Win 95 configuration

[Rockdoc]

Using the information I found at this site, I ordered a Blackbagsolutions cable to program the Pro-95 (manual input is not fun).

I tried all com ports 1-8 using WIN95, but have not tried all 255 options! No luck with downloading from the scanner since the software says unable to open COM x.

I am using a Purple computing USB/DB9 adaptor that works with my Garmin GPS. I can download from the Garmin fine using software (GPS Utility) and configured for COM 4 in that software. I have noticed that Garmin has finally used up that warehouse full of DB9 cables and are FINALLY shipping a cable with a USB cable.

Back to the WIN 95 problem.
What do you gurus suggest to get this to work?

Is there a way to assign a USB port as a specific comport?

 

[DonS]

Using the information I found at this site, I ordered a Blackbagsolutions cable to program the Pro-95 (manual input is not fun).

I tried all com ports 1-8 using WIN95, but have not tried all 255 options! No luck with downloading from the scanner since the software says unable to open COM x.

I am using a Purple computing USB/DB9 adaptor that works with my Garmin GPS. I can download from the Garmin fine using software (GPS Utility) and configured for COM 4 in that software. I have noticed that Garmin has finally used up that warehouse full of DB9 cables and are FINALLY shipping a cable with a USB cable.

Back to the WIN 95 problem.
What do you gurus suggest to get this to work?

Is there a way to assign a USB port as a specific comport?

If your Garmin software sees the GPS on COM4 when using that USB/Serial adapter, then Win95 must be configured to use COM4, as well.

If you see an "Unable to open COM4" error in Win95, it means that either a) the COM port used by the USB adapter has moved (this can happen if you plug it into a different USB port on the computer), or b) some other software still has COM4 open (is your Garmin software still running?).

 

[DonS]

Follow up:

In the directory where WIN95.EXE lives, you should see a file named WIN93.LOG (yes, three, not five). Delete that file. In Win95, attempt the download again.

A new WIN93.LOG will be created. Open it with a text editor (e.g. Notepad). It should have a single line that looks like:
CSerial::Open - CreateFile(\\.\COM4) failed, GetLastError()==0x00000002

What is the error code? If it's 2 (as in the example above), it means that COM 4 does not exist. If it's 5, it means that COM 4 does exist, but some other software already has the port open (and Windows only allows one app at a time to "own" such a resource, so Win95's attempt will be denied).

 

[Rockdoc]

DonS,
Thanks for your advice.

I learned about the wandering USB assignments, I marked the port so I would remember where the Garmin was first downloaded.

I checked the WIN93 file and it shows, an error code of 2. I will get the Garmin out and check if it is still working, unfortunately the Garmin is at the office so it will be Monday until I get it.

I checked my F6-A software for programming my HT. It can't be configured for any comports now. I now it worked on this laptop, at least until the laptop went to HP for service.

 

[DonS]

I checked the WIN93 file and it shows, an error code of 2.

2 means the port doesn't exist, and your GPS isn't involved in the problem.

You might want to look in Device Manager to see what the USB adapter's COM port assignment is. Then set Win95 to use the same port.

 

[loumaag]

Don,

This is only slightly related but thought you might want to file this away for future reference. I use the same COM port (2) for all radio programming. I found out, since using the UASD for the BCD396T it does not always release the COM port when it is shut down. I ran into a problem using the port on Win96 just after shutting the UASD software down. I got that failed to communicate message (sorry don't remember the exact wording.)

I found that if I just opened the Win96 "Configuration" menu and choose "Serial Port", clicked <OK> without changing anything the program then operated normally. You must be resetting the port during the close dialog operation.

 

[Rockdoc]

Don,
I have looked at the USB port listing in Device Manager. There are listed 3 standard universal PCI to USB host tabs and 3 USB Root Hub tabs. Under those, I looked for anything that mentioned com ports but did not see any.
Would the USB adapter be found under USB port.

I am using XP Pro.

Lee

 

[DonS]

This is only slightly related but thought you might want to file this away for future reference. I use the same COM port (2) for all radio programming. I found out, since using the UASD for the BCD396T it does not always release the COM port when it is shut down. I ran into a problem using the port on Win96 just after shutting the UASD software down. I got that failed to communicate message (sorry don't remember the exact wording.)

It was probably:
Unable to open the port \\.\COM2
5: Another program is already using COM2

I found that if I just opened the Win96 "Configuration" menu and choose "Serial Port", clicked <OK> without changing anything the program then operated normally. You must be resetting the port during the close dialog operation.

When you hit the OK button in Win96's serial configuration dialog, it tries to open the port you've selected. If it fails, it shows the mesage. Otherwise, it just closes the port.

You said the error occured in Win96 "just after shutting the UASD software down". It's possible that the other app is closing the port - it just takes a while. Merely hitting Win96's configuration dialog wouldn't change the status of the port.

-Don

 

[DonS]

I have looked at the USB port listing in Device Manager. There are listed 3 standard universal PCI to USB host tabs and 3 USB Root Hub tabs. Under those, I looked for anything that mentioned com ports but did not see any.
Would the USB adapter be found under USB port.

I am using XP Pro.

On my installation of XP Pro, Device Manager has "USB Serial Port (COM6)" under "Ports (COM & LPT)"

 

[Rockdoc]

Don,
An interesting development based on what you suggested, thanks for the input.

The COM4 under ports, was NOT there when I started, it showed up when I downloaded from the Garmin. So I closed the Garmin software and the COM 4 icon remained. I set the WIN95 setting to COM4 and successfully downloaded from the scanner.

Not to look a gift horse in the mouth but I wonder if I will have to go through this procedure everytime. The COM4 icon must disappear when rebooting. Any way to keep it?

 

[DonS]

The COM4 under ports, was NOT there when I started, it showed up when I downloaded from the Garmin. So I closed the Garmin software and the COM 4 icon remained. I set the WIN95 setting to COM4 and successfully downloaded from the scanner.

Not to look a gift horse in the mouth but I wonder if I will have to go through this procedure everytime. The COM4 icon must disappear when rebooting. Any way to keep it?

I've never seen any Garmin software that I've used (many versions of MapSource and nRoute) mess with COM ports supplied by USB adapters, nor have I ever had to run the Garmin apps to cause the COM ports to "appear".

It almost sounds like the driver(s) for the USB adapter are not installed correctly, and running the Garmin app somehow forces Windows to load them (or Garmin's own drivers are loaded, and they somehow work with the USB/serial adapter).

After a reboot, when you plug in the adapter (and don't run the Garmin software), does the computer make the boop-beep "new hardware" sound?

 

[Al42]

After a reboot, when you plug in the adapter (and don't run the Garmin software), does the computer make the boop-beep "new hardware" sound?

Or "does the port appear in Device Manager?"

 

[DonS]

After a reboot, when you plug in the adapter (and don't run the Garmin software), does the computer make the boop-beep "new hardware" sound?

Or "does the port appear in Device Manager?"

I think he inferred that it doesn't, when he said "The COM4 under ports, was NOT there when I started, it showed up when I downloaded from the Garmin.".

My question was meant to determine if Windows at least saw something, but just wasn't loading sufficient drivers (or the correct drivers) so that the COM port would appear.

 

[eyes00only]

Since this is a Win95 forum, I have a question. Why aren't the sub-banks numbered? In the alpha tagging for example, all the locations are numbered O.

Jerry

 

[loumaag]

Since this is a Win95 forum, I have a question. Why aren't the sub-banks numbered? In the alpha tagging for example, all the locations are numbered O.

Jerry, I am not sure I understand your question. The ID Lists are numbered 0-4, both in the Win95 Software as well as in the Radio. Could you expand on where you see all of them listed as zero?

 

[eyes00only]

Since this is a Win95 forum, I have a question. Why aren't the sub-banks numbered? In the alpha tagging for example, all the locations are numbered O.

Jerry, I am not sure I understand your question. The ID Lists are numbered 0-4, both in the Win95 Software as well as in the Radio. Could you expand on where you see all of them listed as zero?

Well Lou, I tried to copy and paste a "template", but it didn't work. In the # columns, ie, alpha tags, all I have are 10 zeros & 10 ones. In the "scanner", I have 00/01/02/03/04....................17/18/19.

Jerry

 

[DonS]

In the # columns, ie, alpha tags, all I have are 10 zeros & 10 ones. In the "scanner", I have 00/01/02/03/04....................17/18/19.

Make the columns wider, by dragging the vertical separator bars in the column headings.

 

[eyes00only]

In the # columns, ie, alpha tags, all I have are 10 zeros & 10 ones. In the "scanner", I have 00/01/02/03/04....................17/18/19.

Make the columns wider, by dragging the vertical separator bars in the column headings.

No luck Don. The tan template will not let me widen any columns. I can't enter a number in the # column either, because it is the solid tan base template with set numbers of 10 zeros & 10 ones. Friday when I have time, I will take a picture of this, and put it on the forum. I am probably doing something wrong, but I have had luck changing some things and loading them into the 95. Well, I'm off to breakfast & work.

Jerry

 

[Al42]

No luck Don. The tan template will not let me widen any columns. I can't enter a number in the # column either, because it is the solid tan base template with set numbers of 10 zeros & 10 ones.

I just tried it Jerry - if you put the cursor up at the top of that grid - between "#" and "Alpha Tag" (there's a vertical line between the boxes) - the cursor will turn into a double-headed arrow, pointing left and right. Left-click and move it to the right (while holding down the left button) and the column will get wider.

You don't enter anything in that column. You enter the alpha tags in the second column and the TG IDs in the 3rd column.

 

[eyes00only]

IT WORKED!

Thanks

Jerry