Problem accessing Massoth S Decoder via Massoth PC Module

I have found that when programming some Massoth decoders (on my Lenz system) that I first need to go into normal running mode and ensure that none of the functions are turned on (i.e lights, sound, smoke etc are all turned off).
 
Now here's a thought........ USB?
Not all USB cables are USB cables......
There are differing grades I believe - There was / is an article in the G Scale Journal (can't remember if its been published yet) where a gentleman controls all his railway via Stellwerk programming and he had a problem with programming - turned out that the USB cable he had wasn't up to spec - Worth investigating?

Take a look here - http://forum.massoth.org/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=486
This post on the Massoth forum us from the gentleman I wrote about above
 
Tim,
I think it is more to do with the 'kludge' in the way Winders handles USB, and tacks it into the Operating System and hardware via a 'virtual' COM port..
The documentation that comes with the Massoth PC Module could be better..
AND, all software tends to be only 'just about fit for purpose' these days.

I had the devil of a job getting my head round it initially. - In my case, I did not realise you used the Update Utility, rather than the DCC Programmer software, to (in my head) 'program' the XLS with the soundfile..

Once you have done a few sessions, it becomes second nature.

PhilP.
 
Just out of interest Philip
You said that you had a Macbook running Windoze in Parallels.
I have found that the Apple OSX with Parallels gives a much stronger Windoze operating system than the average PC does. Especially when running with USB devices. This is because the Apple picks up the USB device and Paralles 'shares' it and has a much better way of communicating this with the Windows OS than actual PCs do themselves.
I run 'Vista' with Parallels on an iMac and Macbook Pro (running OSX 10.6.8) and have not found any difficulty with any usb attachment (QSI, Massoth, ESU) and Windows...as yet.......famous last words
Try your Massoth module with the Mac/Parallels set-up. It would be good to hear what happens....
 
Phil,
It is the 'reliability' issue that concerns me. I have an older LGB programmer (version 1.0) that handles non-sound decoders. I am considering purchasing a later version of the LGB programmer to possibly enable sound decoder CV adjustment. I would need to confirm the later version can handle sound decoder CV's first though.

I want a Massoth programmer but I need to be sure that I am not going to get the usual 'error' messages each time I attempt use it.
 
Guys, can't thank you enough for chipping in with thoughts and suggestions. I now feel I'm on a mission to try and solve this problem once and for all whereas a week ago I was ready to take a hammer to the PC Module. Keep the ideas coming!

Tim - Now I've swapped power supplies the PC Module appears to be reliably working as per spec for CV read/write, so I wouldn't be concerned about it's physical reliability. The fact it's trying to talk to the decoder when I attempt an update using the service tool makes me agree with the other posters that it's not the PC module at fault, more a configuration issue. Also, the DCC Programmer tool has decoder templates supplied by Massoth which make it very easy to review / update the appropriate settings rather than have to work out the individual CV values - this is a big plus for many folk.

Ian - I'd also been wondering about the USB cable - the one supplied with the module is nothing special and over 1 metre long so I'll try one of my better quality / shorter cables and see how that goes. Also, if someone who has got this to work could take a screenshot of the Advanced Properties for the virtual COM port (e.g. via Device Manager - right click on the port, select properties, when the window opens select Advanced) I can compare with my settings.

Cliff - Thanks for the suggestion - I will adopt your advice when I next give this a go

Mark - Thanks for confirming it's not a firmware version issue - can cross that off my list!

Cheers
 
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