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USB Serial Port on MP900c

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thenzero Page Icon Posted 2023-07-22 10:41 PM
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Struggling to get a USB serial port device working. I have the pl2303 chipset which I've verified by a handful of external means (aka Linux box). I've tried two drivers, zoroyoshi's driver and the treiber one listed here. With the zoroyoshi one, it recognizes the device when i plug it in and correctly populates the registry and then the device shows up in the COM list. However, I'm not getting anything out of it (tried monitoring it with a dumb terminal program from a PC as well as connecting it to a USB serial modem). With the treiber one registry seems to populate OK and I think it's being recognized, but it doesn't show up in the COM list (at least, I don't see any of the COMs change names). Thoughts?

Update:
Still not working, but I should have looked at the treiber driver more closely. There are some utilities that come with it to ID the COM port and test it. It IDs as COM2 and seems to open, close, and write to the port fine, but I'm not seeing anything come across watching with a PC and I am not receiving anything when I send from the PC.

Update2:
When I plug/unplug the cable, the test utility reports status changes on the control lines, so it does seem to be talking to the device, even though I'm not getting any data in either direction. Starting to wonder if it's a levels issue- maybe the 900c just doesn't have enough oomph to send/read the data or something?

Update3:
Had another USB serial device that uses the FTDI chip instead of pl2303. With this one, I'm seeing characters on the PC side, but the HPC is still not receiving anything. *sigh*

Edited by thenzero 2023-07-23 12:36 AM
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Jake Page Icon Posted 2023-07-23 2:34 AM
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Which model are you using? Unless it's a problem with your desktop setup, it might be worth doing an end-around and just buying this one:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BUZ0K68/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have the Win10 drivers for that, also XP's, if you need them.

Jake
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torch Page Icon Posted 2023-07-23 2:37 AM
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Jake: I think he’s trying to use the USB host port on the MobilePro 900 to use a USB serial device (to bypass trying to find a PC Card or cf card) since there are drivers for those for Windows CE

Thenzero: give me an hour. I’ll upload the CE RS232 drivers i found
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Jake Page Icon Posted 2023-07-23 3:25 AM
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@torch Ah, of course, he is. I just saw usb serial issues and immediately went to adapter solutions. Thanks for bringing me to my senses

Jake
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torch Page Icon Posted 2023-07-23 4:38 AM
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@Jake
@thenzero @C:Amie

^HCL submission, but I need to figure out for what

Here's the RS232 CE drivers I found on a CD I had laying around
Supported OS/CPU:
Show spoiler...
ARMV4 CE 4.2-4.5.2
MIPSII CE 4.2-5.2
MIPSII CE 6.0
MIPSIV ce 4.2-5.2
MIPSIV CE 6.0
sH4 CE 4.2-5.2
SH4 CE 6.0
WINCE 4.2-5.2 X86
CE 6.0 ARMXSCALE
WINCE2013
WINCE6.0 X86

Quote

Windows CE Installation Guide
Show spoiler...
1 Welcome to the Windows CE Installation Guide
The purpose of this MANUAL is to provide users of USB 2.0 To RS232 with a
simple procedure for installing drivers for their devices on PDAs and targets
running Windows CE 4.2 and later.
2 Installing Devices
The VCP drivers emulate a standard COM port. These can be communicated with
in the same manner as any other COM port on the PC.
?
ftdi_ser.dll - the VCP driver file
?
FTDIPORT.inf - user changeable file to allow devices with custom VID and PID
combinations to be installed
?
Copy all of the unzipped files to the \\Windows directory on the PDA.
?
If the PDA requires a host adaptor (e.g. USB host cable, presentation pack or
Compact Flash host card), make sure that it is connected and installed before
proceeding.
?
Connect the RS232 device to a host USB port on the PDA. This will provide a
dialog box to direct Windows CE to the driver files.
?
Type the full name of the VCP driver file into the dialog box as shown below. If
the file name is incorrect, the driver will not be found and the device will not
function.
?
The device installation is now complete

Quote

Readme
Show spoiler...
Serial WinCE 4.2-6.0. Driver Version 1.1.0.10
© Future Technology Devices Intl. Ltd. 2012

ftdi_ser.dll - the serial driver - type this in when prompted after device plug in.
FTDIPORT.INF - inf file

Copy both files (if required - see INF files for additional information) to the \Windows directory then plug in device.
Dialog will prompt for a driver name - use "ftdi_ser.dll" in full.


Release 1.1.0.10:
Addressed issues relating to phantom ports and memory leaks.

Release 1.1.0.9:
Improvements to device attach routine.

Release 1.1.0.8:
Display additional device details under the Drivers\Active branch of the registry.

Release 1.1.0.7:
Improved surprise removal handling.

Release 1.1.0.6:
Fixed issue with persistant port.

Release 1.1.0.5:
Added aliasing of hi-speed baud rates.

Release 1.1.0.4:
Fixed memory leak.

Release 1.1.0.3:
Fixed memory leak.

Release 1.1.0.2:
Resolved interface selection issue for FT2232H and FT4232H.

Release 1.1.0.1:
Included support for FT2232H and FT4232H.

Release 1.1.0.0:
Changes for CE 6.0 compatibility.
Included file version info viewable from Windows Explorer.

Release 1.0.2.13:
Fixed an issue with .NET serial port component compatibility.

Release 1.0.2.12:
Fixed an issue with multiple ports above COM10 on Widows CE 5.0 and later.
Works with Windows Mobile 6 (Windows CE 5.2).

Release 1.0.2.11:
Added support for 255 COM ports on CE 5.0 and later (COM0 - COM 254).

Release 1.0.2.10:
Modified location of registry keys under ClientDrivers and LoadClients.

Release 1.0.2.9:
Added registry setting to use CeSetThreadPriority API to set bulk thread priority (BulkPriorityEx) (CE 5.0 and above only).

Release 1.0.2.8:
Bug fix for notify on device removal

Release 1.0.2.7:
Potential lockup on Write to device fix.

Release 1.0.2.6:
Event Char 0x0D included in DCB setup.

Release 1.0.2.5:
232R extended command support added (Latency Timer etc).

Release 1.0.2.4:
Flow control on infinite timeout fix.

Release 1.0.2.3:
Added EV_ERR support.

Release 1.0.2.2:
Updated persistant unplug/replug.

Release 1.0.2.1:
Internal release fixing persistant unplug/replug issues.
On persistant unplug WriteFile, ReadFile, and IOCTL will return ERROR_GEN_FAILURE
instead of ERROR_INVALID_HANDLE

Release 1.0.2.0:
Persistant unplug/replug with ConfigData entry (see README.txt).

Release 1.0.1.3:
Fix Access on unplug.

Release 1.0.1.2:
Memory leak bug fix in unplug/replug.

Release 1.0.1.1:
Internal release.

Release 1.0.1.0:
Modem Emulation support added (requires EmulationMode registry setting as per Application Note AN232B-09 and INF Files Readme).
ActiveSync monitoring support added (requires registry setting - see INF Files Readme).

Release 1.0.0.7:
Removed persistent registry FIX in 1.0.0.5 to allow for unique COM port settings.

Release 1.0.0.6:
Added support for notify on device removal (using the FTVCP2G.dll)

Release 1.0.0.5:
Bug fix with persistent registry not allowing unique driver settings on install
Minor internal changes.

Release 1.0.0.4:
Calculates baud if no ConfigData setting in registry
Removed ConfigData as a default INF file setting

Release 1.0.0.3:
Added support for Ratoc USB host

Release 1.0.0.2:
Fixed RLSD event reporting

Release 1.0.0.1:
Alias baud rate functionality
Unique device settings in registry (Requires devices with serial number)
Driver version number in registry
Fixed disconnect on open port bug

Release 1.0.0.0: Initial release after Beta testing

Tested with: AMD Personal Internet Communicator
RATOC Host CF card (REX-CFU1) - with Toshiba e800
Toshiba e800 with Presentation pack (PA3326U-1PRP)
Toshiba e400 with USB host cable
CEPC - running Windows CE 4.2

Further information about FTDI's products as well as updates of drivers can be obtained from FTDI's web site at URL http://www.ftdichip.com

We recommend that customers join the FTDI Newsletter. The FTDI NewsLetter is a e-mail based service which allows you to receive the latest FTDI related news, product releases, current driver version information. To join the FTDI NewsLetter, go to our web site http://www.ftdichip.com and click on the "FTDI NewsLetter" button on the LHS navigation panel.

For technical support on our products and drivers, please e-mail support1@ftdichip.com

For sales enquiries please e-mail sales1@ftdichip.com

For general enquiries please e-mail admin1@ftdichip.com

Disclaimer

This software is supplied on an as-is basis and no warranty as to their suitability for any particular purpose is either made or implied. Future Technology Devices International Ltd. will not accept any claim for damages howsoever arising as a result of use or failure of this software. Your statutory rights are not affected. This software or any variant of it is not intended for use in any medical appliance, device or system in which the failure of the product might reasonably be expected to result in personal injury. This document provides preliminary information that may be subject to change without notice.



Edited by torch 2023-07-23 4:55 AM




Attachments
----------------
Attachments Wince.zip (525KB - 1 downloads)
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thenzero Page Icon Posted 2023-07-23 5:24 PM
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Thanks torch. Sadly, no dice. The driver partially populates the registry so I think it's being loaded, but then it just asks me for the name of the driver again

I tried manually creating all the keys myself based on the readme, registry settings file, and the INF, but no change in behavior.
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thenzero Page Icon Posted 2023-07-23 5:33 PM
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Jake - 2023-07-23 10:25 PM


@torch Ah, of course, he is. I just saw usb serial issues and immediately went to adapter solutions. Thanks for bringing me to my senses

Jake


That's my bad Jake- I should have made it more clear that I was trying to do this onboard the MP900c as the use case you thought of is by far the more common!
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Jake Page Icon Posted 2023-07-23 6:35 PM
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@thenzero I'm going back to my mistake like a dog to its own vomit, but I guess one workaround could actually be a usb-serial adapter from desktop to MP's RS232 port, as long as you had the appropriate MP cable. I realize this would take away all the fun you're having now, and I've only looked at the ports on-line, and I'm sure it's already crossed your mind, so I reserve the right to be wrong again, or at least extra wrong

HPC2000 and above still miraculously sync with Win10-11 and a 32-bit Outlook, but the Tera Grand adapter does an excellent job in virtual XP/shared *.pst, keeping my WinCE 2.0 devices up-to-date, and has always managed well in Win10, even with Psion software.

Jake
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torch Page Icon Posted 2023-07-23 6:57 PM
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Okay two more ideas for you:
Try searching HPC:Factor for Serial Sigmarion or Sig 3; RS232 USB Sigmarion/ Sig 3
If my memory is right I remember seeing some threads regarding people who have tried these on that device.

Also. Try doing a search on google for RS232 Windows CE drivers. I think there’s a lot online if I recall correctly.
Or just windows CE drivers
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thenzero Page Icon Posted 2023-07-23 7:27 PM
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Jake - 2023-07-24 1:35 PM


@thenzero I'm going back to my mistake like a dog to its own vomit, but I guess one workaround could actually be a usb-serial adapter from desktop to MP's RS232 port, as long as you had the appropriate MP cable. I realize this would take away all the fun you're having now, and I've only looked at the ports on-line, and I'm sure it's already crossed your mind, so I reserve the right to be wrong again, or at least extra wrong

HPC2000 and above still miraculously sync with Win10-11 and a 32-bit Outlook, but the Tera Grand adapter does an excellent job in virtual XP/shared *.pst, keeping my WinCE 2.0 devices up-to-date, and has always managed well in Win10, even with Psion software.

Jake


Haha that's quite a mental image!

I'm trying to connect the mobile pro to a serial modem for DOS programs and unfortunately the serial cable for this thing is very rare and I don't have one. The USB serial is my attempt at a workaround
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Jake Page Icon Posted 2023-07-23 8:01 PM
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Yeah, I just poked around in the lairs of the usual suspects--ebay, usedhandhelds.com--and that cable does not appear available. I wonder why it's so scarce. Usedhandhelds has the 780-90 cable for sale. Should the usb connection not materialize for you, you might give Bibi a call at usedhandhelds.com. They kept me in mind for a clean 200LX replacement screen and contacted me when they had one.

Jake
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thenzero Page Icon Posted 2023-07-24 3:57 AM
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Not a bad thought, although I do think it would be cool to get the USB serial thing working...
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Rich Hawley Page Icon Posted 2023-07-24 11:19 PM
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Not to discourage you…but using the serial port is a cinch with no need for added drivers if you have a serial cable made to fit the machine…

Which I do.

Pinout is a standard DB 9
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torch Page Icon Posted 2023-07-24 11:53 PM
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Ohhh!
I wish I had the technical know how to do that !
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Rich Hawley Page Icon Posted 2023-07-25 12:01 AM
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Just order the Honda connector, part RMC-E9FS-BSLA2N-MA1 and solder it to your old beat up serial cable…
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