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Hey,
I just got a new BCD396XT scanner and it is not syncing with my computer.

I have Windows Vista and I am using a serial port cable.

The driver for my serial port is up-to-date.
When I am in FreeSCAN I cannot gain virtual control of the scanner, It says that there is a critical Comms error everytime for every port I try.
Also, I have tried .9A and .9B versions of FreeSCAN and neither are able to sync with my scanner.

Any help would be appreciated!

Check that the serial port is setup correctley on the scanner, also check that control channel output mode is turned off.  Check in device manager to make sure the serial port appear when you plug in the adaptor. Also Vista sometimes needs special drivers.

Just FYI I run 0.9B on Vista Ultimate 32 bit to a serial port with no problems.  There was no special driver necessary since I was running to the serial port.  Those that run through a serial to USB adapter or with the Uniden USB cable which contains an adapter need to make sure they have the specific drivers for Vista which are, in some cases, different than those for prior OSs.

One thing is to make sure that the baudrate set on the scanner is the same as that set in FreeScan.  I use the maximum 115,200 but you might want to try a slower speed if it doesn't work at that speed.

Something else that you might want to try is to go into the Advanced Properties for the port and reduce the buffer settings.  That will reduce the throughput somewhat, but increase reliability.

Dick

The reason I am posting on here is because I have exhausted a lot of resources...
I have checked the C-CH output(off).
I have matched the baud rates at 11,520.
I downloaded both .9a and .9b.
I have tried all three ports.
I simply cannot get it to work.

My only question is, FreeSCAN picks up three ports - COM1, COM3, COM4
I do not get any notification on my pc when I plug my scanner in, nor is there any indication on device manager that there is a scanner in one of the ports. How do I resolve this-is this where my problem is?

If it is not creating a new device in device manager when you plug the adapter in, then this points to a driver problem. If you click on the Links button on this site, the top one goes to the PL2303 Driver Download page and they have Vista drivers there. When you plug your adaptor in, an extra com port should appear in device manager.

No luck with the download, same issue remains.

What  kind of adapter are you using?? Some of the offbrand ones with the built in cable are almost impossible.

It is literally the one that came packaged by uniden with the scanner.
I plug it into a port on the back of my pc that says IOIOI and then plug in the other end into the remote part of the scanner.

Oh ok so you are not using an adaptor at all then. In this case, if COM 1 3 & 4 do not work, then you need to go into your BIOS setup and check to make sure COM ports are enabled and setup right. So few computers come with serial ports, and you said you downloaded drivers for the serial ports, I thought you were talking about a USB/Serial adaptor.

Like you, I use the cable that came with the scanner connected to a serial port on my computer which is running Vista (Ultimate SP2 32 bit).  FreeScan works fine here.  There is nothing that happens when I plug the cable in as far as pop up messages or the like.  Similarly, Device Manager does not show the scanner.  What Device Manager does show, however, are the two (in my case) serial ports (COM1 and COM2) under Ports.  This is as it should be.

If you right click on a serial port in Device Manager, one of the choices is "Properties".  Click on that and then on the "General" tab.  The device status should say "This device is working properly".  If not, follow the instructions there to enable it.  Then click on the "Port Settings" tab and click on the "Advanced" button.  The "Use FIFO buffers" box should be checked.  You will see two sliders.  They are generally all the way to the right which gives the fastest performance but is least tolerant or various possible errors.  Move both of those sliders all the way to the left.  Then close the dialogs to get back to Device Manager.  Do you same thing for all of your other com ports since you aren't sure which one you are connected to.

I would then reboot and give the scanner and FreeScan another try.  Let us know what happened.

Dick

Serial port are rather archaic things. It would be nice if Uniden finally got with the program and put a USB port on these scanners, perhaps a smart USB port that can also act a serial port for GPS, etc. But they seem highly reluctant to do this, so until then we will all have to continue to do battle with serial port problems until somebody over there finally gets the message.

Thank you for the advice,
I had earlier moved just the buffer slide to the middle from the far right, I will later move both to the far left.
However, I think the problem lied in the BIOS setup,
When I checked the serial port settings it said it was on-
Auto - which disables the serial port if port 1 and 3 are being used.

So, I set it to port 1 (my choices were- disable/auto/port1/port3)

I will try this later today, because I do not have my scanner at the moment.

Thanks again!

It may be that your computer has a serial port connection on the front and another on the back but only one actual serial port and that the bios setting chooses which of the two connections gets connected to the actual working serial port inside the computer.  If, in fact, you have a connection on the front and one on the rear, try connecting to the other one.  I think that may be what the port 1, port 3, auto setting is about.

The Device status that I mentioned in the prior post should tell you whether the serial port is working, but wouldn't show whether it was connected to the front or to the rear of the computer.  Of course, if there is only one serial connection on your computer, then this theory is not correct and this entire post can be ignored.

Dick

Dick,
I only have one port on the back, but thanks for the thought.

It still does not work with the new settings.
I am going to list several possible issues and settings that pertain to the problem.
-My scanner is plugged in-> but should it be scanning or should I have the batteries out with the screen on
-The port properties in device manager->
   -Bits per second = 115,200
   -Data bits = 8
   -Parity = None
   -Stop bits = 1
   -Flow control = None
-Advanced properties ->
   -Use FIFO buffers (requires 16550 compatible UART) - (box is checked)
   -Receive Buffer = Low(1)
   -Transmit Buffer = Low (1)
   -COM Port Number - COM1
-Today I downloaded a big Microsoft update so I checked the drivers again and they were up-to-date


 

Also, here are the exact errors I get in FreeSCAN

When I click "Start Virtual Control"
   It says "Critical Comms Error detected, confirm you have selected a valid COM Port and that is not used by any other application."
When I go to COM Port Setup... and click Start Auto for Port # COM1 and Port 115200 (Enable DTR unchecked)
   It says "FreeSCAN could not establish communication with the scanner."
   For the other two ports the same thing happens.
   In Autodetection it says COM1 at a speed of 4800 status Fail even when I had set it to 115200 at the top??

Device status for COM1(and all the other ports) - "This device is working properly."

Is this serial port built into the motherboard or the case? If it is one on the case then you might need to open up your computer and physically check the connection.

When you do autodetect, it auto searches every combination of serial port and baud rate possible. So no matter what you select it will always end up at 4800 if it doesn't find anything else first. To set it manually you just choose your settings and click on OK.

If all else fails though, it might be worth it to just buy a $5 usb/serial adaptor off ebay. I did and have never had any problems.

-My scanner is plugged in-> but should it be scanning or should I have the batteries out with the screen on

It should be turned on as in normal operation, and preferably scanning although I'm not sure that's required.

-The port properties in device manager->
   -Bits per second = 115,200
   -Data bits = 8
   -Parity = None
   -Stop bits = 1
   -Flow control = None
-Advanced properties ->
   -Use FIFO buffers (requires 16550 compatible UART) - (box is checked)
   -Receive Buffer = Low(1)
   -Transmit Buffer = Low (1)
   -COM Port Number - COM1

Today I downloaded a big Microsoft update so I checked the drivers again and they were up-to-date

That was probably service pack 2 for Vista.  While it is possible that this is a driver issue, I think it is extremely unlikely.  People using a serial to USB converter or the Uniden accessory cable which contains such a converter have to install a special driver.  Those using the serial port don't.

You indicated that you've matched the baud rates--The match that matters is the rate in FreeSCAN and the rate on the scanner.  The one in the properties of the serial port does not appear to matter since it is overridden by the software if I recall correctly.  Also the com port in FreeScan has to match whichever port the cable is connected to on the computer, of course..

I just reread one of your earlier posts and want to remove any ambiguity about how to select the port and baud rate.  In FreeScan, click on
Scanner and then Control Scanner.  Click on Com Port Setup.  Set the com port number and speed and close the box.  Do not click on Auto before doing so.  You will be back at the Virtual Control dialog.  Click Windows based and click on Start Virtual Control.  The scanner should connect and the display should be visible on the computer screen.

If none of this works, do you have any other serial devices that you could try in this serial port to see if the port is working?  (Which reminds me, if you do, make sure that the software for that device is not running when you try to connect to the scanner.  In fact, if you've run some other software that uses the serial port, it wouldn't hurt to reboot and then try to connect to the scanner before using the other software.  Some software doesn't release the serial port after it finishes using it.)  Do you have access to another computer to see if you can establish the connection on that computer to verify that the scanner, cable, and software are working properly?

Dick

The ports are working correctly.
I did try to connect my scanner at a friend's house.
He has a BCD396T and bcTool.
However, since bcTool does not support the BCD396XT the computer program could not interact with the scanner.  I am not sure what cable he had, but I think he had the usb converter one because if I recall correctly, on the scanner it said something like "remote control" or something, whereas my scanner continues to scan when connected to my pc through the serial cable.

Oh yeah,
I have matched the baud rates pretty much everywhere - BIOS, scanner, FreeSCAN.
So yes the baud rates are not to blame.  In my earlier post I was confused as to why I had set the rate to 115200 and yet after clicking auto it said 4800.  But to clarify completely - the baud rate is set to 115200 in FreeSCAN and the scanner.

Assaf,
The serial port is a part of the actual thing that the mouse/keyboard/usb's are plugged into.  And since my mouse and usb's are working I don't think I have to open up the pc.

(Which reminds me, if you do, make sure that the software for that device is not running when you try to connect to the scanner.

What software are you talking about? Device manager...??

My hope is to get my brand new scanner working with my brand new pc cable with my fast computer.  I don't understand why I have to search all over the internet and consult "professionals" on the topic.

Unfortunately, we seem to be running out of options and our posts are crossing.

If you haven't done so, please try setting the com port and baud rate in FreeScan and not clicking on Start Auto.  Just close the box.  If you know the com port and the baud rate you don't need the auto function and it may be causing confusion.

If that doesn't work and I were you, I'd ask my friend if he would mind if I installed FreeScan on his computer.  If he's got a serial port, try it with your cable and your scanner and his computer.  If he has no serial port, then try it with his cable through the USB port.  The display on the 396XT does not change to remote or any such when FreeScan connects to it for virtual control.  The scanner works normally and the display and controls are duplicated on the computer.  FreeScan will work fine with your friend's 396T and if he doesn't like it, he can delete it in about 30 seconds.  He may find that he likes it better than BCTool.

Dick

Assaf,
The serial port is a part of the actual thing that the mouse/keyboard/usb's are plugged into.  And since my mouse and usb's are working I don't think I have to open up the pc.

You don't have to do anything, but that does not logically follow.

My hope is to get my brand new scanner working with my brand new pc cable with my fast computer.  I don't understand why I have to search all over the internet and consult "professionals" on the topic.

Lighten up.  I understand that this is frustrating, but we are trying to help.  The reason why you have to "search all over the internet..." is because you don't know how to fix it yourself.  If we were professionals, we'd be charging for this advice.  If you don't want it, I'll be happy to refund what I've charged for it.

Dick

I apologize if I came off as sounding rude.

Unfortunately, I can only see three options left:
-check with my friend to see if I can get my scanner working with FreeSCAN on his pc
-buy the cable off ebay and hope it works
-program my scanner by hand until uniden comes out with a solution(an update of some kind)

Thank you so much for all your help, I will let you know which of these options ends up working for me.
It has been very helpful to speak with other people on this subject when there are scores of manuals, websites, and other written sources on this topic.

Happy Scanning!

OK.

I'd go with option #1.  It will give you the most information to diagnose why it won't work for you and hopefully the information needed to get it working on your machine.

#2 may solve the problem, but I had more problems with the USB adapter than without so it may not resolve it for you.

Re: #3-It isn't likely that Uniden can solve this problem unless it happens that your scanner or cable are defective.  #1 will tell you whether that's a possibility.  If it works on your friend's computer, then the software, cable, and scanner are okay and it's something with your computer.

Dick

I'd go with option #1.  It will give you the most information to diagnose why it won't work for you and hopefully the information needed to get it working on your machine.

I'm with Dick on this one...think that the #1 option is the best/easiest/least expensive diagnostic you have right now. If I remember correctly, FreeSCAN doesn't add much to the registry (and I'm SURE that Assaf will give you what it does add if your friend is THAT worried about clogging his registry) that will stay around after an uninstall. If your friend is that paranoid, (s)he may already know about Revo Uninstaller (a free tool to REALLY uninstall stuff).

It just sounds like something has already claimed your serial port and that's why FreeSCAN can't use it. One of the things that I hear can do this is a PDA (really the support software for it). It grabs the serial port and watches it so that it knows when the PDA is plugged in so that it can sync. I would imagine that a cell phone that you can connect to the computer may have the same issue(s).

Also, like Dick, I have MORE trouble with the USB to Serial converter than with the real serial port, so I think it would be a stretch to hope that that would work better for you. Not unheard of, but I'd not be spending a lot of money on that "fix". The other thing about that is that the USB to Serial adpaters when used with radios seem to be very particular about their drivers (especially with Vista).

This (unfortunately) sounds to me like something you're just going to have to keep hammering on until you find out what the answer is. Seems like they've hit all the likely candidates.

Tom

I'm with Dick on this one...think that the #1 option is the best/easiest/least expensive diagnostic you have right now. If I remember correctly, FreeSCAN doesn't add much to the registry (and I'm SURE that Assaf will give you what it does add if your friend is THAT worried about clogging his registry) that will stay around after an uninstall. If your friend is that paranoid, (s)he may already know about Revo Uninstaller (a free tool to REALLY uninstall stuff).

It just sounds like something has already claimed your serial port and that's why FreeSCAN can't use it. One of the things that I hear can do this is a PDA (really the support software for it). It grabs the serial port and watches it so that it knows when the PDA is plugged in so that it can sync. I would imagine that a cell phone that you can connect to the computer may have the same issue(s).

Also, like Dick, I have MORE trouble with the USB to Serial converter than with the real serial port, so I think it would be a stretch to hope that that would work better for you. Not unheard of, but I'd not be spending a lot of money on that "fix". The other thing about that is that the USB to Serial adpaters when used with radios seem to be very particular about their drivers (especially with Vista).

This (unfortunately) sounds to me like something you're just going to have to keep hammering on until you find out what the answer is. Seems like they've hit all the likely candidates.

Tom

Do you have a PDA Hotsync manager on 24/7?  If so, turn the hotsync off, and try once more.  I once had a computer with a serial port which I interchangeably used for my old Palm Pilot and my Uniden scanner.   I eventually found out that with the PDA sync manager on, even with the PDA disconnected, I could not use the port for anything else.

Hello,

I'm coming to the thread later.  Have you resolved this problem yet?

It would seem likely to me that, after all of your other trouble shooting, you may have a resident application that has "dibs" on the serial port.  This would prevent you from using it with another app like FreeSCAN.  Do you have a dock for a phone or Palm PDA type device?  Are you  using ActiveSync?  Do you have a music player that connects via a serial port?  How about a fax or scan app that you use?  Any one of these could take command of the serial port at startup and not give it back unless the app is terminated.  Since you only have one serial port on your PC, both apps would be contending for the use of COM1 but only the first to grab it gets to use it.

Also, you won't see a scanner listed in Device Manager.  Only apps that use Plug and Play technology identify themselves to the PC.  Most don't (actually, none that I know of) use PnP.  Certainly none of the Uniden scanners.

Hope that helps.

I had the same problem until I bought a KEYSPAN cable that is two pieces...the unit and the regular USB cable. I have 2 of the Uniden cables that hamtronics sold me and neither of them worked. At least the keyspan worked...for a time!

It is literally the one that came packaged by uniden with the scanner.
I plug it into a port on the back of my pc that says IOIOI and then plug in the other end into the remote part of the scanner.