396T Cable Connectivity Problem

[Command30]

Hi all,

After reading through 7 pages of threads, I didn't have much joy finding anything similar - so here goes.

I found a serial to USB cable that matches the 396T perfectly, identical to the USB-1 from Uniden. Upon installing the PL-2303 driver and plugging in/turning on the scanner, it remained unresponsive. No familiar "new hardward found" chime by Windows, and more importantly, nothing additional was added into the Ports listing in System/Device Manager [I only have 1 listed, that is "Communications Port (COM1)" for those curious].

The cable itself is from an old MP3 player from about 8 years ago. Is there a possibility it's on a different chipset/driver? I also bought a clunky USB/serial connector at Radio Shack a while back, didn't have much joy with that either (never had time to fiddle with BAUD rates though).

The only joy I've had with UASD or ARC396 was with my old old desktop computer downstairs that actually had a serial port (go figure!). Guess I have a reason to keep the dinosaur after all.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Regards,
Ian

 

[torontokris]

I doubt the mp3 player cable from 8 years ago would match the Uniden USB-1 cable (must be some differences - even minor or difference in how they are wired etc)

did u get any CD from the mp3 player, there should be drivers on that. or if u know the model search for the mp3 player drivers online

also try weird com ports like 3 or 4 or higher. my usb's are those numbers (serial is normally 1 & 2)

 

[torontokris]

Try ARC again with this laptop.

If the scanner is connected ARC's "find my scanner" can find it.

 

[davidmc36]

Is there a possibility it's on a different chipset/driver?

There is at least one other USB-SERIAL chip that I have seen. I forget where I found it. A GOOGLE of some sort that I was doing one day. It was a totally different chip so for sure it has different drivers. Maybe that is what you have.

 

[UPMan]

What you got with your MP3 player was likely a straight cable with no electronics in it. The connector for the MP3 happens to fit the scanner, but there are no electronics in the cable to convert USB to RS232. (If there were, the computer would discover the cable and assign a COM port to it when you plugged it into the computer...with no scanner attached.)

Liklihood that it can be made to work is pretty close to zero.

 

[Command30]

Thanks for the quick replies. I'll give it a shot with my laptop.

 

[UPMan]

Not going to work (and I cannot guarantee that the attempts won't damage the scanner...if the USB connection is putting voltage or ground where the scanner isn't expecting it).