Serial Bus Access Error 011 when trying to program radio

[slatecom]

Hey all,

Hope someone will be able to help me with this problem I've been having trying to program an HT600 and an MT1000 radio. I am using an aftermarket programming cable (one of those with the RIB built in that takes a 9v battery). I know I should probably be using a separate RIB and cable, but it's what I had purchased at the time since it was the cheapest option. I'm running the Motorola RSS software on a switch selectable 100/66 Pentium 100mhz at 66mhz with all cache off. The com ports are set up correctly in the BIOS and the software appears to work fine, but when bringing up the settings page and running the com test, I receive a "Com Port Test Failed" message and when trying to read the radio, I receive a "serial bus access error 011" message. I've even held down the enter key and it just constantly brings up the same error so it isn't one of those intermittent problems. I don't think the problem is with my software or the radios as I've tried different versions and the software for both the radios experiences the same problem.

Believe me, I've done a lot of research on this and I can't seem to fix the issue! I tried using a different computer, new batteries on the cable, running the radio in the charging cradle, cleaning the contacts with a pencil eraser, holding down the connector on the cable and moving it around, all to no avail.

If anyone has any other steps I can take in trying to fix this problem I'd greatly appreciate it! I'd really like to avoid having to purchase another cable.

Thank you!

[Will]

The computer MUST have REAL DOS, the RSS does not work in Windows, even in command prompt. You did not mention your computers OS.
This is an older portable radio series and you may have an older RSS Version. Check the Pentium Comparability page here.

The radio should beep when doing the Comm Test or reading the codeplug.
Make sure the contacts on the radios are clean they tend to tarnish when the cover is left off the connector.. a soft pencil eraser works well you do not want to scratch the contacts.

[slatecom]

The computer MUST have REAL DOS, the RSS does not work in Windows, even in command prompt. You did not mention your computers OS.
This is an older portable radio series and you may have an older RSS Version. Check the Pentium Comparability page here.

The radio should beep when doing the Comm Test or reading the codeplug.
Make sure the contacts on the radios are clean they tend to tarnish when the cover is left off the connector.. a soft pencil eraser works well you do not want to scratch the contacts.

Oh yes, I forgot to mention, both test computers were running MSDOS (6.22?) from the boot disk created by Windows XP. I believe I also tried PC-DOS but I'm not sure as that was a couple months back. The radios did not beep when attempting to read and I did try cleaning the contacts with the eraser but nothing seemed to help.

I also tried a Pentium compatible version but it did not help, still came up with the same error. The computer was running with the cache off so it should have slowed it down considerably.

Is it likely that my cable is simply broken? Is there any way of fixing it without breaking the connector? I can upload pictures if necessary.

[MTS2000des]

those knock off RIBless cables for older radios are funny like that. Some serial ports don't supply the correct data on the correct pins, and thus, you get what you are getting. Trust me a real RIB or good clone (sandy ganz style) and RIB to radio cable will save you alot of time and aggravation with these radios.

I had the same issue with one of those POS cables. Would not work with an IBM PS/2 model 55sx desktop, running pure DOS 6.22 with no drivers. Worked fine with an OEM RIB/cable. Ironically for giggles, I tried that ribless cable on a Toshiba Tecra M5 dual core CPU booting to DOS from a CD. And it worked fine.

The only difference was the type of serial port controller. The old IBM had a different UART chip that didn't play well with the particular ribless cable design.

[slatecom]

I knew I should have just bought/made the RIB and cable in the first place! I just purchased another one of those "built-in" cables for an HT1000 when I could have just had a single RIB for the whole deal and different cables. Won't make that mistake again, that's for sure.

I know I'm probably taking a risk but I'll try and read the radio on a newer Compaq D510 computer on a Pentium compatible version with the cache off to see if it works. I won't bother writing until I can find a suitable older computer that can read it.

What would you say about cutting the cable I have, buying a DB9 connector and making my own RIB? Is the RIB part of my "RIBless" cable inside the DB9 connector or up in the radio connector?

That should solve my problems and most importantly, work!

[slatecom]

Alright, so I tried the cable I have on my Compaq D510. I tried every single serial port mode available and all gave some progress but came up with Serial Port Error 003 which seems to be a common problem.

I'm ready to just cut the cable and build a RIB if there is no other way of fixing it.

Thanks again all!

[HLA]

I still run that program on an old 386, never got it to run righton anything over a 486

[slatecom]

Thanks for all of your responses!

I'm going to try some more computers and I will try to get ahold of the manufacturer - seems to have been made by "Maxton"...I guess we'll see how that goes.

[Jim202]

Just for grins and giggles, you might try running the small dos program "CACHEOFF.COM" before you start up the Motorola software. Have seen a number of computers just go bonkers with the serial port and caching. You can do a search on the Internet to find it and download it. I have put the file in the same directory as the radio software I need to run so it is easy to locate it.

Jim

[slatecom]

Just for grins and giggles, you might try running the small dos program "CACHEOFF.COM" before you start up the Motorola software. Have seen a number of computers just go bonkers with the serial port and caching. You can do a search on the Internet to find it and download it. I have put the file in the same directory as the radio software I need to run so it is easy to locate it.

Jim

I'm going to give it a go and see if it helps. I've turned off the cache in the BIOS but who knows.

I will try acquiring a 386 computer - I don't know for sure but maybe the serial ports on those would be more reliable than the ones on the newer computers such as Pentiums.

I think the best thing I can do for now is contact the manufacturer - which I will do tomorrow and see what they say about the problem.

[HLA]

you have to remember that there was no such thing as a pentium when that rss was written so it's usually best to use a machine from the same time

[slatecom]

you have to remember that there was no such thing as a pentium when that rss was written so it's usually best to use a machine from the same time

I've been able to source a 386SX computer which should run at around 10Mhz in non-turbo mode which will arrive on Friday, hopefully it works!

[wavetar]

I suspect your cable is just plain 'bad'. As long as you're running the latest RSS version for the MT1000, your computer speed shouldn't be the deciding factor. I will say the latest HT600 RSS is more flaky...it works on some Pentiums, but not others. You're wasting your time trying to use anything other than the latest RSS versions...older ones will require the 386/486 computers.

[slatecom]

I suspect your cable is just plain 'bad'.

That's what I've been thinking too, but I figured that they probably wouldn't be selling so many of these if they didn't work on at least some software/hardware combination.

I will update once I receive the 386, I have a feeling it just might work!

[Will]

Thanks for all of your responses!

I'm going to try some more computers and I will try to get ahold of the manufacturer - seems to have been made by "Maxton"...I guess we'll see how that goes.

The Maxtron RIB is a good start but has the same problems on some computers that the Motorola RIB does.... not fully compatible with RS232. One advantage, the Maxtron RIB does not need a special cable from the box to the computer.

I do have PDF roadmaps of the Maxtron RIB both stock and modified available.

[slatecom]

Alright, so I got my system. Believe it or not, IT WORKS!

Once again I'd like to thank you all for your assistance in solving this problem.