Thread: XM solutions - no serial port available

Originally Posted by FockMasterDan

So that way I see it there are three options.

XMPCR1000 - USB unit that plugs straight in, needs no other adaptor
XMD1000 - needs either a homemade/bought solution, or the unit in the mp3car store

The new mini version that's coming out. I have no need since I'm really not interested in being able to swap out the unit.

I know there are hibernation issues with usb devices, and these specifically. I also know that with RR people have solved the issues, but sifting through the info is tough sometimes. I just want to know if the mp3car unit brings anything extra to the table over just picking up one of the XMPCR units, especially as far as hibernation issues go.

Thanks

Maybe you should move this post to the RR area so mainly RR users can focus on it. There are a few ways to fix the hibernation issue. Programs that when you come out of hibernation, it automatically disconnects it then reconnects (havent tried this though). I have speed read through some techniques RR users use, but since I am not a RR user it didnt really stick. I went with a XMD1000 because it is made for a auto enviroment. I cant say how I got around the USB issue, because I went the serial port way since my setup has 4 avaliable.

Yeah I've read about the program that can fix this problem, but I also read that it doesn't always work. I also was curious if the mp3car unit was designed to help fix this problem. I just couldn't find any info on why to spend 50 bucks on that unit vs another option. I went ahead and ordered the xmpcr for now for 40 bucks since that literally costs me half of the other way to go. If down the road I need to switch then no big deal.

I also wasn't sure how much of the hibernate issue was RR, and how much of it was just a general issue. Thanks for the reply.

The thing about USB devices is the more stuff you start adding on your USB hubs, the more likely problems with hibernation will arise. I have all kinds of things on my 2 hubs and I just stopped using hibernation and just do regular bootups.

Originally Posted by rgarjr

The thing about USB devices is the more stuff you start adding on your USB hubs, the more likely problems with hibernation will arise. I have all kinds of things on my 2 hubs and I just stopped using hibernation and just do regular bootups.

I agree with rgarjr.... That is the reason I went with as many serial devices as I could. The XM, HD Radio, OBD2 scanner, and AmpCTRL are all serial. Even with those, I have issues have over 13 something USB devices. The current issue is I keep getting a exceeding bandwith error from my soundblaster, I now have to add another USB 2.0 card to take the load off the MoBo..... Still have to try to connect my Sprint Card, Belkin 54 G, bluetooth, and a 4gb thumbdrive for ready boost..... all considered high bandwith devices....

Hmm I do have a firewire port that I won't be using, I should look into seeing if there is a firewire USB hub. I would then have the two USB ports plus whatever the firewire adds to divide up all the USB devices.

So far I'm going to have these running through USB
Touchscreen (eventually)
XM
W3bmaster power supply
GlobalSat BU-353 receiver
DVD drive most likely will be run usb, but not necesarily
Bluetooth mouse/keyboard dongle (current keyboard uses its own)
Eventually regular bluetooth dongle, but I currently don't have any other bluetooth devices. Someday I'll add a Verizon wireless hookup and a router, but that's a ways away so I'm not too worried about that now.
Second HD will probably be USB

So for the immediate build I get only 5-6 USB devices, with most of them being low bandwidth. I should be fine for now hopefully.

Hmm ok so nobody ever bothered to mess with USB - Firewire, but I could run the HDD through the firewire port possibly to pull a very high bandwidth device off of USB.

I did find some interesting Ethernet to Serial hubs which could be useful.

I also think I can just use my expansion bay's IDE plug (dvd drive is in there now that came with it, but won't be using that with carputer) to hook up the DVD drive that will be in the dash. That could keep my down pretty low on USB devices.
EDIT:Nevermind, I just looked up why extending IDE cables is a bad idea. I'll just looking into running both the HDD and DVD off a firewire hub.