BU-303 problem (software related)

blazinlow · 02-13-2005, 01:31 AM

Ive been using my GPS for several months now without a problem. Recently, I was using Routis and all of a sudden I lost signal.. the receiver was still blinking and had a lock, but there was no data coming thru to the software.

Before I go on, I have a Epia M mobo and use the external USB ports that have the firewire ports in the same plug. One USB port is for my XMPCR, the other is for GPS. I always use the same port for XM and the same one for GPS...and i accidently plugged the GPS into the XM port. This is when I think might have triggered the problem.

I went into the Device Manager, and found a 'USB Device' with the exclamation point next to it...so I figured just reinstall the driver and it will be fine...

So I got the disk, tried to reinstall several times and had two outcomes:

1. When I select the GPS driver CD - it scans that folder, finds nothing - then says a better device driver is found - c:\winnt\usb.inf - When I proceed with the install I get a message saying something to the extent of the device could not be installed because a function driver could not be found

2. It accepts the GPS disk as a source of the driver, and installs the Prolific USB Serial...which is correct...it assigns a com port..which is good....and when I open Routis it works!...but only for a short time...then it craps out again like it did when I initally had this problem. If I unplug the GPS receiver and plug it back it, it thinks its a new device and tries to install it again...which usually ends up with outcome #1.

BTW, im using Win2k pro. Ive done google searches and try some of the suggested fixes, including a M$ update..but no luck. Im pretty sure that its not a hardware problem, but something screwy with Win2k.

grahamrb · 02-13-2005, 01:34 AM

Are you using a USB extension cable or anything?

blazinlow · 02-13-2005, 01:35 AM

nope.

grahamrb · 02-13-2005, 01:49 AM

You could try uninstalling the device, deleting the drivers from the inf folder in windows and then reinstalling it. I have the bu-303 (under windows xp) and I've re-installed windows about 3 times without any problems. It definately sounds like a 2k problem.

blazinlow · 02-13-2005, 02:39 PM

Tried that also.

The closest I got to making it work was going into the registry and deleting all the USB device classes. But then it worked for a sec and died.

blazinlow · 02-14-2005, 07:37 AM

I just reinstalled my OS and it still doesnt work.

So now Im thinking its a hardware problem.. I took the receiver apart and noticed a battery on the PCB. It said 3.3V, but when I tested it with a multimeter i got 1.9V. I cant get the battery out to replace, it seems to be attached to the terminals on the PCB.

Any ideas?

Laidback · 02-14-2005, 07:56 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by blazinlow

I just reinstalled my OS and it still doesnt work.

So now Im thinking its a hardware problem.. I took the receiver apart and noticed a battery on the PCB. It said 3.3V, but when I tested it with a multimeter i got 1.9V. I cant get the battery out to replace, it seems to be attached to the terminals on the PCB.

Any ideas?

I'm pretty sure that the battery is only used to remember stuff when it hasn't got the connection to the pc. It still should work even without the battery connected.

blazinlow · 02-14-2005, 07:59 AM

Heres a link saying theres a flaw with the battery design and it could cause similiar problems to what Im having : http://gpsd.berlios.de/bu_303b.html

Im gonna try hooking it up to a WinXp or even a 98 machine. If it doesnt work, I'll consider it dead...sux

Anybody know if the ebay sellers warranty these after 7 months?