Interface check fails...

[algae105]

Hi,

I've just received a new Ultra JP1 cable (from filebug) and am having a problem testing that it can talk to my remote. I've got a 9960 B01 which I know isn't supported by IR yet but as I understand it, I should still be able to download from the remote and check the interface etc.

Problem is that I always get the same error from IR 5.15.

"No response from interface. Make sure that the interface is connected to the PC and that you've specified the correct port."

My parallel port address is 0x378h and I've set that (as well as the other two addresses in IR) but that doesn't make a difference. I get the same error whether the remote is connected or not. I even get the same error if the cable itself is not connected.

I'm running XP SP2 and I've had the same problem when running as Administrator and a user with administrative privileges. I know the port works because I usually use a parallel printer on that port (obviously not connected while I'm testing)

Next up, I'm going to try another PC running Windows 98 but is there anything obvious that I've missed ?

Cheers !

PS - Does anyone know how close the 9960 B01 support is to being released ?

[The Robman]

PS - Does anyone know how close the 9960 B01 support is to being released ?

Pretty close.

[algae105]

Ok, a bit of an update.

I've now tried the same steps on a completely different PC running Windows 2000 and I'm getting the same problem there. It seems to me that the most likely problem now is an error in the cable / interface ?

Is there anything I can do to verify that the cable is working ? Continuity checks on pins or something like that...

Of course, my remote is also suspect since I've never actually communicated with it via the JP1 header yet. But am I right in thinking that I can test the interface without having it connected to the remote ?

I've got no idea what to try next - any help would be appreciated !

[Mark Pierson]

Try with batteries, without batteries, and with one battery reversed to see it that helps.

[algae105]

Yep, I've tried all the different combinations and still haven't seen any difference from the original message which makes me think my interface is the problem.

I know it's possible that the 'Check Interface' option can return a false negative result but it seems a little suspect when there's no change to the error message whether the cable is attached to the computers or not...

I'm going to try and make a simple interface to see if that makes a difference. Otherwise, I guess the remote is screwed.

[Filebug]

You may want to try a different remote to rule that out. If that doesn't work, I have emailed you instructions on how to return the cable to verify it is not defective. Thanks!

-Tom

[Filebug]

Ultra cable passed interface check. Upload and download of data worked 100%. Trouble must be either a remote or pc problem.

[algae105]

Damn - I was afraid of that :/
I use the parallel port for printing so I know that parts working. I guess the remote is to blame...

Thanks for checking it out for me !

[Mark Pierson]

I use the parallel port for printing so I know that parts working.

That could be the problem if there's printer drivers being used that hog the port. I have an older Epson that must be configured on an Epson Printer Port, and my Simple interface won't work on it.

[algae105]

Just an update - I got a simple JP1 cable and new remote from Robman (thanks !) and it worked first time ! The simple interface also worked with the remote that was originally giving me problems so now I have two

No idea what was causing a problem with the Ultra interface but no need to worry about it now...

Thanks for your help !