SerialSwitch Version 5

**Jebus** · 04-15-2008, 11:15 PM

SerialSwitch from The Garage
Version 5.0
Recommended to uninstall old versions first!
This is a complete rewrite, Uninstall old version first!

SerialSwitch is a serial port control application developed with the Ride Runner VB6 SDK.
It supports Hibernation and Resume from Hibernation.

It controls the selected serial port DTR(Data Terminal Ready) and RTS(Ready to Send) lines.
This is used for delayed Amplifier start or anything else that you want to control.
You can run a small relay (on some computers) or a transistor circuit with SerialSwitch.

It detects the serial port CD(Carrier Detect), CTS(Clear to Send), and DSR(Data Set Ready) lines.
This is used for physical button input to control Road Runner.
The best way to power the buttons is to use the RTS(Ready to Send)line for power to buttons.
This way you will be safe in not sinking too much current to the port.
This way you do not need any other parts other than some momentary buttons.
This way you could disable the button input when not needed.

Warning!!! If you power your buttons externally:
You should not sink more than 20 milliamps on any one line
Therefore you must use a resistor on the input lines if you power your buttons externally.

Warning!!! If you do not know how to do any of this, RESEARCH how to, or get help from someone who does.
Warning!!! I am not responsible for your BLOWN serial port!

Note: Windows enumerates the serial ports on boot up.
This will cycle the DTR and RTS pins from low to high a few times.
There is a registry setting to disable this on the port you want to use. XP and later.
Warning!!! I am not responsible for yor registry setting changes.
Here is a good link to RESEARCH. http://dast.freeshell.org/ or Search Google.

The DTR and RTS pins are Output Control Pins.
The CTS, DCD, and DSR pins are Input Control Pins.

OUTPUTS:
DTR is pin #4
RTS is pin #7
Ground is pin #5

INPUTS:
CD is pin #1
CTS is pin #8
DSR is pin #6

This is looking at the COMPUTER SERIAL PORT

Installation Note:
Be sure of the folder path you want to install SerialSwitch to!
It defaults to C:\Program Files\SerialSwitch.
After installation go to your SerialSwitch Folder and Run the SerialSwitch executable once.
It will give you a MessageBox telling you that the Com Port is Not Set!
It will tell you to check the SerialSwitch.ini file.
SerialSwitch will check ports 1 thru 16 and write the Com Port Avaiability to SerialSwitch.ini
SerialSwitch.ini will tell you what Com Ports are Available to Control on your Computer.

Change [Settings] --To-- [Settings] ----- Or whatever Com Port you will use.
------- Port=Not Set ---- Port=1

You must use the Com Port that you have your relays, circuit, ect... set up on.
You can then use SerialSwitch by itself, with the checkboxes to test your circuits.
After testing close SerialSwitch.
Both serial line outputs are now saved in the SerialSwitch.ini for startup and shutdown.
You can use SerialSwitch by itself or with Ride Runner.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ride Runner Setup:
------------------Begin ExecTBL.ini--------------------------------------

/EXAMPLE Commands to OPEN SerialSwitch on Ride Runner Start
/You must make these ExecTBL.ini changes to at least Start SerialSwitch with Ride Runner.

"OnSkinStart","RELAYS" /in any skin
OR
"ExtraPrograms","RELAYS" /in DFX skin
THEN
"RELAYS","RUN;$RRPATH$SerialSwitch\SerialSwitch.exe" /Your folder Path may be different.

/EXAMPLE Command to CLOSE SerialSwitch on Ride Runner Exit
/You must make these ExecTBL.ini changes to at least Stop SerialSwitch with Ride Runner.

"QUIT","CLOSEWINDOW;SerialSwitch||ENDIT"
"ENDIT","QUIT"

/SerialSwitch Output Commands
/You must make these ExecTBL.ini changes to at least use Buttons/Labels to control Outputs.

"DTRON","SENDMSG;SerialSwitch;DTR_ON"
"DTROFF","SENDMSG;SerialSwitch;DTR_OFF"

"RTSON","SENDMSG;SerialSwitch;RTS_ON"
"RTSOFF","SENDMSG;SerialSwitch;RTS_OFF"

--------------------End ExecTBL.ini--------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
These are now the Skin Commands to control the Output lines - see above
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
DTRON
DTROFF

RTSON
RTSOFF
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
These are the Events from the Input lines to do stuff in Ride Runner
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
ONDTR_ON
ONDTR_OFF

ONRTS_ON
ONRTS_OFF

ONCD_ON
ONCD_OFF

ONCTS_ON
ONCTS_OFF

ONDSR_ON
ONDSR_OFF
-----------------------------------------------------------------
These are the Custom Labels to display Text = ON or OFF
-----------------------------------------------------------------
!DTR_Status
!RTS_Status
!CD_Status
!CTS_Status
!DSR_Status
------------------------------------------------------------------
These are the Custom Indicators to display Images = ON or OFF
-----------------------------------------------------------------
!DTR_Ind
!RTS_Ind
!CD_Ind
!CTS_Ind
!DSR_Ind
-----------------------------------------------------------------
These are the Variables to act upon = True(1) or False(0)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
DTR_Var
RTS_Var
CD_Var
CTS_Var
DSR_Var
--------------------------------------------------------------
Use SkinTool to test with Ride Runner.
Enjoy! No donations necessary!

SerialSwitch was tested and works on Win2k. Use at your own Risk!
Please provide Feedback

**guino** · 04-16-2008, 03:53 PM

I've been meaning to make a plugin like that for ages...

If may I suggest, add label codes to display the CTS, DSR and DCD signals in a label, so it can be used in variables, and similarly, create events like ONCTSCOM1, OFFCTSCOM1.. or something to that effect... so you can execute commands in RR based on states changed on the inputs of the serial port.

**Jebus** · 04-17-2008, 09:50 PM

Well, I'll take that as a compliment, being it's coming from you. I wish to thank you for your abilities and producing such a fine program. I found RR to be a breeze to set up to my liking. Your foresight in the design of RR is refreshing, and guarantees it's place at the top of the list for CarPC Front Ends.
I will take your suggestions and implement them into my little plugin.
....JJG

**Jebus** · 04-20-2008, 02:12 PM

Bump:
Updated to Version 2
New features!
...JJG

**Assault** · 04-20-2008, 09:49 PM

Hi Jebus, If I wanted to run this on startup rather than when Roadrunner starts, is there a way (maybe a command line switch) where I can get the DTR and RTS to default to on automatically when I run the app?

i.e. if I still want to run my amps while playing a game and I'm not in Roadrunner.

**Jebus** · 04-20-2008, 11:00 PM

Assault,

Just change the code to close the SerialSwitch when RR closes in EXecTBL.ini.

From

"QUIT","CLOSEWINDOW;SerialSwitch||ENDIT"
"ENDIT","QUIT"

TO

"QUIT","SHOWWINDOW;SerialSwitch;TRUE||ENDIT"
"ENDIT","QUIT"

Make sure the Switch you are using is on when you close RR and the Amp will stay on.
You will have to close SerialSwitch Manually

Note that I had forgotten to add some code in the above EXecTBL.ini lines.

"RELAYS","RUN;$RRPATH$SerialSwitch\SerialSwitch.exe||SHOWWINDOW;SerialSwitch;FALSE"

Note the addition to hide SerialSwitch on Road Runner Startup

**Assault** · 04-20-2008, 11:34 PM

Thanks Jebus, its an awesome little tool, works perfectly with my hardware:

I dont actually run a RR on start up I have the icon on my desktop so I can choose other apps if need be. So far I've been using XxAndyxX's volume amp control app but it only allows you to use com port 1 so being able to use other com ports with your app is awesome!

I take it there's no way to default the DTR and RTS to on before RR runs then?

I can run SerialSwitch on Windows startup no problem, it just always starts with everything off. It would be good to be able to put something in the SerialSwitch.ini or run with a switch (/d or /r or someting) to be able to have them start on as default.