Product Alert #59
Starlog Version 3 (6301B/AUE)
Starlog Version 3 Software Communications Under Windows 9x/2000
19 June 2001
Problem
Many Laptops are now being produced with no RS-232 Serial ports fitted (Serial ports are how the Data logger is normally connected to the computer). Instead of fitting a serial port many laptop manufacturers are fitting multiple USB ports. USB is a 'Universal Serial Bus' designed to reduce the complexity of connecting peripherals to computers.
Unidata wrote Starlog Version 3 in such a manner as to optimize the communications ability of most computers - from very old ones to very new ones. To do this Unidata used direct BIOS calls to the communications port. These BIOS calls rely on the COM1 or COM2 port being in a predefined setting - particularly with regards to the IRQ and Base Port Address settings. What we have found is that on laptops particularly (and more so with Win 98/2000) is that Microsoft has given Windows the ability to dynamically change the Communications Port resources (i.e. the IRQ and Address settings). This is particularly noticeable with laptops that have PCMCIA slots or built in Modems - quite often Windows will grab the original IRQ for the Comms port and reassign it to the plugged in Ethernet card or Modem. Furthermore some software packages 'grab' the communications port and will not release unless forced to do so - Windows CE services (for PDA's) does this by default! This often causes Starlog Version 3 to completely loose communications or not communicate at all with an attached logger.
Correction
The following information is provided to fix the two problems above, allowing laptops with only USB ports to connect with a data logger and allowing the Starlog Version 3 software to communicate with a logger while running under Windows 98/2000.
Equipment Needed:
- Xircom – USB to Serial Converter (Model PGSDB9)
- A licensed copy of Turbocom VIP
- Windows 98/2000 installed on the PC / Laptop
Procedure:
- Install Turbocom VIP (Virtual Commport Software).
- Install & Configure Xircom USB to Serial converter.
- Configure Turbocom VIP software (Flow Control).
- Adjust Starlog Version 3 (commport settings).
Windows 98/2000:
Install Turbocom VIP software:
The Turbocom VIP software is usually distributed as a self-extracting exe. To start the installation double click on the tvipsu.exe icon, the installation will complete automatically. NOTE: Don't Setup Virtual Ports Yet.
Connect & Install Xircom USB to Serial Converter:
The Xircom USB to Serial Converter comes bundled with an installation CD-ROM which contains setup instructions specific to your platform (Windows 98/2000). Insert the CD-ROM then run setup.exe, select 'View on-line documentation' then choose 'USB to 9-pin converter' form the list of available products. There are sections relating to the product, minimum system requirements, Hardware and software installation.
Once the USB to Serial converter is installed:
- Select START then CONTROL PANEL.
- Double click the SYSTEM icon.
- Select the DEVICE MANAGER TAB.
- Scroll down to PORTS.
- Double click the 'USB to Serial Converter'.
- Select the Port Assignments TAB. Change the Comm port assignment to one greater than 20.
Configure Turbocom VIP software:
Start the Turbocom VIP software (Windows START menu > Programs > Turbocom VIP > Setup Virtual Ports). A screen will appear as below:
- Click the 'Re-define Virtual Port' button.
- The 'Define Alias' Screen will appear, select a commport ranging from 1 to 4 (port 3 recommended) then click next.
- You will then be presented with the following screen (complete it as shown below) then click next, click finish on the summary screen which follows to complete the setup.
Once returned to the main 'Turbocom VIP Setup Utility' screen click the button labeled 'Flow Control' configure it to appear as below, then click OK.
You have now setup the Turbocom VIP software and installed and configured the Xircom – USB to Serial Converter.
Adjust Starlog Version 3 (Port Settings):
You have the option of re-saving your existing schemes (and future schemes) re-defining the communications port or applying the change to all schemes (without actually changing the scheme).
- To re-save schemes with the new port defined select SYSTEM then SCHEME EDITOR from the Starlog software’s opening screen. Once in Scheme Editor select WINDOW then COMMUNICATIONS from the menu bar and changing the port field to correspond with the virtual port you created (using Turbocomm VIP) e.g com 3.
- To have all schemes use the new comport select CONFIGURE then COM PORT from the opening screens menu bar then select the port you defined (using Turbocom VIP) e.g com 3.
You will now be able to connect a logger via RS-232 cable to the Xircom USB converter.
Other Information:
Minimum System Requirements (Xircom – USB to Serial Converter)
PC Hardware and Software
- 486/66 compatible processor or higher
- USB port (or with a Xircom USB Upgrade Kit)
- CD-ROM drive
- 1 megabyte minimum of available hard disk space
- Windows 95B OSR2.1 (4.00.950B or later) version 1214 with USB Supplement (refer to the Operating System Compatibility section in Troubleshooting for help identifying your version of Windows 95)
- Windows 98 or later
To find out more about Turbocom VIP visit the Turbocom web site at
www.turbocom.com/vip.html
To find out more about the Xircom USB to Serial Converter visit the Xircom web site at
www.Xircom.com
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