Need Some UTEC help
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Evolving Member
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Haleiwa, HI
Need Some UTEC help
Just got my Utec in the mail today and I am trying to hook it up to my PC so I can get used to operating it before I install it. I have it hooked up to the COM port and I have done all of the troubleshooting that TurboXS recommends in the manual but I still get nothing on hyperterminal. Anybody got any Ideas?
Thread Starter
Evolving Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 108
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From: Haleiwa, HI
No, Its sitting here next to me on 9V. When you say open hyperterminal with the start button do you mean us the run prompt in the start menu or open the accessories\communications folder and run it from there?
and yeah open it up all the way thru like this...
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Originally Posted by soule77
That didn't work either. I got the thing with the Flash switch turned up. does that Z out the system?
If you have the right cable hooked up, its pretty rare for one of these to not work right out of the box..
Its likely the problem is your serial port, adapter, or the computer settings itself. Like mentioned above, you might want to have a friend who knows a bit about computers take a quick look at it.. Maybe try a different computer just to be certain it works right.
For many people the hardest part of getting the UTEC installed is getting the hyperterminal to work the first time with it.. So Don't get too frustrated, it happens to the best of us.
Its likely the problem is your serial port, adapter, or the computer settings itself. Like mentioned above, you might want to have a friend who knows a bit about computers take a quick look at it.. Maybe try a different computer just to be certain it works right.
For many people the hardest part of getting the UTEC installed is getting the hyperterminal to work the first time with it.. So Don't get too frustrated, it happens to the best of us.
YA know, its entirely possible the com port number your using isn't the port your connected to.. even though there's one port on most laptops, its not always "COM1"
Usually on some laptops I find..
Built in serial ports are usually COM1, Frequently the port is disabled in the Bios
Com2 is frequently Infra-Red, also frequently disabled
Com3 is usually the built in modem
Com4 is sometimes bluetooth if its built in
Here's the catch.. If the serial ports and IRDA (Infra-red) are disabled in your computers bios, the built in modem ends up being the only functional com port which on windows XP usually ends up looking like Com1..
Confused yet?
call one of your computer geek friends if that made no sense..
Oh.. let me add one more thing.. if your computer is fairly new, it may not have any serial ports, in that case you have a USB to Serial adapter that your trying to get working, and there's a few on the market that don't work right. Keyspan products emulate serial ports correctly not sure about what else.
(FWIW: all standard serial ports are MALE 9 pin) if its plugged into ANYTHING else on your laptop then its likely not the right port. If its 25 pins, its likely a printer port, and won't work, and if its a female 15 pin connector, its your monitor port and that obviously won't work. If its round its not it either (I don't even want to know where you found an adapter to fit there..
)
Usually on some laptops I find..
Built in serial ports are usually COM1, Frequently the port is disabled in the Bios
Com2 is frequently Infra-Red, also frequently disabled
Com3 is usually the built in modem
Com4 is sometimes bluetooth if its built in
Here's the catch.. If the serial ports and IRDA (Infra-red) are disabled in your computers bios, the built in modem ends up being the only functional com port which on windows XP usually ends up looking like Com1..
Confused yet?
call one of your computer geek friends if that made no sense..
Oh.. let me add one more thing.. if your computer is fairly new, it may not have any serial ports, in that case you have a USB to Serial adapter that your trying to get working, and there's a few on the market that don't work right. Keyspan products emulate serial ports correctly not sure about what else.
(FWIW: all standard serial ports are MALE 9 pin) if its plugged into ANYTHING else on your laptop then its likely not the right port. If its 25 pins, its likely a printer port, and won't work, and if its a female 15 pin connector, its your monitor port and that obviously won't work. If its round its not it either (I don't even want to know where you found an adapter to fit there..
)
Last edited by MalibuJack; Jan 21, 2005 at 05:00 AM.
Thread Starter
Evolving Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 108
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From: Haleiwa, HI
I don't have a COM port on my laptop so I tried it with a USB to serial adapter. I Know that it is transmitting to the UTEC because the adapter has a light that flashes whenever any exchange occurs (adapter is an Arcsoft). I also tried on my desktop which does have a COM port and that didn't work either. Now I know the COM port on my desktop works correctly because I have used it on multiple occasions to download software updates to my GPS. I am pretty computer literate but I guess I'll have to find a hyperterminal guru to school me.
Thread Starter
Evolving Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 108
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From: Haleiwa, HI
Well, I decided to install it in the car to see if that would make a difference, and bam it worked perfectly. The only thing I can think of is that there was something wrong with the 9V adapter or it wasn't getting enough juice from the battery (even though the LED was on). Oh well it works like a champ now. Thanks for the help
