William Greenley Consulting

"A university professor set an examination question in which he asked what is the difference between ignorance and apathy. The professor had to give an A+ to a student who answered: I don't know and I don't care." - Richard Pratt, Pacific Computer
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Frequently Asked Questions - Troubleshooting COM ports
Q:  I'm using a USB-to Serial Adapter to connect my CAT computer to my client.  How do I know what COM port I'm exporting from?
A: USB-to-Serial  Adapters take on a variety of COM port designations.  After installing the proper drivers that came with your USB-to-Serial Adapter, locate "My Computer" on your desktop; right click on the icon and click on "Properties."  When you are in the Properites menu, click on the tab labeled "Hardware"; then click on "Device Manager."  A list of hardware devices will display.  Go down the list until you get to "Ports."  Click the plus (+) sign to display all of the COM ports on your computer and find the one that lists a USB device.  The COM port your USB-to-Serial Adapter is using will be displayed. 
Q: How do I find which COM port is on the receiving computer?
A: Use the same method as above.  Also, in all of the realtime products being used today by your clients, only the available COM ports will be displayed in the realtime setup.
Q: I've checked the COM port configuration on my end as well as on my client's computer and they are still not receiving text.
A: Be sure that you are outputting from your CAT system in Caseview format and that your client has the correct CAT software selected on their computer.  You should also check your connectors and be sure you are using the appropiate ones.  As an example, if you are using CaseCATalyst software, you need to use cross-over cables as opposed to straight through.  If you are using a digital sharing device (the splitter box allowing you to hook up to multiple parties) be sure it is working properly.  One easy way to check it is to use a direct connect to one computer from yours eliminating the box.  If you then get feed, the box is defective and needs to be replaced.  If all else failes, feel free to email me with the problem and I'll get a solution to you.
Q: My client is receiving text but the text is garbled.
A: This is caused by an incorrect BAUD rate.  I suggest changing it on your client's side by going into the realtime properties in whichever software they are using and change the BAUD rate.  If it is set at 2400, change it to 9600 and vis versa.
Q: Where can I find more information on trouleshooting realtime hook ups?
A: I'm pleased to help; but you may want to got to www.livenote.com, www.reallegal.com or www.summation.com for further clarification.  NCRA is now offering a workshop called the Realtime Systems Administrator.   Attending this workshop is extremely valuable to help one solve all the nuances of realtime hookups.