HELP, Trying to update .crom using Vista !!!

[Aleannex]

Hello,

I just purchased a Predator U7186 and I am trying to upload the latest revision (.crom file) before I can use it on my truck.

I am not having any success. I purchased a 12v power adapter which powers up the unit with no problems, and a usb to serial adapter as described in the user's manual.

For the later I had a terrible time trying to find driver's for it because of the type of operating system I'm using on my computer (Vista Ultimate). After spending some time on a few GPS system manufacturer's web sites, I found a driver that works (they use the same method to update their Gps units).

I set up my baud rate and com port as described in the manual, start the downloader and it works just fine until it's time to power up the U7186. The unit powers up and the computer does not recognize that it has come on. An "operation failed" type warning apears after a timeout period and that's as far as I could get.

I tested the serial connection to my computer via the usb adapter cable with my friend's Garmin GPS device and it updates itself witout a glitch.

I have spent numerous hours and have lost some sleep trying to get this to work...So please HELP !!!

[06MonteSS]

whenever I update my Predator, I always have it on and booted up before I even start the DSDownloader program...

[Aleannex]

whenever I update my Predator, I always have it on and booted up before I even start the DSDownloader program...

I tried that too...many many times...

[06MonteSS]

what do you have the com port and baud rate set to?? I know there was an issue with usb-serial adapters and using the wrong com port...

[Aleannex]

I'm pretty good with computers and I've tried everything, I bet you it's a compatibility issue with Vista.
If tech support doesn't help soon, I might have to go get a hard drive to install Win XP all over again.

[kmac1]

I'm pretty good with computers and I've tried everything, I bet you it's a compatibility issue with Vista.
If tech support doesn't help soon, I might have to go get a hard drive to install Win XP all over again.

Maybe Cole will chime in here.... He has Vista on his new laptop.

Kevin@DiabloSport

[Aleannex]

BUMP

I need an answer please.

[mikel]

Are you using the latest version of DSDownloader from our website?

[Aleannex]

Are you using the latest version of DSDownloader from our website?

Yes I am.

Did i mention that I am also running a 64 bit version of Vista ?

Thanks !

[Unknown303]

Does your Programmer require a straight through or null modem style cable, because they aren't interchangable and if its like my U7180 i had to buy a straight through to get it to communicate. I'm not sure if a usb adapter can be change but you can always but a null modem cable ($6) to attach to the adapter to change the Tx and Rx wires back around and that might solve the problem.

[Aleannex]

OK, here's what I did to make this finally work...

I basically had to slow down the computer enough, so it can run as slow as the Predator's means of communication.
After freaking out for a while of not being able to do much with this, I put it away for a few weeks and finally decided to give it another try.

I had a graphics intensive game running in the background and I slowed down the port that the Predator was attached to, by setting it to it's slowest read/write speed and after a couple of tries, the r20 file was locked and loaded.

Works great now.

I think your next model should have USB plug on it for it to be future ready.

Thanks !

[johnc]

That is a bizarre fix. I am glad you got things working. I wonder if Windows Update pushed anything down during the last two months that helped.