So now that i dove head first into a digitrax Super chief 8A radio DCC system, I’ve got some questions.
I ordered the MS100 serial cable to connect to a somewhat old computer that runs windows XP that a friend of mine gave me. I read that the MS100 won’t work for some computers like on a mac os system and I saw that some of the pins may need to be moved for it to work.
My questions are: 1. can I download decoderpro onto a flash card from my computer in the house and transfer it to the old computer that is in the trainroom for decoderpro to work? (the computer isn’t that old…it has a USB port.)
And 2. Will the MS100 serial port work without having to configure the pins and if so, how would i go about accomplishing this?
Absolutely yes. Remember, however, that JMRI requires that Java be installed on the computer, and that Java must be installed first. Open a command window and type “java -version” (without the quotes). If it tells you something about an unrecognized command, you will need to install Java. If it tells you version 1.3.something (or later) you’re good to go. If you do need to install Java, you can get it here: http://java.com/en/download/index.jsp . Click on “Manual Download” and save it to that flash drive (“Download Now” will install it on the computer you’re working from).
Yes, the MS100 with no modifications should work just fine on a PC with a “real” serial port. I’ve used mine with W95, W98, and XP on maybe 4 - 5 different PC’s and have never had any problems. However, other folks have reported that they find the MS100 to be completely unreliable, so YMMV.
The MS100 won’t work with a Mac because of hardware (serial port) differences between Macs and PC’s, but any PC with a 9 or 25 pin serial port should work fine. Just be sure you don’t confuse a 25-pin parallel (printer) port with a serial port.
Your mention of moving or configuring pins confuses me. On John Jabour’s original LocoBuffer, there was an “XP modification” required for Windows XP that consisted of adding a jumper between serial port pins. That modification is included in newer versions of the LocoBuffer (including the one from RR-Cirkits), but it was never required for the MS100.
Actually, the LocoBuffer (available here: http://www.rr-cirkits.com/ ) is a better choice than the MS100 for a number of reasons. If you can return the MS100 and get the LocoBuffer instead,
Pretty much covered it - definitely need to installt he correct version of Java as well as JMRI.
The main issue with the MS100 (well, two main issues…our THREE…nooooobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!) (sorry, got carried away there [:D] ) are that a) it does not buffer the connection in any way. Missed packets can and will happen. Witnessed it at the Digitrax booth at the national Train Show this summer in fact - commented to Norm that it wouldn;t have happened if they used a Locobuffer. It was their simple signal demo display - has a BDL-168 and an SE8C to drive signsla on a simple back and forth system, controller by a computer running RR&Co. On one trip the N scale loco ran tot he end and stopped and never reversed. Why? Because the computer missed the data from the BDL-168 that said the train was in the end block. And B) the MS100 relies ont he PC being able to drive the serial port at a non-standard baud rate. Some but not all UART chips used in serial ports can be set for the correct speed for Loconet. Usually the newer computers are the ones that have problems. And USB to serial converters. There’s about ONE on the market that can work with the MS100
I second the call to return the MS100 if possible and get or build a Locobuffer. You’l be happier in the long run. If it’s not returnable, give it a shot. It WILL work, but just beware of the limitations. If you intend to advance to automation and/or signalling, it’s almost a given that the MS100 won’t cut it.