Pro-97 PC Interface

[dad8662]

Can't get my PC to see my Pro-97. When I connect serial cable to scanner, it goes to CLONE mode, not PC mode. I am trying to download into WIN97. Any suggestions? Thanx

 

[pro92b]

Serial port connections are not plug and play. The PC will not see the scanner until you direct Win97 to read or write data. The radio display is only meaningful during read or write when it shows a progress bar. Otherwise ignore the display.

 

[Al42]

Can't get my PC to see my Pro-97. When I connect serial cable to scanner, it goes to CLONE mode, not PC mode. I am trying to download into WIN97. Any suggestions? Thanx

The radio works in clone mode when you're programming it. The program acts like another scanner at the end of the cable. There's no "PC" mode.

 

[dad8662]

Thanks for your help, guys. I tried a serial mouse to be sure my COM ports were right, and it worked. I think the radio shack cable I am trying will not support 2 way communication, although a few websites thought that it would. I am using the newest cable RadioShack is selling #20-289, not the older one. Win97 will try to upload when the readback setting is not clicked, but PC doesn't see radio at all when the 2way setting is selected. All I want to do is save hours worth of programming onto my hard drive, so just uploading from PC is not acceptable. I will try the "purple cable" and see if this is the problem...thanks again KD5MJQ

 

[pro92b]

You are fortunate that uploading didn't work because it would erase your programming. Readback is only for data verification and it does not affect the ability to read and write. The 20-289 cable generally works and you may have other problems. Look at the Win97 help file topic "Getting Started" and select "Connecting the Scanner". Go through the entire procedure carefully. Don't try writing to the scanner until you have read and stored the programming from the radio to your PC.

 

[dad8662]

Thanks for your patience. I have read the Helpfile and followed the steps exactly, I have tried checking all three options on the serial port settings page, one at a time, all three at once, nothing changes. Installed Win97 on second computer, followed steps exactly, I get the same error messages. If read back is checked, the error is" tried reading back..." If read back is unchecked, I get "looking for header- timed out looking for header". What next? Thanks again, Doug

 

[Al42]

It sounds as if the program and the scanner aren't on the same COM port. How many serial ports do you have, physically, on that computer? How many COM ports does Device Manager say you have? Make sure that the port number you're setting in the program is the port number the scanner cable is connected to.

Then Download from Scanner and save the file as whatever name you like. Then you can play with other things, and at least you'll have a backup. Whatever you do, DON'T make Upload to Scanner the first operation. As Pro92 said, that would clear all the programming in the scanner and replace it with what's in the program - which is probably all blanks now.

 

[dad8662]

My first computer is running Windows XP, only has one COM port, but device manager shows COM1 and COM 2 working properly. Motherboard manual lists only one, COM2. Just to be sure, I have tried both, no difference. When i tried COM3 XP tells you it doesn't exist. The second machine i tried it on only has one COM port and only COM1 in Device Manager. Same results. Maybe I should try a Serial to USB interface? Would that end the chance of a COM port conflict?

 

[Al42]

My first computer is running Windows XP, only has one COM port, but device manager shows COM1 and COM 2 working properly.

No other cards installed that would look like serial ports? Like a modem?

Motherboard manual lists only one, COM2. Just to be sure, I have tried both, no difference. When i tried COM3 XP tells you it doesn't exist. The second machine i tried it on only has one COM port and only COM1 in Device Manager. Same results.

Then I'd suspect either the cable or the scanner.

Maybe I should try a Serial to USB interface?

There's no such thing, AFAIK - there are USB-to-serial adapters, but you have serial ports, so you don't need one.

Would that end the chance of a COM port conflict?

It doesn't sound as if there is a conflict - just a component that's not working.

 

[dad8662]

Once again, I really appreciate the help. I guess my only option is to try the "purple cable" next. If that doesn't work, I will take the radio back and try another. Radio Shack is the only game in town here, so it is either buy their product or buy something without trying it out first. Thanks again, Doug

 

[Al42]

Radio Shack is supposed to program the scanner for you. If they can do that swap cables with them (just to test things) and see if they can program the scanner with your cable. That'll tell you whether you have a bad scanner, a bad cable or some other problem. At least we won't be trying to troubleshoot something that's not broken.

 

[BaLa]

well they will program it for you, only if you ask.


Also it depends on where you go.
When I originally got my Pro95 (diff scanner but still applies) the guy there read the manual and manually programmed it. :lol:
I asked him about it and said something about Franchise store and not having a cable

 

[Al42]

well they will program it for you, only if you ask.


Also it depends on where you go.
When I originally got my Pro95 (diff scanner but still applies) the guy there read the manual and manually programmed it. :lol:
I asked him about it and said something about Franchise store and not having a cable

I guess in some areas they can get away with that. Around here you'd have to tie someone up for a day or so to do that.