can't connect to mk2 via serial port

Hi folks,
I was trying to connect to the mk2 player via my serial port to upgrade it, but I cant seem to connect (have never been able to via the serial port). When I turned logging on, I got the following log message. I tried it from a Windoze 2000 and a windoze 98 machine. Same exact thing. Any help would be appreciated.

Tue 23 Apr 2002 21:10:47.208 Logfile opened
21:10:47.529 protocolclient.cpp(873) : I [02e0] ProtocolClient::IsUnitConnected()
21:10:47.529 packets.cpp(49) : I [02e0] NEW request
21:10:47.529 packets.cpp(140) : I [02e0] Request::Ping
21:10:47.529 packets.cpp(1061) : I [02e0] FLUSH

21:10:47.739 connection_win32.cpp(314) : I [02e0] SerialConnection::FillBuffer: leaving without reading anything.
21:10:47.739 packets.cpp(99) : I [02e0] Sending response.
21:10:47.739 packets.cpp(106) : I [02e0] Sending packet with id=53
21:10:47.739 packets.cpp(688) : I [02e0] Request::WaitForReply(header_return=0012EEEC, packet_id=53)

21:10:47.739 packets.cpp(699) : I [02e0] WaitForReply loop

21:10:47.739 packets.cpp(701) : I [02e0] Waiting for reply with id 53 and timeout 2

21:10:47.739 packets.cpp(827) : I [02e0] Request::Receive(h = 0012ED30, timeout=2)
21:10:47.739 packets.cpp(840) : I [02e0] Trying to receive bytes.

21:10:47.739 packets.cpp(851) : I [02e0] Got 1 bytes from connection->Receive
21:10:47.739 packets.cpp(954) : I [02e0] Got a PSOH
21:10:47.739 packets.cpp(840) : I [02e0] Trying to receive bytes.

21:10:47.739 packets.cpp(851) : I [02e0] Got 10 bytes from connection->Receive
21:10:47.739 packets.cpp(998) : I [02e0] Got packet length: 0 bytes.

21:10:47.739 packets.cpp(1018) : I [02e0] We've read all the data we were expecting, reading CRC.

21:10:47.739 packets.cpp(1041) : I [02e0] CRC is good.

21:10:47.739 packets.cpp(911) : I [02e0] We got a valid packet!
21:10:47.739 packets.cpp(916) : I [02e0] End of packet, pushing back 0 bytes
21:10:47.739 packets.cpp(928) : I [02e0] Processing complete: result is 0
21:10:47.739 packets.cpp(929) : I [02e0] Request::Receive(D) = 0x0
21:10:47.739 packets.cpp(704) : I [02e0] Receive result was 0

21:10:47.739 packets.cpp(784) : I [02e0] Got a response to packet 53
21:10:47.739 packets.cpp(699) : I [02e0] WaitForReply loop

21:10:47.739 packets.cpp(701) : I [02e0] Waiting for reply with id 53 and timeout 2

21:10:47.739 packets.cpp(827) : I [02e0] Request::Receive(h = 0012ED30, timeout=2)
21:10:47.739 packets.cpp(840) : I [02e0] Trying to receive bytes.

21:10:48.139 connection_win32.cpp(314) : I [02e0] SerialConnection::FillBuffer: leaving without reading anything.
21:10:48.139 packets.cpp(851) : I [02e0] Got -110 bytes from connection->Receive
21:10:48.139 packets.cpp(886) : I [02e0] It timed out - trying again
21:10:48.139 packets.cpp(840) : I [02e0] Trying to receive bytes.

21:10:48.540 connection_win32.cpp(314) : I [02e0] SerialConnection::FillBuffer: leaving without reading anything.
21:10:48.540 packets.cpp(851) : I [02e0] Got -110 bytes from connection->Receive
21:10:48.540 packets.cpp(886) : I [02e0] It timed out - trying again
21:10:48.540 packets.cpp(840) : I [02e0] Trying to receive bytes.

21:10:48.941 connection_win32.cpp(314) : I [02e0] SerialConnection::FillBuffer: leaving without reading anything.
21:10:48.941 packets.cpp(851) : I [02e0] Got -110 bytes from connection->Receive
21:10:48.941 packets.cpp(886) : I [02e0] It timed out - trying again
21:10:48.941 packets.cpp(840) : I [02e0] Trying to receive bytes.

21:10:49.341 connection_win32.cpp(314) : I [02e0] SerialConnection::FillBuffer: leaving without reading anything.
21:10:49.341 packets.cpp(851) : I [02e0] Got -110 bytes from connection->Receive
21:10:49.341 packets.cpp(886) : I [02e0] It timed out - trying again
21:10:49.341 packets.cpp(840) : I [02e0] Trying to receive bytes.

21:10:49.742 connection_win32.cpp(314) : I [02e0] SerialConnection::FillBuffer: leaving without reading anything.
21:10:49.742 packets.cpp(851) : I [02e0] Got -110 bytes from connection->Receive
21:10:49.742 packets.cpp(876) : I [02e0] No data timeout in state 0
21:10:49.742 packets.cpp(881) : I [02e0] Request::Receive(B) = 0xffffff92
21:10:49.742 packets.cpp(704) : I [02e0] Receive result was -110

21:10:49.742 packets.cpp(729) : I [02e0] Got timeout in receive. Timeout was 2
21:10:49.742 packets.cpp(730) : I [02e0] Packet::WaitForReply(D) = 0xffffff92
21:10:49.742 packets.cpp(201) : I [02e0] Request::Ping(C) = 0xffffff92

21:10:49.742 protocolclient.cpp(876) : I [02e0] ProtocolClient::IsUnitConnected()=0
21:10:59.606 Emplode.cpp(243) : I [02e0] In ExitInstance.
21:10:59.606 Emplode.cpp(245) : I [02e0] Saved options.
Tue 23 Apr 2002 21:21:55.449 Logfile opened

BTW. How can I tell if I have a null-modem serial cable?

arvy_n

Go through the list of things here first.

See if you can connect via Hyperterminal using these instructions.

Are you running PalmSync on the PC? Have you tried it on a different PC?

I've just ordered a null modem cable from belkin. I think I may have received one of those old cables that wasn't a null modem cable. My mk2 serial number is 1103. Hopefully this new cable will work when it gets here. Otherwise, it's back to begining . . .

arvy_n

The new null modem cable didnt help. Still getting the same problems. . . .

I have tried it from a different computer. Mine hast Win2K on it. I tried it from a Win98 machine too. . .

I'll check out the other items that you mentioned and see if I have any luck. . .

Thanks

Yea! I got it fixed. It seemed the problem all along was a bug in the BIOS of my computer. Got a patch for that, and now I'm able to connect to the Mk2 over my serial port. . .

Thanks for the responses

I'll add that to the FAQ now, thanks.

FYI, I have a Toshiba Tecra 8200 laptop. If that is useful for the FAQ or elsewhere. . .:)

I've had similar difficulties.

I was getting very frustrated with not being able to connect to my unit via the serial port. I checked the settings in the BIOS, I checked the device manager for conflicts, etc. - both said everything was working fine.

I was using Hyperterminal and had ensured the port settings were correct. Nothing seemed to make it communicate though.

Eventually I downloaded and flashed the motherboard BIOS to see whether that would fix it. The BIOS revisions said nothing about fixing a bug with unresponsive serial ports, but it certainly did the trick.

At last I can upgrade my player firmware ...

For reference I am running Windows ME and the motherboard is an Epox 8KTA3+ running AWARD BIOS.

Perhaps this problem isn't that rare after all.

Andy.

If you are updating the FAQ, could I suggest you highlight that it helps to set the baud rate to 115K in the config.ini. I spent a few hours the other night in the car wondering why I could get boot messages, but nothing else, until I came across some small print in the 'hijack' config.ini settings section :-)

Odd thing was, no weird characters to tip me off that my baud rate was wrong.

The note about 115k exists in several places in the FAQ already. I don't think I can emphasize it any more than it's already emphasized.

Hmmm, ok, I see what your saying - I'm dumb :-)

I had printed the hijack faq and taken it out to the car but I don't have all the faq's commited to memory - tonight however I am using wireless lan to allow me to re-read the faqs as required. So with luck, I will look smarter!