A older laptop with a Pentium Chip that is 500 meg or faster with a USB Port and windows XP will be just fine for the Decoder Pro. I have JMRI with a RR Cirkits Locobuffer adapter on my computer. There was attention paid to setting up the com port and the rate of baud. Once everything was settled it was possible to program the QSI engines, run them from the computer via mouse at the throttle panel and knock down the CV's quickly.
My favorite feature is the retaining of each engine's sheet. That way after a reset, one could simply re-dump the settings back onto the engine painlessly.
Without a laptop, you are tied to home. Should you travel you need a laptop, a cheap one that will do the work with USB. That way, if your engine misbehaves or otherwise get a little "mental" you can work on it right there wherever that may be.
Dave,
I believe there is a list on JMRI's website. I purchase mine based on the recommendation from this website, http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?7826. The cable from www.geeks.com, was only $7, but shipping was $11. One other critical item I have noticed, the cable must be tightly plugged into the NCE. If not, error messages are present.
Jeff
Jeff,
Happy to see you got it working. Where can I find the recommended list for serial cables?
Dave
Dave and all,
I replaced the serial cable with one from the recommended list and it now works. I did also delete and download a new version of Decoder Pro at the same time. I'm not sure which was the issue, but I suspect it was the cable.
I have been using Decoder Pro for about two years with a Digitrax MS-100 and my old Pentiun III (550 MZ) and Windows 98 SE. It has worked fine but my wife gave me my first sound locomotive last year for Christmas.
I plan to upgrade part of my locomotive fleet with some sound decoders. So I need to upgrade the computer. I just purchased my wife a new lap top computer for Christmas. I told her that I would take her old laptop (Windows XP) to the basement train room. I also ordered a Digitrax PR3.
Decoder Pro continues to improve.
Jim, Modeling the Kansas City Southern Lines in HO scale.
If I come up with a solution I will certainly let you know.
DS,
I too have the same exact problem you describe. I have changed the port and baud rate as listed in hardware manager, but still not solid connection. I pushed forward like you and I also receive the 'stopping due to error, timeout talking to the command station.' I am going to try one the recommended cables from the website to see if this makes a differance. I'll let you know my progress. If you find the lucky combination, let me know.
I am using a Keyspan adaptor (recommended by Decoder Pro). I have checked the connecting serial cable and it is a straight through cable. I verified that the baud rate in windows is correct. Still no luck.
I did notice that when I start up Decoder Pro, despite the initial "Error NCE Using ....." error,if I forge ahead and hit the 'Programming Track Programer' button thenthe 'Read Type from Decoder' button, a loco on the program track willjerk and the NCE command station track light will blink rapidly as ifreading the decoder but then eventually I will get the message "stoppingdue to error, timeout talking to command station". It is as if thecommand station is recieving commands from Decoder Pro but Decoder Prois not receiving anything from the command station.
dsmiller I am using a USB to serial connection (not the NCE USB card). I have made sure the port designation is correct. I am beginning to suspect that the problem is with the command station (maybe the 2007 EPROM upgrade?) although I have no problems running or programing with the handheld cab.
I am using a USB to serial connection (not the NCE USB card). I have made sure the port designation is correct. I am beginning to suspect that the problem is with the command station (maybe the 2007 EPROM upgrade?) although I have no problems running or programing with the handheld cab.
Could be, but I'd think by this time if there is a difference for the 2007 EPROM it would be in at least the test version - I have the latest test version and the only NCE options are 2004 and 2006. Do you have the correct baud rate selected? Oh yeah - that's probably it. Go into Device Manager and select the port used by the USB to serial adapter and make sure the communications settings there match the requirements of the NCE command station. It doesn't matter that you already have the correct settings in the JMRI preferences, the Java they use to set serial parameters doesn't change them for Windows, at least not on XP and I doubt Vista either. In fact somewhere on the JMRI site is a FAQ I wrote about this. I had the same problem with my home built serial interface Locobuffer for my Digitrax system - JMRI was set to the proper speed but it wasn't actually using that speed - it was using what Windows set it to. Once I fixed the Windows settings it worked fine.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
dsmillerI am using a USB to serial connection (not the NCE USB card). I have made sure the port designation is correct. I am beginning to suspect that the problem is with the command station (maybe the 2007 EPROM upgrade?) although I have no problems running or programing with the handheld cab.
What specific make/model of USB to serial adapter are you using? There are some that do not supply all the RS232 control leads. I don't know which ones do or don't, but if you let us know what you are using someone may be able to provide more info.
Also, I remember that at least one make/model of USB to serial adapter won't completely plug into the NCE command station because of (if I recall) interference of the screws/nuts. Make sure that isn't the case, and that all the connections are secure.
Finally, if you're using an adapter or cable between the USB to serial adapter and the command station, be sure it's "straight through" and not a crossover or "null modem" adapter/cable.
HTH,
Steve
What interface are you using? The NCE USB one, or are you using a USB to serial cable? If the latter, go into Device Manager and look at just exactly which serial port your computer assigned the USB to serial adapter. It will likely be some oddball port liek COM5. This is what you need to put in JMRI for the port when selecting the NCE command station where it asks for the connection.
Just bought a new laptop (Dell with Vista) and was looking forward to using DecoderPro but cannot get it to work with my NCE PowerPro system. The program times out waiting for a response from the NCE command station. I have posted this problem on the Decoder Pro users group site but still no solution. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
jellybeanWell I went with Steves suggestion and ordered and received the PR3. I'm going to wait until Saturday to do the install. Thanks again Steve!!!! Jellybean
Well I went with Steves suggestion and ordered and received the PR3. I'm going to wait until Saturday to do the install.
Thanks again Steve!!!!
Jellybean
I'm glad you liked the recommendation, and I hope you end up liking the PR3 as much as I do. It's a pretty neat little gadget. A couple things to keep in mind:
Absobloodylutely the best thing you can ever learn to use for your locos.
He's getting a PR3 - it needs a power supply to function as a standalone programmer. It does NOT need a power supply to be simply a loconet to USB interface.
Irv,
What PS are your ordering and for what? The current 'Locobuffer USB' does not need a power supply. The older 'Locobuffer II' has a serial interface and comes with a 'wall wart' power supply. I put a 'serial to USB' converter cable on it and gave mine to the club(with my 'old' train computer). My new train computer has the "Locobuffer USB' unit. USB to the computer and Loconet cable to my Digitrax system.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Hi Irv:
I think I would be looking for an older PC that is running Windows XP. I don't know about your area but I think I could most likely find one for FREE up here where I am.. That way you would have a designated computer for your railway..
Just my thoughts on the subject.
Harvey:
Harris Creek Central http://www.freewebs.com/harriscreekcentral/
Of course I ordered a power supply for it.
Irv
rrinker Other than programming the sounds into the QSI decoders, the SPROG is probably your best bet because it also functions as a low-power comamnd station - meaning you can program the settings into your decoder and then test them right there, no back and forth between the layout and program track. The various programmers from the sound decoder manufacturers can program standard CVs on all decoders, but can only load sounds for their brand - so if you have QSI, Loksound, and Digitrax soudn decoders and want to change the sounds, and not just program stuff like lights, consisting, and momentum, you'd need each of their programmers. --Randy
Other than programming the sounds into the QSI decoders, the SPROG is probably your best bet because it also functions as a low-power comamnd station - meaning you can program the settings into your decoder and then test them right there, no back and forth between the layout and program track. The various programmers from the sound decoder manufacturers can program standard CVs on all decoders, but can only load sounds for their brand - so if you have QSI, Loksound, and Digitrax soudn decoders and want to change the sounds, and not just program stuff like lights, consisting, and momentum, you'd need each of their programmers.
The Digitrax PR3 is also an option. It is supported by JMRI, it can program any decoder's CV's, and when used as a CV programmer it operates stand-alone (that is, it doesn't need a Digitrax or any other command station). For this type of use, you would configure it in JMRI as a stand-alone programmer and simply ignore the fact it can be configured differently to talk to a LocoNet.
Also, from what I understand, it puts enough current that sound decoders aren't a problem for it. Mine works fine programming CV's on QSI decoders, but unfortunately I don't have any Locsound or Soundtraxx decoders to try it with.
Hi everyone! I have been reading everyones comments on the decoder pro and would like to know if anything can be done for us MRC Prodigy users? I've read that, and if I understand it correctly, we can purchase a Sprog or QSI programer to do the programing and then just put the engines on the track and "run" our trains. Mostly I would just like to be able to run a consist without all the hassle of trying to get the engines to run in sync. I have a spare computer, Windows XP that has been collecting dust for about 6 months now that I would like to use for the trains. I started with the original Prodigy, then the Advanced and now I have the Wireless. I have NO complaints with it. My layout is 40' X 14'.
Thank you to all that answer.
Well, if you have any turnouts controlled with stationary decoders, you can create a control panel to operate them in JMRI. That's the "Panel pro" portion of the program. You cna make it simple or go all the way and make it look like a real CTC panel, complete with the levers and lights. If you look on the RR-CirKits web site, there are several PDF and Powerpoint files with clinics from past NMRA conventions that more or less walk you through the process.
Select the "TOOLS" tab and a drop down menu appears. Select "Throttles" and then "New Throttle". A throttle will appear. The function buttons are on the right side. Click on the button to the left of F0. The upper functions 16 - 28 will appear. Use that button on the lower left to toggle back and forth on the function keys.
BTW, you can open more throttles the same way as the first one.
Martin Myers
river_eagle Don't forget when using a usb interface that FREE 28 Function throttle that's included in the software. the best zephyr upgade ever created.
Don't forget when using a usb interface that FREE 28 Function throttle that's included in the software. the best zephyr upgade ever created.
Thanks River Eagle. Could you (or anyone) expand on this a bit. I have been using D.Pro for couple of months now, just to speed match locos. I know the JMRI products can do much more. Whereabouts in the programme do I go to make my Zephyr the best ever with this virtual throttle (I think that's what it is, no?)
And what other feature is the best thing to use after the D.Pro for programming and the throttle?
Thanks for the information guys. I guess all I have to do is order the Loco Buffer ll and download Decoder Pro and I will be in business. It sure will make it easier to program decoders and keep track of all the cv settings that DCC requires.
Thanks again! Jim
chessiecat After following this post with great interest I have some questions. 1-Will Decoder Pro work on the Vista software and if so which version of DecoderPro should I download? 2- I have the Digitrax Zepher DCC system and a PowerPax hooked up to my programing track now am I to understand that I can hook the Loco Buffer ll between my computer and the Zepher ? 3- Will I need any other cables or adapters to be able to program decoders? What I plan on doing is using DecoderPro on my laptop and just taking it to the layout and hooking up to my Zepher and using it and the PowerPax to program on the program track. All advice will be appreciated! Thanks Jim
After following this post with great interest I have some questions. 1-Will Decoder Pro work on the Vista software and if so which version of DecoderPro should I download? 2- I have the Digitrax Zepher DCC system and a PowerPax hooked up to my programing track now am I to understand that I can hook the Loco Buffer ll between my computer and the Zepher ? 3- Will I need any other cables or adapters to be able to program decoders?
What I plan on doing is using DecoderPro on my laptop and just taking it to the layout and hooking up to my Zepher and using it and the PowerPax to program on the program track. All advice will be appreciated! Thanks Jim
1- I am using the latest version of Decoder Pro on a Vista PC.
2- The Loco Buffer goes from your computer and plug into Loconet. The PowerPax goes between the Zephyr programming track outputs and the programming track.
3- No.
Jack W.
chessiecat 1-Will Decoder Pro work on the Vista software and if so which version of DecoderPro should I download?
1-Will Decoder Pro work on the Vista software and if so which version of DecoderPro should I download?
DecoderPro is a Java Based program. As long as you have Java (which can be install on almost all operating systems) it will work. I currently have version 2.2 of JMRI which i believe (someone correct me if I'm wrong) is the most current (non-beta) version. As mentioned before you will need to have Java installed on your computer.
chessiecat 2- I have the Digitrax Zepher DCC system and a PowerPax hooked up to my programing track now am I to understand that I can hook the Loco Buffer ll between my computer and the Zepher ? 3- Will I need any other cables or adapters to be able to program decoders?
2- I have the Digitrax Zepher DCC system and a PowerPax hooked up to my programing track now am I to understand that I can hook the Loco Buffer ll between my computer and the Zepher ? 3- Will I need any other cables or adapters to be able to program decoders?
The loco buffer USB hooks up to a usb port and the other end connects to the loconet jack on the Zephyr. The cables that come with the Locobuffer should suffice.
Colorado Front Range Railroad: http://www.coloradofrontrangerr.com/