Computer geeky question re Netbook plotter prob

MoodySabre

MoodySabre

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I run Imray Digital charts with a USB GPS which works just fine. I also have a USB AIS that runs from a Comar aerial splitter. This was working at the beginning of last year but now it isn't.

The Device Manager shows it is connected and the Comm port number and says it is working. The software however only recognises the Comm port for the GPS and there is no way I can see of setting anything in the software to make it see this other port.

Anyone now how to do it or is this something to discuss with software people? Of course I can only fiddle with it on the boat.
 
Have you checked the speeds of each COM port in Device Manager?

GPS should be 4,800 bps and the AIS should be 38,400 bps.

If this set up was working OK last year what, if anything, have you consciously changed?
 
OK

Have you any other programme on the laptop that can read GPS and AIS info from COM ports?

If not, you could try loading NavMonPC from here. It's free and, amongst other things, gives an AIS radar type display. If you set this up under File -> Connections it should give you an indication whether it is the laptop at fault (not handling the COM ports properly) or the IMRAY programme (which seems likely from what you have said, and other posts on here about problems with IMRAY).

There may be other free AIS display programmes that you could use - just Google and see.

I have no direct knowledge of the IMRAY software so can't offer any programme specific advice. I do know from experience that Windows and COM ports can be a real pain, though. You could try unplugging the USB lines, rebooting and then reconnecting, before you start the IMRAY software, although I suspect you have already tried the obvious.

Good luck.
 
MoodySabre said:
I run Imray Digital charts with a USB GPS which works just fine. I also have a USB AIS that runs from a Comar aerial splitter. This was working at the beginning of last year but now it isn't.

The Device Manager shows it is connected and the Comm port number and says it is working. The software however only recognises the Comm port for the GPS and there is no way I can see of setting anything in the software to make it see this other port.

Anyone now how to do it or is this something to discuss with software people? Of course I can only fiddle with it on the boat.
Click to expand...

If I understand right you are using a Serial to USB converter and a USB GPS? Are the devices plugged into the same USB ports as they were when you last used them? Also, assuming you are using windows, have you applied any OS updates? which version won the Os are you running?

We could go into all sorts of diagnostice but if they were working then they will work again. Simplest way to sort out the problem is to let windows do it for you. Are you familiar with 'DEVICE MANAGER'? If so then do the following:

  1. Unplug both devices from the computer
  2. Boot the PC
  3. Use Device manager to 'remove' the devices form the system
  4. Reboot the computer
  5. switch on the GPS and plug it into the computer, wait until it has been found and the drivers installed.
  6. Reboot and check the device is still being seen.
  7. Now plug in the AIS and do the same.

I recommend plugging the GPS in First as they are somtimes confused wiht mice by windows if there are a lot of USB devices present.

If you don't know device manager - then let me know and I'll walk you through that.

Good luck
 
All good advice from Temptress.

USB to serial adapters have an annoying habit of changing their port numbers - seeming randomly - but normally caused by plugging them into different usb slots / in different orders / having plugged something else in in the mean time.

It must be possible to set the COM port that the chart package is expecting AIS data on somehow - but presumably deeply buried
 
Thank you all. The software techy man is going to talk me through it when I'm next on the boat - it's a bit annoying not having an AIS aerial at home :rolleyes:

Failing that I shall download the suggested software and endeavour to sort it.
 
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