Window 7 starter

[waterbus]

Got to the assembly point where I needed a laptop. Gave up trying to get an old one and got a notebook with Windows 7 starter in it. No Hyper Terminal installed so I downloaded it but it will not install. Project stalled for now because of this. Actually have spent more on support than on the MS2! Can't figure a way out. Too bad someone hasn't come up with communication software to go along with the Megatune/Tuner and USB ports (as a package). Anyone see a way out of this?

[kjones6039]

Just a shot in the dark here.............

Can't the same thing be accomplished with Mini Term in MegaTune? I haven't tried loop back etc. but I have used it to test comms with MS.

Just a thought. I'm running W7 starter on a net book and it works very well............

Ken

EDIT: I just tried a loop back with MT and it worked just fine.......

[waterbus]

Ken, You nailed it...I'm close to 70 and just about everything in the 21st leaves me in the dark!!! Nice to know that what I have will work. When I get the notebook to communicate with the PCB it will be added to a short list of things I can operate. So far the toaster is the only thing on the list.

[kjones6039]

You're preaching to the choir! You only have about 2 years on me!!!

Encouraging to see that there other mature MS'ers on here!!!! I was beginning to think I was the SENIOR member here........

Glad I could help.

Ken

[trakkies]

Got to the assembly point where I needed a laptop. Gave up trying to get an old one and got a notebook with Windows 7 starter in it. No Hyper Terminal installed so I downloaded it but it will not install. Project stalled for now because of this. Actually have spent more on support than on the MS2! Can't figure a way out. Too bad someone hasn't come up with communication software to go along with the Megatune/Tuner and USB ports (as a package). Anyone see a way out of this?

I didn't need to install anything on this Win7 laptop. Just plugged in the USB to serial cable and it talked to TS.

[waterbus]

Thanks all, after a little flopping around I got an "M" on the screen...just what I typed.

[trakkies]

You're preaching to the choir! You only have about 2 years on me!!!

Encouraging to see that there other mature MS'ers on here!!!! I was beginning to think I was the SENIOR member here........

Glad I could help.

Ken

I'm in my late '60s too. Main difference is we oldies can be selective about what new technology we adopt rather than just following the latest fashion...

[waterbus]

Slightly off topic comment. I have found that the Megasquirt community to be the most helpful group of any board I have been on. The people behind the Megasquirt idea have fostered support, knowldege and a positive attitue to all. Thank you.

[waterbus]

OK, now I got the two to talk to one another but when I tried to load Monitor v2.891.abs.s19 as instructed on step 40 I get "com1 not found". I see no way to use the mini term to load codes. Of course the downloader program doesn't work. What am I missing/doing wrong?

[kjones6039]

When you did your loop back test, what com port did you use? Some USB to RS232 converters assign a new port number if you don't plug into the same USB port each time.

Ken

[waterbus]

According to mini term it's com1. When I go to megatune and open communications, select mini term I can see no way to tell it to load the fermware. Anything I type echos to the screen but if I go back to the downloaded program I get a "com1 not found". Still think I'm doing something stupid. What did I miss?

[kjones6039]

According to mini term it's com1. When I go to megatune and open communications, select mini term I can see no way to tell it to load the fermware. Anything I type echos to the screen but if I go back to the downloaded program I get a "com1 not found". Still think I'm doing something stupid. What did I miss?

My apologies for not stating my response very clearly. The firmware can not be downloaded using mini term. It must be installed using MS Downloader using the proper com port.

Let's try this:

Right click on My Computer on your desktop
Click on Properties from the drop down menu
Click on Device Manager at the top left
Click on the '+' next to Ports

You should now be able to see which port your computer has assigned to your USB converter.
Once you have determined the com port number install the boot jumper and power up your MS. Then open MS Downloader (I prefer v2.0), set the correct com port under File>Settings, select the firmware you want to install and the firmware should download.

Be sure to power MS down and remove the boot jumper after the download


Let me know if you need anything additional.

Ken

[waterbus]

Thanks Ted,
Can't get the cable to echo to the screen. I got the DB9/USB cable at Radio Shack and it has a two inch square blob in the middle of the cable and I'm beginning to think it is a null modem type. I've tried to short pins 2 & 3 and type but no joy. I've also looked for 5 volt power but it's not where I expect it to be (pins 1 and 9). The cable does work (echo) with the Mega Tune and mini term. Two options I have right now is to get a cable without the large blob or cut the "blob" out and solder the like colored wires together. Hints?

[kjones6039]

DON'T cut the cable!

I will try to give you more help when I get off work tonight.

In the mean time use the steps I gave you to determine what com port your computer is assigning to the USB converter.

Ken

[waterbus]

OK Ken, won't cut the cable. I have followed your instructions (my desktop is XP so it's a bit different), and it says USB/serial driver not installed. I've tried to load anyway and nothing happens and it "times out". Going back to trying to short pins 2 & 3 and getting a screen echo, it does not work so that's why I'm thinking it's a null modem cable. Of course when I plug the cable into the COM 1 port it tells me "USB/serial detected" so I think I should be able to echo back to the screen.

[kjones6039]

Even a Null Modem cable will not prevent you from doing a loop back.

Give it a try and let me know.

[waterbus]

Only two COM ports are displayed, 1 & 3. When trying to use 3 it says it's being used by something else. I have tried COM1 with different speeds but no joy. Got a local guy who has a proven cable so will try that tomorrow.

[waterbus]

Taking fustration to the next level! Got a DYI USB/DB9 cable from a friend, didn't work because it claims it can't find COM1. Then I had a bright idea, Plugged the cable into the serial port and it echos on the Hyper Term. program. Great! Now to download the firmware. Says it can't find COM1. Have no idea how to find out what COM port the serial port is (if any). Anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks

[waterbus]

Never mind! Found the problem. I was trying to use hyper terminal in conjunction with the dowloader on the serial port. I had read about the USB so many times I could not see that there was no step to start Hyper Term. That's wat happens when you get into a mind lock!

[rcktscientist]

I have a similar communication problem. I haven't used MS in about 5 years and getting re-aquainted. I am helping a friend with a Magnasson Blown 383 in a 1953 Chevy PU. Board has just been built by an electrnics friend and is untested. When I put the 9V battery on the stimulator only the PNP light blinks, nothing on the MSII board. I was using my 32 Bit laptop with windows 7 on a USB port and powering the board with a stimulator. COM 3 seems to be the proper port but does not make communication. I went through the manual several times and Windows 7 is a little different in the control panel. Could not find the buffer to change, Ports for COM, etc. I had an old Socket Serial Adapter I used to use but couldn't find the disk and online was no help so I went to my old XP desktop wit a Serial Port. COM 1 seems to be the port but the results are the same, no communication. Any ideas?