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Problems with RS485 converter and my control PC

Discussion in 'SimTools compatible interfaces' started by Schnullerbacke, Feb 26, 2009.

  1. Schnullerbacke

    Schnullerbacke New Member

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    Hi guys,

    I try to describe my problem which occurred the day before yesterday (it wasn't easy to find a corresponding thread-title):

    When I start my control-PC (see specs below) with plugged in USB cables which are coming from the SCN5 resp. from the USB converters, the power supply of my PC starts for a very short time (the built-in ventilator is turning a few rounds) and then stopps and nothing happens anymore. The power switch doesn't have any function and I cannot start the PC.

    But when I unplug the two USB cables and start the PC without them, everything's working just fine !!!

    Plugging in the USB cables when the PC is running, doesn't affect the working process - everything's working fine !

    I'm wondering if a separate USB controller (PCI) would be a solution ? Or a usual USB hub with an external power supply ?

    Here are the specs of my control PC:
    P4 3.0GHz, 1GB RAM, 450W power supply, XP Pro SP3.
    Plugged in USB stuff: Mouse, keyboard, laser printer
    Plugged in USB stuff (but switched OFF !): color printer, external hard drive 1 + 2

    I never had those problems with using USB hardware before - so I really want to know if there are any solutions known. Does anyone of you have problems like this or similar to this ? I cannot imagine that my internal power supply isn't strong enough to handle the SCN5 too - maybe I really need an USB hub with separate power supply !?

    Looking forward to hear from you.
    Thanks in advance,
    Chris
    Schnullerbacke, Feb 26, 2009
    #1
  2. bvillersjr

    bvillersjr Active Member

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    Re: Problems with SCN5 (USB) and my control PC

    Have you tried starting the PC with none of your other USB devices plugged in? If you try with just the SCN5's, this should answer your question about power drain. However, I suspect that the problem is something else since each USB<-->RS485 should only require 5V of power and your motherboard should be able to supply 5V per port that it makes available.

    You also may want to try disabling any other COM ports that you have on your motherboard in BIOS. \

    What adapters are you using?
    bvillersjr, Feb 26, 2009
    #2
  3. Schnullerbacke

    Schnullerbacke New Member

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    Re: Problems with SCN5 (USB) and my control PC

    Hi Bernard,

    I'm using these converters: http://www.chris-weber.de/simbau/Converter-01.jpg !

    I already tried to let only 2 USB devices (mouse and keyboard) plugged in during the start process, but this didn't solve the problem.

    Afaik the COM ports are already disabled in the BIOS !
    Schnullerbacke, Feb 26, 2009
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  4. bvillersjr

    bvillersjr Active Member

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    Re: Problems with SCN5 (USB) and my control PC

    I have seen this behavior one other time. In that case, he damaged one of his USB ports. It was on the side of the pc, and someone bumped the USB plug that was plugged into it hard enough to damage the USB port itself. Please check your USB ports for signs of obvious damage. Often times the white piece in the center breaks or the silver metal portion get badly bent.

    Try plugging your USB<-->RS485 adapters into two different USB ports and plugging nothing into the USB ports that they are currently in.
    bvillersjr, Feb 26, 2009
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  5. tronicgr

    tronicgr

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    Re: Problems with SCN5 (USB) and my control PC

    I can also recommend to use the last FTDI drivers!!!! Many detection problems are due to old beta versions...

    Thanos
    tronicgr, Feb 26, 2009
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  6. Schnullerbacke

    Schnullerbacke New Member

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    Re: Problems with SCN5 (USB) and my control PC

    I will d/l the latest drivers from the converter's manufacturer homepage. Maybe there are some newer ones.

    I cannot imagine that the USB plugs are damaged in any way, due to the fact that they are only NOT working when the devices (SCN5) are plugged in during the booting process. When the PC is running and I plug them in after a while, they are working fine !

    I will also try other USB plugs than those which are making troubles now.
    Schnullerbacke, Feb 26, 2009
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  7. Schnullerbacke

    Schnullerbacke New Member

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    Re: Problems with SCN5 (USB) and my control PC

    I'm using cable which have been mounted by ego.

    As shown on this schematics...

    [​IMG]

    ...I connected Pin 1 of the RS485-cable to the UDD-connector on my converter. The other cables are also connected as shown on the picture. Without that the SCN5 could not be reached resp. be contacted.

    Where is the difference between [1] connecting the 5V to the UDD-plug and [2] connecting the 5V from the USB (PC-side) to the RS485-SCN5-cable ? I think, the converter offers the possibility to connect the 5V DIRECTLY !

    Regards,
    Chris
    Schnullerbacke, Feb 26, 2009
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  8. egoexpress

    egoexpress Active Member

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    Re: Problems with SCN5 (USB) and my control PC

    What if you try to boot your pc with connected converterts but with disconnected SCN5?
    Just to see if it is probably just a converter related issue...
    egoexpress, Feb 26, 2009
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  9. Schnullerbacke

    Schnullerbacke New Member

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    Re: Problems with SCN5 (USB) and my control PC

    Yesterday I tried to plug the USB cables for the SCN5 on the back side from my PC case - it's working !!! At first I thought that the front USB plugs are damages - as Bernard meant... but then I tried to start the PC with plugged in external harddrive - and it also worked !

    Strange things happen... :eek:

    Anyway - the show can go on. And if any further problem with the USB plugs comes up, I will try the other tipps from you...

    Thanks again and best regards,
    Chris
    Schnullerbacke, Feb 27, 2009
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  10. tronicgr

    tronicgr

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    Re: Problems with SCN5 (USB) and my control PC


    Hehe, It was happened to me too in the past with some usb devices (USB harddisks mostly) that won't recognized if I plug them to the front panel usb ports!!! Strange isn't it? :brows:

    Thanos
    tronicgr, Feb 27, 2009
    #10
  11. RaceRay

    RaceRay Administrator Staff Member SimAxe Beta Tester

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    Hi Chris,

    There are common problems with the front usb ports. (my w-lan stick never works on the front usb, only rear side)

    Maybe bad quality of the used extension cables from mainboard to the external front usb-ports or a poor electrostatic shield of your PC casing. The Diameter of the extension cables could be very thin, so that the resistance is too high and it delivers not enough current. Already tried to measure current and voltage of the 5+ pin, when you startup your power supply, and another measure when it is powered up?
    RaceRay, Mar 27, 2009
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  12. Bulkie

    Bulkie New Member

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    I also have an strange problem with scn serial ports. Already discussed in this post http://www.x-simulator.de/forum/scn5-hardware-thread-t1083-328.html

    Everything I try is useless. The scn never respond. :no:

    ----------Edited----------
    After a few more test I noticed that if I connect the 2 devices (USB & MOXA) with the RS485 cable, the data sent by Force Profiler, doesn't arrive to the destination port(PC).
    The communication only works from putty to putty but not from Force Profiler to putty.
    I also noticed that when putty opens the port, RTS & DTS are high. But when is Force Profiler who opens it RTS & DTS are low.
    ----------------------------

    ----------Edit 2-----------
    I inverted RTS & DTS in SCN5 plugin and now are high as in putty. But the other side doesn't receive anything neither.
    I'm going to analyze the 485 bus with an oscilloscope. More news soon... ;P
    ----------------------------

    ----------Edit 3-----------
    The only difference I can see is that Force Profiler sends a 200ms break before transmit the data.
    [​IMG]
    I am really, really lost :sos: :sos: :sos:
    ----------------------------

    --------Final edit--------
    Finally I found the problem. There was in the configuration of putty :tape: . Now I can receive the data transmitted by Force Profiler in both directions (USB -> MOXA, MOXA -> USB) but both SCNs continues not responding neither in USB nor in MOXA. :cry:
    ----------------------------
    Bulkie, Jul 24, 2009
    #12
  13. Bulkie

    Bulkie New Member

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    Finally. With no apparent reason, SCNs begin to answer :yippiee: . But always answer 0x00. :cnotb:
    Bulkie, Jul 24, 2009
    #13