Diablosport Forums

Vehicle: 2004 Ford Mustang Mach 1
Tuner: U7146, v.7r50d

Downloading 9r07b.crom file revision

Getting to "power cycle the tool to continue" step. Unplugging/replugging Predator and nothing happens. Tried multiple times. If I click on the window it says "not responding". Not sure if the "COM" setting has anything to do with it, but the downloader default is COM3 with 4,5 and 6 available sometimes. Using the 57600 serial baud because the tuner resets to that setting after power cycle. I have downloaded the driver for the USB to DB9 serial cable I'm using (Gigaware # 26-949, bought from Radio Shack). Given you all the relevent info I can think of for now. Thanks a bunch for any help.

usually when the dsdownloader freezes after the powercycle, it means that the usb to serial driver was not successfully installed.

Vas@Diablosport wrote:usually when the dsdownloader freezes after the powercycle, it means that the usb to serial driver was not successfully installed.

Thought that may be the case so I installed it again already and said it was successfully installed both times.

Hmm, go to your device manager and see if it lists a usb to serial cable in the "ports" extension.

Vas@Diablosport wrote:Hmm, go to your device manager and see if it lists a usb to serial cable in the "ports" extension.

It does list the cable and says it's working properly. Baud rate at 57600 on each end. Also downloaded the Diablo Vista driver but no help. Basically, the computer says it recognizes it but the DS downloader says it's disconnected, just says it's checking COM3 and COM4 for tool. Possibly it's the cable I'm using (Gigaware # 26-949 bought at Radioshack), hope it's not the tuner. Tried on 2 different laptops w/ same result. I'm out of guesses and so is my computer savvy roommate.

I'm thinking somehow the USB/DB9 cable I bought (26-949) either isn't functioning correctly or somehow this model is somehow not intended for this type of transfer. Cannot find where I read the Radioshack USB part #s to be used for the download. Anyone know the part #(s)? Thanks.

I was having issues with my Predator connecting as well. It seems the usb serial adapter I've got wouldn't make good contact at the predator serial connector. I added a serial cable between the usb adapter and the predator and haven't had a problem since.

4648 wrote:I was having issues with my Predator connecting as well. It seems the usb serial adapter I've got wouldn't make good contact at the predator serial connector. I added a serial cable between the usb adapter and the predator and haven't had a problem since.

Appreciate you helping out, man. I'll be sure to try that.

Ryan

If it helps, I am using that exact cable from RS without any issues on the predator @115200. I have run into a problem with it before on one device that I have to communicate with for work. (1 out of 10 or so) I am also using XP and the most recent drivers from the RS website.

4648 wrote:I was having issues with my Predator connecting as well. It seems the usb serial adapter I've got wouldn't make good contact at the predator serial connector. I added a serial cable between the usb adapter and the predator and haven't had a problem since.

Well, tried it and same result. I appreciate you trying to help.

tinslwc wrote:If it helps, I am using that exact cable from RS without any issues on the predator @115200. I have run into a problem with it before on one device that I have to communicate with for work. (1 out of 10 or so) I am also using XP and the most recent drivers from the RS website.

The 7r50d baud rate is 57600 so I match that up with the computer. 115200 speed would be great, but part of the downloading process calls for turning the Predator off then on again which makes it revert back to the 57600 when repowering, rendering the 115200 useless. Very much appreciated.

I have used that cable at 300 (super slow, only used it once), 2400, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, and 115200. My predator defaults to 115200 but as long as your computer (DSDownloader) is set to 57600, I would expect it to work. The one that I have an occasional problem with was 9600 (default for my problem device as mentioned earlier). Check to make sure you have the correct COM port selected. Mine was COM17 but yours will be something different (only one listed in the box). To find out which one (in XP, Vista might be slightly different):

Start->Run->"devmgmt.msc" click run (this opens Device Manager)
Expand "Ports (COM & LPT)" or something like that, I dont have the cable plugged in right now so it does not show up.
Find the Radio Shack USB.... entry and it will show the COM port, I believe in () to the right.
While you are in there check the port settings, they should be Baud:57600, Data bits: 8, Stop bits: 1, no parity.

Dont know if any of this helps, hope it does.

tinslwc wrote:I have used that cable at 300 (super slow, only used it once), 2400, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, and 115200. My predator defaults to 115200 but as long as your computer (DSDownloader) is set to 57600, I would expect it to work. The one that I have an occasional problem with was 9600 (default for my problem device as mentioned earlier). Check to make sure you have the correct COM port selected. Mine was COM17 but yours will be something different (only one listed in the box). To find out which one (in XP, Vista might be slightly different):

Start->Run->"devmgmt.msc" click run (this opens Device Manager)
Expand "Ports (COM & LPT)" or something like that, I dont have the cable plugged in right now so it does not show up.
Find the Radio Shack USB.... entry and it will show the COM port, I believe in () to the right.
While you are in there check the port settings, they should be Baud:57600, Data bits: 8, Stop bits: 1, no parity.

Dont know if any of this helps, hope it does.

Really appreciate you trying to help. I've tried and double checked everything you and everyone else has informed me of....on two different computers (one XP and one Vista). On both, the computer is recognizing the Radioshack USB but not finding the tool. The COMs, baud rates and everything under the sun is matching and the driver is good. I'm 99.99% sure I have a bad Predator, as is my computer nerd rentor. I do remember paying only $319.99 for it, hadn't seen a price that low before and haven't since. I hate to point fingers but I'm sure you all can guess what I'm thinking. Just frustrating.

Have you tired a serial to serial connection with a pc that has a serial port enabled in the computers bios?

Shaken wrote:Have you tired a serial to serial connection with a pc that has a serial port enabled in the computers bios?

Computer bios? I guess I haven't. lol. Man, you always come out of left field with stuff I haven't heard of. Whatever you're talking about, I hope it would work because I'm kind of bummed thinking I have a dud Predator.