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CommandStar Lite to computer connection

jtm1816

Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2022
Messages
66
Location
Martinez, GA
I am trying to get my commandstar lite to connect to the PC. Does it require a special rs232 cable or can you just us a standard?
I have tried multiple serial port settings with no luck. Any additional suggestions would be greatly appreciated
 

wgbecks

Active Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2005
Messages
1,102
Location
NE Wisconsin
I am trying to get my commandstar lite to connect to the PC. Does it require a special rs232 cable or can you just us a standard?
You won't get too far without the CommandSTAR Lite (WIN) software. The RS-232 wiring consists of a simple Null Modem (crossover) arrangement whereby you only need to connect the TXD, RXD, and GND signals between the console with the computer.

A complete set of manuals are usually included with the software distribution that includes the RS-232 cable schematic.
 

jtm1816

Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2022
Messages
66
Location
Martinez, GA
Thank you for the suggestions. The install I got had the manuals with it as well as the software. I have been trying to do this by running Windows XP in a virtual environment and using a usb to serial adapter. So far I am still failing miserably
 

wgbecks

Active Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2005
Messages
1,102
Location
NE Wisconsin
I have been trying to do this by running Windows XP in a virtual environment and using a usb to serial adapter.
Verify that you have set a pass through for the USB serial adapter and that you've installed the adapters (communications port)
driver on the Windows XP VM. It might be advisable to test adapter by looping TXD with RXD and using a terminal program to
determine if you can see any character’s echo as you type.
 

jtm1816

Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2022
Messages
66
Location
Martinez, GA
Becks, thanks for the heads up. I tried setting up a direct usb pass through with no luck.
I was looking through the receipts of what i had purchased and realized that my cable is an extension cable instead of a null modem cable.
I believe this is where my problem is coming from.
 

wgbecks

Active Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2005
Messages
1,102
Location
NE Wisconsin
I tried setting up a direct usb pass through with no luck.
What VM host software are you using? You'll need to get the USB pass through working in addition to use of a null modem cable.
VirtualBox for example is very easy and straight forward to setup USB pass through connections.

Do the RS-232 loopback test described in Post #5 to verify that your USB serial communications adapter is working before diagnosing
programming cabling issues. Set the terminal program for full duplex then expect whatever character’s you type to echo back on the
screen if in fact the adapter is operational.
 

jtm1816

Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2022
Messages
66
Location
Martinez, GA
The loop back test was successful in putty,
The command star lite manual says that the db9 connector has to have TX to RX to be able to connect. I bought a cable that is TX to TX
I feel like an idiot but at least i think i am on the right path
 

jtm1816

Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2022
Messages
66
Location
Martinez, GA
Well becks i finally got the correct cable in today so on to the next problem. When i connect i am getting a Database Transfer Timeout. log string. Any idea where to go from here
See below
1722986271694.png
 

jtm1816

Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2022
Messages
66
Location
Martinez, GA
Well unfortunately it looks like i have wiped the memory completely and now i am getting a "Bootstrap Flashes Erased" when i start up, Please someone tell me i didnt completely brick this thing
 

wgbecks

Active Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2005
Messages
1,102
Location
NE Wisconsin
Well unfortunately it looks like i have wiped the memory completely and now i am getting a "Bootstrap Flashes Erased" when i start up, Please someone tell me i didnt completely brick this thing
I hope you didn't brick it! I haven't worked on one of these for a very longtime and never experienced that error.
 

jtm1816

Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2022
Messages
66
Location
Martinez, GA
I’m at a bit of a loss so I ordered another commandstar off eBay and a laptop with XP and a serial port. Gonna try those two options and see what I can come up with
 

jtm1816

Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2022
Messages
66
Location
Martinez, GA
Well I got the computer and commandstar in yesterday and it worked wonderfully. I’m still running in to some issues with getting it to work correctly with my xtl consolettes
 
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