********************************************************************** Media Pro 4000 Brief Date: February 4th 1999 File: MP-4000_PC_Serial_Parallel_Configuration_BR020499.txt Module: MP-4000 Software Title: PC Serial and Parallel Port, Configuration and Requirements ********************************************************************** This Document is intended to help with configuration and troubleshooting of Serial and Parallel Ports that do not appear work correctly with the MP4000 Software. Changes to the BIOS and Windows Device Manager should only be performed by PC/Windows technically competent personnel. Incorrect changes can result in a completely inoperable PC. 1) Restrictions of use in this document a) The Restrictions in this document were used for the sake of simplicity, and ease of configuration when using the MP-4000 software on a PC to communicate with a Media Pro 4000 Module. b) It is possible for the MP-4000 software to function properly with other PC and software configurations. 2) PC Requirements a) PC compatible computer (Laptop or Desktop) running Windows 95 or 98. b) The PC should be at least a Pentiun-90, with a minimum of sixteen (16) MegaBytes of RAM c) Recommend the PC be at least a Pentiun-133, with a minimum of sixty four (64) MegaBytes of RAM. d) One (1) RS232 Serial Port Capable of 19.2kbps. e) Recommended serial port capable of 115.2 Kbps. f) An EPP 1284 compatible parallel port is required for animating with the APC-4010/20. g) Recommended EPP 1284 compatible parallel port for all other operations (it's much faster than serial). 3) Note original settings before making any changes to the BIOS CMOS Setup, or the Windows Device Manager 4) Troubleshooting PC Port BIOS CMOS Configuration a) There are so many different ways to get into the BIOS CMOS configuration for the wide variety of BIOS, that all of them can not be listed here. 1) Watch the screen while the PC does it's POST test, alot of BIOS will tell you which key to hit to enter the BIOS setup. a) If the POST test is not visible, or the POST test does not show which keys to hit Check the Manual for the Motherboard. 2) If the POST test and Manual don't tell you the BIOS entry key combinations, try these popular BIOS entry Keystrokes. a) F1 b) F2 c) F10 d) ESC e) CTRL ALT S f) CTRL ALT ESC g) CTRL ALT INS h) DEL 3) Hit BIOS entry key / key combination while the PC is performing the POST test (checking memory, ...). a) The POST test is very soon after the PC is powered on or reset. b) The POST test is way before the Windows LOGO appears. 4) Sometimes BIOS CMOS settings con only be accessed by a application run under DOS or Windows. Consult the Computer or Motherboard Manual for the appropriate application to access the BIOS CMOS settings. b) Check the BIOS CMOS Serial Port configuration. 1) Make Certain that the Serial Com Ports are Enabled. 2) Make note of the Serial Port configurations, the I/O & irq configuration will need to be compared to the Windows 95/98 device settings. 3) Refer to the Manual for the Mother board for recommended settings. 4) Typical BIOS CMOS Com Port Settings a) Com1: I/O 3F8, irq 4 b) Com2: I/O 2F8, irq 3 c) Com3: I/O 3E8, irq 4 d) Com4: I/O 2E8, irq 3 c) Check the BIOS CMOS Parallel Port configuration. 1) Make certain that the Parallel Ports are Enabled. 2) There are many different parallel port type selections between the variety of BIOS on motherboards. 3) The Parallel Port Should be set to EPP if that selection is available. a) If the BIOS has no Parallel Port Type selection options this section can be skipped. b) 1st Alternative If EPP is not available, select EPP & ECP. c) 2nd Alternative If EPP is not available, select Bi-directional. d) 3rd Alternative If EPP is not available, select PS/2. e) 4th Alternative If EPP is not available, select ECP. f) 5th Alternative If EPP is not available, select Compatible. g) 6th Alternative If EPP is not available, select Standard. h) 7th Alternative If EPP is not available, select AT. i) If none of the above parallel port types is available the remaining types Output Only, and Unidirectional will not work. 1) A EPP compatible bi-directional parallel port is the only type of parallel port that will work correctly with the MP4000 Hardware and Software. 4) Make note of the Parallel Port configurations, the configuration will need to be compared to the Windows 95/98 device settings. 5) Refer to the Manual for the Mother board for recommended input/output and interrupt settings. 6) Typical BIOS CMOS Com Port Settings a) LPT1: I/O 378 or 3BC, irq 7 b) LPT2: I/O 278 or 378, irq 5 or 7 c) LPT3: I/O 3BC or 278, irq 7 or 5 or 9 7) If any intended changes were made to the BIOS CMOS Setup Be certain to save the changes when exiting the Setup. 5) Troubleshooting PC Port Windows Device Configuration a) Check the Windows Device Configuration for the Serial Com Ports 1) In Windows 95/98 click on Start Menu, Settings, Control Panel, System, Device Manager, Ports Com and LPT, Select a Serial Port. a) In Windows 95, General Tab, Make certain the device usage has the current configuration selected. b) In Windows 98, General Tab, Make certain the device usage does not have the disable in this hardware profile selected c) Port settings Tab 1) 115,200 Bits Per Second, 2) 8 Data Bits 3) No Parity 4) 1 Stop Bit 5) Hardware Flow Control d) Port Settings Tab, Advanced, If the Serial com Ports have 16550 compatible UARTs 1) Select Use FIFO buffers 2) Set the Transmit Buffer to high (14) 3) Set the Receive Buffer to high (16) 4) If the serial ports are not 16550 compatible, or don't seem to work correctly with the above settings, Uncheck the use FIFO buffer. e) Resources Tab 1) Under most conditions Use automatic settings will work properly. 2) IF "automatic settings" does not seem to work, set the input/output Range and Interrupt Request to match the BIOS CMOS settings. f) Windows may require restarting after making changes before the changes are in effect. g) General Tab, check the Device Status, it should say "This device is working properly". h) Resource Tab, check the Conflicting Device List, it should say "No Conflicts". b) Check the Windows Device Configuration for the Parallel Ports 1) In Windows 95/98 click on Start Menu, Settings, Control Panel, System, Device Manager, Ports Com and LPT, Select a Parallel Port. a) In Windows 95, General Tab, Make certain the device usage has the current configuration selected. b) In Windows 98, General Tab, Make certain the device usage does not have the disable in this hardware profile selected c) Resources Tab 1) Under most conditions Use automatic settings will work properly. 2) IF automatic settings does not seem to work, set the input/output Range and Interrupt Request to match the BIOS CMOS settings. d) Windows may require restarting after making changes before the changes are in effect. e) General Tab, check the Device Status, it should say "This device is working properly". f) Resource Tab, check the Conflicting Device List, it should say "No Conflicts". 6) Media Pro 4000 Software Communications Configuration a) Communications can be configured in the MP4000 software under the options menu, communications. b) When there are no Media Pro 4000 Modules connected to the PC, Comm Disable can be selected to prevent the software from trying to communicate with the hardware, and receiving communications errors. c) For Serial Com Port Communications 1) For Normal operations, the PC Serial Port should be connected to the Port 1 connector (maintenance port) on a ICM. 2) Select a Serial Port that is correctly configured in both the BIOS CMOS, and Windows Device Manager. 3) Select 115,2000 If your Serial Port works correctly at 115200bps. d) For Parallel Port Communications 1) For Normal operations, the PC Parallel Port should be connected to the Port 0 connector (parallel port) on a ICM. 2) Select a Parallel Port that is correctly configured in both the BIOS CMOS, and Windows Device Manager. 3) Make certain the correct I/O Address is selected (matching the BIOS CMOS & Windows Device Manager). 7) Troubleshooting MP4000 Communications a) Checking Minimal MP4000 communications 1) Make certain MP4000 communications is configured correctly. 2) Make certain the correct cable is connected to the correct PC port. 3) Make certain the correct cable is connected to the correct Media Pro port on the ICM. 4) Make certain the VMR or HMR Rack is set to rack 0. a) The rack address is determined by a rotary switch and a jumper on the VMR or HMR backplane. 1) The rotary switch should be set to 0. 2) The Jumper should be Open. 5) Make certain no other racks are connected to the Media Pro Network on the ICM DIN-F48C Field connector (row 4). 6) Create a New MP4000 Show. 7) Turn on the MP4000 Rack. 8) Put the front panel switch in the "PROG" position. 9) The Run LED (green) should be blinking slowly. 7) Left click on the ICM in Rack 0. a) The Firmware Versions of the ICM should appear in the right window. 1) The Display should be similar to below ------ MODULE FIRMWARE ------ ICMBT228.COD - 03/04/98 09:43 3220116F.COD - 01/29/99 16:15 b) Look at the ICM the PC is connected to. 1) During Serial Communications, the Port 1 RX LED (red) will blink when the ICM receives serial data from the PC. 2) During Serial Communications, the Port 1 TX LED (green) will blink when the ICM transmits serial data to the PC. 3) During Parallel Communications, the PAR LED (green) will blink when the ICM receives or transmits parallel data. c) Make certain the Cable's pinout is correct. 1) For the Serial Cable a) PC DE9 Female Cable End b) ICM RJ11-6 wire Modular Plug Cable End c) Pinout ICM RJ11 pin pin DE9F PC +12vdc power 1 no connection RTS Output 2 --- 8 Input CTS CTS Input 3 --- 7 Output RTS TXD Output 4 --- 2 Input RXD RXD Input 5 --- 3 Output TXD Ground 6 --- 5 Ground 2) For the Parallel Cable a) Make certain the cable meets the IEEE 1284 EPP standard b) The PC end should have a 1284-A Plug (DB25 Male) c) The ICM end should have a 1284-C Plug (miniature 36pin centronics) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Specifications subject to change at any time. 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