psiwin (again)

[j13lls]

From working every day without fail, today the link between my PC and the 7 has failed. I have tried/tested the following:
Psion link on
Re-install software
Hyperterminal to prove cable
COM port re-install
Psion soft reset
Psion hard reset

Now I am absolutely stuck, empty Psion and no way of restoring without a link.

HELP

Jill

[diem]

Have you installed any new software on the PC that might be grabbing the COM port?

You say you've done the hyperterminal test, so in My Psion properties, make sure that only the correct COM port is ticked and is at the top of the list. If this doesn't help, try choosing 115200 at both ends of the link instead of 'maximum attainable'.

As far as reinstalling Psiwin goes, it is a good idea to run the registry cleaner in between the uninstall and reinstall.

There's further info about testing the serial line in my FAQ - URL in my sig.

[j13lls]

Nothing new installed on either machine for weeks. Have followed your other link and done everything suggested. Still no connection.

Jill

[netBookBabe]

I wonder if it might be worth trying a utility such as "EndItAll" to make sure there's nothing running in the background on the PC that could be causing a conflict.

It's freeware, downloadable from:

http://home.ptd.net/~don5408/toolbox/enditall/

Just a thought - it's rescued me on several occasions!

Julie

[j13lls]

I've now used End It all, Newclean and manual editing of the registry.
I've tried a second cable.
Every time I install the software it fails at the very end when it tries to connect to the Psion.

Do I need a PC operating system re-install?

Jill

[diem]

What version of Windows do you use (including any service packs)?

[j13lls]

Windows 2000 with service pack 2.

Jill

PS Thanks for all this help, it is appreciated.

[wanman]

How many Serial ports do you have on your PC? Are they definitely working (do you have any other serial port applications you could try to make sure they are working)?

I do remember someone posting a similar problem with their serial cable link and discovered it was the port on the 7series. Do you have any other item you can test the port with (e.g. GPS link or the old modem adapter from a Psion 5 series). Have you got or know someone with the desk cradle that you could try linking through? If you have and this works, it could indicate a problem with the port on the side.

Hope you manage to resolve the problem.

Regards

Si

[j13lls]

There is only one port on the PC, which seems fine.

On the Psion I have tried the port in the machine and the one in the desk cradle. Both send via Hyperterminal.

I have a GPS link at home, which I will try tonight.

I get the feeling that the data is coming out of the Psion but not going in.

Jill

[MikeMcC]

Jill,

I know it doesn't solve your PsiWin problem, but if you are totally stuck as far as transferring files between S7 and PC (or vice versa) is concerned, one option is to use a Compact Flash Reader on the PC (normally a USB device) and transfer that way. In any case it is extremely fast compared to transferring with PsiWin.

[j13lls]

Thanks Mike.

I've managed to make the Psion usable this morning, using a CF and PC adaptor and using the last backup. I've even done a new backup to the CF, which is 256mb and only partially used, fortunately.

What I have lost is synchronisation with Outlook, which tells my staff where I am.

Jill

[MikeMcC]

What I have lost is synchronisation with Outlook, which tells my staff where I am.
Yes, indeed, that requires a PsiWin connection.

Having read the other messages, you've tried all of the obvious things - only the correct COM port checked, same speed in PsiWin and the Psion, hyperterminal connections work OK. Unfortunately, I don't have any additional magic answer but if anything comes to mind, I'll let you know.

If you wanted to be really silly, you could try booting the PC in 'safe' mode and see if it connects. That would confirm that something loading at startup is causing a conflict. Alternatively, run 'msconfig', select "Selective Startup", uncheck all of the boxes for startup drivers etc and see if that allows connection. Although time consuming, you can then individually add back the items to load on booting until you find a possible source of the problem.

[WolfUK]

Jill,

A shot in the dark but do you have CopyAnywhere loaded? I have always had problems with this and have stopped it from running since it was preventing my Windows 2000 machine from talking to my Psion. If you do have it running, close it down and then see what happens (it may be best to disable it via the PsiWin preferences and then rebooting Windows).

HTH

[j13lls]

The latest:

Installed software on another PC and everything worked.

Now waiting for a Company engineer to put his diagnostic disk onto my Com port. Looks like the problem is either here, or some issue with the operating system on my PC.

Jill

[j13lls]

An update:

Diagnostics did not reveal a problem with the Comm port, but hardware testers did.

Looking to Dell for a repair.

Thank you all for the suggestions and help. All being well the problem will be resolved shortly.

Jill

[netBookBabe]

Grief, Jill, you've certainly been through the mill with this one. Hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel now. Let us know.

Julie

[j13lls]

The Com port has now been repaired, under the 3 year warranty, by a very nice man from Dell.

Restoring was a bit of a struggle, particularly as I identified the Psion under a different name. Eventually went back and started again, using the same name as previously. Restored the machine, except the files I had used. All OK except RMRBank, but I eventually found a file in APPS/RMRBank/Data that put everything back together.

Fingers now crossed that I'm back to normal. The next few days should confirm this.

Again thank you all for your help.

Jill