Bad Serial Ports on EPIA M9000

**wi77iam** · 04-23-2004, 03:21 PM

After using this mobo for a while and having trouble connecting touchscreen, OBDII and gps using the onboard serial port, I've determined that it is indeed the board that is bad. I was always assuming that the thing I was plugging in was not working, either a bad driver, plug, etc.

The first indication was when I plugged in the serial touchscreen controller and it wouldn't work. Of course this was just after I had installed the Xenarc into my dash. So I assumed that I had done something to the touchscreen during the install. I bought a new usb controller and everything was fine.

Then I tried to plug my OBDII reader into the serial port. Same thing - it wouldn't work and I assumed a bad driver or reader. But when I hauled my desktop down to the garage and plugged it in there, it worked. hmmm

Serial gps - same thing - no workee.

I also tried to get the second serial port on the EPIA working. Guess what - it wouldn't. Which I expected after reading the Via forums.

So I've replaced the EPIA with a microATX, but it ticks me off that this EPIA has no serial ports that can work, probably from the day I bought it, and I never realized. Does anybody else have this problem and if so how did you fix it?

**wi77iam** · 04-23-2004, 03:44 PM

Sorry, I should have mentioned - I use XP Home, the serial port is enabled in the BIOS, the Epia 4-in-1 drivers are loaded and seem to be working, the port is setup and recognized by Windows. But no data is flowing. Woe is me.

**00CericaRuss** · 04-23-2004, 08:45 PM

i have the same problems on my m9000 com2. com1 works though...
good thing i got a m10000 for free recently ... haven't set it up yet though

**wi77iam** · 05-04-2004, 10:31 PM

OK so I guess I solved my own problem. Flashed the newest BIOS (1.13) and loaded the newest 4-1 drivers. Now everything is working - Comm 1 is OK and I no longer get BSOD when my Dlink radio driver loads.

So, out with the microATX and back in with the Epia.

**gospeed.racer** · 05-04-2004, 10:43 PM

I keep hearing about how com2 doesnt work for people. Mine works great with my Creative Remote and the latest bios flash. I guess for once I got a good one!

**henkbliek** · 05-05-2004, 04:55 AM

Originally Posted by 00CericaRuss

i have the same problems on my m9000 com2. com1 works though...
good thing i got a m10000 for free recently ... haven't set it up yet though

Have you used the right adapter cable for COM2. VIA does not use the common serial wiring scheme. Therefore one must use a special cable (I believe 1:1 from IDC pinout to SubD pinout). There should be more info on this subject on the forums.

**00CericaRuss** · 05-06-2004, 12:49 PM

hrm.. not sure.... i'm gonna definately get it working on my new m10k cuz my usb gps takes way too long to get sync and i have too many serial devices i wanna use