donskister
Posts: 13 +0
Is there any way check or know the serial port information & do SERIAL OUTPUT TEST of my computer to make sure theres no problem without buying a software to test it like GRAHAM utilities OS/2 version...
Serial port problem
- Thread starter donskister
- Start date
- Status
Nodsu
Posts: 5,451 +7
Actually, you cannot do a real serial port test without some special hardware (and suitable software). Either some loopback adapter or a special diagnostics device.
For a quick "test", all you have to do is connect to some serial device and see if it works.
Windows comes with a Hyperterminal program that you can use with devices that know how to talk back to you in human-readable form.
For a quick "test", all you have to do is connect to some serial device and see if it works.
Windows comes with a Hyperterminal program that you can use with devices that know how to talk back to you in human-readable form.
donskister
Posts: 13 +0
This is regarding with my first post about serial port. The reason I ask about that is bec. My boss will assign me to service and to solve the problem that they trying to solve. They finally give up even I told them all the things I done before they left and also we talk thru phone to able guide them. I told them step by step procedure how I do it before they left and even on the phone when they arrive on the hospital to make sure that we do it correctly...... that the reason I ask about the serial port connections bec. we all 100% meet all the requirements and follow all the instructions....I think the culprit one is the serial port...This the story...
Our company sell hematology analyzer unit it is used for complete blood count used in hospital . Our unit has feature that you can simultaneously transfer the result with other computer the problem is that my boss experienced problem doing that . We have operators manual for the software to able install the software to the computer. Im 100% we all meet the requirements that software required( Computers specification..OS, memory required, display setting...etc...) the computer were using is brand new we buy this to make sure we meet all requirements.. & also that Im 100% that they follow correctly the procedure how to download it bec. im talking them in the phone when they do it to make sure they do it correctly... Im had hands on experienced doing that before so its very easy for me to make sure that they do it correctly...SO I JUST TOLD THEM WHAT I ACTUALLY DO BEFORE.... The operators manual require that RS 232 should be connected in the COMP 2 of the hematology unit then connect it on the RS 232 port of the computer. You may told me that may be they not properly connected the connection of cable...That is not because the computer cannot able lunch the application of the software if there no hematology unit connected in the computer. This what happen when they test the unit to count a sample blood the computer will display the result after the unit finish counting the blood the hematolgoy unit pop up a COMMUNICATION ERROR (I actually never experienced that problem bec after doing all that I succesfully transfer a result). Im lucky to find the device manager in my computer in the office. I told them what is the COMP port in their computer they told it selected on the COM 1 I just told them to activate the COMP 2 to able to transmit hoping it will becacuse my computer with the hematogy unit was in the COM 2 after viewing it on the device manager . After they change it and test the unit again test to count a blood after the hematology unit finished counting the blood the COM ERROR gone but still theres no tramission of the data on the computer. Presently I searched google about communications port problem I not lucky to find same problem some problem i found is they concern on the modem. But Found I found An article SELECTING THE PROPER PORT stating the (Com 1 and com 2) and (com 2 and com 4) that complicates the situation...http://www.palmtoppaper.com/ptphtml/15/pt150093.htm
Is this possible?
I just want to equipt my self the knowledge to able troubleshoot when I go in that place bec. The hospital is very far and I wil ride a plane to get there I very very important is want my visit to be succesfull. I really desperate need your help guys....
( I noticed that my letter to long...hope you understand .....Thanks)
Our company sell hematology analyzer unit it is used for complete blood count used in hospital . Our unit has feature that you can simultaneously transfer the result with other computer the problem is that my boss experienced problem doing that . We have operators manual for the software to able install the software to the computer. Im 100% we all meet the requirements that software required( Computers specification..OS, memory required, display setting...etc...) the computer were using is brand new we buy this to make sure we meet all requirements.. & also that Im 100% that they follow correctly the procedure how to download it bec. im talking them in the phone when they do it to make sure they do it correctly... Im had hands on experienced doing that before so its very easy for me to make sure that they do it correctly...SO I JUST TOLD THEM WHAT I ACTUALLY DO BEFORE.... The operators manual require that RS 232 should be connected in the COMP 2 of the hematology unit then connect it on the RS 232 port of the computer. You may told me that may be they not properly connected the connection of cable...That is not because the computer cannot able lunch the application of the software if there no hematology unit connected in the computer. This what happen when they test the unit to count a sample blood the computer will display the result after the unit finish counting the blood the hematolgoy unit pop up a COMMUNICATION ERROR (I actually never experienced that problem bec after doing all that I succesfully transfer a result). Im lucky to find the device manager in my computer in the office. I told them what is the COMP port in their computer they told it selected on the COM 1 I just told them to activate the COMP 2 to able to transmit hoping it will becacuse my computer with the hematogy unit was in the COM 2 after viewing it on the device manager . After they change it and test the unit again test to count a blood after the hematology unit finished counting the blood the COM ERROR gone but still theres no tramission of the data on the computer. Presently I searched google about communications port problem I not lucky to find same problem some problem i found is they concern on the modem. But Found I found An article SELECTING THE PROPER PORT stating the (Com 1 and com 2) and (com 2 and com 4) that complicates the situation...http://www.palmtoppaper.com/ptphtml/15/pt150093.htm
Is this possible?
I just want to equipt my self the knowledge to able troubleshoot when I go in that place bec. The hospital is very far and I wil ride a plane to get there I very very important is want my visit to be succesfull. I really desperate need your help guys....
( I noticed that my letter to long...hope you understand .....Thanks)
Nodsu
Posts: 5,451 +7
OK. Well, it could still be a bad cable - it just gives you intermittent problems 
How long is the cable? Do you have any serial-port specific settings in your software or does it use a fixed setup? You could try some slower speed.
To rule out any issues with the computer, try another (older?) machine. Nowadays, the serial port is an annoying legacy device and I'm pretty sure system designers don't pay much attention to it.
In Device Manager, make sure that the serial port is not sharing interrupts with other devices.
It could also be that the hematology unit is bad. Some other serial port device (another computer over a null modem cable) would be a good thing to test with..
How long is the cable? Do you have any serial-port specific settings in your software or does it use a fixed setup? You could try some slower speed.
To rule out any issues with the computer, try another (older?) machine. Nowadays, the serial port is an annoying legacy device and I'm pretty sure system designers don't pay much attention to it.
In Device Manager, make sure that the serial port is not sharing interrupts with other devices.
It could also be that the hematology unit is bad. Some other serial port device (another computer over a null modem cable) would be a good thing to test with..
NetCablesPlus
Posts: 207 +1
Nodsu is absolutely right. Be sure to bring a known working serial cable with you on this trip.
donskister
Posts: 13 +0
Nodsu said:OK. Well, it could still be a bad cable - it just gives you intermittent problems
How long is the cable? Do you have any serial-port specific settings in your software or does it use a fixed setup? You could try some slower speed.
To rule out any issues with the computer, try another (older?) machine. Nowadays, the serial port is an annoying legacy device and I'm pretty sure system designers don't pay much attention to it.
In Device Manager, make sure that the serial port is not sharing interrupts with other devices.
It could also be that the hematology unit is bad. Some other serial port device (another computer over a null modem cable) would be a good thing to test with..
Im not sure i think is more than 5ft ( the cable is new ,it is part of the accessories included in the software) but I will carry a new one to make sure of it . theres no specify to set the transmission set up of hematology .. the hematology unit has transmission set up.. Its has selection of baud rate( 9600, 12900... etc, parity, handsake).. I cant remember the setting I have in our office ..I just told to to set their unit the setting that I have in the office the first they try. But bec they not able to transmit a result i told them to try to use the other choices of setting but still no luck.
With the computer and hematology unit that will be my last option after I try and finally nothing happen to me also:angel: You told me sir about the sharing of ports I not sure if theres sharing of port of devices. What should I do if theres
sharing?
One things that puzzle me is that why the computer cannot able receive data from the hematolgy analyzer unit..The computer cannot latch or open the application if theres no hematology connected in the computer ...It seems and sure that theres connection between them but the problem is why it cant receive a data came from hematology unit????
Nodsu
Posts: 5,451 +7
Yes, it looks like it lets through shorter messages, but more serious data transfer fails.
Also, never trust the users. They lie and are incompetent. If they say they did something, they really didn't. If you tell them to do it again, they do it wrong. They won't tell you about half the stuff that happens on the screen. Etc etc.
Just go through all the motions yourself. When setting up the serial ports, make doubly sure that the baud rate, parity, etc are set the same on both the device and the computer.
Also, never trust the users. They lie and are incompetent. If they say they did something, they really didn't. If you tell them to do it again, they do it wrong. They won't tell you about half the stuff that happens on the screen. Etc etc.
Just go through all the motions yourself. When setting up the serial ports, make doubly sure that the baud rate, parity, etc are set the same on both the device and the computer.
donskister
Posts: 13 +0
well I just hope everythings will be solved... when i got there...Thanks for the tips...
Donskister
Donskister
NetCablesPlus
Posts: 207 +1
I don't want to harp on this, but if you have a defective new cable and bring yet another new, untested cable, you could be working from a batch of bad cables. As a cable distributor, I have seen an entire batch of new cables be bad due to some repeated manufacturing error. It would be best to take along a tested, known-good cable to make sure.
- Status
Similar threads
