installing USB devices to connect to scanners

[ka3jjz]

This seems to cause a lot of issues, particularly since newer PCs don't have good old fashioned serial ports. I thought I had read somewhere (I could be wrong here) that there is a very specific order of steps for doing the installation of USB drivers - and that includes, somewhere along the line, using Device Manager to find an available COM port, and setting the correct speeds to match that used by the scanner - and making the connection to the scanner.

I would think that the procedure would go something like this (this procedure assumes that the scanner has already been set up to the highest serial speed it supports...)

1. Use Device Manager to find an available COM port. Determine if the software can address this port
2. Install USB drivers. Use the manufacturer's software to configure the driver so that it is pointing to the COM port you wish to use, as well as setting the port speed to match the scanner
3. Connect the adapter (dongle, whatever you want to call it)
4. Connect the cable from the scanner.

Did I miss something? I don't have to worry about my PCs, as they have serial ports....this would make a very useful Wiki article, I think

73 Mike

 

[bezking]

Mike- this is for the most part correct. However - the speed of the comport is set in the application which uses the comport, not the device manufacturer's software or the Device Manager. A COM number (COM2, COM3) is assigned automatically, and you typically use Device Manager to find that assignment. (Although it is possible to change the number there really is no reason for doing this.)

HTH

 

[bubba01]

I am currently having that same problem now. My com numbers in the win96 software run from 1-256.
However my device manager says it is on 0- usb. I cannot change this in win96 (there is no zero).

Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[fmon]

I am currently having that same problem now. My com numbers in the win96 software run from 1-256.
However my device manager says it is on 0- usb. I cannot change this in win96 (there is no zero).

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Welcome to forum.

I have never seen a (COM 0) in Ports (COM & LPT) but you can right click, select Uninstall the port then reboot with 20-047 installed in USB and try reinstall.

Mike, would a jpg of device manager be useful in Wiki article? Thinking one without USB installed and a second with installation.

 

[ka3jjz]

Thanks for that Ben. I always thought you could go into the device driver software and make adjustments, but I'm guessing that would sorta be after the fact, if you find you still had problems? I've seen so many comments that the wrong COM port was chosen that you would think selecting one manually after examining Device Manager would be the better procedure.

Frank, a before and after with Device Manager would indeed be useful. It's a very common issue and something that can - and should - be documented.

73 Mike

 

[bubba01]

USB Trouble

Location 0 (USB <-> Radio Scanner Cable) This is what it reads in the device manager.

Thanks

 

[bezking]

Bubba - what version of windows are you using? See the attached screenshot from Windows Vista:

 

[bubba01]

Usb

Windows XP, I have the Radio Shack Programming Cable. Cat # 20-047. This just plugs into the USB port on the front of the PC. Unless i need an adapter to use the serial port in the rear of the PC.???

 

[morfis]

.....

 

[morfis]

Location 0 (USB <-> Radio Scanner Cable) This is what it reads in the device manager.

Thanks

This refers to the USB host controller address and not the COMM port address.

In the 'Ports (COM & LPT)' section of device manager you should see an entry that reads something like

'Serial on USB Port (COM 15)'
[the actual text is determined by your USB<>Serial driver]

From there you can change the COMM port address:

select the serial device entry in the list. Right click on it and select properties, select the Port Settings tab and click on the advanced button

 

[DaveNF2G]

Windows XP usually configures USB devices to a port automatically and all you have to do is look in Device Manager to see where they ended up. XP has the basic USP drivers already and I have not needed to install any others for any of the GRE cables or Belkin serial adapters that I use with my scanners.

 

[ka3jjz]

Dave did you ever find that where the driver ended up assigning the COM port was wrong? Did you have to go into the driver software to fix it? And what about setting the port speed?

Thanx es 73 Mike

 

[kd5dga]

Under the device manager select that device (usb scanner cable) then click on advance tab. There you can reselect the com port of your choosing except the com ports used for other devices ie. modem, serial port exct.exct.
I have forced mine at a com port 5 for all of my programs and I am using a radio shack usb scanner cable.
Morfis has the correct instructions listed above. Its quick and easy.

 

[fmon]

Dave did you ever find that where the driver ended up assigning the COM port was wrong? Did you have to go into the driver software to fix it? And what about setting the port speed?

Thanx es 73 Mike

My Generic USB to Serial is set by scanner, eg, 2052 or 785D. 20-047 & 30-3290 cables are set by scanner eg, any RS/GRE scanner. These shortcuts should work for the Wiki.

 

[morfis]

My Generic USB to Serial is set by scanner, eg, 2052 or 785D. 20-047 & 30-3290 cables are set by scanner eg, any RS/GRE scanner. These shortcuts should work for the Wiki.

I'd suggest re-writing the labels on your second image as the first label refers to a Prolific chipset USB driver NOT a generic driver...the second entry is likely from a generic ( but non-microshaft) driver

 

[bubba01]

Thanks everyone, i did managae to get it. I was looking in the wrong field DUH!. Thanks again.

 

[morfis]

Thanks everyone, i did managae to get it. I was looking in the wrong field DUH!. Thanks again.

Glad you're sorted. That's what the boards are here for

There's a wealth of knowledge amongst the users here and a problem once aired can usually be sorted out. Often a problem/solution gives those people who like 'wiki' ideas for expanding that.

 

[fmon]

I'd suggest re-writing the labels on your second image as the first label refers to a Prolific chipset USB driver NOT a generic driver...the second entry is likely from a generic ( but non-microshaft) driver

Actually com 6 is about as generic as you can get. I suspect it got the Prolific assignment because XP ask if I wanted to install this "Unsigned" device. Com 4 is a 30-3290 which is the GRE version of 20-047.

 

[morfis]

Actually com 6 is about as generic as you can get. I suspect it got the Prolific assignment because XP ask if I wanted to install this "Unsigned" device. Com 4 is a 30-3290 which is the GRE version of 20-047.

The text is from the driver file that IS being used in each case. The 'prolific' drivers work with many USB<>serial interfaces but they are not a true 'generic' driver.

I know I'm being pedantic but it seems to me that it's better to have the correct information if the images are going to be used for instruction via a wiki?

 

[ka3jjz]

Unfortunately Frank I can't grab those thumbnails. Evidently I can't expand them to full size in Firefox.

??? Thanx anyway...73 Mike