Brian, or anyone else that can help;

I suddenly cannot download data from my Locus receivers. I get the following two messages:

CANNOT OPEN PORT!
Please check that ACT-IR200L IR link is connected to PC.

(clicking okay, I then get:)

Data source has not been connected!

It has been working fine up to now. I even tried it on another computer, getting the same error messages. Do these IR links break? How do I get it repaired/replaced?

Skylar

Skylar,

I'll have to leave this one to Tech Support. You said it was wokring, what has changed since it last worked? S/W version, PC, anything?

Regards,
Brian

Might not be the same thing but I had that happen once.....

Seems Bill's little program, you know the one without any bugs named "Windows", changed some settings on the Com Port. I was no longer on Com x but on the other one !! Never did switch back !

Jimbo

PS: yeah, they can break..the IR led or receiver could die....usually takes quite a bit of time on most LED's but I don't know the life expectancy on these IR babies.

I had the same problem with my equipment. I tried deleting my COM ports and creating new ones again and again. I think the problem is a conflict with the IRQ request. I notice that when I click on the icon to download from the receiver it may take 90 seconds before the download program starts. At first I got impatient and clicked again and again, then I had several download routines running and all were giving me the error about not being able to open the port.
I finally, after many hours, got a reliable way to get it to work. I set my COM1 port to 75 baud, 8, n, 1. Then when I click on the download icon I WAIT for the program to respond. The important thing to do, for my setup at least is to wait. I think that the software looks everywhere for the port and then finally comes back and responds. I then click on the IR icon and in the setting I use com1, and default for the IRQ and speed. Then all works. I hope this helps
Charles

Thanks, Brian and others,

I got things to work this morning. I tried a trick I've used before, i.e., download to a data collector that behaves reliably. I once had a computer that sometimes would not plot correctly from one software package, but if I would plot from a different package first, then I could go back to the other program and things worked correctly. It's almost like it had to "learn" how to plot.

I think Charles is right regarding Windows. I use Win2000 Pro, which has worked fairly well, for me anyway, but it is still not without its little foibles.

Skylar

Skylar,

The important thing is you got it working. Some Win32 o/s's (especially ME and 2000Pro) like to reassign interrupts, causing grief with serial communications. I've seen this in NT also. The more peripherals you have, the worse it gets. Thanks, Unca Bill.

Regards,
Brian

Brian,

Don't leave Win98 outta that list !! It might start feeling lonely and then who knows what it'll do.

Actually, on my laptop, I outmanuvered it! I took the assignment of the com ports off auto and set them to the standard settings for Com 3 and Com 4. Now my IR receiver plugs into Com4 and no problemo !

Jimbo

Good on ya' Jimbo! Does this mean you're a closet nerd? (Boudreaux and Hebert wouldn't let a true coonass know anything about computers!)

;>}
Brian

I prefer the term "computer whiz"....only if you've seen the cartoon...I'll have to look for it.

You know the one, "kid" standing on the desk "whizzing" on the 'puter.

Jimbo

Jimbo,

Guess that make me a "computer whiz" too. At least it's comforting to know that procedure would be a good option for 'puter stress relief.

I'll file that with my other self doctoring medical data.

As for the IR port, sounds to me like you guys are on to something. I had one IR problem last fall, but it was with the hp communicating with a base unit. Took about 20 tries to communicate. I still think it was due to the "noisy location". (dish antennas everywhere, radar stuff, and L band testing on site)


I'm sure Sky has tried some other appliance in the com port to test it? Like a data collector, scanner or something else by wire. As a computer illiterate myself, that would be my first test (before I screwed up my whole system changing Mr. Gates settings). Simple way to isolate the problem if it's in the IR cable. Or maybe not.


J.D.

just thinking....ooouuucccchhhhh

I have a similar problem on my Toshiba laptop.

If I download anything using the IR link, then the serial port will not recognize my TDS-48 connection, and vice-versa.

I know that it may be the "bigger hammer" approach, but I have found the quickest and easiest thing to do is go into the control panel, delete the com port, reboot. Of course during the reboot, W98 "finds" the new port and installs appropriately.

Presto! Port works great until I switch devices, when I have to do it all over again.

Never had any problem with the desktop similarly configured.

Jerry

.

!

My notebook computer has an IR port/window built in. I thought it would be nice to use this instead of the cable. After no little amount of time trying, I was unable to link up with the Locus receivers. After several hours of searching the Internet I stumbled upon a message that said both devices need to be running the same version of Windows. If this is true, that would account for my failure. Has anyone had any experience trying this?

Skylar

It is important that the operating system on your computer support the IR port. As far as I know Window$ 95 and Window$ NT do not support the IR port.

Not only the same OS, but they have to be speaking the same "language".

Even some equip. by the same manufacturer isn't compatible, i.e. the HP 48 w/IR printer isn't compatible with the HP 95/100/... IR ports.

Jimbo

Okay, but we have the HP48 and IPAC communicating with Locus. I'll bet all three of these devices have a different OS.

Skylar,

I should've just said the same IR language.

You're right, the OS doesn't matter as long as the IR is supported.

Jimbo