Decoder Pro Problem

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I got a new computer online, downloaded Decoder Pro and Java. The only software that came with it was Windows XP Pro. Whenever I start Decoder Pro, the programmer buttons are dark. On the black pop-up screen it says no programmer available. I have uninstalled and downloaded Java and Decoder Pro several times. The last time I turned off my firewall before I downloaded Java and Decoder Pro and I have tried different versions. I was trying to get 1.9.1 to work, I tried both 1.9.2 and 1.8, same results everytime. Any solutions?

Gary

2

I had a similar problem a couple of years ago only to find that i had the blaster worm on my computer. You may need to run a scan of all your drives on your computer with your virus protection program and quarantine anything that it picks up before downloading Java and Decoderpro. If that doesn’t work, ( worst case senerio would be that you will have to format c: drive and re-run all start-up and program disks and drivers which is a total pain in the neck, takes a couple of days, not to mention you’ll have to save all the stuff you want to keep and that’s if it too isn’t infected, and re-establish your internet connection with your provider.) That’s what I had to do to get rid of the worm that infected my computer.

I run Windows XP Pro also and decoderpro works just fine on my computer…chuck

3

I download stuff to a 8 gig hard drive. Only after being scanned (And passed) does the file get transferred onto the other hard drives. After the transfer the 8 gig hard drive gets formatted and made ready for the next download. It is rather extreme but two years and running I havent gotten infected yet. (Knock on wood)

If I did, rebuilding the machine takes a few hours no problem.

Enough about me… here are my thoughts for your issue:

Get a anti virus program and UPDATE it.

Run a anti virus scan, run adaware. Run spywareblaster.

Clean your machine of any infections.

Clear your temp internet files, clear all of your cookies and clear your history.

Defrag your hard drives.

Select check hard drives for errors after restart.

Reboot. Wait for machine to finish checking your drives for errors.

Log onto Microsoft update and update. It may challenge your machine for a Validation which it will determine if your XP pro key is valid and not pirated. Then you will update your machine.

Download the latest version of the program you are after. Immediately after downloading, scan the folder you put the download into with a (An updated and current) antivirus, (And updated and current) adaware type program. If you turn up no infections only then you are able to run the program and install it.

Sometimes windows firewall on XP pro will block the program and present you with a dialog box asking what you want to do with this program? Unblock? Keep blocking or remind me later. Im behind a router with NATS and disallowing unsoliticated traffic so the windows firewall and the other software firewall has nothing to do most of the time.

Maintaince is a hassle and time consuming. I think I dedicate one day per week and two hours each day (While Im asleep) the machine does tasks to take care of itself.

If you DO have a infection… well… it will require research as to what kind of infection and which file had it. Then you might understand how it go

4

When you first install DecoderPro, it will not have a layout connection selected. If you click on “Edit” and then “Preferences…” DecoderPro will open another window with “Layout connection:” as one of the options. You have to pick your layout connection from the drop down menu and set any options related to the connection, such as serial port and baudrate. Click on “Save”, and then you have to exit and restart DecoderPro. This should get rid of the No programmer available warning and allow the programmer buttons to be active.

5

Thanks CSX Robert. That did it. I know I didn’t have a virus and I updated XP after it connected to the internet on Friday.