Decoder programming software

[fleduc]

Hello,

I used to program decoders with the PR1 software which works under Windows 95. The PR1 device is plugged into a serial port and is connected to a programming track. That's it...

I would like to upgrade to JMRI Decoder Pro. But it requires the MS100 device or LocoBuffer. If I choose one of those two devices, do I need something else in terms of equipment ?

Thanks,

François.

[Tom Bryant_MR]

You might check out this thread.

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=-1&TOPIC_ID=46247&REPLY_ID=498951#498951

[rrinker]

Which Digitrax system do you have? JMRI does not work witht he PR1, but it will work with other Digitrax systems using a Locobuffer (don;t waste your money on an MS100 - not only has it been discontinued, it's a poor method of interfacing compared to the Locobuffer). The Locobuffer/JMRI will work with any Digitrax Loconet system (that means no old Challenger without some upgrades). If you have a CHief, Super Chief, or Zephyr (DCS100 or DCS50) you will be able to read and write CV values using JMRI. If you have an EMpire Builder or Super Empire Builder (DB150), you will only be able to write CV values.

If you are looking for a standalone programmer to replace the PR1 that is NOT connected to the rest of your DCC system, take a look at the SPROG. It was designed to work with JMRI, and is a completely standalone system, doesn't matter what DCC system you are using.

--Randy

[fleduc]

Thanks for the information about SPROG.
That is what I was looking for...

[Anonymous]

FYI , the JMRI decoder pro works well, it's just dreadfully slow about loading up. Mine take 10 to 15 minutes to start.

[rrinker]

Java's a hog. You need plenty of memory,for the most part. Processor speed isn't as important as memory. My laptop is old, runs a Pentium 3 1GHz processor with 384MB RAM and takes a minute or so to start up. My desktop has a 2.7GHZ processor and 1GB RAM and it starts up in seconds.

--Randy

[tsasala]

Capt:

10 to 15 MINUTES??? What kind of computer do you have?? I'm assuming Windows, so it sounds like you have a real memory issue. Are the rest of the apps slow? I have found the app takes a long time to load when it can't find the serial connections, but under normal circumstances, 10-15 minutes is way out of the question (and far longer than I'd be willing to wait).

Randy:

IME, processor speed is important too do to the indirection caused by the JVM. There's a neat switch you can turn on to show all the classes loaded when you execute your application. A simple single class hello world application loads over 250 classes. So yes, memory is important too.

-Tom

[Anonymous]

I have a T2341 E machines. 2.4 gig processor with 512 meg of memory. ATI 9800 graphics card. I'm running XP w/SP2. I've download the 5 update to Java and checked it for operation. Everything else loads quickly. I only found out that it will finally load if left long enough, by accident. I started it and got called away for awhile. I had tried to get it to load several times before and gave up after 5 minutes or so. The individual modules can take up to 5 minutes to start after clicking them. Iknow the serial port is not hanging it up as if I change the serial port to a non-existing port, it reports it immediatley on startup.

They seem to work fine after they finally start, but I'm getting even grayer waiting on the blasted thing to start.
I believe that if I had been the one picking the language to write the software in that I'd have picked one that worked a little better.

[rrinker]

When it's starting, look at the second item it opens up on the tak bar. That's a text-mode Java console that tells you what is goign on. On my laptop, the newest version (release, not beta) takes two shots to run - maybe if I left it long enough the first one would start eventually. Bt in that window it is constantly displaying a never-ending stream of errors. I close everything, and retry - and it starts right up!

--Randy

[Stevert]

QUOTE: Originally posted by capt_turk

I have a T2341 E machines. 2.4 gig processor with 512 meg of memory. ATI 9800 graphics card. I'm running XP w/SP2. I've download the 5 update to Java and checked it for operation. Everything else loads quickly.

You probably have some other problem, then. My "upgraded" train PC is a 1.2Ghz Celeron with 512 Meg of ram, 8 meg of which is shared by the on-board video, and also running XP SP2 with the latest Java. Although I haven't actually timed them, JMRI programs open in less than a minute. That includes loading a 1024x768 panel with PanePro. (I have PanelPro set to open it on startup). My old train PC was a 450 Mhz PII with W98 and 256 meg, and JMRI didn't open much slower. Certainly not even two minutes, let alone 10 or 15.

Have you checked for viruses/spyware/adware/general Windows gunk? How about tuning your swap file? Java needs memory, and if you don't have enough real memory, the swap file gets involved. But Windows does a horrendous job of managing the swap file, which could really slow you down. Do you see a lot of HDD activity when using JMRI?

QUOTE: Originally posted by capt_turk
I believe that if I had been the one picking the language to write the software in that I'd have picked one that worked a little better.

The intent was to use a cross-platform language in order to allow JMRI to run on the largest number of platforms, and with support for multiple versions of Windows, Mac Classic, Mac OS/X, Linux, OS/2, Solaris..., I think they got it right.

Steve

[Anonymous]

My virus software(Grisoft AVG) runs twice a day. I run Spybot S&D every couple of days.
I do get a string of can not find instant.... something not found. If I could figure out how to copy and paste from a DOS window I'd post it here.
I see no hard drive activity or processor activity while it's trying to load. I have 700+ megs alocated to the swap file.
\The strange thing about it is that I have it loaded onto my laptop which is a Presario 2500 and it does the same thing. Both take forever to load, and as I stated earlier, everything else works fine.

[rrinker]

Try what I suggested - while you are seeing that strign of errors, click the X to close the window. Restart DecoderPro - I'll bet it starts right up. My laptop does this, but my desktop did not, but I never did any serious operation with my desktop, I merely had my Zephyr console and Locobuffer attached when I first finished buildign it and wanted to test. I have another older desktop, P3-500mhz with 512MB that will be the dedicated railroad computer, if I ever get around to pulling the one Cat5 cable I need.

--Randy