Knowledge Base

Category: Data Collectors / Carlson Explorer
Topic ID: 841
Title: SurvCom 9pin Troubleshooting
Created: 2014-02-19Last modified: 2014-02-19
This is in regards to connecting a Carlson Explorer to your computer with a 9pin cable to transfer job files.

Step #1) Null Modem connection:
Before anything will work you MUST HAVE either a 3 foot null modem cable with 9 holes on either end or a "Gender Changer" and "Null Modem" adapter from an Electronics Store.  You can scroll down to the bottom of the article for images of the cable and adapters.

!!!PLEASE NOTE:  If you don't have a null modem cable or null modem adapter then none of the steps below will work!!!

Step #2) USB to 9pin Converter:
For a Laptop or Desktop without a Com1 port you will need to purchase a USB to 9pin converter that specifically lists support for a Windows 7 64bit operating system on the package.  

Follow the instructions that come with your USB to 9pin converter cable to install the hardware drivers which should assign a Com Port number to your USB converter.

- If your using a USB to 9pin on a Desktop you must connect to a USB port on the BACK of the computer = we do not recommend connecting to the front port OR to a monitor OR port replicator

- If your using a USB to 9pin on a Laptop you have to ALWAYS use the same physical USB port or it will fail out and assign different Com Port numbers if you plug into different USB slots each time

Step #3) Verify your USB converter cable has been properly installed:
  a.  After the installation is successful click on the Start Menu in the bottom left.  

  b.  In the white search box just above the Start button type in "device manager" without the quotes
  
  c.  Click on "Device Manager" in the upper left of the search results
  
  d.  In the Device Manager you should see "Ports Com & LPT" listed alphabetically = click the "+" plus symbol next to Ports Com & LPT.  You should see an entry listed such as "Prolific USB to Serial (Example: Com6)" where it lists your USB device and a Com Port number in parenthesis.

If you see a valid Com port number shown under Ports Com & LPT proceed to Step #4.  

If there is no Com port listed under "Ports Com & LPT" or if you don't see any category for "Ports Com & LPT" you will need to contact the manufacturer of your USB to 9pin converter or refer to the documentation that came with the USB cable for troubleshooting tips.  

!!! It may be necessary for you to hire a Computer Repair specialist to properly install your USB to 9pin hardware drivers in Windows 7 before Carlson Software will function properly for data transfer !!!

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Step #4) Troubleshooting Tips

1) Reboot the Laptop or Desktop Computer by saving all your work then clicking the Start button and clicking "Shutdown" or "Restart"

2) Reboot the data collector by tapping Close or the Orange Back arrow in the upper right. Tap File and tap Exit then tap YES. Hold the power button down for 10 or 12 seconds then power it back on {or continue holding the Power Button until the data collector reboots}.  You should see the white loader screen come on.  After your back into WindowsCE you can double-tap the SurvCE icon to launch it and tap "Continue Last Job" {we should check that File / Job is set on "SystemCFData"}

3) After performing the steps above:
  a. Launch SurvCom from Carlson X-port by clicking Tools / Data Transfer / SurvCE
     ***From Carlson Survey = click Survey / Data Collectors / "Carlson SurvCE/CSI Mobile"

  b. Click OK to any Errors or warnings that are displayed.

  c. Click OK to launch the Connection Wizard



  d. Click the "System Info" button to see if you have any Valid Com ports listed:



  d. Click OK to close the System Info then click the "9pin Null Modem" button on the left

  e. Follow the instructions in the window shown below then click the CONNECT button



  f. This should attempt to connect to your SurvCE data collector at this time.

  g. We recommend creating a folder in the "C:" drive such as "Carlson Projects".  You can launch SurvCom and click the "Set Path" button in the bottom left.  Click to the left of "Local PC" then click the "Select" button to browse to your "Carlson Projects" folder you created.  Left-click it to higlight it then click OK.  Click OK again to return to SurvCom.  For the Carlson Explorer data collector the right-hand side should display a "Remote Path" in the upper right that starts out with the Folder "SystemCFData"


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- You do NOT need Windows Mobile Device Center for transferring jobs by 9pin cable into the computer.  {Windows Mobile Device Center and ActiveSync are only used for updating SurvCE software}

- For a Desktop computer with a 9pin Com1 port in the back try this connection first

- if its a Desktop and Com1 fails then you can right-click on the "Communications Port Com1" in the Device Manager under "Ports Com & LPT" then left-click Uninstall or Remove and click YES to any warnings then reboot the computer to retry your Com1 connection in SurvCom

- If you transfer CRD coordinate files into the "C:Program Files" folder then Windows 7 will prevent this and treat it as a security risk

- You can click the link below to purchase a USB converter cable online:
IOGear USB to 9pin Cable

- Make sure you are using a USB converter cable that has Windows 7 64bit printed as a supported Operating System on the package

- if you get Error # 14 in SurvCom it means the Com Port doesn't exist in Windows or your USB cable is not currently plugged in

- if you get Error # 3 it means Windows Mobile Device Center or some other Software on your computer  is using the Com port and it must be disabled before SurvCom will function properly




***Most Carlson Explorers come with a 3 foot Null Modem cable pictured below:***




!!! If you don't already own a 3 foot null modem cable you can purchase the two adapters pictured below:
1) a "Null Modem adapter" (Male to Female)


2) a "Gender Changer" (Female to Female)
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survcom