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APPENDIX A
MS Windows Serial Comm Port Reassignment
Issue: MS Windows automatically assigns comm ports to USB serial communications devices in
a sequential order. This may create a problem if a remote control Graphical User Interface
(GUI) for the TCR-MBA-50 (both versions) only allows the use of specific comm ports. As an
example, if the GUI only allows the use of COM1, COM2 or COM3 to interface to the PA via
the USB interface and MS Windows automatically assigns COM12 to the USB serial port
adapter embedded in the PA then the PC and the PA will not be able to communicate.
Solution: To resolve this issue, the user may reassign the comm port to the TCR-MBA-50’s
USB serial adapter port (both versions) by going to the advanced comm port settings in the
Device Manager’s menu.
Comm port reassignment procedure:
1.
Ensure that the USB driver for the USB to serial adapter in the PA is installed on the
computer. The driver is loaded on the CD that ships with the PA or it can be downloaded
from
http://www.ftdichip.com/drivers/D2XX.htm
.
NOTE: The driver must be installed first before the PA is connected to the PC.
2.
Ensure that the PA is turned OFF.
3.
Connect the USB interface cable to the AUXILARY port on the PA and to any available
USB port on the computer.
4.
Turn ON the PA.
5.
Open the
Device Manager
on the computer and expand the
Ports (COM & LPT)
list to
view all enabled comm ports on the computer
6.
Double click on the
USB Serial Port
assigned to the PA (COM12 in this example) to
view/change its settings.
Comm port assigned to PA