win96 help wanted

[billy245]

Hi,
I downloaded the win96 software and some how it has trouble finding my serial port. I can't get the thing to download the info from the Radioshack 2096. My ARC250 software can find it for my 296D but this is not working for my Win96. My computer did not come with a serial port so I had to istall a serial port card. Anyone have a suggestion?
Thanks,
Bill

 

[loumaag]

Three things to consider.

First, if you are using the same serial port for ARC250 and Win96, make sure you fully (and properly) shut down ARC250 so that it releases the COM Port.

Second, make sure that you have properly set the correct COM port in the Win96 software.

Third, make sure you have not set the speed of the COM port outside of the software that uses it. i.e., at the BIOS level or some sort of hardware lock. You should always allow software to set the speed of your port and never try to preset it to some speed.

 

[SCPD]

i have myn set to com port 5 for it to work.
i would go start from one and go up in #'s
hope this helbs

 

[DonS]

Three things to consider.

First, if you are using the same serial port for ARC250 and Win96, make sure you fully (and properly) shut down ARC250 so that it releases the COM Port.

Second, make sure that you have properly set the correct COM port in the Win96 software.

Third, make sure you have not set the speed of the COM port outside of the software that uses it. i.e., at the BIOS level or some sort of hardware lock. You should always allow software to set the speed of your port and never try to preset it to some speed.

All good advice. The last item, however, isn't necessary. When Win96 (successfully) opens the port (meaning the port exists and is not in use by some other app), it is in complete control of the bit rate and other settings. BIOS and Windows Control Panel settings will have absolutely no effect on bit rate, start bits, stop bits, parity, or flow control. It's possible that you can set items like IRQ and port address values in the BIOS (and Device Manager), but if there was an incompatibility, Windows wouldn't see the port at all, and other software wouldn't work.

For the original poster (billy245): what error message, if any, is presented by Win96? And what COM port number do you have selected? (Thinking of modems, that are often on COM3 or COM4).

-Don

 

[billy245]

I had to use a different Port because I had been using this one port for other scanner software. Once I used a different port it eliminated my problem. I did however go to a usb port and had to buy a conversion cable. It was my error and lack of experience that caused this!!! So I am learning, I guess.... Thanks for the feedback.

Billy

 

[loumaag]

I had to use a different Port because I had been using this one port for other scanner software.

For what is is worth, I use the same port for all software interfaces to the various scanners (using COM2), I just make sure that I completely shut down one, before trying to use the COM port with the other. I have never had a problem. My other available COM port (COM1) is tied to a RigBlaster and is just too hard to unhook all the time.

 

[billy245]

How do you completely shut it down? Doesn't it just shut down when you X out of it?

Thanks,

Billy

 

[loumaag]

How do you completely shut it down? Doesn't it just shut down when you X out of it?

Yes.

 

[billy245]

I had done that Lou, but it wouldn't let me use my win96 software on it. Nevertheless, I now have it working on a different port and think it is great software. Now I just need to play a little and learn the software...

Thanks,
Billy