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DATASHUTTLE: Problems With Communications/Device Not Responding
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There are several known
problems that can occur with the DATAshuttle. Although
these are infrequent, it is beneficial to know how to
accurately diagnose the problem and fix it, if possible,
without returning the unit to the factory.
Note that the DATAshuttle
is currently supported by Quicklog (QL), QuickLog for
Windows (QLfW), WorkBench PC for DOS (WBPC), WorkBench PC
for Windows (WBfW), the Development System for DOS (ACDS) and
the Development System for Windows, which allow users
to do their own programming in the DOS and Windows
environments, respectively.
A Note on IRQs:
All Windows-based
software use IRQs (Interrupt Requests) on the
DATAshuttle. WBPC, QL and ACDS do not use them.
Therefore, it is possible that QL or WBPC will function
properly with the DATAshuttle while WBfW will not. This
results from hardware interrupt conflicts within the
user's computer system when using the Windows driver. See
Problem 2 for solutions to IRQ problems with the
DATAshuttle.
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PROBLEM 1
WBPC,
QLPC, QLfW or WBfW cannot find the DATAshuttle. WBfW
reports "No board found, please install board, check
board number switch and base address." |
SOLUTION 1
Make sure
that the parallel cable is firmly connected to both the
DATAshuttle unit and to the computer's parallel port.
Make sure that the AC Adapter is plugged in and that the
LED on the DATAshuttle itself is on.A Note on Laptops
Make sure that the DATAshuttle is connected to the
computer and that power is connected before turning on a
laptop machine; some laptops disable the parallel port if
no connection is found at start-up. Also REM out any
lines in the Autoexec.bat and Config.sys lines that
relate to a PCMCIA port, such as device drivers. These
lines will typically look like this: Device=C:/PCCARD/XXXX.
These drivers have been known to cause conflicts.
A Note on Windows:
Some computers automatically load the print manager at
Windows boot up. Make sure that the Print Manager is not
active in the Windows environment when attempting to use
the DATAshuttle as it can interfere with WBfW's ability
to communicate with the unit. Printing is possible while
using the DATAshuttle, but not during the initial loading
of the WBfW software.
If, after the above
suggestions have been followed, the DATAshuttle still
does not respond, proceed to Solution 2 below.
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SOLUTION 2
There are
three key areas to check to validate whether or not the
DATAshuttle is operational:
- If an AC Adapter is
being used, then detach it from the DATAshuttle.
With the AC Adapter still plugged in to the wall
outlet, measure the voltage that it is supplying
in this no-load condition. Do this by measuring
the voltage between the inside and the outside
surfaces of the cyclindrical connector. It should
be around 9 volts. If it is not, then the AC
Adapter needs to be replaced. If such a
replacement AC Adapter is used, make sure that
the polarity is correct; the inside of the
connector should be negative and the outside
should be positive. If the reverse is true then
the DATAshuttle will not function and the AC
Adapter may be damaged.
- After plugging the
AC Adapter back in to the DATAshuttle, make sure
that the LED is coming on. If the LED is not
lighted then there is a problem with the power
section of the DATAshuttle. This will require
return of the unit to
OMEGA ENGINEERING for repairs.
- If the DATAshuttle
unit has passed steps 1 and 2 above then it is
necessary to measure the four voltage terminals
on the unit itself. The first two of these
voltages are the +5 Volt and Vref (6.9 volt)
terminals, found at opposite ends of the terminal
strip next to the pass thru connector. The second
two voltages, +15 and -12 Volts, can be found on
the raised section of the DATAshuttle called the
terminal board.
If any or all of these
voltages are incorrect, then there is a problem with the
DATAshuttle's internal power supply. If you have been
installing resistors or capacitors on the analog input
auxiliary section then it is necessary to remove the
terminal board and re-check the +5 and Vref voltages. If,
after removal, these voltages return to normal it is
likely that there is a short to ground on the terminal
board. Check the resistor/capacitor installations for
such a short and re-install the board. If removal does
not fix the +5 and -12 voltages then there is a problem
with the DATAshuttle's internal power supply. This will
require return of the unit to OMEGA ENGINEERING for repair.
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PROBLEM 2
WorkBench
PC for Windows gives error message "IRQ not
responding, please check IRQ". |
SOLUTION
The
DATAshuttle communicates via the printer port. All
printer ports (Centronics or EPP) are set at IRQ 7, and
usually cannot be changed to other IRQs. Therefore, WBfW
has no option but to use IRQ 7 to communicate with the
DATAshuttle. If there are problems with IRQ 7 then WBfW
will indicate this at start-up with an error message.
There are only two causes of such an error message - the
chip that controls IRQ 7 on the DATAshuttle is damaged,
or there is an IRQ 7 conflict in the computer.The best way to remedy this
problem is to try WBfW and the DATAshuttle on one or more
alternative computers. If the system operates
successfully on one of these alternate computers then
there is an IRQ 7 conflict on the original computer. The
user must analyze their computer system to check for such
a conflict and to then remove it. Such conflicts can be
caused by sound cards, CD drives, etc.
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