Serial Port error - Maratrac
Moderator: Queue Moderator
- airboss
- Posts: 33
- Joined: Sun Feb 17, 2013 8:40 am
- What radios do you own?: Maxtrac, Maratrac, IC-7200
Serial Port error - Maratrac
OK, Trying to program my Maratrac
Have the correct RSS with a newly purchased RIB. Correct serial cable to the computer and correct 25 pin to RJ-45 to the Maratrac
Everything turned on: Computer in "Full Screen" DOS, RIB turned on (new battery) and Maratrac turned on.
Get into the DOS Maratrac directory and fire up Maratrac.exe - no problem
Trying to "read" the codeplug, I get the following message: "Serial Buss Error #2 No Acknowledgement"
Pressing F3 to "test" the serial port - I get the same message.
I have the RSS set to Com 1, and the computer Com 1 is set to the default settings in the device manager.
Is there some "setting" I have missed? thx
Have the correct RSS with a newly purchased RIB. Correct serial cable to the computer and correct 25 pin to RJ-45 to the Maratrac
Everything turned on: Computer in "Full Screen" DOS, RIB turned on (new battery) and Maratrac turned on.
Get into the DOS Maratrac directory and fire up Maratrac.exe - no problem
Trying to "read" the codeplug, I get the following message: "Serial Buss Error #2 No Acknowledgement"
Pressing F3 to "test" the serial port - I get the same message.
I have the RSS set to Com 1, and the computer Com 1 is set to the default settings in the device manager.
Is there some "setting" I have missed? thx
Re: Serial Port error - Maratrac
This is likely your problem...it sounds like you're running the RSS under a DOS window, not real DOS? What O/S are you using?airboss wrote:Everything turned on: Computer in "Full Screen" DOS.
No trees were harmed in the posting of this message...however an extraordinarily large number of electrons were horribly inconvenienced.
Welcome to the /\/\achine.
Welcome to the /\/\achine.
- airboss
- Posts: 33
- Joined: Sun Feb 17, 2013 8:40 am
- What radios do you own?: Maxtrac, Maratrac, IC-7200
Re: Serial Port error - Maratrac
Running Windows 98 - then restart to DOS (C prompt). Isn't this "real" DOS?
Also, tried F8 booting to C prompt.
Not using the DOS "window" in Win98 desktop..
thx
Also, tried F8 booting to C prompt.
Not using the DOS "window" in Win98 desktop..
thx
Re: Serial Port error - Maratrac
short answer no windows still has control of the serial port
either boot with your win 98 boot floppy
or go into c:/windows and double click on " dos mode for games with ems xms support " or whatever it is called
and see what that does for you
to get back to windows type exit at the dos prompt
either boot with your win 98 boot floppy
or go into c:/windows and double click on " dos mode for games with ems xms support " or whatever it is called
and see what that does for you
to get back to windows type exit at the dos prompt
wendell
Re: Serial Port error - Maratrac
This should work fine, yes you are in DOS. If you are able to program other radios with RSS from DOS with that computer then there are a few things to look, if you don't program anything else then check your BIOS to be sure the COM port is enabled.airboss wrote:Running Windows 98 - then restart to DOS (C prompt). Isn't this "real" DOS?
Also, tried F8 booting to C prompt.
Not using the DOS "window" in Win98 desktop..
thx
Jim
- airboss
- Posts: 33
- Joined: Sun Feb 17, 2013 8:40 am
- What radios do you own?: Maxtrac, Maratrac, IC-7200
Re: Serial Port error - Maratrac
Thanks for the inputs! Bios has been checked for serial enabled - yes, enabled. Must be something else. I'll keep checking. I have two Maratracs. I'll try the other one (just got these)...
Re: Serial Port error - Maratrac
+1 for this, it's the best DOS to use. What make/model is your computer, and what version is your RSS? Only the latest version is Pentium compatible.kd5ual wrote: go into c:/windows and double click on " dos mode for games with ems xms support "
No trees were harmed in the posting of this message...however an extraordinarily large number of electrons were horribly inconvenienced.
Welcome to the /\/\achine.
Welcome to the /\/\achine.
Re: Serial Port error - Maratrac
airboss wrote:OK, Trying to program my Maratrac
Have the correct RSS with a newly purchased RIB. Correct serial cable to the computer and correct 25 pin to RJ-45 to the Maratrac
Everything turned on: Computer in "Full Screen" DOS, RIB turned on (new battery) and Maratrac turned on.
Get into the DOS Maratrac directory and fire up Maratrac.exe - no problem
Trying to "read" the codeplug, I get the following message: "Serial Buss Error #2 No Acknowledgement"
Pressing F3 to "test" the serial port - I get the same message.
I have the RSS set to Com 1, and the computer Com 1 is set to the default settings in the device manager.
Is there some "setting" I have missed? thx
You know there is the possibility that there is another device in the computer that is already using com1 and as such there might be a conflict. Your serial port might not be com1.
If you have a modem or serial mouse on the computer, that device might be already using com1.
Have you tried to set the program to look for com2?
Jim
- airboss
- Posts: 33
- Joined: Sun Feb 17, 2013 8:40 am
- What radios do you own?: Maxtrac, Maratrac, IC-7200
Re: Serial Port error - Maratrac
OK, haven't tried the above DOS, yet. Using IBM ThinkPad T23, Pentium III. RSS is version 5. I have a version 6 also, but it gives me "run time error, divide by zero error".wavetar wrote:+1 for this, it's the best DOS to use. What make/model is your computer, and what version is your RSS? Only the latest version is Pentium compatible.kd5ual wrote: go into c:/windows and double click on " dos mode for games with ems xms support "
-
- Posts: 1477
- Joined: Sat Nov 29, 2003 10:10 pm
- What radios do you own?: AM/FM
Re: Serial Port error - Maratrac
that's because your processor is way too fast for the program.
"How do you plan to outwit Death?"
"With a knight and bishop combination; I will destroy his flank." --Antonious Block
"With a knight and bishop combination; I will destroy his flank." --Antonious Block
- airboss
- Posts: 33
- Joined: Sun Feb 17, 2013 8:40 am
- What radios do you own?: Maxtrac, Maratrac, IC-7200
Re: Serial Port error - Maratrac
how fast is recommended? thxthebigphish wrote:that's because your processor is way too fast for the program.
Re: Serial Port error - Maratrac
Maratrac RVN-4023G Jul-98 Is the version RSS that IS Pentium compatible.airboss wrote:how fast is recommended? thxthebigphish wrote:that's because your processor is way too fast for the program.
There may be a problem in the serial port or the RIB from the error message you are getting.
None of the Motorola or aftermarket/knock-off radio interface boxes are actually truly compatible with the RS232 standard.
This is a known problem that was never corrected. So some computer serial ports do not work with the RIB.
Re: Serial Port error - Maratrac
I used a T23 for years, and now have moved to a T30 for my DOS machine, never any issues with the IBM Thinkpads.
Jim
Jim
- airboss
- Posts: 33
- Joined: Sun Feb 17, 2013 8:40 am
- What radios do you own?: Maxtrac, Maratrac, IC-7200
Re: Serial Port error - Maratrac
OK, Interesting. I am suspecting the aftermarket RIB. Also, the "newbie" material (in this site) says the older RSS's like less than 100Mhz computers. So that would be a 386 or 486. But as one poster (above) states he has used the Thinkpad T-2x series with no problem, and they are above 500Mhz processor speed.
I am above average PC geeky (I build and repair them) - so I am determined here.
I'll just keep plowing...
thx to all!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am above average PC geeky (I build and repair them) - so I am determined here.
I'll just keep plowing...
thx to all!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Will wrote:Maratrac RVN-4023G Jul-98 Is the version RSS that IS Pentium compatible.airboss wrote:how fast is recommended? thxthebigphish wrote:that's because your processor is way too fast for the program.
There may be a problem in the serial port or the RIB from the error message you are getting.
None of the Motorola or aftermarket/knock-off radio interface boxes are actually truly compatible with the RS232 standard.
This is a known problem that was never corrected. So some computer serial ports do not work with the RIB.
Re: Serial Port error - Maratrac
For a long time, many RSS packages did indeed need slower 386/486 machines. Thankfully, Motorola did release 'Pentium Compatible' versions for most of their DOS based RSS, except for the real old stuff that was already past it's support cycle. You can see what ones are Pentium compatible here:
http://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=52894
It's no guarantee the RSS will run on every modern machine, but the chances are decent that it will (HT600 and Saber are notable exceptions...still very finicky).
I recall several posts in the past about the IR port in Thinkpads causing COM1 conflicts. If you have it, turn it off in the BIOS. Also definitely use the DOS Mode for Games with EMS and XMS support.
Of course, if you are not using the very latest & greatest Maratrac RSS version, you will still be out of luck.
http://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=52894
It's no guarantee the RSS will run on every modern machine, but the chances are decent that it will (HT600 and Saber are notable exceptions...still very finicky).
I recall several posts in the past about the IR port in Thinkpads causing COM1 conflicts. If you have it, turn it off in the BIOS. Also definitely use the DOS Mode for Games with EMS and XMS support.
Of course, if you are not using the very latest & greatest Maratrac RSS version, you will still be out of luck.
No trees were harmed in the posting of this message...however an extraordinarily large number of electrons were horribly inconvenienced.
Welcome to the /\/\achine.
Welcome to the /\/\achine.
Re: Serial Port error - Maratrac
airboss wrote:OK, haven't tried the above DOS, yet. Using IBM ThinkPad T23, Pentium III. RSS is version 5. I have a version 6 also, but it gives me "run time error, divide by zero error".wavetar wrote:+1 for this, it's the best DOS to use. What make/model is your computer, and what version is your RSS? Only the latest version is Pentium compatible.kd5ual wrote: go into c:/windows and double click on " dos mode for games with ems xms support "
There is a small DOS program called "cacheoff.com" that shuts off the cache in the computer. In many cases this will get you around the "run time error" and the "divide overflow". I have to use it on a number of computers when I run the Spectra software.
Haven't had to program a Maratrac in a number of years, so don't have any up to date help. But you might look around for the small "cacheoff.com" program and run it before you start the radio software. See if that doesn't help. I put it in the same directory as the radio software I am using.
Jim
- airboss
- Posts: 33
- Joined: Sun Feb 17, 2013 8:40 am
- What radios do you own?: Maxtrac, Maratrac, IC-7200
Re: Serial Port error - Maratrac
Fixed it!!! It was the laptop (T-23 1.2GHz) - too fast! Got an old Gateway laptop running 166 MHz. Works perfectly!