Stumbleverter crashes with GPS on virtual Ports

Paulchen · 08-29-2003

hi!

i'm using Comfoolery & DeviceComm Manager to share the GPS -Signal from COM5 to COM1, COM2 and COM6...works fine to have GPS in Netstumbler (using COM1), in navigations-software (using COM2) ...but not in Stumbleverter (using COM6).

The same prob occurrs when using MS MapPoint 2002...which seems to be the REAL problem....

I get a runtime error approx. 1 second after program start after first GPS sequences are received by the apps.

The problem ONLY occurrs, when using the virtual COM-Ports...if i do not share the COM-Port from the GPS and directly assign it to MapPoint or Stumbleverter it works perfekt.

Any hints, HOW to get workaround and get it work with shared virtual COM-ports ?

Paulchen

RedDot · 08-29-2003

Some applications (especially mapping programs, it seems) choke on virtual serial ports. I have had the same problem that you've reported with MapPoint and ComFoolery)

The alternatives (that I've found) seem to be:

1 - Other virtual port software:

I am using ELTIMA (http://www.eltima.com) Serial Splitter right now. But, don't know what I'll do when the trial runs out, as the $99 price tag is too hefty for me.

Some GPS applications VisualGPSXP (http://www.visualgps.net/VisualGPSXP/) for one, also can split the GPS signal. VisualGPSXP broadcasts on a TCP port just like ComFoolery, so it may not work well either.

2 - Connect NetStumbler directly to a com port and use a Script from the Scripts forum to relay information to MapPoint.

3 - Hardware solution through Y splitter cable and possible use of additional com port through USB / PCMCIA / other hardware.

4 - .... ????

RedDot

G8tK33per · 08-29-2003

For what it's worth...it's Stumbverter, pay the fuck attention.

RedDot · 08-29-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by Paulchen
The same prob occurrs when using MS MapPoint 2002...which seems to be the REAL problem....

AlKlein · 08-30-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by RedDot

3 - Hardware solution through Y splitter cable and possible use of additional com port through USB / PCMCIA / other hardware.
RedDot [/b]

Just in case it's not general knowledge, we used to share COM ports (long before IBM came out with the PC) by using diodes to isolate the individual devices (or ports). Since a GPS is really a read-only device, it would be simple to bridge it to various real serial ports.

Now if someone knows of a serial<->USB cable that really works ... (Who's the genius who decided that laptops don't need RS-232 ports or floppies?)

RedDot · 08-30-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by AlKlein
Now if someone knows of a serial<->USB cable that really works ... (Who's the genius who decided that laptops don't need RS-232 ports or floppies?)

You mean you do more with your computer than word processing and email?!?

Are serial->USB adaptors known for being flaky?
I haven't actually tried one myself, just seen them around.

RedDot

AlKlein · 08-30-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by RedDot
[b]You mean you do more with your computer than word processing and email?!?

If you're ever in Hong Kong, take in a show at the planetarium. I worked on the automation system design.

Quote:

Are serial->USB adaptors known for being flaky?
I haven't actually tried one myself, just seen them around.

I have one (sorry, I'm a few states away from home at the moment, and the cable is at home, so I can't tell you which one), but it doesn't work on my cell phone (although it does work on my GPS III). I was thinking of trying to find a PCMCIA serial adapter. In fact, I was about to look on Best Buy when I noticed your post. But is there one that'll fit into a Vaio along with a wireless card? I'll have to see. I want to find out where the AP I'm finding at my mother-in-law's is located. I can't get into it easily (it's WEPped), but it's weak (around -85), and I'm running a bit of an antenna, so I'm curious. (I'm a few miles south of DC at the moment.)

Mother · 09-03-2003

Hi,

For your general information, there are problems with the mscomm32.ocx control, used in Visual Basic programs for serial port control, in which the serial port interrupts are not received by the control, thus not firing the data received event. This causes the application to become deaf to incoming data.

The devices that *can* be affected by this include, but are not limited to (snigger snigger, EULA-talk):

- USB-to-serial converters.
- Some low-cost PCMCIA adapters.
- USB so-called docking stations.
- Some virtual serial port software solutions, I've not tested them, so I can't tell you which.

So, if you can, always use either a "real" serial port or a good PCMCIA adapter (Socket or Quatech work really well).

Cheers,

Mother

AlKlein · 09-04-2003

We'll find out in a week or so ... I just ordered one of those mouse-type GPS receivers with USB and a virtual serial port driver. And thanks for the tip on the VB bug. One more to add to the overstuffed VB bug bag. It's almost as full as the .Net bug bag.

08-29-2003	#1 (permalink)
Paulchen Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 4	Stumbleverter crashes with GPS on virtual Ports hi! i'm using Comfoolery & DeviceComm Manager to share the GPS -Signal from COM5 to COM1, COM2 and COM6...works fine to have GPS in Netstumbler (using COM1), in navigations-software (using COM2) ...but not in Stumbleverter (using COM6). The same prob occurrs when using MS MapPoint 2002...which seems to be the REAL problem.... I get a runtime error approx. 1 second after program start after first GPS sequences are received by the apps. The problem ONLY occurrs, when using the virtual COM-Ports...if i do not share the COM-Port from the GPS and directly assign it to MapPoint or Stumbleverter it works perfekt. Any hints, HOW to get workaround and get it work with shared virtual COM-ports ? Paulchen

08-29-2003	#3 (permalink)
G8tK33per Asshole Emeritus Join Date: May 2003 Location: Goomba's Booty Boardwalk Posts: 6,148	For what it's worth...it's Stumbverter, pay the fuck attention. __________________ "My mind is aglow with whirling, transient nodes of thought careening through a cosmic vapor of invention." Sons of Confederate Veterans

09-03-2003	#8 (permalink)
Mother Too many secrets... Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Barcelona, Spain Posts: 204	Virtual ports, interrupts, and other malware Hi, For your general information, there are problems with the mscomm32.ocx control, used in Visual Basic programs for serial port control, in which the serial port interrupts are not received by the control, thus not firing the data received event. This causes the application to become deaf to incoming data. The devices that can be affected by this include, but are not limited to (snigger snigger, EULA-talk): - USB-to-serial converters. - Some low-cost PCMCIA adapters. - USB so-called docking stations. - Some virtual serial port software solutions, I've not tested them, so I can't tell you which. So, if you can, always use either a "real" serial port or a good PCMCIA adapter (Socket or Quatech work really well). Cheers, Mother __________________ Out of paper on drive C: the.firehou.se

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08-29-2003	#2 (permalink)
RedDot Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 10	Some applications (especially mapping programs, it seems) choke on virtual serial ports. I have had the same problem that you've reported with MapPoint and ComFoolery) The alternatives (that I've found) seem to be: 1 - Other virtual port software: I am using ELTIMA (http://www.eltima.com) Serial Splitter right now. But, don't know what I'll do when the trial runs out, as the $99 price tag is too hefty for me. Some GPS applications VisualGPSXP (http://www.visualgps.net/VisualGPSXP/) for one, also can split the GPS signal. VisualGPSXP broadcasts on a TCP port just like ComFoolery, so it may not work well either. 2 - Connect NetStumbler directly to a com port and use a Script from the Scripts forum to relay information to MapPoint. 3 - Hardware solution through Y splitter cable and possible use of additional com port through USB / PCMCIA / other hardware. 4 - .... ???? RedDot

09-04-2003	#9 (permalink)
AlKlein Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 8	We'll find out in a week or so ... I just ordered one of those mouse-type GPS receivers with USB and a virtual serial port driver. And thanks for the tip on the VB bug. One more to add to the overstuffed VB bug bag. It's almost as full as the .Net bug bag.