termagator 6 Posted February 11 Installed cable driver, it set up on com4. Reboot computer before I tried my cut, still no luck. Also it sez com 3 is in use? 20240211_143856.mp4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haumana 1,220 Posted February 11 Is the serial cable you're using a 'null modem'? Did your keyspan come with direction for a driver for the adapter? If you think Flexi is wanting to use COM3, then you can try and go into your Device Manager and reassign the Keyspan to be designated at COM3. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MZ SKEETER 4,709 Posted February 11 You are not showing pictures of what the Flexi Production manager looks like. Show pictures of how you added your cutter to the set up in Flexi production manager, Show those photos. Show photos, not videos. Correct above about you must be using a null modem serial cable. Are you sure it is? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slice&dice 2,450 Posted February 11 How did you end up with a Keyspan? Is your computer without a DB9 legacy serial port? Manually reassign the serial connection to COM4 and try that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
termagator 6 Posted February 11 Is the serial cable you're using a 'null modem'? Did your keyspan come with direction for a driver for the adapter? If you think Flexi is wanting to use COM3, then you can try and go into your Device Manager and reassign the Keyspan to be designated at COM3. I was kinda thinking that. Yesterday when I was trying the other non null modem serial cable, it was saying come 3 was available. When I try to change the port to 3 I get this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
termagator 6 Posted February 11 You are not showing pictures of what the Flexi Production manager looks like. Show pictures of how you added your cutter to the set up in Flexi production manager, Show those photos. Show photos, not videos. Correct above about you must be using a null modem serial cable. Are you sure it is? 1st couple pics are outta sequence but you probably can figure it out Here you go, I'll try to get photos in right sequence Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
termagator 6 Posted February 11 How did you end up with a Keyspan? Is your computer without a DB9 legacy serial port? Manually reassign the serial connection to COM4 and try that. Here's the back of my pc, it's a all n one. Here's my serial cable Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MZ SKEETER 4,709 Posted February 11 Show the cable connection to your vinyl cutter. You showed your first picture as being installed in device manager to Keyspan Adapter COM 4, So why isn't it on com 4 in your set up on Flexi? They must match. No reason it should be on com 2. You HAVE to use a null modem cable with a Tripplite Keyspan adapter. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haumana 1,220 Posted February 11 Okay, let's try to get a handle on this - If you're wanting to use the serial connection on your cutter, then you need a null modem cable, not a "non null modem". Something like this:https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-10-Feet-RS232-Serial-SCNM9FF/dp/B00006B8BJ/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3SXMKWWEG0E4X&keywords=null+modem+cable&qid=1707691977&sprefix=null+modem+cabl%2Caps%2C196&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1 That will tie into your keyspan, which you probably need to install the driver for, which you can find here:https://tripplite.eaton.com/support/downloads?type=software&subtype=31 Once you have the driver installed, and the cutter connected to you computer, go to Device Manager and see which COMPort was assigned by Windows. Make sure that you either reassign it, or that it's in the range between 1 and 4, no higher. Once you've verified which COMPort Windows is using for your Serial USB, go to Flexi, and make sure that the software is using the same COM number that is listed in the Device Manager. There should only be one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
termagator 6 Posted February 12 Show the cable connection to your vinyl cutter. You showed your first picture as being installed in device manager to Keyspan Adapter COM 4, So why isn't it on com 4 in your set up on Flexi? They must match. No reason it should be on com 2. You HAVE to use a null modem cable with a Tripplite Keyspan adapter. On my 1st attempt to cut with this cable, the com port was set on com4 and I had com4 was the only set up in production manager. Is this not a null modem serial cable? I used the link from this thread to purchase it. Here's my cable going into the vinyl cutter. The pic showing the production manager is a screen shot from the earlier video. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MZ SKEETER 4,709 Posted February 12 The Tripp lite adapter is NEVER plugged directly into your vinyl cutter. I wrote this in previous post, which is why you need a null modem serial cable, Between the vinyl cutter and the Tripplite Keyspan adapter. The null modem serial cable screws into the Tripplite Keyspan Adapter screw end., the other end of the null modem cable screws into the serial end of your vinyl cutter. haumana in her post above, is giving you step by step instructions. Follow therm. This null modem serial cable right here, is BETWEEN the Tripp lite Keyspan adapter AND your vinyl cutter. One end screws into your vinyl cutter, the other end screws into your Tripp lite Keyspan adapter. USB end into your computer. https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-10-Feet-RS232-Serial-SCNM9FF/dp/B00006B8BJ/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3SXMKWWEG0E4X&keywords=null+modem+cable&qid=1707691977&sprefix=null+modem+cabl%2Caps%2C196&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
termagator 6 Posted February 12 How did you end up with a Keyspan? Is your computer without a DB9 legacy serial port? Manually reassign the serial connection to COM4 and try that. Here's the back of my pc, it's a all n one Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
termagator 6 Posted February 12 Ok MZ SKEETR, your saying I should keep the Tripplite Keyspan cable, and buy a null modem cable, that plugs into the male end of the Tripplite, but then it will be OK to use a male to male null modem adapter because cutter is female also? Thanks for your patience. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
termagator 6 Posted February 12 Haumana, would this work also?, I could get it faster and wouldn't need an adapter Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MZ SKEETER 4,709 Posted February 12 If you have the original serial cable that came with the cutter, when you bought it, it could very well be a null modem serial cable. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haumana 1,220 Posted February 12 Haumana, would this work also?, I could get it faster and wouldn't need an adapter Yes, that cable should do it. Cutter > Null Modem Cable > Keyspan > USB Cable > Computer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
termagator 6 Posted February 13 Ok thanks null modem cable will be here tomorrow evening. Some one had asked what changes had happened prior to my computer not talking to the vinyl cutter. Here's what it did...did it again last night, and again today. Flexi comes up, but all internet browsing kinda slow Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
termagator 6 Posted February 14 Sorry to report, null modem cable didn't work either. Still production manager just goes to holding. D.M is set on com 2 P.M. setup is com2 In D.M. when I go advance settings to change com port 1,2&4 are open sez 3 is in use. When I go to P.M. to make a setup, it only gives me a com choice of 2 or 3, there is no longer a com 1 or 4. I suspect I got some kind of computer problem. It's been doing the blue screen recovery stuff a couple time today alone. Thanks for all the help but I'm giving up on the com connection Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MZ SKEETER 4,709 Posted February 14 Why do you have the SEND MODE in: HOLD IN LIST? It is doing what you are telling it to. Holding in the Production Manager Que. To Send to your vinyl cutter to CUT is : SEND NOW. If I put my Flexi software on HOLD IN LIST, that is exactly what it shows in my Production Manager Que . HOLDING I do not take my SEND MODE off of SEND NOW. No reason to. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haumana 1,220 Posted February 14 If you're getting the blue screen repeatedly, then there is something fundamentally going wonky with the OS. You might want to back up all your data, deactivate any software that can be, then reformat your machine. Even if you can get your cutter connected, the blue screen will keep on happening unless the issue is resolved. If you have assigned COM 2 for your cutter, then you should be selecting COM 2 in Flexi, not USB 2. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
termagator 6 Posted February 14 Where can I find send now? This is flexi 8.6 starter Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MZ SKEETER 4,709 Posted February 14 It is right on your picture. In the middle, left side. where it says Hold in List. It should be Send now That is a drop down box. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
termagator 6 Posted February 14 Checked the allow remote send now box and it still holding Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MZ SKEETER 4,709 Posted February 14 Instructions are above for HOLD in List. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slice&dice 2,450 Posted February 14 This thread has started to go off the rails. I understand your frustration, Skeeter. Wanna see something hilarious? Here's my suggestion, before this guy gives up --- install a Virtual COM port (VCP) for usb software connection. Yep, get back to USB cable, and put aside all those other connections. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
