Suddenly no com?

[bleeth]

I suddenly am not able to communicate from computer tocontroller.
Tried all the usual fixes (shutting down and re-opening,changing ports, changed out the USB/controller cord, etc.
All connections are tight and lights good in controller.
Driver Display shows connection working properly.
Still get the “detected SB but can’t communicate” message.

[HandyManBill]

Wow, small world...looks like my turn to make a suggestion. If you are using the conveter that comes with the system to change the RC connection to a USB, just pull it out and plug into the back of the computer as long as you have a connector on the back. That was a real problem for me until I tinkered around with it and found it worked flawlessly.

[HandyManBill]

I am a more visual person and a bit more on the creative side so I apologize for the terminology that I sent...the picture with the black attachment on the end was the converter from either either RJ11 or RJ45 to a USB. The other picture shows the port it would go into...my son who is a computer geek said that neither should work with what I did ....all i can say is it does and with no communication errors...just get posessed now and then.

[bleeth]

I have an up to date Alpha box. It has a direct USB connection. I've always run it through an APC USB2 Hub but tried it straight without it. No joy. When plugged in to the Hub the connection indicator light is functioning.
No Serial connector.
I just got out my laptop and changed out computers with the same results.
Sounds like it's in the controller. Afraid I have a fried control card even though the green indicator lights are lit on it.
Frank's out of town-waiting on whoever has support this weekend to call.

[bleeth]

A new bit of info.
With the control unit on for a while the card (not the main board) gets physically hot. Not too hot to touch but definitely quite warm-Much hotter and it would burn fingertips.
I actually have no idea whether the card getting warm is normal or not.

[bleeth]

Bill: If you are referring to where you have the phone type plug from your VFD to the USB convertor,
that is the speed controller. I don't use it. My old Delta VFD unit won't use it. Went through a lot of trying things a long time ago until I found out some of the earlier Delta units just won't accept input from one.

[bleeth]

Expanding on possible indicators:
When normal operating computer is hooked up and I use the "detect SB Port" button as it is scrolling through the ports it stops at 4 (the normal operating port) for a few seconds almost like it "smells" a connection but can't quite catch it.
Then it scrolls through the rest and tells me no connection detected.
In device manager SB shows on port 4 and when properties are checked it says it is operating normally.

[bleeth]

I have a version 208 card in my SB stuff cabinet. Anyone know the difference between 208 and 210 (besides 210 being newer).
Thinking of changing them out to see if the 208 works. That would pretty much tell me the 210 is fried, but don't know what other type of issues trying to use an older card might have.

[bleeth]

Changed out the card. Immediate perfect operation.
Hope this series helps someone else later.
One more thing:
On some good advice from BW I checked 24v and 5v in voltage to make sure contactors were doing their job.
They were.
Also thanks to Tom at SB support for the email responses.

[dmidkiff]

Glad you got it going so quick.

[scottp55]

Glad you got it going so quick.
+1 Bleeth
scott