HELP MY LABTOP HAS NO SERIAL

[mormannoob]

my labtop has no serial port and im the only one here with the code how can i download the code or use the dashboard with out serial port HELP

[Alex698]

couple of options:

1. USB to serial converter

2. use a desktop with the loader on it and use its serial port.

[rabbitgirl]

If you have a desktop computer with a serial port on it, you can use that. Also, with the laptop, we used a USB-Serial converter for the 2005 season and it worked just fine, so you can try that route. good luck.

[GMAdan]

we have the same problem so we brought a serial to usb adapter, but easyc wont reconize the rc. it keeps telling us to press the prog button or check if the cable is connected. anyone know what the problem could be or how to solve it.

[kevin.li.rit]

Originally Posted by GMAdan

we have the same problem so we brought a serial to usb adapter, but easyc wont reconize the rc. it keeps telling us to press the prog button or check if the cable is connected. anyone know what the problem could be or how to solve it.

Hmm, are you using a really long programming cable? If so the signal might not be reaching it, it could also happen with a short cable and a laptop that can't give enough power without it plugged into the wall. That's my best guess.

[Mike]

Originally Posted by GMAdan

we have the same problem so we brought a serial to usb adapter, but easyc wont reconize the rc. it keeps telling us to press the prog button or check if the cable is connected. anyone know what the problem could be or how to solve it.

Make sure you are using the correct COM port.

Right click on My Computer
Properties
Hardware
Device Manager
Ports (COM & LPT)

There should be one listed as Radioshack USB to Serial or the like. It will have a COMx next to it. That is the port you want to tell IFI loader to download to.

[Dave K.]

Originally Posted by GMAdan

we have the same problem so we brought a serial to usb adapter, but easyc wont reconize the rc. it keeps telling us to press the prog button or check if the cable is connected. anyone know what the problem could be or how to solve it.

Not all USB <-> Serial adapters are created equal and some just don't work well.

I have found that adapters that use a Prolific brand chipset tend to work the best. Specifically I have been using a BAFO (brand) BF810 and have found the compatibility with a variety of equipment to be very good.

When that doesn't work, then the Socket brand PC Card I/O adapters will generally work.

I've used both of these with IFI's RC with success.

[GMAdan]

Thank you all for the suggestions i will try them tomorrow when i have the robot with me. Sometimes i wish the robot could fit into my pocket.

[Adam Richards]

Do not use a Belkin-brand USB-Serial adapter. They will work with Labview, but it is highly unlikely that they will work with EasyC (we tried several computers and adapters).

[GBIT]

Originally Posted by GMAdan

Thank you all for the suggestions i will try them tomorrow when i have the robot with me. Sometimes i wish the robot could fit into my pocket.

soon with nanotech it might........think about it

[Danny Diaz]

Originally Posted by Adam Richards

Do not use a Belkin-brand USB-Serial adapter. They will work with Labview, but it is highly unlikely that they will work with EasyC (we tried several computers and adapters).

Yup, we have a Prolific-chipset USB-Serial adaptor (AirLink 101 is the brand/model, it was actually the cheapest USB-Serial adaptor in the store) and it works extremely well for downloading code to the RC. We have 2 National Instruments USB-Serial adaptors and a Belkin, and those three work great for interfacing with the Dashboard but not so much for downloading code to the RC.

-Danny