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Locked JMRI / Digitrax PR3Extra & Windows 10

 

Hi all

Just installed the latest version of JMRI 4.14 on my new HP laptop computer Windows 10. Latest version of Java etc.I'm using a PR3-Extra and DCS51 for my Loco-net interface. USB 2.0
I successfully used the PR3 as a stand alone with the sound loader and decoder pro. experienced some difficulty setting it up.
I tried for a while to get the PR3 to connect with widows 10 with the Digitrax DCS51. I got the configuration to work once, i saved the settings. then try to connect again, the connection failed again no mater what i do.
Since I was able to get it to work at lease once I'm not sure where the problem is? Software, Hardware, Driver? or windows 10 never had this problem with my old computer running XP
I'm thinking another interface may be more reliable? PR-4, Loco-buffer.
any suggestions from those running widows 10

Regards

Chuck
Brick NJ.
 

Chuck,

?Make sure your PR3 has the Version 1.0 firmware update. It contains a fix for using the PR3 on 64-bit OS's.

HTH,
Steve
"Breezlys"
 

Before you switch to a PR4, be aware that it is also not 100% reliable. We have a number of group members who are having problems making the PR4 work with Win10, as well as a bunch for whom it does work.

I had some issues when I first started with my PR3, but after a few tries and re-installing the drivers it now works VRY reliably

Stefan
--
Stefan Bartelski

Home layout: The Blue Ridge Line, an HO representation of the L&N Etowah Old Line from Etowah to Elizabeth, set in 1986 9under construction)
Modular Layout: Shoofly module of the Country RRoads Modular group

[email protected]
 

I had posted my experience of adding JAVA, JMRI 14.4 and a PR3 to my wife's 64 bit HP machine just last night. Her HP had never seen JAVA, JMRI or the PR3. I removed the posts as I felt it would not help Chuck, but simply prove it all works.?

Steve's firmware update was the better recommendation.

My experience was NO TROUBLE AT ALL installing the JAVA.JMRI, PR3. But my PR3 was running the latest firmware as I have a habit of installing the latest available to my devices.

Early on Win10 64 bit had a driver to support serial (PR3) type devices,? but it was buried in the Win10 Install. Installing the driver was a workout. But Microsoft eventually updated WIN10 and it would handle it (PR3) in stride. So if your Win10 has never seen an update, yes you had issues and had to follow the DIgitrax instructions in detail.?

If your Win10 install is current and with all the fixes and updates, from Microsoft, applied, there should be no issue at all.?

My experience proved it to me.

I am awaiting a PR4 this week. I will report back my findings when I get my hands on it.

Marc
 

Steve

I concur I was on the Digitrax website this morning and saw the available firmware update for 64 bit.
This will be my next step to try: Carefully, so I don't turn my PR3 into a paper weight.
Keep you posted

Glad to see responses from others who have not experienced the same problem some may be on the 32 bit. Its still good to know that this will work once I iron this out.

Thanks

Chuck
Brick NJ
[email protected]
 

There's a nifty little freeware program called?USBDeview.?
  • USBDeview is a small utility that lists all USB devices that currently connected to your computer, as well as all USB devices that you previously used.?
    For each USB device, extended information is displayed: Device name/description, device type, serial number (for mass storage devices), the date/time that device was added, VendorID, ProductID, and more...?
    USBDeview also allows you to uninstall USB devices that you previously used, disconnect USB devices that are currently connected to your computer, as well as to disable and enable USB devices.?
    You can also use USBDeview on a remote computer, as long as you login to that computer with admin user.
  • This utility works on Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 2003, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10. Both 32-bit and 64-bit systems are supported. Windows 98/ME is not supported.

On Monday, January 14, 2019, 7:35:06 PM EST, Chuck Stiles via Groups.Io <capnchuck@...> wrote:


Steve

I concur I was on the Digitrax website this morning and saw the available firmware update for 64 bit.
This will be my next step to try: Carefully, so I don't turn my PR3 into a paper weight.
Keep you posted

Glad to see responses from others who have not experienced the same problem some may be on the 32 bit. Its still good to know that this will work once I iron this out.

Thanks

Chuck
Brick NJ
 

To all who commented and who were interested .

I ran the firmware update for the Digitrax PR3. with the DigilPL Software, following the instruction.
The process went as described, with the exception for when my PR3 was done loading it said "programming Failed" not aborted.
I completed the process checking the version of the firmware version 1.0 was installed.

Reinstalling my PR3 on the layout, tested the connection, and it appears to work perfectly now running widows 10 64bit

Thanks again for the suggestions and support from the group.Emoji

Regards

Chuck
Brick, NJ
[email protected]
 

USBDview is included in the SOUNDLOADER 2.4 download.? it is in the Utilities folder? of Soundloader v2.0

USBDVIEW uses a file called USB.IDS to supplement device info. The PR3/PR4 will not be identified as such because
they were never added to the USB.IDS? listing.? I tried and failled for some reason.?

Surprisingly the RR-CirKits Locobuffer-USB is listed. So? I added the PR3 / PR4 to my local copy of USB.IDS? if anyone is interested.

Marc?
 

Please be aware that there is a difference between reliability and capability.?

The Digitrax PR3 and PR4 have been amazing reliable (very few actual failures of the product), while the capability has been decreasing with the newer, ever-so-complicated decoders requiring higher voltages and higher current capabilities and having "keep alive" caps and such.

While I do not have any QSI or LokSound, I do have Tsunami and Economi sound decoders and Digitrax non-sound decoders.? I made a conscientious decision to use a regulated 18 volt laptop power supply (Digitrax changed their specs and now does not recommend allowing that high of a supply voltage apparently due to their newer decoders having a lower voltage limit).? I have not had any persistent problems reading or writing to any of my decoders.? With reading full sheets, occasionally I must re-read the "changed" cv's, but that is not uncommon.? I have 18 volt input supplies on my PR3 for stand-alone use, and 18 volt supply on my DCS-50 Zephyr.

I also have heard that I am not the only one who has upgraded the input power to a higher voltage with excellent success.?

Phil in gorgeous Young Harris, Georgia, USA
[email protected]
 

Debatable.. current decoders require less power to program. Perfect example is the New Soundtraxx line of Econami and Tsunami 2. One must remove the Program track booster in these cases. PowerPax is known for causing issues with the new line of Soundtraxx decoders it has been reported, corrected by removing it.

More sophisticated !...? granted, with a zillion CV's.

Digitrax decoders, sound or not, should be handled with the supplied 14V/300mA power pack, just to be on the safe side.? Any other manufacturer decoders
will give good results with the higher output power pack.? We discovered this early on with the original PR3 which had no "supplied power supply".? All Digitrax offered was the PS12 at the time. and that proved inadequate. They came out with the PS14 to cure the ill.

Marc

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