PC Help needed for a Garmin 76

[Scubafill]

I bought a Garmin Blue Chart at the show for my map 76.
The package came with a serial port connection. My pc has 2 serial ports one used for Activesync for my ipac and the other for my Nokia phone connection.
My pc does not recognise the Garmin when I plug into either Com1 or Com2 so I cant register the unlock code.
I have restarted the pc with the garmin attached - still not recognised, seems like the Com ports are allocated to the existing perepheral devices.
My laptop only has usb ports with no facilities for serial ports.
1 Can I fit an adaptor to change the serial to a USB connection? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
2 Will it work with the 76? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
3 How do I get my pc to recognise the Garmin without a usb adaptor /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif?
I can work my way around a pc but I'm no expert so any suggestions in plain english please.

 

[andy01842]

The com port on the 76 needs to be set to Garmin and not neam. Don`t forget to change it back arfter so that it can talk to ur radio etc.

 

[paulrossall]

I would try going into SYSTEM....
then HARFWARE...
then DEVICE MANAGER
and delete one of the gadgets using the serial ports.
Then turn computer off, plug the garmin in and hope that the computer noticed it when you restart.
What system are you runnung?? I think Windows 98 does have problems like this but understand later systems...XP and maybe 2000, are better at managibg devices.
HOWEVER I am not an expert like some on the forum...I just keep trying!
Good luck. Paul.

 

[henkm]

Indeed the GPS (not the com port, btw) needs to be set to GARMIN [menu -> menu -> setup -> interface].
I hope that this was the problem with your PC, because else, from a distance, I have no further suggestions.

If you want to use the Garmin with your laptop as well (and I suppose you do),
the RS232 to USB converter is a good idea. It should cost around GBP 25.

What is important is that you try out the converter before you actually buy it, or that you may return it when it does not work with your GPS. This is because not all USB converters work with GPS's.
For an example look at the text at the bottom in:
http://www.lynks.co.uk/usb-details.html

Henk

 

[Scubafill]

pvr
Paul
I'm using XP Home edition.
I could not identify which gadget was using the port /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
I have set the 76 setup interface to Garmin. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
I will keep on trying.
Any other suggestions from the forum appreciated
Phil

 

[Thistle]

Phil

Have you spoken to Garmin about this? They are generally very helpful and take an interest in ensuring that customers can get the best out of their products. (I've no connection with Garmin other than as a very satisfied customer who has benefitted from their help on a not dissimilar problem.)

Ian

 

[boatmike]

In order to use any external GPS with a computer the output of the device MUST be set to NMEA not GARMIN.

 

[boatmike]

In plain language, if your external GPS does not interface with your PC there is something wrong with either the programme on your computer that recognises the device or the GPS itself. Most Nav programmes look for an NMEA signal so the GPS, Garmin or not, needs to be setup to output NMEA not anything else. Then your PC should recognise it as a GPS if connected to a serial port assuming that your nav programme is resident and active.
If you get this to work OK and then want to convert to using a USB port you need a USB to serial interface lead. My advice would be don't buy the Garmin one. It's £45 (or thereabouts) and does not work properly with XP as it was designed primarily for win 98 or 2000. Buy one from Maplin or Tiny computers on line for about £12. It comes with a driver on a mini-CD which you load first. then plug in the converter lead and all should work OK.

 

[henkm]

boatmike wrote:
"In order to use any external GPS with a computer the output of the device MUST be set to NMEA not GARMIN"

If you had written: "... with a computer FOR LOGGING, PLOTTING, TRACKING, ETC, the output ..." you would have been right.

Up- and download of waypoints, routes, charts etc. in most software uses the Garmin protocol, as does most Garmin proprietary software.

I am not familiar with the Bluechart software, but I assumed that it would need the Garmin protocol. Setting NMEA in stead of Garmin protocol and vice versa is a very common mistake.

It would be nice for Scubafill if the Bluechart software does need NMEA (that is: when installing!).

The XP problem can often (I don't know about the converters you mentioned!) be solved with:
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt....ops.asp.att.net
and/or:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;819036

Henk

 

[Scubafill]

I got to the bottom of this. I could not disable the Nokia software nor the Activesync so I removed the Nokia software.

Got the garmin to speak to the pc.

Garmin website quite helpful and pointed me in the right direction but did not give the complete answer in layman terms.

Hope this is of use to others

Phil

 

[chas]

Nokia have an annoying little programme which seems to bag the port for its phone - called Connection Manager. I find that if I need to use the port for anything else, I have to go into it and clear it. It is the same for the IR port. Could this be the problem?

 

[Scubafill]

Chas

This is exactly the problem.
I have uninstalled the programme as I could not disable it.
How did you clear it without disabling it?
Phil

 

[chas]

If you open it, it has (for me, anyway) three icons, one each for the serial port, the IR port and blue tooth. If you click on them, the background changes from green to pale blue. It seems that if the background is green, Nokia has the port and if it is blue, the port is available for other uses. I am no expert but this seems to work for me..

 

[Guest]

Nokia often locks out a port ...

Disabling the Nokia application when you want to use the port will often free it up for other use. Two items are known to do this : Nokia and Palm.

 

[Guest]

NMEA - Garmin / Nokia + PDA

NMEA / Garmin - These are protocol peculiar to the software it will talk to NOT dependent on Serial port.

If you set to NMEA - you will have only basic interface with no upload / download capability. Garmin are specific to use Garmin protocol to upload / download ....

The most likely reason is the Nokia or PDA software listening to the port for connection of that item.