I have been using DecoderPro for a few years now and recently had a problem with my laptop that was running it, so I had to put it on a spare desktop pc. Both computers are running Windows 7. I am using the Digitrax PR3 as the interface to my programming track (an isolated section from my layout using a rotary selector switch). Since I installed DecoderPro and the PR3 software on the desktop, I have been unable to get it to work. I get everything running except for the programmer 'Idle' message at the bottom of the DP screen. I have emailed Digitrax about it and followed all of their suggestions with no luck. I even replaced the USB AB cable to make sure it wasn't defective. I just got my laptop back after a replacement hard drive and reinstalled all the software for DecoderPro and PR3. I get the same results with the laptop. On both machines I am using COM port 3 and the device manager indicates that the port is function OK and both show Digitrax as the driver. I am running the PR3 as a stand alone programmer. I even got the latest driver from Digitrax and downloaded the latest version of DecoderPro. I am not a great 'pc detective' and am out of fixes on this. Does anyone have any suggestions? This is really frustrating since I had it running fine for a few years and now nothing seems to work. I even tried this with a seperate pc of flex track to completely isolate it from the layout main.
-Bob
Life is what happens while you are making other plans!
You mentioned you needed a new hard drive, was this due to a power issue, such as surge, brown-out/black-out, or lightning? If it was, it may also have fried the PR3.... Speaking from experience here.
And, with the PR3 as a stand-alone programmer, you must have a power supply. Is your power supply to the PR3 functional?
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.
ricktrains4824 You mentioned you needed a new hard drive, was this due to a power issue, such as surge, brown-out/black-out, or lightning? If it was, it may also have fried the PR3.... Speaking from experience here. And, with the PR3 as a stand-alone programmer, you must have a power supply. Is your power supply to the PR3 functional?
Hi, Bob
I recently had to do the same thing, with installing a new hard drive, although I use a RR Cirkits LocoBuffer USB interface.
Where I had problems was with the device driver in Win 7; install new hardware; "unknown USB device"
In my case I had to follow steps outlined in RR Cirkits instructions for properly installing the driver. It took several attempts and the Windows acknowledgements conflicted with the USB assignments but the end result was I got it to work.
Read the links toward the bottom of this page and see if there's anything here of use.
http://jmri.sourceforge.net/help/en/html/hardware/loconet/PR3.shtml
In my experience, Digitrax does not want to acknowledge JMRI and their tech folks don't offer any help in that regard.
Good Luck, Ed
Ed,
I read the installation instructions and followed them, making sure Windows didn't install a Microsoft driver, rather I had it install the Digitrax drivers that I had already installed on my pc. Everything went as it should and the Digitrax drivers are listed in the device manager details for COM 3, USB port, and shown as working correctly.
Bob,
Since you reloaded JMRI and the Digitrax PR3 driver, have you changed the JMRI 'Preferences' in the 'Edit' tab to reflect that the driver is on USB port 3? I have 'stung' myself several times by failing to check this. I disconnect my laptop several times to take it on the road. When I get home, I plug the PR3 into the same USB port. Win7 and Win10 both seem to force a new USB port at times. I am not sure if this is a H/W issue, or JMRI issue - I just have to make sure that 'Digitrax' shows up in Device Manager, and I then set the JMRI Preferences to match it.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Jim,
Yes, I did check to see that COM 3 was in the JMRI Preferences and Digitrax is listed as the driver for the PR3. Just won't connect to the programming track? I may go back and uninstall everything and reinstall? Maybe something didn't 'connect' the first time? Don't know what else to do at this point?
jrbernierBob, Was Java reloaded as well. I would make sure your PC has current Java (JMRI has a Web link to get the current Java). Then try it... Jim
Your getting a virus and not a power issue is a good sign, but, when I had my power issue, the LED's still lit up, but, zero power went through to anything else... Double check the power through to your programming track.
Also, have you tried checking the JMRI Yahoo group? While it seems you have "crossed your t's and dotted your i's", they might have another tip or detail we have missed...
Reinstalling drivers does not seem to be useful, as it sounds they are correct already...
After the issue I had, I switched to a locobuffer, so, I am out of ideas, as they have different directions for Windows 7, and now 10.
If decoderpro is starting, it's seeing the PR3. Otherwise it would complain about the port and (maybe) take you to preferences. However - do you have the preferences set up properly, setting the PR3 as programmer and not have it set with a Zephyr or other command station? Also in the main JMRI meou there is an option to set the PR3 mode, which it should do automatically, but you might try forcing it to programmer mode and then opening the roster.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
rrinker If decoderpro is starting, it's seeing the PR3. Otherwise it would complain about the port and (maybe) take you to preferences. However - do you have the preferences set up properly, setting the PR3 as programmer and not have it set with a Zephyr or other command station? Also in the main JMRI meou there is an option to set the PR3 mode, which it should do automatically, but you might try forcing it to programmer mode and then opening the roster. --Randy
Randy,
I have the PR3 set as a stand alone programmer and Decoder Pro starts and brings up the Roster and I can select a loco and start the programming window, but at the bottom of the screen the text line reads 'Programmer Idle'. Everything seems to be OK except it isn't allowing the programmer to 'connect' to the track. If I try to make a change with Decoder Pro or read the sheet, I get the error message 306 or 308?(don't remember which one right now?)
The section of track I am using is part of my staging tracks (3) and each is wired through a pair of 2 pole rotary switches; one selects the track and the other selects the input source; DC, DCC, Programming and OFF. I have tested each track and they all function as designed from each input source with the exception of the programming. To eleminate a problem here, I tried another piece of track completely isolated from the layout/staging tracks and got the same results.
farrellaaIf I try to make a change with Decoder Pro or read the sheet, I get the error message 306 or 308?(don't remember which one right now?) -Bob
Which error message you get is important, because it tells you what isn't working and therefore where to look for the source of the problem.
A 306 means JMRI didn't hear back from the command station (PR3 in your case), so the issue would be somewhere between the computer and the PR3.
On the other hand, a 308 means the command station (PR3) didn't get an acknowledgement back from the decoder after a CV read or write operation.
Since the 308 comes from the command station reporting a "no ack" from the decoder, getting it would imply that the communication is good between the computer and the CS, and that the error lies between the CS's (or PR3's) programming outputs and the decoder. Could be dirty track/wheels, bad connection, blown programming outputs (shared programming track is almost always a Bad Idea), etc.
If you're getting a 306, have you actually validated that your COM port assignment is correct (plugging/unplugging the PR3 while watching which COM port appears and disappears), and confirmed that all your other JMRI settings are correct to use the PR3 as a stand-alone programmer?
If you're getting a 308, have you cleaned track/wheels, checked connections, tried a different loco (preferably non-sound), confirmed that the power supply is putting out the correct DC voltage, etc?