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Question:

Is there a USB port for programming on the PLC?

Answer

No, only serial ports or an optional ethernet port.

FAQ ID: 1032

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Question:

How do I connect to the PLC when I have no serial port?

Answer

Use a USB-to-serial adapter for a PC that has no built-in serial port.

FAQ ID: 1033

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Question:

Why can't I connect to the PLC with the USB-to-serial adapter?

Answer

1) A USB-to-serial adapter generally requires a driver to be installed, either available from disk or download. Once that is done, the adapter should be seen with an assigned COM port in Windows Device Manager.

2) Assuming that the driver assigned the USB-to-serial converter a PC COM port number other than 1 or 2, as an example, we'll assume that most of the time COM4 is assigned. (You can check this assignment in Device Manager under Ports, COM and LPT.)

In DSLaunch, under Utilities, the last selection is DS500.INI. (In older versions, DS400.INI or DS300.INI may be used. Any of these files would be located in the main C:/WINDOWS or C:/WINNT directory.)

Double click on that, and when it opens in a text editor, drag the scroll bar about half-way down to the section where you'll see:

COM1ENABLE = 1
COM2ENABLE = 1
COM3ENABLE = 0
COM4ENABLE = 0
.....

Change the setting to equal 1 for any port you want to use, (COM4ENABLE, in this case,) and save the file. Close DSLaunch and Directsoft (both), (and LookoutDirect and DSData, should you have them open,) and re-open so they can read the changed INI file.

COM 4 should now be available for creating a link.

Do this accordingly for COM 3 through 8. If the assigned number is higher, it usually means that the system is not really using that COM port number, and it can be re-assigned in the port Properties to a lower number, such as 4. (2 and 3 are often assigned as the default for a modem, and should be checked before being used as the re-assignment number.)

3) Some USB adapters are known to have problems with our software, specifically Targus or Quatech. (See application note AN-DS-002.pdf, page 4.)

FAQ ID: 1034

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Question:

Can the GoldX adapter be used with Windows Vista?

Answer

Yes, allow Vista to search and find the driver. Do not try to select the driver manually, there are different several chipsets for this adapter and it is easy to select the wrong one. Vista will correctly identify the chipset and find the driver online.

FAQ ID: 1056

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Question:

Does this work with Windows 7? Where can I find drivers for this device for other Versions of Windows ?

Answer

This device uses a Prolific chipset. Under most circumstances, the operating system of the computer you connect to this device will find and install the correct driver automatically. In the event you need to manually download the driver, the most current drivers will be available at the Prolific's website

FAQ ID: 1290

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Question:

Will the USB-RS232 work with my version of Windows?

Answer

Over the course of the product's life, there have been three versions:

• Gold Cable - Windows 7 and older versions, will not work on Windows versions newer then Win 7
  
• Black Cable - Windows 10 and older Windows versions, will not work on Win 11
  
• Gray Cable - Windows 11 and older Windows versions

Under most circumstances, the operating system of the computer you connect to this device will find and install the correct driver automatically. In the event you need to manually download the driver:

• The USB-RS232 is a GOLDX GXMU-1200, the driver can be download from Titanium Tech
  
• This device uses a Prolific chipset internally. You could also use the driver available at the Prolific's website.
    You have to log into their site with user: guest password: guest

FAQ ID: 1571

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