Downloading Sound Files for MTH PS2 Upgrade Kits

[Anonymous]

Is anybody out there doing their own upgrades using MTH PS2 kits? To date I have upgraded three steamers with good results, using an older Dell desk top computer running Windows 98, the V1.57 loader program and soundsets I downloaded from the MTH website. I also use a 9 pin series (RS-232) cable between the computer and the TIU which the older Dell accomodates. So far so good, until I recently bought a new Dell laptop which runs Windows XP and requires a USB to series cable to interface with the TIU. Using this setup, I have yet to get a successful download. The download goes through the initial setup steps ok until it gets to step #16-0, where data writing begins, then I get an error message, which probably means something to the person who wrote the software, but is Greek to me. At this point the loaing fails. I am using the Belkin USB to series cable MTH recommends and I'm pretty sure it's working ok and that the correct drivers are installed. The computer is communicating with the engine up to step #16-0 and I can also upload an entire sound file from the engine, but the uploaded sound file wont download. I contacted MTH, explained my problem and they sent me an updated version of the loading program, V1.66. Using V1.66 has not fixed the problem but I do get a different error message,ie. either "Loader Timeout " or "Loader CTS Timeout." CTS refers to data flow control and I have tried the three options available on the USB port settings which has not helped. I am also running the latest versions of the MTH software on my TIU and Remote. I am not a computer expert and it's entirely possible that I'm making some dumb mistake. I wonder if anyone out there is using a laptop with Windows XP and a USB to series cable and having similar problems? At any rate I sure would appreciate any help I can get. THANKS.

[trigtrax]

The computer is communicating with the engine up to step #16-0 and I can also upload an entire sound file from the engine, but the uploaded sound file wont download.

Wow!! You need the Geek Squad.. If the file uploads from the engine then your hardware is okay. There has to be some setting in transmit or protocol that's wrong. I'm guessing you local computer store will be more helpful in this area than a train repair shop.

[spankybird]

I think trigtrax is correct that your problem seems to be more a computer cable – communication problem than a MTH software problem. If you are able to down load the sound set, then you should be able to upload it. The timing out error sounds like the software cannot make complete the hand shake to transfer data. I would call Dell and see if they can help you.

[wrmcclellan]

Cash,

I had exactly the same problem with my Dell Inspiron 1100 laptop and I have not been able to diagnose the problem to date. I also used a USB2 to serial converter. I had to revert to my desktop machine which has a normal serial port to complete the download, which went off without a hitch.

I know from my work years ago that many RS-232 apps do not use all the flow control lines and I wonder if this is the issue in the H/W in the RS-232/USB adapter (eg that it does not account for all the flow control signal lines - i.e. RTS, CTS, and DSR). It would be nice to know which of these flow controls the MTH loader requires. It would also be nice to find out which ones are implemented in the USB converters.

Regards,
Roy

[Anonymous]

I'm happy to report that I finally got the download to work. I tried another cable that I had tried before unsuccessfully. Maybe I screwed up on the driver installation the first time. It's a Cables Unlimited, Model# 2920. So far, Iv'e had three successful downloads but it is s-l-o-w. It takes about an hour to do a download at what appears to be the max BAUD rate. Maybe there's something I can do to speed up the process, I haven't tried any different settings yet. But what the heck it's working and I guess I'm not in a big hurry anyhow. I want to thank all who responded to my plea for help. I hope to be able to reciprocate some time in the future.
THANKS MUCH
CASHMERE