Ronny

iTrader: (1)

my new laptop is going to have a usb instead of the serial like the old laptop. does one purchase/ build a new devise for aldl to laptop or obtain an adapter? i think I read radio shack sells adapter but are their any issues with function. also my operating system is windows 98 now it is XP. is that going to cause any issues? winaldl/tunercat. speed density 7747.

Grumpy

I've used the RS USB to serial adapter, the only problem I've had is with the newer ecms and faster ALDL, Scanners wouldn't link.
Works fine for Tunercat R_T, on my 749, and 148.

Ronny

iTrader: (1)

thanks i just read the topic beneath and it shed some light. my laptop is very old and replacement battery is $230. yes $230. first 2 i bought would not fit so went battery plus, it fit, but died in 2 months. refunded so i buy a new laptop. $550 best buy was the lowest cost. sure could buy a used one but will battery hold up or are their issues with used. anyway hope it works with my car. thanks for the tips.

Grumpy

Up until this last one, all I've ever bought is old junker laptops. And again other then this one, all had to run off of an inverter cause the batteries were dead. If I have to do cold start stuff, then I'd run an extension cord out to the car.

I've heard of alot of laptops being stolen, so about anything that goes in the car I consider expendable.

Ronny

iTrader: (1)

we dont have theft problems in rural wisconsin. last thief was put in a rat hole for 2 weeks without food and then strapped to a tree. then it gets wierd i better not explain to protect the innocent...

jamesbob02

I absolutely could NOT get my cable to work with XP and a good USB/serial adapter. It is debatable which one is the problem, but from what I've read, nobody's gotten it to work with XP.

I gave in and bought an old laptop with serial and 98, no problems.

Ronny

iTrader: (1)

anybody else ? this is not good news. maybe i have to load on windows 98 on new laptop ??

jamesbob02

Oh, I absolutely forgot. I did that too, and it still didn't work, so I chalked it up to the adapter not working right. It could have been a settings problem, but I'm not sure. SOME people have had luck with certain brands of adapters, while others have not, you just kind of have to experiment. I chose not to, because I got a good deal on an older laptop = easier to work with.

Chevota

Ok, I am basically in the same boat. I just got a new to me laptop for use datalogging. I got a Dell Lattitude CS. I had a CPI before and it had a serial port. It didn't dawn on me that the CS wouldn't have a serial port. I am also running XP. It didn't dawn on me that the model I got wouldn't have a serial port. I'll let you know what I find with the radio shack usb adapter. I should be getting one next week. Of note - I tried using my bosses old Ibm thinkpad, and it didn't work with Winaldl. I have a gateway 6oomhz laptop with a bad screen. It works! And it is running XP. But I had to put an inverter in the car to power not only the computer, but a monitor. It looked really stupid driving down the road with the screen from my desktop sitting in the passenger seat. Hence, I got a new dell. Still crossing my fingers that I will be able to get it to work. I have no idea why the ibm didn't work. Everything the same but the computer.

Good Luck,

Mab

Ronny

iTrader: (1)

i think i read the radio shack desive works. will buy it. cant check out since car in barn till 4.1.03

The Doc

If you buy a new laptop that has XP AND has a serial port will it work?

If XP is the problem on the newer machines can you just partition the hard-disk and have a dual boot with Windows 98? Will that work?

Thanks,

Bill usn-1

That's what I do.
I dual boot to 98se and XP.
I run all my RT tuning/logging on the 98se.
I run 1 serial port and 1 pcmcia to serial port for the romulator.
I log with winaldl and adjust the tables with tunerpro or tunercat.
HTH

JohnL

The Romulator web page says it "works with USB to Serial adapters IF they create a COM port device." Maybe this is a basic question to ask of the USB/ Serial adaptor vendor.

John

Cobra289

Hi,

I found software for a dedicated dongle USB to Serial.
The vendor has put in his site the file for downloading.
Maybe one of you guy’s can tray it and see what happens. But I think that you need to have the dongle from this company to get the solutions.
http://www.sc-systems.com/products/a...al_WinDesk.htm

Cobra289

Ronny

iTrader: (1)

i asked radio shack if it creates a com port devise. they did not know. only one item they sell. the installation floppy may do just that per salesperson but not certain. i think the Romulator searches for a specific com port as does the winaldl. i had to change the com port my old laptop to get winaldl to run by locating the com port.

SBNova

I had the same prob with my Compaq laptop/Win WP. I used a couple of adapters with no luck. Then I found the Radio Shck one and it works great for me. BTW- I am using it with WInALDL.

BOWTYE8

The Radio shack usb-serial does create a com port. I run the radio shack cable. It works for everything but any type of ALDL logging. I have tried them all. I also dual boot win98 and XP. NOgo on both for data logging.

Check on Ebay. Used laptops for 100-300. Perfect for this type of application- older pent. 100 to 200mghz.

Dennis

Chevota

Ok, I bought the radio shack cable to use with my new laptop that didn't have a COMM port. It is working absolutely perfectly. It creates a new COMM port, which for me was COMM 4. I was able to use WinALDL without any problems for datalogging on a 1228747 ecm. So it is possible! I would recommend it. The only thing I didn't like is that it didn't allow for Hot-swapping. It isn't listed as one of the devices that can simply be stopped, and pulled out of the USB port. What I think is going to be insteresting is when I try and use two such cables to allow me to romulate, and datalog at the same time. Marcello

Cobra289

Hi Chevota, (Happy New Year to All)
Congratulations Chevota, I am here in The Netherlands (Europe) we don’t have Radio Shack so it is difficult to buy the same item, can you help me?
Can you tell me the manufacture? And the part Number?
A picture posted on the group will be perfect.
Which Laptop are you using? I got IBM G40
Regards,
Cobra289

BOWTYE8

Chevota,

Can you give Datamaster a try?? Its a free download with 20 included recordings.
I would like to see if you can link with this. if so
What oper. system, settings ,etc.

I tried with both XP and Win98.
Dennis

Chevota

Ok, here is a picture of the cable. It truly has no markings to help figure out the maker. I left the original container at work, with the manual. Will get those tomorrow and double check. But here is picture of the cable itself. I'll try datamaster tomorrow as well. Here is what I am running. [list=1][*]Dell Lattitude CS - 400mhz Pent II[*]Running Windows XP Pro[/list=1]

Now I have been unsuccessful running the Intronics pocket programmer 2 under Windows XP. If I run off a dos diskette in straight dos mode it works like a charm. But USB devices don't run under dos!!! I have tried on many different computers, I think at least 5 different ones that were all running XP. so I am a little worried about the Romulator running under XP. I am stuck on XP, the networking is so easy. And I really want to be able to put a wireless nic card in my laptop, and have access to the net while doing all this at work. Windows 98 was ok, and so was 2000 - but I haven't had to do a reinstall of one the machines I run with XP since I installed it. I could never say that of 98 nor 2000.
Ok, we are having power problems here in Millbrae, CA today. Big storm. The power has gone off three times while I am writing this. I am getting out of here for now and turning the computers off until the storm is over. Will have more In a day or two.

Cobra289

Hi Chevota,

Thanks for your information it is really positive I hope that I can found one this baby's and run the TunerPro RT and DataMaster.

Here in Holland is snowing the all day, I hope your power problems will be solved.

I am running also Windows XP and I use and old Toshiba Satellite for dataloging but the batteries doesn't hold more than 30 minutes, so I was happy to read your message that a USB/Serial cables works, so that I can use the new laptop.

definitely I will wait for your box information, I will buy the same so know that this cable is not the problem.

Regards,
Cobra289

www.donostia.demon.nl

BOWTYE8

Chevota,
Yes I have the same cable. My lappy is a tosh celeron 700. The cable worked with romulator but not with moates,datamaster or Tunerpro RT for ALDL logging.
What driver did you load for win XP. I believe I loaded W2K driver.
Yes mine also creates a com 4 port.

Hmmmm?????

Chevota

Well Driver's ... The info that came with cable and floppy said to simply put the disk in the drive, and let xp decide which driver to grab off the disk. So that is what I did. I believe the driver used was in the root directory of the disk, but I will check tomorrow at work again. I am using WinALDL, I will try datamaster tomorrow. I am glad to hear that Romulator worked though. That has been my big worry, after seeing Winaldl working. And yes, the power is back on!!! Marcello

Ronny

iTrader: (1)

i added the radio shack serial/usb adapter to new windows xp laptop. cant datalog as car in barn. where do i look for com port 1 on new laptop? i am of opinion radio shack did not offer alternative com ports with this hardware. when i first ran winaldl i remember needing to move serial/locate to com port 1 where it was not day one.laptom set to IR port? took a week to fiqure it out. pleasse confirm that it will be a non issue. one thing i noticed is that in tunercat it moves at speed of light.

BOWTYE8

Ronny- Right click on my computer-click on properties-then harware -then device manager. Here you should see a list of hardware items. click the plus sign under "PORTs" here you should see radio shack com port-1,2,3, or 4.
If listed here with out a yellow exclaimation point --It is presumed to be installed and ready for use.

Dennis

Chevota

Ok, here are the pictures of the manual and the packaging. I looked into trying datamaster, but you need their hardware to properly test it. Just having the software isn't going to tell you anything. I am using winALDL without any problems. The Datamaster website does state that they have updated to work with a usb cable, even if it has a comm port set higher than comm 4. So here are the pictures you asked for.

Chevota

page 2

Chevota

front cover

Chevota

backside and that is it.

Cobra289

Hi Chevota,
Thanks for your pictures, this will help me to alocate the same here in Europe.
Regards,
Cobra289


http://www.donostia.demon.nl
(The Cobra with a Chevy engine?)

BOWTYE8

Marcello
Datamaster is just another datalogging. Moates and Datamaster are both free downloads --and should work with the winaldl cable.

I tried both versions of datamaster with no luck. the original plus the usb beta version.

Anyone else outhere get the usb to work?

Chris B

I too gave up on getting the damn usb to serial to work..I just went the way of the PCMCIA card. Its so much easier. Its a I/O brand and it works like a charm. If you can get the ruggedized version that allows for not having to use a dongle and makes it much more well rugged. any questons feel free to ask.

Bill usn-1

Just picked up a usb to serial cable at Fry's (outpost.com) electronics store. $20
It's an IOgear USB PDA / serial adapter model GUC232A
You can look them up on the internet.
Loaded it up on Win 98SE and it set up on com port 3!!!
I have disabled the IR ports so they don't use up a port resource.
In the intructions there are steps to loading on XP so I will give it a try next.
But so far I have logged data with winaldl and did some real time tuning with tuner pro.

Hope this helps

Ronny

iTrader: (1)

dug up this old post. due to winter datalogging was not done since 11/2003. replaced my old latop with a new one. old is windows 98 new is windows XP. using radioshack serial to usb since aldl cable is serial. first attempt at datalogging with winaldl showed error message"cannot locate com port" tried com port 3 instead of 1 and error message disappeard. says OK no error. win aldl found my port 3. BUT no startup. now radio shack may use com port 4? winaldl only uses 1/2/3. i searched my port in"devise manager" and found 2 usb ports. which is the connection at rear of laptop. no specific port 1/2/3 is shown in devise manager. old laptop it allows changing from 1/2/3 or IR. not sure if issue is serial/usb adapter or XP or winaldl. tried to reinstall the radio shack hardware and wizard says it is already here so installed properly. has anyone been successful with winaldl/XP ? another option is to install windows 98 and run with that. if no startup that will confirm it is RS adapter. have not yet tried romulator or PP2 with XP as datlogging comes first. comments? suggestions?

Mangus

moates now offers a USB ALDL interface cable. =)

Ronny

iTrader: (1)

yes. he responded to my email. i will purcase from him. so it appears xp works with winaldl?

Ronny

iTrader: (1)

customefis whom i purchased the aldl to serial cable from just responded that winaldl does NOT work with XP ? so now i remove XP and add on 98 and try again. moates responded that issue may be radio shack adapter so will add 98 and try RS adapter again. if no go i will purchase moates adapter.

91Z28-350

The converters are quite unreliable. It's not just for datalogging, but other things as well. If you can score a PCMCIA/PC-Card serial port, those are more reliable, but relatively expensive for what you are getting.

Z28GEN3

*might not be the rite thread for this*

can you build a USB cable to read ALDL? is there a parts description somewhere? or is it the same as the serial cable in assembly.

Cobra289

Hi,
You can get one totally build for you by Craig.
You need ALDU1 and CABL1 and it will cost you in total $80 with out shipping.

It works under Win98 and Win Xp and I have tested with good results.
After 3 USB to serial cables I was tired to tray and I found that Craig have this new type of converter.
Normally you need a USB to Serial and other cable to connect to your ECM so at the end of the day you will expend the money with the change that it doesn't work.
The USB to ALDL converter got special driver and give you under Win XP the possibility to change the COM port number.
You know the XP cam make a COM port 5 that you don't want. See my screen shot with the change of the COM port number.

Read below for how to do:

From Device Manager, select "View devices by type", then "Ports (COM & LPT)". Select the USB serial port
and click Properties. Select the "Port Settings" tab, and then click Advanced. Choose the required COM
port number from the list and click OK.

Regards,
Cobra289

Ronny

iTrader: (1)

thanks that was very helpfull. will give XP another chance with the Radio Shack and then if fails go to moates for his serial/usb abapter. i bet it will work. tunercat says pp2 and , romulator will work XP....

Cobra289

Hi Rony,
I have used DataMaster and you can see on the screen shot my settings for the connection.
I will tray TunerPro RT and WinALDL on this weekend and let you know the results.
I thinks that will be OK.
As you can see on the previous screen shot you can change the USB transfer rates for low boud rates.
Regards,
Cobra289

Ronny

iTrader: (1)

thanks again. i tried to locate the com ports to change the one that i suspect is 5(radio shack created) and change to 1 or 3. winaldl currently on 3. now issue is i can find in windows 98 but not XP. this is first week with XP. my steps are control panel/system/system properties/hardware/devisemanager/univ serial bus controlers. then i see 4 usb : intel r 24 cr/intel R 24c2/usb root hub/usb root hub. the install on the RS adapter was successful but cant locate any hardware called radio shack. i tried to rerload RX and wizard says already there. how does poone locate the compprts to flip to 1/3? somewhere i went down wrong road.