Error- Serial port is engaged! Help me Pleeeeease!

Question

Hi everyone! Can someone please, pretty, pretty please help me?!! My problem is, I bought a Bernina Artista180E sewing/embroidery machine that works with WindowsXP and when I try to connect my computer to my Bernina, I get an error message that says 'Serial port is engaged.' I know we have the cable plugged in to the serial port right because there is only one way to plug it in! We plugged something else into the serial port just to see if it was working and it is. Our computer is on com3 and I am supposed to use com2 with the software (CPS V-4 and Artlink) that came with my Bernina. We have even tried to use another port but it didn't work. We have also disabled MIDI. Can someone please solve this mystery?!!! I would be FOREVER grateful! Thank you for taking the time to read this. Thanks in advance for any help I may get. Dee

Dave Lyle · Answer

That would be the modem on Com3. That and 'midi' would not be relevant.

The 9 pin connector (DB-9) on the back of the machine is a hardware com port, and unless there is more than one com port on your machine (not likely) then it is the Com 1 port. Try setting up your software to talk to Com1.

paa · Answer

Dee   I'm not sure from your post if you changed your computer's port number or not.  In case you didn't; you can change the port number of your serial port to anything you want with Device Manager.  To open Device Manager; hold down the Windows key and press the Pause/Break key or right click on My Computer on the Desktop or in the Start menu and select properties with a left click.  Clicking the Device Manager button on the properties screen will open the Device Manager.  Click the + sign in front of Ports (COM & LPT1), then double click on Communications Port (Com 1).  Choose the Port Settings tab and click on the Advanced... button.  Change the COM Port Number: in the pull down box to the com port that your software requires.  Click OK, OK and you're done.  The Device Manager will show the new port number after you reopen it or if you Scan for hardware changes in the Action menu or on the Toolbar.   Paul

Dave Lyle · Answer

That's neat PAA. I didn't realize you could do that. I though that was set in BIOS before Windows even loaded.

Dee723 · Answer

Hi Derf,

Thanks for responding! We tried to use com1 and thats the only one that said "Error! No link to serial port." Coms2,3,and4 said "Error! Serial port is engaged."

All this stuff has really got me down. Just trying to create beautiful things with my new Bernina! But I thank you alot for the advice anyway.

Dee

Dee723 · Answer

Hi Paul,

Thanks alot for the help. No, we had not tried to change my computers port. Didn't know we could do that! But as you can tell, theres ALOT I don't know when it comes to computers. Kinda figured that one out already, huh? HaHa! Thanks again.

Dee

Dave Lyle · Answer

Well, keep working on it. My sister-in-law has her Dell connected to her sewing machine, so I know it can be done.

Dee723 · Answer

Thanks Derf! Oh, you better believe I'll keep working on it. I have made a HUGE investment here and I'll either get it to co-operate or it will go back where it came from! Which would break my heart!

Just my luck, I finally get the sewing/embroidery machine of my dreams and it turns into this nightmare!!!! You'd think I'd be used to it by now.

But I truly appreciate your input. By the way, does your sis-in-law have a Bernina?

You have a great day Derf!

Dee

wolf795 · Answer

You may have already tried this..but try disabling your internal modem in Device Manager and Palm software (Hotsync, if you have a Palm-Just end the task)..That's 2 common devices that cause COM port trouble with special devices..

Nick

Dee723 · Answer

Thanks Nick,

And no, I haven't tried that one yet. I tell you, at this point, I am willing to try almost anything!

I do have my dealer that I bought my sewing/embroidery machine from, calling Bernina as we speak! They think maybe it is a software problem. Boy! I hope that is it!!!!! This thing is just consuming me!!! Driving me nuts!! I am surely keeping my fingers crossed!

Anyway, thanks again Nick!

Good day, Dee

Dave Lyle · Answer

I really have no idea what sewing machine or software she is using.

You might want to pop over to the message board at www.porcelain-dollmakers.com. I know there are at least a couple of people there that are doing this.

RaySull · Answer

Check to be sure your cable is correct.  DCE to DTE (straight pin out) or DCE to DCE (requires a x-over cable)

Dee723 · Answer

Hi everyone!

I would just like to thank you all for all the advice you gave me. I am soooo happy to say that the problem is SOLVED!!!!! Yay!! Through numerous phone calls today to my dealer, we managed to get it together. It is to detailed to go through it all, but it had something to do with uninstalling the software and deleting the program folder, disabling anti-virus, shutting down, then reinstalling the software and renaming the software program. It was even more involved than that but that is all I can remember! HaHa!

Again, thanks so much for your kindness and concern.

Dee

Dave Lyle · Answer

Now get busy with all that sewing and embroidery!

Dee723 · Answer

Heck yeah Derf! I'm on it! Now I can get down to some serious business!

But, boy have I got a LOT to learn. It'll be fun learning though!

You have a great day! It's a perfect day for sewing, sure can't do anything outside! Supposed to rain ALL day!

Anyway, have a good one!

Take care,

Dee

jdbailie · Answer

I had this same problem. I have a Dell Dimension 9100 running XP SP2 and Version 3 of the Artista software. I could write successfully with thus version.
When I upgraded to Artista version 5 I had the "Serial Port is Engaged" error when trying to write to my Bernina Reader/Writer or directly to my Bernina 185. Afert several days of trying multiple things, I went to the Hardware Device management, selected the COM 1 port and followed through the troubleshooting help topics. It finally suggested deleting the port and re-booting the computer. This solved the problem.

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Error- Serial port is engaged! Help me Pleeeeease!

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