OC IOCard, what's the secret ?

[Wendy]

Hello Alberto,

Always the same, flashing inputs and all outputs high.

See my previous post, MC directly connected is the best (oh well) result I can get.


Regards, Wendy

[RadarBob]

Hi Wendy,

Do you have a copy of the IOCards User Manual Annex 1/3 available from OC Website?

This describes an incremental setup/test procedure for the Master, starting from the direct Parallel connection you have.

It also talks about the possibility of similar symptoms you describe ie a number
of inputs (4 I think) in each group failing to be detected if the Parallel Port Mode is not correct - Suggests that user checks the PPort address supplied to controller is same as set in PC Bios and that user experiments with PPort Mode in Bios until it works(!)

If it still doesn't work, then the Manual describes a solution using a 'Compatibility Cable' (details in Annex 3)

Hope this helps - I don't have any of these myself, but I do have the manuals and I remembered reading something about what sounds like your problem a while ago.


Best Regards,

Rob

[Wendy]

Thanks Rob,

I will have to search the OC Website, because I don't have it. This could maybe be a solution as to which card, MC or USB, that does not work.


Kind regards, Wendy

[RadarBob]

Ok Wendy,

I would send it to you but I only have dialup mail at the moment, and it is
quite large.

It seems to me that your Master is probably ok, but if you can prove that first then you can move on to the Expansion.

You should also find the circuit diagrams for the cards on the OC site somewhere.

I had a quick look at the Master circuit diagram last night and as far as I can see, the inputs are read directly through the Parallel Port, and the 'Ground' pins for each group are multiplexed.

As you have at least one input in each group that works, it would appear that the addressing/multiplexing/data selection part is working, and that the problem is in the reading of the port.

Have a try with the Parallel settings, and let us know how you get on.


Cheers,

Rob

[Wendy]

Hi Bob,

Found the manual, thanks.

Did some experimenting with the parallel port settings but with all settings the result is the same as described in the manual. Maybe then it works only with the special cable, which I'm not going to try.

Have again sent a mail to OC but for now no sign of live. If I do not receive any answer from them by this evening, I'll sent both cards back to them.


I want to thank everybody for replying and being so helpfull.

Kind regards, Wendy

[iwik]

Hi Wendy,
Sorry to hear your o/c cards arnt working.Ive been reading your threads and tend to think your USB expansion board is faulty.
If your testing of the mc via parallel port is as per the manual ie only some inputs on each connetcor.This is usually indicative of a non compatable
// port.Some pc's are like that.When i was testing my mc cards i had that problem but i had other pc's to try and found it worked fine.Thats why they came up with the USB expansion bd,to many people had incompatable ports.What i find suspicious is that when mc and usb connected you get all 72 inputs active.Pity you dont have someone handy
so you could swapp.I think your quickest remedy is to return them.
The two mc/usb combos i use worked fine with no probs.
Your .ini files look good.
Good luck,thew boards ar great and work well.
Les

[Wendy]

Hello Les,

I'm sharing your opinion about a faulty usb-card. But just I don't know that for sure.

Received an answer today from OC via the sales mailbox. They are suggesting a few things which I already tried.

They also told me that I can return the cards for checking, and that's what I'm going to do tomorrow.


Thanks again to all members that replied to this thread and I'll keep you informed how this story ends. Happy end I hope.


Kind regards, Wendy

[RadarBob]

Right decision I think Wendy - Hope you get them back soon.

You have probably tried this already, but before you send them back, can I just suggest that you take a close look at the Expansion PCB and make sure that there aren't any bridged tracks/solder splashes and so on - Just a thought.

All the Best,

Rob

[Wendy]

Hi Rob,

I also thought about that possibility, but checked and found no problems.

Thanks anyway. The boards are already packed and leave today direction Spain.


Kind regards, Wendy

[Wendy]

Last week I have received my cards back from OpenCockpits. I had to wait until now to test them. Well... everything works now from the first time, no flashing, no strange things, just as it should be.

Asked OpenCockpits what the problem was, but haven't received an answer on this question. However on the mastercard they have done some soldering to 1 IC (I think they replaced it) and several diodes. On the usb card I can't see anything except that it is the same card I've sent to Spain.

So at last a happy end and ready to start working with these cards.


Thanks again for all your replies and helpfull suggestions.


Kind regards Wendy