TheWeatheringMan Posted July 12, 2014 Share Posted July 12, 2014 Hi All, I apologise if this question has been asked before but I'm desperate for help. For almost a year now I've used a Sprog 2 without any problems. Used on desktop pc running Windows XP Pro and a laptop running Windows 7 (have also installed Decoder Pro on Tablet running Windows 8 but havnt used it yet). Have had no problems on either system till last week. Both systems running Decoder Pro 3.4 downloaded by me. Last week downloaded Decoder Pro version 3.6 (version 3.8 now available but I havnt downloaded yet). Desktop pc has failed so now out of use. Updated laptop to Dec Pro 3.6 Started to get error message saying Java platform had stopped due to error. Also had message sometimes ' Com 3 not found' - but not always. Java message keeps occurring when asking Dec Pro to do something such as 'identify' Gave up with laptop. Took another pc to workshop - no internet connection here. replacement desktop pc did not have Java downloaded full Java to allow offline installation on workshop pc Installed said Java from usb flash drive. installed Dec Pro 3.6 from cd I burnt. keep getting 'Com 3 not found' - correct Com port is set up in Dec Pro settings Have tried another usb cable - made no difference. uninstalled Dec Pro 3.6 and installed Dec Pro 3.4 from cd I burnt some months ago ( 3.4 had been fine on previous workshop pc and laptop). still getting the same 'Com 3 not found' but no other error. Feel I have run out of ideas as I seem to have looked at all options and the fact its happening on two pc's with different Windows versions is a real mystery. I hope the above makes clear the sequence of events and what I've done so its over to you Gentlemen. I'll be very grateful for any help you might be willing to give. Very Many Thanks, regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Vistisen Posted July 12, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 12, 2014 Just wondering, I had similar problems , Is it a 64 bit version of windows. I needed to download a drive to enable usb as a com port Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicktoix Posted July 12, 2014 Share Posted July 12, 2014 Go to device manager to find which comes port the SPROG is connected to then enter this into your startup on decoder pro. You will then have to restart decoder pro. This what I have to do sometimes. Nick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigelcliffe Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 1 - You haven't mentioned device drivers for the newer PC. Install the device drivers for the Sprog, and make sure you install the correct ones. The Sprog IIv3 (current) is different to the earlier models. Without the device driver nothing will work. 2 - best place for support for Sprogs are: Yahoo group "sprog-dcc", Yahoo group "jmriusers" (the main JMRI support location) or emailing the manufacturer. The first two can probably work out why you had the problems on the first machine - I'd start by looking at the power saving options; if the Windows power-save option turns off USB devices then the COM port can vanish. This isn't the only possible explanation for the failings. - Nigel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheWeatheringMan Posted July 13, 2014 Author Share Posted July 13, 2014 1 - You haven't mentioned device drivers for the newer PC. Install the device drivers for the Sprog, and make sure you install the correct ones. The Sprog IIv3 (current) is different to the earlier models. Without the device driver nothing will work. 2 - best place for support for Sprogs are: Yahoo group "sprog-dcc", Yahoo group "jmriusers" (the main JMRI support location) or emailing the manufacturer. The first two can probably work out why you had the problems on the first machine - I'd start by looking at the power saving options; if the Windows power-save option turns off USB devices then the COM port can vanish. This isn't the only possible explanation for the failings. - Nigel Hi, Thank you for your reply. Laptop: device drivers installed ok as required - problem began after update to Dec Pro 3.6. Desktop: all drivers installed at correct point. Had checked com port in device manager and set correct com in Dec Pro. Com 3 not found started to occur. redoing the settings and saving/restarting Dec Pro has no effect on error occurring. error is still occurring even though I've removed 3.6 and reinstalled 3.4 - which had been working perfectly on previous desktop pc. All in all a total mystery as its happening on two very different machines. Over to you Gentlemen, Regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheWeatheringMan Posted July 13, 2014 Author Share Posted July 13, 2014 Hi, Just to add a bit more to this mystery. I've just tried again on desktop (win xp pro/dec pro 3.4) pc and had the following happen again including something I forgot to mention before although its happened several times. At first attempt everything seemed ok and Dec Pro seemed to start normally. Sprog was shown as online at bottom of screen. Asked to 'identify' loco on track I got the 'dongs' for a USB disconnection followed rapidly by the same for reconnection. Status line read 'reading CV29' and stays there. Closed Dec Pro restarted Dec Pro and got 'com 3 not found while loading' clicked ok and Dec Pro started but showed Sprog as offline and brought up settings box. Gave up as doing settings and a restart has no effect and does not prevent error. Unfortunately the mystery deepens. Regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Izzy Posted July 13, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 13, 2014 Is this a daft idea, or could you use System Restore on the W7 laptop to return it to before you installed 3.6? That should take it all back to when it was working with the Sprog shouldn't it? Izzy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevindickerson Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 If you are getting the "dongs" to indicate that the usb port has been disconnected/reconnected it could indicate that there is a physical problem with the connection to the Sprog, have you been able to try using a different USB cable? When you load up JMRI, if you go to the Sprog Menu and select "Get Firmware Version", do you get a response? When you do an identify is the Sprog connected to the same bit of track/loco? Is the Power Supply giving out the correct voltage? If you are able to, could you measure the source voltage while you attempt to do an ident? Regards Kevin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheWeatheringMan Posted July 13, 2014 Author Share Posted July 13, 2014 If you are getting the "dongs" to indicate that the usb port has been disconnected/reconnected it could indicate that there is a physical problem with the connection to the Sprog, have you been able to try using a different USB cable? When you load up JMRI, if you go to the Sprog Menu and select "Get Firmware Version", do you get a response? When you do an identify is the Sprog connected to the same bit of track/loco? Is the Power Supply giving out the correct voltage? If you are able to, could you measure the source voltage while you attempt to do an ident? Regards Kevin Hi Kevin Thanks for your reply. I did mention I my first post that I have tried a different (and known good) USB cable. Also the installation is not disturbed physically at any time such that could cause a faulty connection to show up - the 'dongs' are triggered simply by asking the Sprog to do something. The Sprog is connected correctly to the track with the loco on. The power supply is that supplied with the Sprog and is supplying 12.03 volts both with and without the Sprog connected so that seems ok I will go to workshop and check the voltage whilst attempting an identify. I'll also look at the firmware version - that made me wonder - could the firmware on the sprog have corrupted I wonder and what if I do a firmware update. Again thank you for your help Kevin. Regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheWeatheringMan Posted July 13, 2014 Author Share Posted July 13, 2014 Hi All, Well this really is getting daft. I went and had a look at the firmware version and it reported back ok. Sprog shown as online at bottom of page. Tried 'identify' and did not get usb 'dongs' but got 306 error (timeout talking etc.) repeated 'identify' several times with exactly same result. tried 'new loco' - got error 306 again after a few seconds. at no time now did i get the usb 'dongs'. feel that i have tried everything possible so conclusion seems to point to Sprog having developed a fault. Feeling like buying a Digitrax 'Locobuffer' or PS2 and using that with my Zephyr instead of the Sprog. Regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigelcliffe Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 Starting to sound like a Sprog fault, though there are probably a few more tests to complete it. I think discussing it with the maker might be a good move. Repairs are usually done quickly and cheaply by the maker. Zephyr with RR Cirkits LocoBuffer (or with Digitrax PR3) is considerably slower at reading/writing CV's than a Sprog. Zephyr combination also has problems with more decoders (those decoders which draw more current than they ought to) than Sprog, so not necessarily a better solution for programming decoders. - Nigel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheWeatheringMan Posted July 13, 2014 Author Share Posted July 13, 2014 Starting to sound like a Sprog fault, though there are probably a few more tests to complete it. I think discussing it with the maker might be a good move. Repairs are usually done quickly and cheaply by the maker. Zephyr with RR Cirkits LocoBuffer (or with Digitrax PR3) is considerably slower at reading/writing CV's than a Sprog. Zephyr combination also has problems with more decoders (those decoders which draw more current than they ought to) than Sprog, so not necessarily a better solution for programming decoders. - Nigel Hi Nigel and Kevin, Thankyou both for your trouble in offering help. I didnt realise the disadvantages of locobuffer and co. No real advantage over just using the Zephyr - i have both an older Zephyr and a new Zephyr Extra in use also a Super Empire Builder Extra -although the latter is write only. I have emailed Andrew at SprogDCC to ask if he might be kind enough to look at this thread to see the story. I am going to try one last thing. I have Decoder Pro 3.4 installed on this new tablet although havnt used it yet - I will try the sprog on here and see what happens, obviously if any similar fault happens then its clearly the sprog gone down. I'll update things in a while once i've tried the test. Thankyou again Gentlemen for you time. Regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheWeatheringMan Posted July 13, 2014 Author Share Posted July 13, 2014 Hi, Well I think it now seems pretty certain its a sprog fault. Tried it on this tablet and got exactly the same fault - the usb 'dongs' and nothing else happening. Moved it back to desktop pc and got exactly the same again. Perhaps I should add that on both pc's Decoder Pro started ok without any com port problem. I shall have to hope Andrew at SprogDCC does see this thread and gets back to me. Thanks again, Regards Edit to add, This tablet is running Windows 8 - so as its happened on three different Windows versions I think its got to becthe Sprog. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
backofanenvelope Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 Maybe you might be able to contact him more easily for assistance at sprog @ sprog-dcc.co.uk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crosland Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 Asked to 'identify' loco on track I got the 'dongs' for a USB disconnection followed rapidly by the same for reconnection. It sounds like the power supply is being overloaded when the track power is turned on, causing the SPROG to reset and the USB connection to be interrupted. Once this happens, DecoderPro will lose the connection and will need to be restarted to see the COM port again. What power supply are you using? Normally the SPROG will detect an overload before anything bad happens. If you are sure the track connection is OK, with no shorts, and you are using a regulated DC power supply, then please return the SPROG to us for attention. Andrew Crosland http://www.sprog-dcc.co.uk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheWeatheringMan Posted July 13, 2014 Author Share Posted July 13, 2014 It sounds like the power supply is being overloaded when the track power is turned on, causing the SPROG to reset and the USB connection to be interrupted. Once this happens, DecoderPro will lose the connection and will need to be restarted to see the COM port again. What power supply are you using? Normally the SPROG will detect an overload before anything bad happens. If you are sure the track connection is OK, with no shorts, and you are using a regulated DC power supply, then please return the SPROG to us for attention. Andrew Crosland http://www.sprog-dcc.co.uk Hi Andrew, Many thanks for your reply. The power supply was supplied with the Sprog from Sunningwell Command Control and everything had been ok until last weekend - it seemed to correspond with me updating to Decoder Pro version 3.6 but i'm now thinking this was only coincidental as it dosnt now work on version 3.4 either. Details of power supply are: Stontronics switch mode power supply. P/N T4103ST Model 3A-182WE12 Output 12V 1.5Amp All the connections to the track are deffinatly ok. As I imagine your advice to sent the Sprog back to you will now be the way forward, will you require the power supply to come too or just the Sprog alone. If you can let me know i'll get it sent off within the next day or so. Once again Andrew, thankyou very much. Regards. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crosland Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 Just the SPROG, no cables, etc. Andrew Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheWeatheringMan Posted July 14, 2014 Author Share Posted July 14, 2014 Just the SPROG, no cables, etc. Andrew Hi Andrew, Many thanks for that. I'll get the Sprog off to you on Wednesday morning. Regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Cram Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 Starting to sound like a Sprog fault, though there are probably a few more tests to complete it. I think discussing it with the maker might be a good move. Repairs are usually done quickly and cheaply by the maker. - Nigel Not in my experience they're not. 2 years and counting and no reply. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheWeatheringMan Posted July 14, 2014 Author Share Posted July 14, 2014 Not in my experience they're not. 2 years and counting and no reply.This sounds very worrying Hi, This sounds rather worrying - please could you explain more as i'm reluctant to send it back if i'm not going to see it again for two years. As its still under warranty, only having been purchased in October last year I could return it to the retailer under the legal protection that exists for a customer. Planned to post it to manufacturer on Wednesday morning but am now feeling very uneasy. Regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Cram Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 I emailed to say there was a problem, no reply. Followed up and was advised having personal problems and would be in touch. Nothing heard; followed up a couple more times no response. I still have the non working sprog but it is of no use and I am now looking at other options. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium MickD Posted July 15, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 15, 2014 Hi Weatheringman, I had problems with my Sprog not recognising the com port and E-mailed the maker. Was advised to send it back which I duly did and 4 days later it was returned fully working. MickD. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheWeatheringMan Posted July 15, 2014 Author Share Posted July 15, 2014 Hi Weatheringman, I had problems with my Sprog not recognising the com port and E-mailed the maker. Was advised to send it back which I duly did and 4 days later it was returned fully working. MickD. Hi Mick, Very many thanks for that - you have put my mind at rest and i'll get mine sent back tomorrow. I was a bit surprised that the maker might let people down as i've always understood there have been very little problems from talking to other users - however i'm sure people will understand my slight concern after having read that post. The retailer I bought my Sprog (also much Digitrax equipment) from gave me to understand that back up was excellent and I must say the manufacturer has replied to my posts on here very quickly. Once all is sorted I will, in fairness to all, report the outcome on here. Thanks again Mick. Regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crosland Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 I emailed to say there was a problem, no reply. Followed up and was advised having personal problems and would be in touch. Nothing heard; followed up a couple more times no response. I still have the non working sprog but it is of no use and I am now looking at other options. HI Paul, I don't know what has happened here. Please acccept our apologies. I can assure you this is not typical, most repairs are completed within a few days and are then at the mercy of the Royal Mail (who we find to be very reliable). Please feel free to return the SPROG for attention. Regards, Andrew Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Cram Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 HI Paul, I don't know what has happened here. Please acccept our apologies. I can assure you this is not typical, most repairs are completed within a few days and are then at the mercy of the Royal Mail (who we find to be very reliable). Please feel free to return the SPROG for attention. Regards, Andrew Hi Andrew, Thanks for this, I will sort it out and send it. Regards Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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