I have a Garmin III pilot which has suddenly stopped communicating with both of my computers. I have a PC that uses Windows XP and a laptop that uses Windows Vista (both are home editions). The lead from the GPS was used to connect to a previous computer’s serial port, but now has an additional converter lead attached so I can use the USB ports (which has worked in the past).
The program I’m using is called G7towin.exe, which is a widely used program which downloads waypoints to Garmin GPS units.
If I try to connect to the Garmin I get one of the following messages depending on which COMM port "n" I try :-
"in asyncinit 1 \\.\com"n" error: 2. The system cannot find the file specified"
"in aysncinit 1; com "n"; error 5 access is denied" – [On Vista machine only]
"serial port timeout"
"No Protocol Array and Protocol not in Table program can’t continue"
The Garmin interface is set to "Garmin" and the transfer mode is set to "Host".
I know the serial port to USB converter lead is working correctly as it successfully connects to an .ICG logger.
The PC has Microsoft ActiveSync with the "Allow serial cable or infrared connection to this COM port" unticked so it doesn’t interfere with the other com settings. Also, it may be relevant that I connect to the internet on both computers via a modem through a USB port, but the problem persists even with the USB line to the modem disconnected.
Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated,
Thank you in anticipation,
Tony Crowden.
If it were doing this just on the Vista machine I would say it was Vista related but since you are getting it from an xp machine as well the problem is either cable or the gps unit. You don;t say if this just started happening or ? If you can try out the cable on something else to make sure so you can eliminate it. About the only thing you can do is to make sure the port settings in the pilot are set correctly. Generally the slower the better if you are having communication problems as this makes the signal timing not as critical. Try 9600 baud to start. Make sure that the data bits are also set roght. This is the 8n1 or 7n1 thing you see. I can;t think of what the default is on the garmin but as long as both pc and garmin have speed, bits, parity, and stop but set the same they should talk.
Try to download from the unit as well as upload.Unfortunetly you can only change the speed and protocal or reset the unit. You won't be able to fix it if is a hardware thing. If you are using a USB to Serial adapter then I would say that is your problem or could be. Cheaper ones just don't work often on higher port speeds. You might want to try the gps on a pc with a actual serial port if you are using one. If it works then you should try a different brand of adapter or really slow down the speeds.
This won;t solve it unless you luck out but it should let you know where the problem is.
Dave
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