I have run decoder pro on my present layout computer for 3-4 years now with no problems. I have a new replacement computer for it. I downloaded JMRI sucessfully on the replacement. I opened DecoderPro from the desktop icon and it went into Decoder Pro Wizard (as I expected). I entered my systerm (digitrax). system connection (pr3), command station (dcs100). Under serial port I had nothing to choose from nor could I enter anything, so it defaulted to "no ports found". From there it went to "finish" and said "an error occured while trying to connect to the loconet". Was the download bad, am i missing something? Any help would be much appreciated
Have you updated Java? JMRI is a Java app, and it appears. That it is not finding the port.
The other possibility is that the PR3 was not detected. I just used the generic Windows driver and it it worked...
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Jim, I first updated Java before downloading jmri (It actually was already up to date). As to the driver, I wasn't promoted to select any driver. Something I missed?
Jim, I'm getting older quicker than most of us reading this! Another "Dah!" Moment for me! I forgot I had to install the pr3 and its driver (using the Digitrax disk that came with it) onto the new computer. After dinner I'll try that, if I remember
So I loaded the diver via the disc and followed to the letter the instructions on the Digitrax web site. Got to the wizard, made my selections including port (3) and all seemed fine until the last "finish " click and I get the "java platform SE binary has stopped working" message. Any thoughts on where to go from here?
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/t/261228.aspx
Check out this thread.
James in Texas
So I tried again several times. Rebooted computer, tried different sequences with USB insertion. Cut to the chase, in the first page of The wizard where you enter devise, system, port there is a user name that defaulted to my name. I changed that and then it open! Closed it and tried again and again it opened. Even entered a new engine (I will of course import my whole roster later). So only thing I can think of is my name defaulted from old computer and that in some way prevented the Wizard from finishing? Or maybe just coincidence. But it opened twice. So let's see what happens tomorrow. thnx for the inputs.
Been a few days since my last post and original problem solved but now a new has arisen. About 6 out of every 7 attempts I try to open DecoderPro (on the new comuter) I get the blasted "Java Platform SE Binary has stopped working" error message. Any suggessions on how to resolved this? And to be clear, DecoderPro does open, so the Com Port setting is correct, but on average it takes very many tries. Very frustrating, and time consuming. Thnx all.
Tophias Been a few days since my last post and original problem solved but now a new has arisen. About 6 out of every 7 attempts I try to open DecoderPro (on the new comuter) I get the blasted "Java Platform SE Binary has stopped working" error message. Any suggessions on how to resolved this? And to be clear, DecoderPro does open, so the Com Port setting is correct, but on average it takes very many tries. Very frustrating, and time consuming. Thnx all. "I entered my systerm (digitrax). system connection (pr3), command station (dcs100). Under serial port I had nothing to choose from nor could I enter anything, so it defaulted to "no ports found".
"I entered my systerm (digitrax). system connection (pr3), command station (dcs100). Under serial port I had nothing to choose from nor could I enter anything, so it defaulted to "no ports found".
Digitrax now has PR3 Installation Instructions for: XP, 7, 8, 8.1, and now windows 10.
http://www.digitrax.com/downloads/pr3-installation-instructions/
See PR3 for:
Windows 10 Instructions of Sept. 16, 2015 Version: 1.0 (1.8 MB), pdf File of 13 pages.
Bob Frey
Website: http://bobfrey.auclair.com
[quote user="Robert Frey"]
Bob, I have been sucessf loading the PR3, java and jmri. My problem now is being to get jmri to open on a consistent basis. It takes several attempts, with different sequences of pulling the USB cable, inserting it, etc. it all just seems so random as to whether it will open or not. Very frustrating.
You might try this: http://www.dccguy.com/?p=4519 or contact Larry directly.
Hope this helps.
Robert
The Tularosa Basin RR operating in the High Desert of Southern New Mexico
The Tularosa Basin: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d7/Tularosa-Basin-NM-USGS-map_opaque.gif
I bought a new computer running Winders 10 about two years ago. I never have been able to get Decoder Pro (or the Digitrax program for changing their sound decoders) to work. They download fine from the web or the Digitrax disk, but then it won't work, similar to what the OP discribes.
graymatterJust curious, if you reconnect the old computer does it work? If it does what is the differencebwtween the two computers? Same operating system? Same version of the operating system? Same version of Java? I am reaching on this one but' are you using USB computer connections? Are USB2 and USB3 compatible with the software or hardware? Are you running the same antivirus and other such programs on both computers? Something new that I found is Google Chrome and Java don't work with some Java applications. Maybe consider deleting the software and reinstalling it after verifing all the software is up to date......java, windows etc. Hope it helps....Thomas
yes, old computer opens every time. Old computer Win7, new Win8.1. Old computer older java, new computer latest version. Both computers USB 2.0. Both run Norton from Comcast. Old computer uses older jmri, new computer latest version (the whole reason for changing is the old version of jmri didn't recognize Tsunami2 decoder and due to no additional hard drive space I can't download the latest version of jmri to old computer)
Tophais
where are you with running JMRI on the new computer?
Ironically, my computer was hacked by a JAVA expolite with Google Chrome....long story but I will be giving JMRI a try this weekend.
https://sites.google.com/site/markgurries/home/decoders/decoder-motor-tuning/digitrax
[quote user="graymatter"]
Mark, I assume it lies on my "c" drive, triggered by a desktop icon. Would that matter if it does open (after several attempt)?
Tophias Been a few days since my last post and original problem solved but now a new has arisen. About 6 out of every 7 attempts I try to open DecoderPro (on the new comuter) I get the blasted "Java Platform SE Binary has stopped working" error message. Any suggessions on how to resolved this? And to be clear, DecoderPro does open, so the Com Port setting is correct, but on average it takes very many tries. Very frustrating, and time consuming. Thnx all.
I am waiting for the book.
"JMRI for dummies"
In large print.
Thomas
Most of the problems are java, not JMRI. Mainly because Java has garbage for error handling - if JMRI code says to open a com port that isn't there, Java doesn't error - it crashes, with the ever-so-helpful "Java plastform SE binary has stopped working" error. Nothing so obvious as "invalid com port" which at least would point you in the right direction. Try a Windows program written in a different language, deliberately point it to say COM4 when you know it should be COM3. You will get some sort of COM port error message, not a generic crash from whatever language that program is written in.
Just my semi-annual "I hate java as a programming language" rant.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
graymatter I am waiting for the book. "JMRI for dummies" In large print. Thomas
Here you go:
http://jmri.org/help/en/webindex.shtml
Use Ctrl+ in your browser to make the print as large as you'd like.
rrinker Most of the problems are java, not JMRI.
Most of the problems are java, not JMRI.
I respectfully disagree.
After 14+ years of using JMRI and following the User's list, I firmly believe PEBKAC errors far exceed "Java SE has stopped working" errors.
(As an aside: In the context of JMRI and the "Java SE has stopped working" message, if you search through the JMRI list you'll find that probably 95+ percent of the time the cause for it usually boils down to one or more of three basic things: You either have the wong COM port assigned, or you don't have the correct drivers for your USB device installed (or you have the right drivers but not properly installed), or if you have a PR3, you're using it on a 64-bit OS without the 1.0 firmware.)
Right - my point exactly. If it said "Invalid COM port" instead of "Java SE stopped working", it would be pretty obvious how to fix it. Java, when told to open a COM port that doesn;t actually exist, just crashes - hard. If it DOES have error trapping, then JMRI should do a better job of catching it. Windows, if asked to open a non-existent port, will return an error that the calling program, be it .NET Framework, a native Windows C program, or Java, can use. In the case of COm ports and JMRI, either Java doesn't respect the Windows error, ir JMRI is not trapping the Java error and displaying a graceful error message.
I still suspect Java because I can't imagine the whole network of JMRI programmers never thought of that, and for Java to collect the error it would have to have handlers for all supported operating systems, not just Windows. I am reasonably certain that OSX and Linux can equally report an attempt to access a port that doesn't exist without crashing the whole application.
Yes, I agree, probably 95% of the "stopped working" errors are port related - which is why as soon as someone says they get that error, everyone responds with "you have the wrong com port selected" or some variation. If the message said "Wrong com port, you silly English kniggit" there may be less posting on the subject. Save the "Java SE platform stopped working" error for a really serious crash that you can't possibly handle.
Stevert, in regard to the firmware update you suggest. I looked that up on the Digitrax website and it looks a bit complicated (I'm not the most proficient computer tech) but I will attempt it. But first, I have two questions. 1) On the Digitrax site it mentions opening "DigiPL". What is that? 2) As I have mentioned previously, I CAN get JMRI to open, it's just that it takes many attempts or the work around of not inserting the USB cable and then "restarting" the jmri "preferences". So my question is whether the firmware update will help my situation (that jmri does open but very erratically ). As always, to you, Randy and all, much thnx for all the advise.
Tophias Stevert, in regard to the firmware update you suggest. I looked that up on the Digitrax website and it looks a bit complicated (I'm not the most proficient computer tech) but I will attempt it. But first, I have two questions. 1) On the Digitrax site it mentions opening "DigiPL". What is that? 2) As I have mentioned previously, I CAN get JMRI to open, it's just that it takes many attempts or the work around of not inserting the USB cable and then "restarting" the jmri "preferences". So my question is whether the firmware update will help my situation (that jmri does open but very erratically ). As always, to you, Randy and all, much thnx for all the advise.
Tophias,
If you take your time and follow the instructions *exactly* it really isn't that difficult. To answer your questions:
1) DigiIPL is a Digitrax-supplied utility program used to upgrade the firmware in various Digitrax devices, including the PR3. It comes with the updated Soundloader package: http://www.digitrax.com/downloads/soundloader/
2) It has corrected this issue in many cases where the PR3 is invloved. I can't gaurantee it will fix it for you, but at the very least we are eliminating one of the possible causes.
Thanks Stevert, I won't get a chance to get to it for several days but I'll give it a try when I can