I have been using JMRI for about 4 years. I downloaded it and used a PR3 and it worked fine. Yesterday I downloaded the lastest version of JMRI and used a PR4 and had to download PR4 also and now it doesn't work. I keep getting "programmer not available" in red letters at the bottom of the JMRI page. Any ideas where I went wrong being I am not computer savy.
If no one knows here there is a jmriusers group.io
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
What version of Windows?
If 10, you must follow carefully the PR4 Installation instructions, to the letter, or it will not work correctly.
All because Microsoft has a protection built in, that prevents 3rd party drivers from actually installing, thereby rendering the PR4 inoperative...
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
Actually, if your Windows 10 installation is up to date, it will correctly detect the PR4 and install the proper drivers without any action on your part.
It's been that way since (I think) one of the "Creators Updates", which were released back in 2017. It's been so long I really don't remember the details.
But since that Windows version, I've plugged my PR4 into a number of different machines and it's Always Just Worked.
Maybe try changing the serial port? If Decoder Pro expects the PR4 to be coming thru on COM2 and it's set on COM 4 it won't work.
https://www.jmri.org/install/WindowsNew.shtml#serialconfig
Easy way to determine which is the correct COM port to use - Simply open Device Manager, expand the "Ports (COM & LPT)" branch, and plug/unplug your PR4. The COM port that comes and goes when you do that is the one to use.
Adding a Digitrax PR4 where a PR3 was used will get a NEW com port setting and this needs to be corrected in the DecoderPro Preferences.
So use Device Manager to determine the NEW COM port assinged to the PR4 and put this value in DecoderPro.
Marc
MrMe Actually, if your Windows 10 installation is up to date, it will correctly detect the PR4 and install the proper drivers without any action on your part. It's been that way since (I think) one of the "Creators Updates", which were released back in 2017. It's been so long I really don't remember the details. But since that Windows version, I've plugged my PR4 into a number of different machines and it's Always Just Worked.
Actually, no.
Their newest update broke it again.... I just went through it. New Laptop, latest updates to W10, JMRI, and Digitrax PR4 software.
You must force the driver through again. W10 newest update does not allow "unsigned" drivers to work unless you disable "forced driver signature" again, like before.
Follow Digitrax PR4 Windows 10 Install instruction sheet, to the letter, and it will work.
https://www.digitrax.com/media/apps/software/download/26/PR3-Install-Win10_1.pdf
ricktrains4824 MrMe Actually, if your Windows 10 installation is up to date, it will correctly detect the PR4 and install the proper drivers without any action on your part. It's been that way since (I think) one of the "Creators Updates", which were released back in 2017. It's been so long I really don't remember the details. But since that Windows version, I've plugged my PR4 into a number of different machines and it's Always Just Worked. Actually, no. Their newest update broke it again.... I just went through it. New Laptop, latest updates to W10, JMRI, and Digitrax PR4 software. You must force the driver through again. W10 newest update does not allow "unsigned" drivers to work unless you disable "forced driver signature" again, like before. Follow Digitrax PR4 Windows 10 Install instruction sheet, to the letter, and it will work. https://www.digitrax.com/media/apps/software/download/26/PR3-Install-Win10_1.pdf
There is a special mode you have to start Windows 10 to disable driver enforcement protection. By Default Windows 10 will not allow you to install unsigned drivers (microsoft wants the $$$$ to sign the drivers which many small companies don't have). It's still possible to install unsigned drivers but you have to temporarily disable driver enforcement. It's a one time process. The Digitrax instructions explain how to do this. Once its installed, you shouldn't have to redo it again unless Microsoft does another major update that wipes out driver file like this last major did.
It sounds like I'm bashing on Microsoft but I am and always be a Windows guy.
Colorado Front Range Railroad: http://www.coloradofrontrangerr.com/
Renegade - I get it. I don't "hate" per se Microsoft.
Just some of their policies are disliked. (Like big $$$$ for "signed drivers")
But that's why I linked the instructions at Digitrax site that walk through how to do it.
My ESU LokProgrammer has no such issue. But it only does ESU Decoders, and no JMRI... But as all my custom installs are ESU, and the show vendor cut me a sweet deal....