megajolt / laptop issue.. 'time out errors'
Turbo Mini Forums

Hi all, i have an old lap top with a serial port, downloaded the software linked it up to the ecu but they are not communicating..

im useless when it come to pc hardware, does anyone know how i can tell if the COM port is active and why its not linking to the MJ unit? (windows 2000 frontend)

also what are the common problems when setting this up? my last laptop had none so i dont have any experience of them.

Cheers.

Edited by MarkGTT on 25th Oct, 2009.

Have you checked device manager to see what com number has been assigned to the port, and made sure the megajolt software is set to the same number?

Also, sounds daft but make sure the ignition is on!

yep ignition is on.

i couldnt find device manager on windows 2000 will keep looking :(

Right click my computer

Go to hardware tab I think, then device manager.

Isn't this in bios settings also?

On 5th Sep, 2011 Vegard said:
I stand corrected. You should know

right set that.. still no luck

at the bottom of the Mj software i get 'timeout' errors

any ideas?

Edited by MarkGTT on 25th Oct, 2009.

correct driver loaded for your serial converter and is it in the same USB port when you first installed the driver?

I run a supercharger and I don't care the TB is on the wrong side.
VEMS + 12 PSI + Liquid Intercooler = Small Bore FUN!

using a serial port not a usb converter

If you have checked the com port settings in the BIOS and make sure its not disabled, then in windows and the MJ program all match the same com number.

Check the cable and make sure the wires are all connected..

I run a supercharger and I don't care the TB is on the wrong side.
VEMS + 12 PSI + Liquid Intercooler = Small Bore FUN!

IIRC you should be using a non crossover cable, if you have a cross over cable pins 2 & 3 (transmit & reieve)will be reversed in the cable.

apart from that, do you have the right baud rate set?

used the same cable last time.. just the laptop that has changed, but the ports now look correct.

been reading more info on the autosportlabs site but still no luck.. fecking thing.

I'm with mini 13 try the baud rate... also could try removing the port from device manager and re-installing it.

I run a supercharger and I don't care the TB is on the wrong side.
VEMS + 12 PSI + Liquid Intercooler = Small Bore FUN!

yeah its worth a try.

Im sure i set the baud rate as per the info on the autosportlabs site, but will check i got the right version..

cheers guys.

I feel your pain, last time i had issues i ended up with impact induced hard drive faliure...

maybe the com port is up the shitter...

I run a supercharger and I don't care the TB is on the wrong side.
VEMS + 12 PSI + Liquid Intercooler = Small Bore FUN!

Is the BIOS ok? older machines sometimes wern't so plug an play

I run a supercharger and I don't care the TB is on the wrong side.
VEMS + 12 PSI + Liquid Intercooler = Small Bore FUN!

I'm now using a PCMCIA serial adaptor, apparently the same as having a dedicated serial port on your laptop. Its been reliable for me
(once i got the right bloody software for the ECU!)

just a thought for those thinking of buying a second latop to save all the USB convertor issues. It was 18 quid from ebay.

Edited by iain on 26th Oct, 2009.

Mark.

I'm with you on this buddy. Have the same issue which is preventing me from using an old Dell laptop now gathering dust - dedicated to use on the van in the garage.

I ran Win 98 and it communicated no problem on COM1 Serial Port with the MS ECU using a standard serial male female cable but as soon as I upgraded to Win 2000, I cannot now communicate with the ECU and have tried everything; BIOS, baud rate, re-installing serial port driver, switching all other ports off, etc etc..

This doesnt happen with the new laptop I'm using which does not have a serial port. I bought this as I needed to bring myself into the 21st century. I'm using a USB Serial cable on this which is working for me, despite reports of others having issues.

For the old Dell, I like Iain's idea of a PCMCIA Serial adapter card - I have such a slot on the old Dell that I use for a Broadband modem card.

I will defo give the old laptop another go and will let you know how I get on. It may be that I end up reloading Win 98 or buying a PCMCIA card.

There is lots of similar help on this on Phil Ringwood's UK Megasquirt Site 'EFi.co.uk' and the MS Forums. It would be worth registering on these and posting your issue up if you havent already done so.

Good luck mate.

Richard.

Minivanless, but reluctantly happy living with the decision. There'll be another one day.
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=minimadmotorman#p/u

Richard your post has prompted me into updating this!

I finally got it working, i connected the serial cable to the MJ unit, switched the ignition then reinstalled the firmware via a dos window. Connection made!, then booted the mjlj software.

All sorted, the process was a pain to work out, but i guess that’s due to the age of the hardware.

Cheers for feeling my pain and your help guys!

Edited by MarkGTT on 31st Oct, 2009.

Hurrah!!

proper 9 pin rs232 ports seem to be the most reliable, the pcmicia to 232 cards seem to be quite solid too, in my experience 232 to usb adaptors are glitchy, some leads work with some things but not others etc due to different manufacturers/ chipsets.

its a sham not many laptops come with 232 ports any more:(

i many be looking into tiny 232 wireless adaptor chips at work shortly, if its any good i'll post my findings.