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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : Silicon Chip USB Driver
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James_From_Canb Senior Member  Joined: 19/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 265 |
The first free COM port on my laptop is COM14:. I'm pretty sure that the Silicon Chip USB driver is reserving COM port numbers and I'm assuming that every time I plug into a different port, it gets reserved with a new number by the driver. Up until now I haven't worried about it because it hasn't caused any problems. But now I'm trying to run Texas Instrument's CCS 5 development environment and it won't run properly. The problem might be that the TI driver has bound itself to COM14 and the environment only offers me the choice of connecting to COM ports 1, 2 and 3. I've also noticed that I cannot plug a Maximite into any of the three USB ports on my laptop. I have to connect via a hub. Again, up until now it hasn't been a problem, but I hope cleaning up the numbering might resolve that issue too. Does anyone know how to "unreserve" the unused ports? Thanks James My mind is aglow with whirling, transient nodes of thought careening through a cosmic vapor of invention. Hedley Lamarr, Blazing Saddles (1974) |
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| paceman Guru  Joined: 07/10/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1329 |
Hi James, When I first set the SC driver up I connected to different ports a couple of times and I think the COM numbers did change with each different USB port. I just use the same one now and the number doesn't change. Don't know how to 'un-reserve' but I don't have trouble with any of the three USB ports on the old NEC notebook I use. Sounds like you might have a limited power capability on your USB ports though. Greg |
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| James_From_Canb Senior Member Joined: 19/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 265 |
I thought that I had checked old postings, but I missed this one: Creeping COM Port Numbers. I've just used the method Dinosaur and Seco61 suggested to set the TI driver to COM3. I've reinstalling CCS 5 and at least now I'm getting another error but I'll chase that up on the TI forums. Greg: The USB ports on the laptop supply enough power because I can power a USB hub and run the MM off the hub. I'd still like to clean up the reserved COM ports. James My mind is aglow with whirling, transient nodes of thought careening through a cosmic vapor of invention. Hedley Lamarr, Blazing Saddles (1974) |
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MicroBlocks Guru Joined: 12/05/2012 Location: ThailandPosts: 2209 |
After some 'google fu': Here is a way to at least change the number: Change com port numbers One way of clearing them: Make com ports available Microblocks. Build with logic. |
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BobD Guru Joined: 07/12/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 935 |
James, I have a similar problem. See it here. . Since then I have changed my motherboard and installed Win 8 and I still have the problem. I gave up and when I want to connect via usb I just use one of my two laptops. It is only the interactive use of the usb port that is affected. I can do firmware updates on all of my machines on any usb port. I might acquire a usb hub and see if that helps. That may take a few weeks. I usually have to wait till I go to town (Albury, Wodonga, Wangaratta, Shepparton) before I can buy something like that. |
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| James_From_Canb Senior Member Joined: 19/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 265 |
WooHoo.  Thanks TZ. A great find. I removed ALL the in-use COM ports, then reinstalling the Texas Instruments software and got the TI prototype board connecting properly through the laptop's USB3 port. Big tick.
Then I connected the CG card. No connection. Not even a "loading driver" message. Sigh... At least my Mk 1 MM connected OK. That reinstalled the driver. Then I used the USB cable that came with the TI kit to connect to the USB3 port. It worked! Now please don't ask me why the cable works from my hub, but not from the USB3 port. I don't know, and I don't care. The cable is now in the bin. Bob - have you tried using a different cable? One very happy James. My mind is aglow with whirling, transient nodes of thought careening through a cosmic vapor of invention. Hedley Lamarr, Blazing Saddles (1974) |
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| MicroBlocks Guru Joined: 12/05/2012 Location: ThailandPosts: 2209 |
@James, The problem with your USB3 port is probably a bad contact. Try wiggling the connector a bit and see if you get power from the USB3 port. The cable from the hub has probably a slightly thicker or more tension on the plug. Happens a lot as the USB A type is not the best design in the world. Microblocks. Build with logic. |
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| James_From_Canb Senior Member Joined: 19/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 265 |
That's what led me astray with the old 'dodgy' cable. It was supplying power to the CG board because the power LED was lit. It wasn't connecting via the USB driver though. I assumed that the lit LED meant there was a strong chance the other connections worked too. If I wiggled the old cable on the CG board connector, the power light would occasionally go out. Whatever the reason for the cable not connecting correctly, I'm glad to be rid it. They're cheap and I much prefer to replace a dodgy one - even if it has only had problems with one piece of equipment. James My mind is aglow with whirling, transient nodes of thought careening through a cosmic vapor of invention. Hedley Lamarr, Blazing Saddles (1974) |
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| paceman Guru Joined: 07/10/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1329 |
A lesson for us all here I think - thank you TZ. Also for the "how to get rid of COM assignments" stuff. Greg |
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