USB to Serial issues

[TurboStreetCar]

Hey all, I have a USB to serial that i run for the 8860 and i have a computer in the car.

The problem im having is if i leave the cable plugged into the computer, when i restart i get the "Found New Hardware" Dialog and it wants to reinstall it.

I point it to the installation CD witch i have previously installed prior to first plugging in the converter, and it cant find a driver. So i cancel the installation and it is inoperative.

If i unplug it and plug it back in without restarting the computer it will recognize it as "prolific usb to serial converter" and work without a problem.

But then when i turn the computer off and turn it back on same problem.

If i unplug it, turn the computer on and plug it in, it recognizes it perfect, the only time its a problem is if i turn on the computer with it plugged in.

For a laptop this wouldnt be much of an issue as the laptop is right in front of you, and you prolly unplug it after use anyway. BUT my computer is in the hatch and every time i want to tune or datalog (every time i use the car as im tuning it now) i have to open the hatch and wait for the computer to boot up so i can plug it in.

Anyone else have these types of issues? Can someone with a laptop try restarting the laptop with it plugged in and see if the same symptoms happen to you so i can rule out something in my computer bieng screwed up??

Just installed fresh windows XP SP2 on it also.

Thanks

-Dan

 

[Slow66]

Myself and a couple friends have had issues with usb/serial adapters with AEM stuff alot of times. I'm no computer guy, so my solution was to buy a cheap used lappy with a real serial port. I know that's not a "fix" for you, but it sure stopped those issues with keeping connected. Wish I could offer more help.

 

[TurboStreetCar]

Well I have an actual serial port but my zeitronix wideband is hooked up threw that port, leaving only the USB ports left.

Connection wise it works good as long as I don't turn off the computer.

 

[radiod]

I am computer tech for work, and I can tell you that there are TONS of problems with USB/Serial converters. Depending on the cable you get, it will have different emulation chips in them and every single one seems to act different. Sometimes they'll work wonderfully for one thing and then not at all for another or just cause frustration all the time. The problem isn't likely you or your computer, but the emulation chip in the cable itself.

If you want an extra bulletproof serial port on your computer, pick up a PCMCIA (or express slot depending on your laptop) card for serial. It will cost a bit more, but you should still be able to find them relatively cheap (EASILY under $50).

 

[figgie]

basically what radiod said,

usb => rs232 convertors are a pot luck.

if your laptop does not have a RS232 port, grab a PCMCIA card with RS232 post capabilities on it and call it a day.

 

[Justin]

if anyone wants to buy a laptop with a serial port on it give me a shout. I bought one to use with my maft pro and ended up getting rid of the car.

 

[IJ.]

Ran into these issues a few times over the years, try a few different USB/Serial adaptors Dan as the guys have said it's pot luck which ones will work with your combination!

 

[TurboStreetCar]

Problem is im using a HP E-vectra and it only has one serial port, not only that but no expansion slots at all

I guess ill just have to deal with it untill i get a better solution.

 

[CRE]

Driver... I had TONS of problems with my Prolific adapter until I found just the right driver. Uninstall the drivers for it, remove the CD and try manually installing this driver.

I haven't had a problem at all since I found this driver. This one is actually from Prolific, all the others I've found were released by the third party companies who bought the devices and rebranded them for resale.

 

[TurboStreetCar]

Driver... I had TONS of problems with my Prolific adapter until I found just the right driver. Uninstall the drivers for it, remove the CD and try manually installing this driver.

I haven't had a problem at all since I found this driver. This one is actually from Prolific, all the others I've found were released by the third party companies who bought the devices and rebranded them for resale.

Thanks for the tip, i tried it with the same restart issues unfortunately. i guess ill just deal with it for now.

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[foreverpsycotic]

Is there a spare PCI slot? You can get a PCI > Serial card for like $20
If you need to, remove the nic (provided that it is on a PCI slot)

 

[TurboStreetCar]

Negative. No expansion ports whatsoever. It's basicly a laptop with a standard cd-Rom drive.

I'm going to look into other computer options.

 

[foreverpsycotic]

Before you do that, http://www.topmicrousa.com/cc317y.html
Serial port splitter!

 

[dusthead]

does it work if you just cancel out of the "new hardware" wizard?

if not...then adding the card seems like the best idea. should be crazy cheap.

 

[TurboStreetCar]

If i cancel out of the new hardware wizard its inoperative. Unplug and re plug it in and its good to go.

No expansion slots.

 

[Victor Charlie]

If i cancel out of the new hardware wizard its inoperative. Unplug and re plug it in and its good to go.

No expansion slots.

An older subnotebook laptop with a serial port is dirt cheap used, and smaller/lighter. why not just replace the computer, since old equipment is so darn cheap? I've got three sitting around, not evenworth the price of wiping the hard drives of personal data and shipping them. Expect to pay $50. check the requirements of your tuning software.

 

[TurboStreetCar]

Im running a Carpc setup thats the issue. I have a monitor mounted in the radio slot. I didnt want to have to carry around/buy a laptop and worry about it moving around or having someone hold it.

Also i would need 3 serial ports (ems, wide band, Supra stick) if im not using a USB to serial adapter.

I have found out recently it was just that computer, i swapped it out with another computer i had laying around. Installed a fresh copy of windows XP on a brand new hard drive. Works perfect.

I have the EMS threw the USB adapter and im going to run the wide band and Supra Stick threw the two available serial slots.

 

[92nsx]

Not sure if this apples here or not, but when I had to use that adapter to communicate with the PLC's (C-scape, & AB ) at work I had to configure my laptop with the adapter to a cretin usb drive, then change the priority of it also (to 1). Sorry I had to do this 3 years ago. This was after I found the correct install disc (software).

I think to get there was a right click on the adapter that showed up on the lower right of my IBM. Not 100% any more, but I know I had to configure it after install it.

 

[BlackDevilSupra]

I have an Express Card Serial Adapter, but just can't find an appropriate driver for Vista 64bit. Drivers for Vista 32 does not work. It uses prolific chip. I've searched everywhere, and tried multiple drivers in futility. So I'm relegated to using the RadioShack USB-to-Serial cable.

I am computer tech for work, and I can tell you that there are TONS of problems with USB/Serial converters. Depending on the cable you get, it will have different emulation chips in them and every single one seems to act different. Sometimes they'll work wonderfully for one thing and then not at all for another or just cause frustration all the time. The problem isn't likely you or your computer, but the emulation chip in the cable itself.

If you want an extra bulletproof serial port on your computer, pick up a PCMCIA (or express slot depending on your laptop) card for serial. It will cost a bit more, but you should still be able to find them relatively cheap (EASILY under $50).

 

[Victor Charlie]

software compatibility is also an issue. My new zt-2 works only with the CD rom that came with it, not with any version of software on the web site. this isn't documented yet on the web site. It doesn't work at all with windows 98 because the lastest software revision is apparently not compatible.