USB to Serial

[ARFunIn]

I purchased the USB to RS-232 to connect a Garmin GPS unit to a laptop rich in USB ports. When I try to test the connectivity with map software, I get a can not establish communication with device warning. Can you please tell me how to remove the drivers and reinstall them?  Thank You

[Jonathan]

The drivers likely don't need to be un-installed and re-installed.  Most likely they just need to be configured.  What COM port do you have the serial port set on?  Also, what COM port is your software looking at?

If those aren't already set to the same thing, you'll need to change them to match.

[ARFunIn]

Thank you for the response. I checked the Garmin eTrax Legend under ‘settings’and the only options under ‘interface’ concern ‘Serial Data Format’. And have as options: Garmin, Garmin DGPS, NMEA in/NMEA Out, Test out…etc.

The National Geographic TOPO software is another story. Under ‘Handhelds + Change GPS Settings…’ you get the options ‘Receiver Type’, ‘Connections Settings’, ‘Time Format’ & ‘Waypoint Display’. Neglecting the latter two, under ‘Receiver Type’ there are the options: Garmin, Magellan, Suunto, NMEA ( $GPGGA), NMEA ($GPGLL), …etc. Under Connection Settings there are options: Serial Port + Com Port 1 – Many with Baud options 110 - 128000, and ‘USB Port’ with no further sub-options. Also included in the Connection Settings is a ‘Test GPS Connection’ tile. The following error codes came up when the tile was selected.

For GPS Connection Settings Garmin eTrax Legend + Serial Port 1 or 2 at baud settings 1200/2400/4800: “The Com Port is in Use B Another Application”. For Serial Ports 3 and above at baud settings 1200/2400/4800:”No Response. Check Connection or Restart GPS” After restarting the GPS two times, the same message appeared.

For GPS Connection Settings Garmin eTrax Legend + USB, “Could Not Establish  USB Connected Device”.

At this point, I am not willing to say this it is a hardware issue. My next plan of attack is to try the Garmin Waypoint management software and transfer .txt waypoint files output from the National Geographic TOPO software to the Garmin GPS

[Jonathan]

Ok, so your software seems to be looking at a number of different COM ports.  But, what is your USB to RS232 set to?  You can check that in the device manager in the Ports (COM & LPT) section.  If it isn't already, you'll want to change it to COM 1.

[ARFunIn]

Please explain 'set to'. Under Device Manager/Universal Serial Bus Controllers/FTDI FT8U2XX Device there are no 'set to' options..,only "Update Driver/Disable/Uninstall/Scan for Hardware Changes &
Properties". None of these have a 'Set To'. option.

[Jonathan]

Please explain 'set to'. Under Device Manager/Universal Serial Bus Controllers/FTDI FT8U2XX Device there are no 'set to' options..,only "Update Driver/Disable/Uninstall/Scan for Hardware Changes &
Properties". None of these have a 'Set To'. option.

You can change it by double clicking on the FTDI serial adapter.  This will bring up the device properties for that device.  At the top there is a tab called Port Settings.  Click that.  Then there is a button that says advanced.  Under there you'll find a drop down menu that will let you select which COM port you have it assigned to.  Set it to COM 1.  This is the most commonly used / recognized COM port.

Windows sometimes will say COM ports are in use.  If you do not have any built in serial ports you can pretty safely assume it's not in use.  Just try it anyway.

[ARFunIn]

I am sorry this is getting long. I do not have a tab called 'Port Settings'. the tabs that do come up are:'General/Advanced/Power Management/Driver and Details." None of these have any sub-menues dealing with 'Port Settings'.

Thank You...

[Jonathan]

I am sorry this is getting long. I do not have a tab called 'Port Settings'. the tabs that do come up are:'General/Advanced/Power Management/Driver and Details." None of these have any sub-menues dealing with 'Port Settings'.

Thank You...

I'm sorry, my mistake.  I should have been more clear.  Those are the tabs under the properties for the FTDI Device listed under Universal Serial Bus Controllers.  You need to go to the properties for the port itself.  I've include some screen shots to show exactly where to find it.  Let me know if you still have trouble finding it.

FTDI USB to serial Port in the Device manager:


FTDI USB to serial port properties:


Port settings tab:


Advanced options:

[ARFunIn]

I am sorry, but my DELL Inpiron B130 does not have a ports selection under Device Manager

[Jonathan]

I am sorry, but my DELL Inpiron B130 does not have a ports selection under Device Manager

If you do not have a ports category in your device manager the FTDI USB adapter is not installed properly.  That USB to serial adapter installs as 2 seperate devices.  The one in the USB controllers section and one in the ports category, as in the picture above.  I would recommend disconnecting the USB to serial adapter and reconnecting it.  Make sure when you connect it to the computer that it is not attached to your serial device.

If it still doesn't come up you may need to update the driver to get it to install properly. You can download a new copy of the driver here:

FTDI FT8U2XX driver

[ARFunIn]

Jonathan, thank you for your patience. It took two attempts at installing the USB Serial Port driver before the Ports (Com&LPT) would show up when the bare RS232-USB device was inserted into one of the USB ports. It works and I was able to upload my routes and waypoints to the Garmin handheld. Thank you again...Sincerely