I recently took my laptop over to a buddy's layout to get DecoderPro up and running with his NCE Powerhouse. DecoderPro recognized it was there but, it kept timing out on it's connection. I'm fairly familiar with PC's but, this one has me boggled. I up'ed the baud rate for the Powerhouse (I'm using the 9 pin cord) but can't up it through DecoderPro. I've checked to make sure I'm using the right COM Port as well, since the laptop defaults this Port to COM1, not 3 as most. I have a pretty recent version of the software, should I upgrade? Do you think my version of Java is not up to snuff?
Why don't you e-mail Paul Bender, a member of Trainboard. He helped develop the Decoder Pro software program. I'm sure he can lead you in the right direction. I'm using a Lenz system and can't help you. Perhaps you need a new driver for the Decoder Pro to communicate with the NCE system. That's what happened with my Lenz system and the new Lenz inteface I was using with DecoderPro. He e-mailed me a new driver to instll on DecoderPro and it worked like a charm. Have fun... Stay cool and run steam.....
When I was trying to get DecoderPro to work, I had all manner of issues with serial ports and Java libraries. Check the Java Console for any error messages - "ClassNotFoundException" was my favourite. Under Linux, the console is usually the shell the app was started from. No ideas if you're using that other company's OS. If the serial stuff is working, and it's just not playing nice after it's found the Powerhouse, consider dropping the baud rate, not raising it. Slower speeds are more robust in the face of longer cables / noisier environments. Although I'm pretty sure that mine was happy with 9600,8,N,1. Of course the settings have to be the same at both ends of the cable.
I was told that if he installed the latest Eprom, that was probably the problem. I found out he had. I need to download the newest version of DP. My PC won't let me change the baud rate to anything higher than 9600 so, I'm stuck there...which is fine if it would "talk" all nice to the other end. Interesting about the drivers....I hadn't thought of that. PSG - That's my next move.
mc, keep at it, you'll work out the kinks, and will be in the majority of DCC users who find decoderpro the best thing since sliced bread. you might also consider contacting the JMRI user group on yahoo.... another good source of info
mcjaco: You need updated drivers for the NCE system as I said above. AS ednsfan stated Decoder Pro software makes life much easier running DCC especially in speed matching loco's. Have fun.... Stay cool and run steam....
mc: Thanks. There are only 40 gas stations pumping gas in Palm Beach County. The lines are two miles long on average. This is because most stations don't have electric power to pump the gas they have. I have over 3/4 of a tank in both cars. Otherwise it's peaceful and quiet. The sun is shining, no humidity and the temps are in the low 70's. Ideal Florida weather. Stay cool and run steam....
