Question from plankton

[aqua_digital]

Question from plankton on RC

I purchased the usb to serial cable (pictured below), i did NOT install the cd that came with it. I downloaded the
"Driver for PLM-USB, Windows 2000/XP/Vista®" file and executed the install.

I plugged in the usb cable and got an error message.

1) is there a particular brand of usb - serical cable i need to buy
2) can i use the driver that came with the cable?

[aqua_digital]

Answer.

The error message you show below, is related to your windows system having a conflict with the driver, this can be due to various reasons such as other drivers sharing this port.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Tb5PgucFfMaRPqDvHEQCOQ?feat=directlink

GHL will reply to help you address this. it normally means mapping the port before installing the driver, you say on RC you are a computer engineer so i think you will find this quite simple, but let GHL know on this forum if you need further help.

[plankton99]

ok, so how do i remap the port? and why does the disk tht come with the cable not have to do this.

you also did not answer my question... can i use the driver that came with the cable?

also, when the application loads where in the computer are the drivers written (what folder),, I have Vista?

[aqua_digital]

There are no special cables to connect the USB just a standard USB cable

Go to your devise manager and see if Com3 is being used.

Most errors occur by trying to install the driver with the profiLux already connected to the PC

Make sure the driver has not installed and then reboot the PC and try again with the ProfiLux not connected to the PC.

In regards to setting the driver to install on a specific port (mapping) GHL can advise on this.

[aqua_digital]

153

Here is the screen shot of everything loaded to a Vista machine (mine)

[plankton99]

OK here is what I did...

1) downloaded the driver
2) installed it, installation went fine
3) plugged in the usb to serial cable (cable not connected to anything else), computer searched for driver, got error message posted above.
4) below is the device manager showing and exclamation point on the Prolific driver on COM 3
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/EcIChZ-V___cdpuP2b13bQ?feat=directlink

How do i fix this? what specific steps do i take.

[aqua_digital]

presumably you have installed Profilux control and the version that matches the firmware you have loaded to your ProfiLux controller.

Next to the connect button in the primary screen of profilux click on the 3 dots

click new

select com3

press save and come out and try to connect selecting the new connection you have made obviously.

As you have a exclamation over the device driver this does point to a conflict in your system, USB can be a nightmare based on what you have already sitting on your pc.

If it does not connect please wait for GHL to assist you further.

[plankton99]

I am trying to be as clear as possible....

The only thing on my computer installed is the usb-2-serial cable and the driver software.

Questions:
Do i need to install the Profilix Control Software first before the driver?
How do i find out what version I have?


can you call me to discuss this?

[aqua_digital]

Questions:
Do i need to install the Profilix Control Software first before the driver?
No, this is why the issue is with the PC you are using and not anything to do with the profiluc driver or software. But to establish a connection you need to install the profiLux control software.

How do i find out what version I have?
Right click on the desktop short cut for the ProfiLux control software and click properties this will tell you what version software you have.

can you call me to discuss this?
We only can provide web support at this time.

Please follow my steps in the last post and then report back.

[plankton99]

Question 1: how do i find out what version of firmware i have so that i can download and install the correct software?

Question 2: next let's solve for the driver issue first. from above i do NOT need the profilux softwre correct, just the device driver for the cable correct?

[aqua_digital]

1. Reboot your profilux it will tell you as it boots.

2. You will need the software installed to establish a connection.

[plankton99]

for your response # 2 below... what does that have to do with the driver software for the USB to Serial cable? Do I have to have the profilux software installed for the driver software to work? PLEASE ANSWER THIS directly.



1. Reboot your profilux it will tell you as it boots.

2. You will need the software installed to establish a connection.

[aqua_digital]

Hi

I have answered this "directly" in post #9

Questions:
Do i need to install the Profilix Control Software first before the driver?
No, this is why the issue is with the PC you are using and not anything to do with the profiluc driver or software. But to establish a connection you need to install the profiLux control software.

GHL will carry on support from here if required as i am leaving the office. Please follow my steps I have outlined previous.

[plankton99]

OK i have tried everything you said and nothing works. What should i try next.

[plankton99]

1) ok so i went to radio shack and bought a 440 usb to serial adapter. used the driver that windows downloaded from windows update.

2) NOW i can connect to the unit

3) SO JUST TO BE CLEAR, I am not using the driver from your website... Is this going to be a problem, as it seems to be finally working?

[GHL Support]

1) ok so i went to radio shack and bought a 440 usb to serial adapter. used the driver that windows downloaded from windows update.

2) NOW i can connect to the unit

3) SO JUST TO BE CLEAR, I am not using the driver from your website... Is this going to be a problem, as it seems to be finally working?

Please note:
-The "Driver for PLM-USB, Windows 2000/XP/Vista®" is for an USB-extension card. For an USB-->serial-adapter you have to use the driver that is delivered with the adapter
-Be sure you use the original serial GHL-cable between ProfiLux and the USB-->serial-adapter. If you don't use this cable, this can cause severe problems
-It is often the case that you have to try several adapters until it works, especially with Vista, there are often problems

[plankton99]

[QUOTE=Carolin;3203]Please note:
-The "Driver for PLM-USB, Windows 2000/XP/Vista®" is for an USB-extension card. For an USB-->serial-adapter you have to use the driver that is delivered with the adapter


Your answer is what i have been looking for. I was told in other posts that I was to use the PLM-USB driver for the usb-serial cable in windows.

[aqua_digital]

This is the advise GHL have always provided prior to this, i was not aware this had now changed, I can only assume with the launch of the new GHL driver this info has been superceded.

GHL please clarify the change so no further confusing info is provided

Thanks :)

[plankton99]

This is the advise GHL have always provided prior to this, i was not aware this had now changed, I can only assume with the launch of the new GHL driver this info has been superceded.

GHL please clarify the change so no further confusing info is provided

Thanks :)

I wonder why GHL is NOT clarifying this. I spent over 16 hours trying to figure this out based on the misleading information they gave me.:confused:

[aqua_digital]

Hi
Well it was me that gave you the missleading info not GHL they gave you the "new" correct info.

I had not been made aware by GHL of the changes and have advised everyone previous based on the original information supplied by GHL

I am running myself a Serial to USB adapter on the new GHL driver (not the supplied adapter one) using vista and have no issues, so my guess is it is down to the type of adapter you have.

I am sure GHL will confirm to me on Monday what is the correct support info so we do not have unfortunate confusions again, and can only apologies my information seems out of date.

[plankton99]

Hi
Well it was me that gave you the missleading info not GHL they gave you the "new" correct info.

I had not been made aware by GHL of the changes and have advised everyone previous based on the original information supplied by GHL

I am running myself a Serial to USB adapter on the new GHL driver (not the supplied adapter one) using vista and have no issues, so my guess is it is down to the type of adapter you have.

I am sure GHL will confirm to me on Monday what is the correct support info so we do not have unfortunate confusions again, and can only apologies my information seems out of date.

Well at least i got it going. I have an aqua illumination light hooked up to it and i did my first thunderstorm today - it was great.:)

[GHL Support]

Perhabs there was a type of missunderstanding.
The driver we have on your homepage is only! for the PLM-USB.
I am realy sure there are usb to serial adapter cables that use the same driver but how will you know. So allways!! use the driver come with such cables or try to look on builder homepage from the cable if there are new drivers for it.

[Matthias]

This is the advise GHL have always provided prior to this, i was not aware this had now changed, I can only assume with the launch of the new GHL driver this info has been superceded.

GHL please clarify the change so no further confusing info is provided

Thanks :)

I am pretty sure this was a misunderstanding.
- We changed nothing regarding the USB-driver for our card PLM-USB (even if we had so - this would not affect a third-party USB-device)

- As with all USB-devices: Always use the drivers which are provided through the manufacturer