CPFlightMCP and Windows 7

[Holclo]

I had my CPFlight 737MCP running on xp using a serial - USB adapter. Firmware version 2.08 and all was fine.
I have just recently installed Windows 7 on a New Computer and am setting all my FlightSim stuff up again.
Now I need a driver for this Vivanco adapter. Can anyone direct me to the correct one to use - I have been to the Vivanco site and there are many - but none say they are for Windows 7.
Bill

[Sean Nixon]

Have you tried a Vista one, or letting Win7 search itself?

[Holclo]

Thanks Sean. I found that a Windows 7 driver existed on the Vivanco Site (I was looking under the wrong heading), installed it but am now getting a Runtime 8020 error message - can't communicate with the port" Device manager suggests that the connector is working proprerly.Very frustrating.
Bill

[mascot]

Hi Bill

had the exact same problem yesterday, when Î installed my RS232 MCP with Win 7 64bit new. So the device is connected and works properly in the device manager but cant communicate with FSX? I installed the drivers from the CP flight Website (http://www.cpflight.com/sito/downloads/downloads.asp) and set the Com Port in the Device manager to 1. Baud rate and all other settings shown the CPconfig prog should show the same like in the device manager. Otherwise adapt them there. This worked for me.

Greetz Simon

[Holclo]

Simon
Thanks for your reply. I am having a nightmare with this problem.
I even bought a new serial to usb cable hoping that would help but I still get the same problem. Working with FS2004 and CPTools 3.03 and FS.Com 3.06. When I connect the MCP to the computer the Device Manager reports a good connection on Com3. When I run MCP_CONF sometimes I can set Com 3 before I get the error message but either way I still get the message Runtime 8020 - Error Reading comm device" At the bottom left of the test screen is a" backlight off" box. When I click this the MCP backlight goes on/off. The MCP shows Course 000 IAS 110 Heading 000 Alt 10000 Course 000. The Screen graphic has none of these showing.
Bill

[mascot]

Well I dont work with FsCom and Fs9 but I had exactly the issues you describe. It only worked when I set the com port manually to com 1 in the device manager and all the settings according the cpflight device. My baudrate was 8xxx and I had to set it to i think 38400. I can check this tonight when I m back home again... It never worked on com 3 on my system. My Cdu was initally on com 1 but I set it to 3 and mcp to 1 and it worked. Ill send you an email later from my pc....

Greetz Simon

[mascot]

Ok Bill

I' m sorry I gave you bad info... The baudrate must be set to 9600 (38400 is the CDU.. Sorry)
The default port for the MCP is 1 whenever I tried to change this the Program freezes and I could not enter or reset the Com port, as a workaround the device must be on port 1.
Paolo from CP Flight sent me the new Usb driver and it worked for me. If you want I can send it to you with a screenshot of my settings. Just let me know your Email.

Greetz Simon

[Holclo]

Have sent you a PM
Bill

[Holclo]

Just to update this thread. I still have not resolved this issue. Paolo from CPFlight is trying hard to solve it also. It would appear to be a driver issue associated with Windows 7 and the adapter cable. I have tried two cables now, my tried and trusted Vivanco(with updated driver) which has served me well with XP and also a NewLink cable(with Windows 7 driver). But both display the same error message. I have emailed Vivanco asking for support(cant find a contact for NewLink on their site) and will report any advance.
Bill

[mascot]

Hi Bill

Sorry to hear this. I wish you and Paolo a lot of patience and success!

Greetz Simon

Btw, I have an adaptor with and FTDI Chipset. Maybe you want to try one of those...

[Holclo]

Hi Simon,
Yes it is very frustrating. Using a mouse for A/P again is awful. I have been researching the FTDI chipset idea and just yesterday emailed their support team. They were not sure if their adapter would work but I am going to give it a try. The fact that it is working for you is very encouraging. I leave tomorrow for a visit to my daughter and wont be back til next Thursday so will post again then after I get the new adapter.
Again thank you for your advice.
Bill

[Peter Dowson]

I have been researching the FTDI chipset idea and just yesterday emailed their support team. They were not sure if their adapter would work but I am going to give it a try.

I had problems with FTDI based USB serial adapters on 64-bit Vista and Win7 until very recently when they updated their drivers. However, I still found that they had a tendency to slow down and back up the traffic after a while. I gave up on USB-Serial methods, and these days I equip my PCs with a dedicated serial port. The one from Brain Boxes is expensive but works flawlessly at speed, and they do have certified 64-bit Win7 drivers.

http://www.brainboxes.com/desktop-and-server-serial-cards

I use the single port card, UC-235, but they have multiple ones too.

If you want to stick to USB connection, they do have USB/Serial adapters and boast signed Windows 7 drivers for those too.

Regards
Pete

[Holclo]

Thanks Pete. I have, this morning, ordered a USB/Serial adapter which has dispatched. I will give it a try first and if that fails then I will try the card. Off visiting for a week now so will report back next Thursday.
Bill

[Holclo]

Solution
Well. The new USB - RS232 convertor cable(FTDI chipset) has arrived. Connected it, let Windows 7 find and install the driver and Hey Presto all is now working.
Only 2 things had changed (1) the convertor cable and (2) my computer unplugged and detoxing for a week!!
Don't know which helped the most.
Hope this helps someone who may experience the same problem.
Bill