Did you look at Device Manager first to insure you loaded the proper drivers? Sometimes the drivers are operating-system specific...And did you check to see if the COM port it allocated is really available? These drivers are 'dumb' - sometimes they will allocate a port that's already being used by something else.
You didn't say anything about what software you're trying to use...
Another thing that throws folks is that if the Control Channel Output function is ON, the scanner won't connect to the PC. Check
Settings -> Set C-CH OUTPUT
This article in our wiki gives you links to just about everything you need to know to get started with these radios, including the links to the Easier to Read manual, the links for which are at the bottom of...
Program your DMA Scanner - The RadioReference Wiki
Really learning to do it yourself saves you money in the long run. What happens if the programming gets fouled up or you want to change something? Ker-Ching, more money.
You might want to go to the
California forum and ask for a file for whatever application you're using. Sometimes that helps the light bulb to turn on
HTH...Mike
