for sale. -Migs

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    "Sometimes we forget that the world itself is paradise." Douglas Coupland, 'Microserfs'
    "If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is, infinite" - William Blake
    "We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same." Carlos Castaneda
    "One single grateful thought raised to heaven is the most perfect prayer. " G. E. Lessing
    “How much of human life is lost in waiting.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
    "Men often mistake notoriety for fame, and would rather be remembered for their vices and follies than not be noticed at all.” Harry Truman
    My website: www.intoku.net my e-mail:mreznicek@pretensa.com me:Miguel Reznicek

    Post Edited (Migs) : 7/21/2007 7:01:15 PM GMT
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