trouble with com port 1

slobberdog10,

* Connect the peripheral device to the system. Switch the device on
* Click Start- Turn Off Computer- Restart
* Once back on the desktop, click Start- Run
* Type cmd [press Enter]
* Type C: [press Enter]
* Type debug [press Enter]
* Type d 40:0 f [press Enter]
* You should see something this: 0040:0000 F8 03 00 00 00 00 00 00-03 78 00 00 00 00 C0 9F
- These numbers, F8 03 , mean the serial (COM) port is working
* Type Q [press Enter]

Okay, Chris, I followed your instructions but did not see the numbers you said I should.  Instead I saw 0040:0000, then blank until the last column, 9f.  What do I do now?  Why should my com port not be working?

* Click Start- Turn Off Computer- Restart
* Watch the keyboard lights. When they flash, tap the F2 key
* The message, Entering Setup should appear
* Press the [Caps Lock], [Scroll Lock] and the [Num Lock] keys to light up all three lights on the keyboard
* Press the [Alt] and keys
* Press the [Alt] and keys
* Down arrow to Onboard or Integrated Devices [press Enter]
* Set everything to On except for USB Emulation which should be set for NO BOOT
* Press the [Esc] key, and then [press Enter] to save the changes and reboot the system

Run the test again.

Message Edited by DELL-ChrisM on 03-30-2005 12:13 PM

Chris,

It is still not working.  When I reran the test I still came up with the first row empty except the final column (9f). 

I have the same problem, and I tried the trick suggested to test ports.
At first, I tried with
d 40:0f and I got the same first line empty,

Then I tried with
d 40:0 f (note the extra space before the"f")
and then I got the numbers supposed to be obtained.

Anyway, I can see the com1 port as told by ChrisM,
"0040:0000 F8 03 F8 02 E8 03 E8 02-BC 03 78 03 78 02 00 9F ..........x.x..." (the other numbers must be other com ports, I guess)
though it remains unreachable by my gps software.

I also tried with a serial external modem, apparently well recognized by the system in order to have this hardware found and installed, but the Diagnose button in the device properties (Device manager...) doesn´t work.

The modem shows TR light on, so it detects some connections but data leds are not active at all. This means something is "occupying" the port. One of the messages of the software using the GPS (GSAK, fugawi, gpsutil...) alerts from another application having opened the port.

Hope I can hel slobberdog to test the ports and ChrisM to narrow the problem. I would like to find a solution for myself. :-)

Slobberdog,

I have a GPSMap76 and I have it interfaced with my VHF Radio (a Raymarine "DSC" model - can't remember exact model number).

In the boat, I must have the Garmin programmed for:

Serial Data Format - NMEA

Baud - 4800

so that the radio can correctly interpret the Lat/Lon info.

It's been a while since I connected my GPS to my computer, so I can't remember exactly, but I'm pretty sure I remember a couple of data format options in EasyGPS.

Maybe your GPS is programmed for a different Serial Data Format?  Wrong baud rate?

there's something with IR port, as I could see, that can conflict with the COMport. It has been said in several threads that Having an IR port, an ECP parallel port, etc.
Dell-Cynthia:
"Posts: 18351
Registered: 11-19-1999
DELL-Cynthia
If you are connecting via the serial port, see if the software you are installing attempts to use a COM port at any time.
You may also need to go into the BIOS and adjust the settings for the serial port. You might also try setting the parallel port to a mode other than ECP."



here are several posts I have found on this:

these are some of the threads and the "inspired" suggestions of moderators.
http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=dim_printer&message.id=25147&query.id=84087#M25147
http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=sw_winxp&message.id=46216&query.id=84087#M46216
http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=latit_general&message.id=402&query.id=83914#M402
http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_general&message.id=62603&query.id=84409#M62603
http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_general&message.id=31365&query.id=84405#M31365

With some help from some folks on geocaching.com, I purchased a USB to serial connector, installed the hardware and I have no trouble downloading with it.  I had already tried baud rates, but to no avail.  Like Mike said, it's as if the com port doesn't exist.  I was using both GSAK and easygps, asking it to transfer via com 1, but kept coming up with the error message.  The USB to serial adapter cost me $40.00, but at least I got my gps to work.  If all esle fails, Mike, you may want to go the same route.

Oops, I meant I installed the software, which came with the connector.:smileyhappy:

So are you saying that you bought a device that plugs into a USB port and converts it to regular COM port (DB9)?  So I would still use the Garmin software to attach to like COM1 but it will convert it to USB?

That actually sounds perfect.  Can you give me more info on where to purchase that device.

Thanks is advance.

Mike

Mike,

I bought the USB to serial connector at Radio Shack for $40.00 and it came with software.  My Garmin MAP76S did not come with software, it was supposed to be ready to go.  I plugged the cable which came with my gps unit (and had the USB end) into the USB to serial connector and plugged that into a serial port.  Then on GSAK and easygps I changed it from com 1 to serial port and it's been working that way ever since.  Let me know if this helps.  www.geocaching.com has a forum as well and they were very helpful to me if you'd like to look them up.

Good luck.