Bu-353 GPS and Com Port Hell

LexF15 · 12-04-2006, 09:26 PM

I've got a Bu-353 GPS receiver that works great, as everyone here seems to agree. Problem is that the USB to serial port software doesn't seem to play well with certain applications. I use MS Streets & Trips, Rand McNally Tripmaker (and Streetfinder), and end up with the same problem... every time I start the car PC it assigns a NEW com port to the USB device, and that number increases each time I boot. What that means is Com2, then Com3 etc. I'm up to Com8 now and the applications I referenced only let you select up to Com4... so I can't ever get the software to see the GPS. Using inherent GPS software (that came with it) I can see that it's connected and working, it's just a matter of getting the com port reset or low enough to be able to access that data in the mapping software.

I've seen some scripts here as well and am interested in anything related to this problem. I'm familiar with auto-it and .au3 and creating .exe's too if that helps.

Thanks in advance and for my specs see my sig.
Lex

TheJack · 12-05-2006, 12:03 AM

Lex... Are you moving to a different USB port? It will typically take a new port, if its plugged in another USB port

If not, try this:

XP Device Manger, by default, doesn't show hidden devices, you have to tell it to. Open a Command Prompt and type:

> SET DEVMGR_SHOW_NONPRESENT_DEVICES=1
> devmgmt.msc

Now you should be in Device Manager.
Expand ports and delete/uninstall all non-active ports.
Then uninstall BU-353 device.
Then unplug BU-353.
Reboot without BU-353.
Plug BU-353 in, let it detect, install the driver. Note the COM port.
Reboot and see what the COM port is now. There shouldn't be a new one

If that doesn't change the behavior, theres something weird going on. I've not seen this out of BU-353 or driver... I'd say it leads more to an OS or BIOS thing. Are you using any kind of setup that could keep your puter from "saving", like the Enhanced Write Filter? Anythign unusual about your BIOS config, like disabled ACPI?

Jack

LexF15 · 12-05-2006, 12:33 AM

Thanks Jack I'll try that. The com ports added up when I first got the system up and running. I'm sure I was moving the GPS around on various USB hubs as I adjusted wiring and such, and unplugged it a few times to see if there was too much draw on the (unpowered) hub. I'll do as you advised and report back. I'm sure you are correct. I'll have to leave it plugged in of course, not sure if I'll have enough power for the wireless mouse, gps and lilliput.
If that all works out I'll move on to the next issue - an auto-it script to open my mapping software and set that up (should be easy)... Thanks in advance - you know Jack!

LexF15 · 12-05-2006, 11:50 PM

> SET DEVMGR_SHOW_NONPRESENT_DEVICES=1
> devmgmt.msc

Above didn't work in any capacity, all I see is COM1 and COM2 in device manager under any circumstances, but with the GPS plugged in it does show as USB to serial on COM10, yes 10. Taking it off the hub and going direct to the PC it went to COM3 and stayed there after warm and cold boots so I guess that's the solution. I'd still like to kill all those extra ports if I could find a way to get at them...
XP SP2 up to date.

Nomader · 12-06-2006, 04:54 AM

just plug it in in the same USB port

it should not change the COM port in that case..