GPS/LAPTOP/PROBLEMS

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minrags

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I have connected my Garmin 12 to my laptop (XP, 1.4ghz) using the Garmin cable, loaded up the software and charts (maptech and Offshore Navigator). The end of the GPS cable is a D9 female, and as i do not have the male equivelant on the laptop, I purchased a serial port adaptor and connected it through this. After many attemps the software still cannot "find" the GPS unit. I have used Hyper terminal, on the correct Com port (which i think to be com 3) and still there is no data being sent through. Other advice given to mewas to jack a paperclip between the holes at 5 and 11 o clock on the GPS adaptor and then to type onto hyperterminal to see if any lettering appeared, but still nothing. What could be wrong? could it be the cable, or that the com port isnt working properly? Any help will be greatly appreciated!

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Not too sure from your post what adapter you've bought, and which port you have connected to.

Is it a USB serial port adaptor you've bought? (highly probable if you don't have a 9pin male connector)

If so, have a look at these comments and check the drivers you have
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If you are using a serial to USB converter with XP the usual process is to plug the converter into a USB port on the computer with nothing attached to the serial side of the converter. Turn the computer on and the converter should automatically start installing, probably prompting you to insert a driver CD or floppy (which should come with the converter) - you may have to try several times. If during the installation it does not tell you which COM port it is replicating than go to Control Panel>System>Hardware>Device Manager>Ports and it should tell you. Set up your chart/plotter software to that port when you connect your GPS.

If the converter did not install then the problem is with the converter or computer. If the convertor does install and gives you a COM port but the nav system does not work on that port, then you probably have a problem with the GPS cabling/GPS setup/nav software setup.

As Brendan says, many report problems with serial/USB adaptors. I have several in use for nav and various digital radio and GPRS applications and have never had a problem myself - the first one I bought was a cheap no-name store labeled one, it worked so have always used the same ones. While I am sure early ones had gremlins, I would think as long as fitted to a reasonably new computer most current problems with new converters may be user finger problems.

John

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maptech can be a bit funny. make sure it is looking for data from the gps. it has an extra menu in there that isn't on the gps setup. don't have it in front of me so can't remember off hand where the menu is. where are you? i've set up a few gps to laptop conections maybe i cann come and help you.

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I've just been playing with this concept: connecting a Garmin extrex to an old laptop. I have no Windows experience and little patience (I work with Mac ;-) ) but managed to get the two to talk. If your problem is one of cabling this site should be of help. Hope it does!

http://www.garmin.com/support/faqs/faq.jsp?faq=68

sorry: you'll have to copy and paste the link; for some reason if I make it linkable, it includes half of my message in the link.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.comoy.com/saillinks.html>http://www.comoy.com/saillinks.html</A>
 
sure you have already done this, but just in case - you have gone into the garmin setup menu and set it up to send nmea data out?

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It is possible that you will need to fit a null modem and gender changer between the Garmin connector and serial port on your computer.

Randy

<hr width=100% size=1>Randy
 
Ok, thanks for the replies, maybe im getting a bit confused. The GPS cable is a D9 plug, I purchased a 25 pin plug adaptor so that I can connect the D9 – 25 pin – Serial port. The port on the back of the laptop is a female 2 pin, with a picture of a little printing page, is this still a serial port or infact a parallel printer port? Are they the same or completely different ports? Would it make more sense to buy an adaptor for D9 to USB and plug it in using USB?

Also someone mentioned a null modem and gender converter, lol please expand on that?

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The female 25 pin (I assume you meant 25 pin not 2 pin) connector with the printing page beside it is a parallel port and if that is what you are using, then that is your problem.

If you do not have a serial port (has a 2 circle graphic beside it and will be 9 pin male), which is most likely so on a modern laptop, then you have to use a USB port and a USB to serial convertor. You will not need a null modem.

If you do not have a spare USB port (eg if only one on the computer and it is used by a USB mouse) then you will need to get a USB hub to plug into that port and which will then give you 2, 4 ports, whatever hub you buy. You will be asked whether you want a USB 1.1 or a USB 2.0 hub - your computer manual should say which your USB port is (one is just a later version of the other). If it doesn't then almost certainly either will work, just that the USB 2.0 one may be dearer. You may also be asked if you want a powered or unpowered one in which case an unpowered one should do the job for the GPS and your mouse (should the mouse be USB). Sounds complicated but it will all fit together - you just need to plug the hub in and it will automatically install itself.

Then install the USB to serial convertor in the sequence as outlined in my previous message.

While this probably will not be an issue unless you find a need for 2 serial ports, I have had funny things happen if I have put 2 USB to serial convertors into one USB hub.

Good luck

John

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