BCD996P2 loses USB communication

[ProScan]

I have a similar problem with 996xt. It looses connectivity for data flow. Only way to solve is restart computer. Does anyone know what the port settings should be? I am using a USB to serial adapter.


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The problem may appear similar but it's not similar and the root cause is different. What kind of USB Adapter are you using? Have you tried another USB Adapter?

The Port Settings in the Win Device Manager USB Serial Device Properties such as Bits per sec, data bits, etc. does not matter and will have no effect. Those settings are for antiquated Modems. Just make sure the port number in the Win Device Manager matches the software using and the scanner Baud rate matched the software using.

 

[Goldstar0971]

The problem may appear similar but it's not similar and the root cause is different. What kind of USB Adapter are you using? Have you tried another USB Adapter?

The Port Settings in the Win Device Manager USB Serial Device Properties such as Bits per sec, data bits, etc. does not matter and will have no effect. Those settings are for antiquated Modems. Just make sure the port number in the Win Device Manager matches the software using and the scanner Baud rate matched the software using.

I am using the Insignia USB to serial cable. The baud rates match between software and the USB. I don't have a second USB / serial connector. I thought I would try the Serial out of the back of the scanner. I thought I read it had to be through a Null modem. Thoughts?


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[ProScan]

I am using the Insignia USB to serial cable. The baud rates match between software and the USB. I don't have a second USB / serial connector. I thought I would try the Serial out of the back of the scanner. I thought I read it had to be through a Null modem. Thoughts?


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Correct, you need a null modem adapter or cable that crosses pins 2 & 3 because the rear port doubles as the GPS port.

 

[GSHastings]

RS232 to USB Null Modem works

I purchased a RS232 to USB Null modem cable. That did solve the problem. Now, when the computer wakes up, so does the connection with the BCD996P2.

This is one more piece of evidence which convinces me that the problem is in the scanner, and not a problem with the computer.

 

[scosgt]

996P2 loses USB connection

My 996P2, which I love, is driving me nuts.

The front USB connection loses - connection.
The remote tablet still shows the COMM Port, but it can not open the port.

I have my desktop running through a serial port, it works perfectly no issues.

I tracked down the problem to the extent that re-booting the scanner fixes the issue.

But of course you can not readily do that as a remote.

Anyone got any ideas what causes this?

 

[buddrousa]

That is a know problem the solution I have is with a Home Automated AC Receptacle that I can turn on and off with my cell phone fixes the problem. Like you stated the other solution is to use a 9 pin serial port and cable.

 

[ProScan]

My 996P2, which I love, is driving me nuts.

The front USB connection loses - connection.
The remote tablet still shows the COMM Port, but it can not open the port.

I have my desktop running through a serial port, it works perfectly no issues.

I tracked down the problem to the extent that re-booting the scanner fixes the issue.

But of course you can not readily do that as a remote.

Anyone got any ideas what causes this?

Others and myself came to the conclusion that it's a scanner and/or driver problem. Only way to get around the problem is using the rear port w/ a null modem adapter.

 

[scosgt]

Others and myself came to the conclusion that it's a scanner and/or driver problem. Only way to get around the problem is using the rear port w/ a null modem adapter.

Here is a thread on this same subject.
http://forums.radioreference.com/uniden-tech-support/345290-bcd996p2-loses-usb-communication.html

I actually installed a serial port PCI card and now use it plugged in that way.
But sometimes I run it with a tablet when the PC is in use for other things, so that is where I have the issue.
I use ProScan or the old 996 program over the internet with Splashtop to have full control and full audio when out of the house. When I discovered the issue is when I went over to old fashioned serial.

 

[scosgt]

That is a know problem the solution I have is with a Home Automated AC Receptacle that I can turn on and off with my cell phone fixes the problem. Like you stated the other solution is to use a 9 pin serial port and cable.

I was actually thinking of that. I use one of them for a range extender that feeds my Zmodo remote cameras, which have a tendency to lose the lease from time to time.

Of course, you need at least two wifi sources, since if you reboot the outlet the modem or router is on you won't be able to turn it back on!

 

[scosgt]

I guess why let the computer "snooze", I leave mine on 7x24.

But also realize there are multiple sleep/snooze/hibernate modes. Also often there are driver problems with the USB or the machine BIOS.

Also go in power options and see what choices there are.

This does not sound like a scanner problem, but a computer/configuration/use problem.

This is ABSOLUTELY a scanner issue. The first time it happened, I had recently gotten the scanner. Was using it over Splashtop on the way to work, when I tried it a little while later it would NOT connect,

On the Winbook Tablets I use for remote, SOMETIMES unplugging the USB will work. Tonight it would not. I took out a different tablet, with a fresh install of Win 8.1 and a fresh install of the drivers and control programs, same problem no connect, which narrowed it down to turn the scanner off and on and VOILA it was back. FOR SURE a problem with the scanner.

 

[scosgt]

It is absolutely a scanner problem. As I posted in the other thread, two different tablets, one with a totally fresh install of everything, the on off was the ONLY thing that brought the connection back to life.

 

[KevinC]

I've merged the two threads discussing this.

 

[GSHastings]

It definitely is a scanner problem.

I submitted a tech support request through the Uniden website. I received a reply after NINETEEN DAYS!

In that reply they essentially ignored all the information that I included in my original message, which CLEARLY demonstrates that the problem is in the scanner, most probably in the USB driver firmware.

I informed the Uniden representative that a) They have a problem with their scanner, and should investigate it, and b) They have a SERIOUS problem with their Customer Service when it takes them 19 DAYS to respond, and that response clearly shows they didn't even pay attention to what the customer said.

 

[jonwienke]

If you have to reboot the computer to re-establish the connection, or changing serial port hardware solves the problem, then you 100% guaranteed have a computer issue.

If you have to reboot the scanner to re-establish the connection, then you 100% guaranteed have a scanner issue.

If disconnecting and re-connecting the scanner solves the problem, then it could be a computer issue, a scanner issue, or a cable issue (if the cable has a USB to serial converter in it).

There is also the possibility that you have multiple problems interacting with each other. For example, if the scanner sends unexpected data to the computer, it could cause the serial port driver on the computer to crash (requiring a reboot). The reverse is possible also, a bug in a serial driver sends bad data to the scanner, which causes the scanner serial connection to hang.

Sometimes these situations require a specific set of hardware and drivers to show up (the bug only shows with scanner X connected to serial chip Y running driver version Z). These bugs can be nearly impossible to resolve, as it is not practical (or even possible) for a manufacturer to test their product with every hardware and driver permutation that may be encountered in the wild. Unless you're willing to send your computer or tablet with the scanner to Uniden to troubleshoot the problem, it may not be possible to replicate the problem, let alone identify the exact cause and fix it.

 

[phask]

I have 2 connected 24/7 - one is currently running a 326 feeding pro96com , a 006x feeding proscan and a serial/usb weather station.

The weather station has ran for 5 years and will not recover from sleep. power saving USB nor some other "stuff". I spent days getting it to run error free.

Granted it's an OLD machine

Also a 996 feeding ProScan has ran for 2 months - but I'd never dream of letting it sleep or hibernate and resume properly.

 

[scosgt]

If you have to reboot the computer to re-establish the connection, or changing serial port hardware solves the problem, then you 100% guaranteed have a computer issue.

If you have to reboot the scanner to re-establish the connection, then you 100% guaranteed have a scanner issue.

If disconnecting and re-connecting the scanner solves the problem, then it could be a computer issue, a scanner issue, or a cable issue (if the cable has a USB to serial converter in it).

There is also the possibility that you have multiple problems interacting with each other. For example, if the scanner sends unexpected data to the computer, it could cause the serial port driver on the computer to crash (requiring a reboot). The reverse is possible also, a bug in a serial driver sends bad data to the scanner, which causes the scanner serial connection to hang.

Sometimes these situations require a specific set of hardware and drivers to show up (the bug only shows with scanner X connected to serial chip Y running driver version Z). These bugs can be nearly impossible to resolve, as it is not practical (or even possible) for a manufacturer to test their product with every hardware and driver permutation that may be encountered in the wild. Unless you're willing to send your computer or tablet with the scanner to Uniden to troubleshoot the problem, it may not be possible to replicate the problem, let alone identify the exact cause and fix it.

You went off on a tangent here. As I posted, it would not connect to ANY computer until I turned it off and back on. That is pretty despositive.

 

[jonwienke]

See sentence #2 of what I posted.

But also note that having a problem with a scanner does not preclude a computer problem, and that a specific computer problem may be required to trigger the problem with the scanner.

 

[ProScan]

If you have to reboot the computer to re-establish the connection, or changing serial port hardware solves the problem, then you 100% guaranteed have a computer issue.

jonwienke,
What actually is happening is when the computer reboots, the scanner loses connection. Only way to resolve problem is power cycling the scanner.

Sometimes these situations require a specific set of hardware and drivers to show up (the bug only shows with scanner X connected to serial chip Y running driver version Z). These bugs can be nearly impossible to resolve, as it is not practical (or even possible) for a manufacturer to test their product with every hardware and driver permutation that may be encountered in the wild. Unless you're willing to send your computer or tablet with the scanner to Uniden to troubleshoot the problem, it may not be possible to replicate the problem, let alone identify the exact cause and fix it.

Problem is with all BCD996P2. It's easy to replicate problem. Just reboot computer and scanner stops communicating. Not limited to a specific set of hardware or drivers.

{edit} The way we get around the problem is utilize the rear port.

 

[JamesO]

One simple test to try, may not help but could offer some insight is to install a powered USB hub between the scanner and the computer and see if anything changes.

 

[scanphreak]

This problem is also occuring with the Uniden BCD436HP as well. I have that model scanner connected to a Windows 7 system using the supplied USB cable, and using the Uniden USB driver for that scanner. The scanner is selected for serial mode, and it's connected to PROSCAN. Proscan sees the scanner and I can control it via the virtual display etc.

But, when the PC shuts down, or needs to be rebooted for patching (which happens once to twice every month or so) and boots back up, Proscan no longer communicates with the scanner. The scanner was never shut off, it's still running in serial mode. And if I try to scan all of the com ports in Proscan it'll see all of the ports including the one set to the uniden driver, but if I select it, nothing happens.

I'm forced to turn off the scanner, and turn it back on and select serial mode and then go back into Proscan and rescan the com ports before it'll acutally identify a Uniden BCD436hp on com 8. Once I select it, boom! Everything is connected again.

This is extremely frustrating because I have to inconvenience someone to turn the scanner off and back on again. I'm not at the location of the scanner/server and use RDC to control it. But that does me no good if I have to have someone turn the scanner off and back on to get it to communicate with Proscan again. I wish someone would/could address and fix this!