Connecting an IRD to Laptop

[cowboymo]

Having trouble connecting my Fortec Ultra to my laptop ... I tried a Serial-Parallel adaptor - no Luck, tried serial-usb adaptor and it didn't work either. I'm trying be able to load firmware onto my unit but without a desktop-style serial COM port on my Laptop, I am running out of options.... Can anyone help ?

Does anyone have a succesfully set-up lifetime ultra-to-laptop connection that works with the software currently available to flash the Ultra ?

All help much appreciated

[xwolfs7]

Having trouble connecting my Fortec Ultra to my laptop ... I tried a Serial-Parallel adaptor - no Luck, tried serial-usb adaptor and it didn't work either. I'm trying be able to load firmware onto my unit but without a desktop-style serial COM port on my Laptop, I am running out of options.... Can anyone help ?

Does anyone have a succesfully set-up lifetime ultra-to-laptop connection that works with the software currently available to flash the Ultra ?

All help much appreciated

Hi! I read that it can be done check your USB drivers are ok should work with Xp or 98 version using a usb to serial com port.
I read if your using 98 you will need to load the correct usb drivers.
go into control on your computer then check your system go to device manager see if your usb is ok in there and that there are no conflicts. good luck..
inside there you should be able to update drivers for it.

[sillywilly]

cowboymo:

I have a Toshiba 2450 Laptop with the same problem. I can program Atmega128 and Magic thru Parallel port, but my Pansat 2500A needs real serial port so I use my desktop downstairs. If you don't have one I am sure you have friends who do. Ask one of them to let you come over and do what you have to do to get your FTA working.

[jcghound]

Most of the laptops can be made to work with the USB port if the correct divers are installed. For some reason the laptop versions of window os systems cut you short on the drivers you need or it may be something in the setup that does not install the drivers. I know they are called comm drivers. I did a little looking and find references to them but are unable to locate the drivers. These should be avaiable from the manufactuor of the lap top.
hound

[jcghound]

Having trouble connecting my Fortec Ultra to my laptop ... I tried a Serial-Parallel adaptor - no Luck, tried serial-usb adaptor and it didn't work either. I'm trying be able to load firmware onto my unit but without a desktop-style serial COM port on my Laptop, I am running out of options.... Can anyone help ?

Does anyone have a succesfully set-up lifetime ultra-to-laptop connection that works with the software currently available to flash the Ultra ?

All help much appreciatedCowboy take a look at the 10th post in the thread in the attached link. If you have the correct drivers installed, this is how and what you need to use the USB port to download to your receiver.

USB Port howto (http://www.dssftp.com/forum/upload/showthread.php?t=37867)

hound :p

[skyash]

Radio Shack has a USB to serial adapter kit and it works fine to load and unload , it is slower than hooking it directly to a com port on a desktop but it works! One draw back is that you will need a floppy drive to load the drivers, also make sure you are on the proper com port mine uses com port 2.
Good Luck

[cowboymo]

Thanks Folks ! (special thanks to Hound)

Works great, but VERY slow (which is no big deal)...Takes upwards of 15 minutes to load a file ! I remember it taking mere seconds on my friend's desktop !

Just to help out whoever else may be interested ... here is what I used :
1. Belkin Serial/USB Portable Adaptor (F5U409) - $50 CDN
2. Driver CD-ROM (came with the Adaptor)
3. Win XP and the Al7Bar loading tool (easily downloadable)

I just basically installed the adaptor using the CD ( may have to connect/disconnect the adaptor a couple of times in the process ) . Once it was installed and recognized, it was listed in the under "Ports" in System-->Hardware-->Device Manager as COM4 (which works with the Loading tools COM1-4 ). I then just hooked everything up, powered up the receiver and ran the software. Works great, albeit quite slow. No rush though, good things come to those who wait :-)

Thanks again, all.

[cowboymo]

Sorry folks...spoke too soon...the Al7Bar downloading tool starts off normally but VERY slow.... reaches about half way (around 50-60%) and then I get "Flash update failed ! " Tried it a few times...same thing. I wonder if the very slow speed with which the file is being loaded is to blame.

Please help if you can.

[jcghound]

hmm, may be an incompatible driver to push a flash that slow. Check with Belkin and see if they have any updated drivers compatible with xp. I would try it a couple of more times just insure it wasnt one of those fluke flashes to verify if in fact it will not take the flash and vary the time of beginning the flash from powerup. How long a cable are you using? The shorter the better. Try turning off all unneccessary processes such as any firewall, av program etc before flashing.
hound :p

[MR PIT]

I No Most Laptop's Will Not Program .the Com Ports Are Ste Up Diff. No Laptop's But Their Are Some Out Their That Will Work The Bro. Is Finding Them

[jcghound]

Mr Pit, I am not a computor guru but any laptop using xp with a usb port can be modified with the proper drivers loaded to change comm setting used in the usb. Perhaps you can elaborate on which lap tops work and those that wont?