Well, there isn’t much else AI can do to get that desktop serial port to work. Th only time we’ve seen communications problems like this is when using some brands of USB to serial port. Could there be other software on your computer that is interfering(since it works fine on the laptop)?
It must be. I’ve tried in safe mode with nothing else running and still no go.
There must be something screwy with my serial port.
Ok I have spent over 6 hours collectively trying to get my serial port to work. Which is stupid to have to spend that much time on something so simple. It works with modems, other devices and the ssc-32. But it won’t let the Atop Pro IDE finish loading. I’ve tried every setting in the world and nothing.
I think it’s retarded I have to go buy a USB to Serial adapter just to try and get this to work. I don’t know what else to try. I can’t find any more information on the basic micro forums and I’ve tried everything suggested there. I don’t understand how my serial port can work for everything else except the Atom pro IDE.
I’m going to pick up an IOGear adapter and try through my USB Port. If that doesn’t work, I’m going to have to either, take the hex to our shop every time I want to program it or bring my laptop home everytime I want to work on the hex. I just can’t keep trying to get this to work since I’m at the point of really wanting to just throw both the computer and the Atom pro at the wall.
I contacted Gateway as well to ask their tech support if my serial port is actually a USB port, converted on the motherboard to act as a serial port. They said no. It’s the same standard serial port found on any desktop that has one.
To keep things in perspective, the serial port is a driver to the outside world. It’s subject to static discharges, and that sort of thing. Just because it works on some applications and not others is purly an indication that it’s on the edge of working. There are litterally thousands of Atoms out there. There is not a deluge of I can’t program my atom posts, so unfortunately it’s a unique PC problem that you are dealing with. The timing on the Atom programming is much more demanding than casual serial coms. I wish I could press a magic button to fix this for you. but no such button exists. Well there is that Easy Button, but it just makes my credit card statement larger. lol Seriously though you may consider purchasing a drop in serial card. They are inexpensive and would probably fix your problem. Disclaimer, there is no guarantee it will fix your problem. I’m really sorry you are having trouble. 
I really can’t expect anyone to magically have the answer either.
I’m going to try a serial card as well as a usb to serial adapter. I’ll post what happens. I’m going to pick them up now.
Tried a serial port PCI card, exact same result. Also tried an IOGear USB to serial adapter. Same thing.
Which would lead me to believe it is something software related interfering with the IDE.
I have tried with spyware and antivirus disabled. What other software could possibly be related to the serial port?
Do you have any PDA software installed? I’ve seen problems with Palm syncing software in the past. Basically anything that may be watching the serial port could interfere.
None. i just tried ending every process one at a time and trying the IDE in between each until I only had vital processes running. No change.
I used PortMonitor to watch the port activity and nothing else seems to be using the port.
Here is the readout when I find the Atom with the IDE:
0 0.00005138 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_CREATE Serial0 SUCCESS Options: Open
1 0.00000180 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_GET_BAUD_RATE Serial0 SUCCESS
2 0.00000121 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_GET_LINE_CONTROL Serial0 SUCCESS
3 0.00000114 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_GET_CHARS Serial0 SUCCESS
4 0.00000103 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_GET_HANDFLOW Serial0 SUCCESS
5 0.00000094 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_GET_BAUD_RATE Serial0 SUCCESS
6 0.00000099 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_GET_LINE_CONTROL Serial0 SUCCESS
7 0.00000091 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_GET_CHARS Serial0 SUCCESS
8 0.00000093 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_GET_HANDFLOW Serial0 SUCCESS
9 0.00000831 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_SET_BAUD_RATE Serial0 SUCCESS Rate: 115200
10 0.00000396 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_SET_RTS Serial0 SUCCESS
11 0.00000397 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_SET_DTR Serial0 SUCCESS
12 0.00000261 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_SET_LINE_CONTROL Serial0 SUCCESS StopBits: 1 Parity: NONE WordLength: 8
13 0.00000118 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_SET_CHAR Serial0 SUCCESS EOF:0 ERR:0 BRK:0 EVT:0 XON:11 XOFF:13
14 0.00000281 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_SET_HANDFLOW Serial0 SUCCESS Shake:1 Replace:40 XonLimit:2048 XoffLimit:512
15 0.00000093 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_SET_TIMEOUTS Serial0 SUCCESS RI:-1 RM:-1 RC:500 WM:0 WC:0
16 0.00000426 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_SET_RTS Serial0 SUCCESS
17 0.00000393 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_SET_DTR Serial0 SUCCESS
18 0.00000423 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_CLR_DTR Serial0 SUCCESS
19 0.00000425 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_PURGE Serial0 SUCCESS Purge: RXCLEAR
20 0.00001938 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_WRITE Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
21 0.00000255 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_PURGE Serial0 SUCCESS Purge: RXCLEAR
22 0.00001741 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_WRITE Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: U
23 0.00002606 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
24 0.00000546 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 6: UAtom2
25 0.00000258 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 2: 8
26 0.00000693 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_SET_DTR Serial0 SUCCESS
27 0.00000418 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_CLR_DTR Serial0 SUCCESS
28 0.00000438 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_CLR_RTS Serial0 SUCCESS
29 0.00000276 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_CLEANUP Serial0 SUCCESS
30 0.01559522 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_CLOSE Serial0 SUCCESS
And here is what happens when I try to program it. This time it got to about 15%. It does this for about 19,000 steps:
31 0.00005125 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_CREATE Serial0 SUCCESS Options: Open
32 0.00000159 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_GET_BAUD_RATE Serial0 SUCCESS
33 0.00000106 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_GET_LINE_CONTROL Serial0 SUCCESS
34 0.00000094 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_GET_CHARS Serial0 SUCCESS
35 0.00000094 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_GET_HANDFLOW Serial0 SUCCESS
36 0.00000091 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_GET_BAUD_RATE Serial0 SUCCESS
37 0.00000092 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_GET_LINE_CONTROL Serial0 SUCCESS
38 0.00000087 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_GET_CHARS Serial0 SUCCESS
39 0.00000085 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_GET_HANDFLOW Serial0 SUCCESS
40 0.00000827 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_SET_BAUD_RATE Serial0 SUCCESS Rate: 115200
41 0.00000397 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_SET_RTS Serial0 SUCCESS
42 0.00000404 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_SET_DTR Serial0 SUCCESS
43 0.00000258 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_SET_LINE_CONTROL Serial0 SUCCESS StopBits: 1 Parity: NONE WordLength: 8
44 0.00000112 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_SET_CHAR Serial0 SUCCESS EOF:0 ERR:0 BRK:0 EVT:0 XON:11 XOFF:13
45 0.00000268 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_SET_HANDFLOW Serial0 SUCCESS Shake:1 Replace:40 XonLimit:2048 XoffLimit:512
46 0.00000091 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_SET_TIMEOUTS Serial0 SUCCESS RI:-1 RM:-1 RC:500 WM:0 WC:0
47 0.00000407 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_SET_RTS Serial0 SUCCESS
48 0.00000390 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_SET_DTR Serial0 SUCCESS
49 0.00000668 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_CLR_DTR Serial0 SUCCESS
50 0.00000294 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_PURGE Serial0 SUCCESS Purge: RXCLEAR
51 0.00002082 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_WRITE Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
52 0.00000233 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_PURGE Serial0 SUCCESS Purge: RXCLEAR
53 0.00001863 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_WRITE Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: U
54 0.00003013 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
55 0.00000624 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 4: UAt.
56 0.49997364 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 TIMEOUT Length 0:
57 0.49996612 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 TIMEOUT Length 0:
58 0.00000442 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_PURGE Serial0 SUCCESS Purge: RXCLEAR
59 0.00000127 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_PURGE Serial0 SUCCESS Purge: TXCLEAR
60 0.00000151 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_GET_COMMSTATUS Serial0 SUCCESS
61 0.00000407 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_SET_DTR Serial0 SUCCESS
62 0.00000630 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_CLR_DTR Serial0 SUCCESS
63 0.00000326 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_PURGE Serial0 SUCCESS Purge: RXCLEAR
64 0.00001912 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_WRITE Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
65 0.00008729 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
66 0.00000243 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_PURGE Serial0 SUCCESS Purge: RXCLEAR
67 0.00001843 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_WRITE Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: U
68 0.00008820 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: U
69 0.00007075 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: A
70 0.00000616 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 6: tom28
71 0.00000633 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
72 0.00000246 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_PURGE Serial0 SUCCESS Purge: RXCLEAR
73 0.00002075 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_WRITE Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
74 0.00007152 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
75 0.00006752 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
76 0.00007212 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: U
77 0.00000238 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_PURGE Serial0 SUCCESS Purge: RXCLEAR
78 0.00001852 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_WRITE Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
79 0.00008783 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
80 0.00000453 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: U
81 0.00000197 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_PURGE Serial0 SUCCESS Purge: RXCLEAR
82 0.00001847 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_WRITE Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
83 0.00008490 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
84 0.00006845 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: U
85 0.00000238 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_PURGE Serial0 SUCCESS Purge: RXCLEAR
86 0.00001742 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_WRITE Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: \
87 0.00008378 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: \
88 0.00007081 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: U
89 0.00000215 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_PURGE Serial0 SUCCESS Purge: RXCLEAR
90 0.00001859 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_WRITE Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
91 0.00008428 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
92 0.00006893 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: U
93 0.00000214 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_PURGE Serial0 SUCCESS Purge: RXCLEAR
94 0.00001878 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_WRITE Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
95 0.00008569 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
96 0.00006870 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: U
97 0.00000217 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_PURGE Serial0 SUCCESS Purge: RXCLEAR
98 0.00001824 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_WRITE Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: D
99 0.00008463 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: D
100 0.00006867 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: U
101 0.00000213 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_PURGE Serial0 SUCCESS Purge: RXCLEAR
102 0.00001884 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_WRITE Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: \
103 0.00008591 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: \
104 0.00006887 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: U
105 0.00000216 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_PURGE Serial0 SUCCESS Purge: RXCLEAR
106 0.00001853 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_WRITE Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
107 0.00008460 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
108 0.00006810 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: U
109 0.00000215 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_PURGE Serial0 SUCCESS Purge: RXCLEAR
110 0.00001668 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_WRITE Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
111 0.00008873 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
112 0.00006891 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: U
113 0.00000213 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_PURGE Serial0 SUCCESS Purge: RXCLEAR
114 0.00001870 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_WRITE Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
115 0.00008463 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
116 0.00007006 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: U
117 0.00000215 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_PURGE Serial0 SUCCESS Purge: RXCLEAR
118 0.00001667 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_WRITE Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
119 0.00008661 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
120 0.00006879 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: U
121 0.00000218 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_PURGE Serial0 SUCCESS Purge: RXCLEAR
122 0.00001858 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_WRITE Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
123 0.00008666 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
124 0.00006805 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: U
125 0.00000212 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_PURGE Serial0 SUCCESS Purge: RXCLEAR
126 0.00001661 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_WRITE Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: X
127 0.00008681 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: X
128 0.00007124 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: U
Then a bunch of these:
7757 0.00000197 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_PURGE Serial0 SUCCESS Purge: RXCLEAR
7758 0.00001761 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_WRITE Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7759 0.00008579 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7760 0.00006945 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7761 0.00007244 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7762 0.00000389 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7763 0.00001079 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: \
7764 0.00000256 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7765 0.00000250 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7766 0.00000238 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: D
7767 0.00000240 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: \
7768 0.00000237 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7769 0.00000239 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7770 0.00000982 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7771 0.00000245 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7772 0.00000239 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7773 0.00006003 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: X
7774 0.00006822 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: p
7775 0.00007197 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7776 0.00007176 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7777 0.00007237 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7778 0.00007225 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: R
7779 0.00007261 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: X
7780 0.00007225 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: p
7781 0.00007200 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7782 0.00007001 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: r
7783 0.00007225 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7784 0.00007262 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: <
7785 0.00007354 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: X
7786 0.00007142 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: p
7787 0.00007160 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7788 0.00007288 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7789 0.00007202 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: @
7790 0.00007235 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7791 0.00006979 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7792 0.00007200 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: U
7793 0.00007212 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: \
7794 0.00007267 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7795 0.00007226 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7796 0.00007267 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: &
7797 0.00007257 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: z
7798 0.00007168 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7799 0.00007270 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7800 0.00006989 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7801 0.00007244 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7802 0.00007268 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7803 0.00007179 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: z
7804 0.00007179 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7805 0.00007366 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7806 0.00007037 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7807 0.00007186 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7808 0.00007053 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7809 0.00007297 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7810 0.00007218 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7811 0.00007224 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: \
7812 0.00007392 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7813 0.00007118 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7814 0.00007267 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: \
7815 0.00007292 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7816 0.00007167 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: U
7817 0.00007050 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: \
7818 0.00007173 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7819 0.00007282 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7820 0.00007274 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7821 0.00007206 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: z
7822 0.00007261 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7823 0.00007270 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7824 0.00007230 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7825 0.00007073 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7826 0.00007477 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7827 0.00006959 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: z
7828 0.00007243 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7829 0.00007223 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7830 0.00007231 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7831 0.00007406 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7832 0.00007174 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7833 0.00007171 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7834 0.00007283 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7835 0.00007204 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: \
7836 0.00007015 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7837 0.00007319 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7838 0.00007206 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: D
7839 0.00007203 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7840 0.00007275 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: U
7841 0.00007244 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: \
7842 0.00007241 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7843 0.00007252 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7844 0.00006989 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7845 0.00007295 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: z
7846 0.00007245 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7847 0.00007249 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7848 0.00007293 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7849 0.00007193 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7850 0.00007353 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
7851 0.00007165 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: z
7852 0.00007255 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
And then a bunch more of the previous entries and then these are the last few up to where it stops:
23723 0.00001807 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_WRITE Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: Y
23724 0.00007386 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: Y
23725 0.00007289 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: U
23726 0.00000217 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_PURGE Serial0 SUCCESS Purge: RXCLEAR
23727 0.00001636 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_WRITE Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
23728 0.00009027 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: .
23729 0.00007009 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: U
23730 0.00000234 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_PURGE Serial0 SUCCESS Purge: RXCLEAR
23731 0.00001750 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_WRITE Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: ]
23732 0.00007631 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: ]
23733 0.00007232 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: U
23734 0.00000222 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_PURGE Serial0 SUCCESS Purge: RXCLEAR
23735 0.00001677 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_WRITE Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: G
23736 0.00000313 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: U
23737 0.49169966 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 TIMEOUT Length 0:
23738 0.00000691 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_SET_DTR Serial0 SUCCESS
23739 0.00000456 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_CLR_DTR Serial0 SUCCESS
23740 0.00000639 AtomPro.exe IOCTL_SERIAL_CLR_RTS Serial0 SUCCESS
23741 0.00000269 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_CLEANUP Serial0 SUCCESS
23742 0.01557175 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_CLOSE Serial0 SUCCESS
I don’t know if this helps any of you or not. Do you see it doing anything funny at the end? It seems to just stop and give up.
The failure is shown in these lines
23735 0.00001677 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_WRITE Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: G
23736 0.00000313 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 SUCCESS Length 1: U
23737 0.49169966 AtomPro.exe IRP_MJ_READ Serial0 TIMEOUT Length 0:
Every write is echoed back via a hardware loop back in the modules. Also every time a character is received by the module(while in boot mode) an ACK character is sent back(0x55). You can see this until the above lines. The write is sent but there is no echo before the ACK character. The only way this could happen is if your computers comport(or the software that handles the comport) lost the character since that character is echoed back by hardware. Have you tried changing your FIFO buffers to see if that changes how this acks?
The Fifo buffer is disabled by default. I’ve tried like that as well as with it on and every buffer setting between min and max.
So it’s definitely my computer then right? Something software or hardware related?
That is a leap. It is also possible the character was not sent or something timed out on either end. 
Great… 
Sorry Ev, just didn’t want you to go off and buy a new PC thinking it was all your hardware’s fault. 
All you know is something didn’t make it from one end to the other and the program on the PC timed out and logged that. Still, that’s better than not knowing anything since it is something to work from.
I just don’t know where to go next. So we know this:
Serial is on motherboard
Works with SSC-32 and SEQ, powerpod and RIOS.
Completes download to random amounts (10%, 85%, etc.)
Recognizes the atom
For some reason, pc and Atom lose communication at seemingly random stages of programming. But never complete.
Same result with all IDE versions
Works on laptop serial port fine.
USB to serial adapter and PCI Serial Card have the exact same results.
FIFO buffer changes nothing
Port settings change nothing
No Bios settings available (only enable/disable serial port)
Tried 2001 and 2006 drivers for serial port.
Running Windows XP Media Center Edition.
The only thing I can think of that might make my computer different from most desktops, is that I’m running Window XP Media Center Edition. Maybe there is something with that, that is causing the problems.
I’m sure everyone is sick of hearing me complain about this but it’s a bit ridiculous. How can this not work? This is brand new computer. And the serial port works fine with everything else. And I’ve spent $40 trying to get this working now.
I don’t even know if this is an option but have you tried it in safe mode? You could possibly use MSConfig (start | run | msconfig ) to do a selective startup and turn things on/off to see if something is fighting with the IDE application’s timing requirements. I know I have used some debuggers that will not function properly is windows media player is even open. Difficult to find if it’s there but perhaps you have something like that going on.
Incorrect Eddie. The echo’d character is wired(physically the output from the PC is wired to the input AND output of the module. So when the PC sends something to the module it is also sending itself the same character. That is what a “Loop Back” echo is. Its the same as if the PCs output port was wired to it’s own input port. This means the PC did not see it’s own sent character. This means it’s a PC side problem(either hardware or software).
I suspect it is a software issue on the PC. If it was hardware I wouldn’t expect it to show up on the other devices he tried on that PC(eg USB to serial and PCI Serial adapter card). It is low level software though because the character was lost before the low level scanner could see it.
I’m familliar with half duplex. The loop back is at the atom end and it’s “possible” the atom crashed the byte. I am guessing you are assuming that because you got a handshake character back from the atom that it is on the host side that the byte disappeared. Is your IDE reporting or ignoring hard serial errors like framing? It is difficult to just make a byte disappear with no indications of where it went. An assumption there is that your application owns and holds the COM port for the duration of the transfer, although at the same time how wierd would it be for some other program to be sitting there jonesing to grab the serial port the instant another program let it go.
Anyway, personally I also think it is possibly some application or service, or maybe just even a crappy driver implemented for the motherboard chipset or i/o expander providing the COM port. Might be something you can find surfing forums or tech support FAQs for your mainboard or system part number Evolution… but a lot like looking for a needle in a haystack I think.
There isn’t any way for the AtomPro to “crash” the byte while in it reading loop. It is a half duplex, as you illuded to in your post, bit banged system which means the AtomPro is busy reading the bits being sent. Also if somehow the AtomPro got out of the reading loop(say because of a reset) to send data down and crash the byte being sent by the PC it would end up sending back a different ACK chacracter(0xAA). The 0xAA ACK chacrater is sent in the main command loop of the bootloader so if the AtomPro got reset you’d see that instead of the 0x55 ACKs. Also if it some how crashed the byte some other way I would expect a framing error or at least a garbage byte in the port monitoring program instead of no byte returned at all before the ACK character and no indication of any error at the port. That is why I’m pretty confident it’s software on the PC causing the problem. I guess it is possibly still a hardware issue(eg the AtomPro getting glitched somehow) but I’d have to say that I think the odds of that are getting up there with Mega Ball Lottery and Meteors hitting people heads.
I did try booting in safe mode and enabling the serial port. Same thing.
I have a blank 250gig backup drive I’m going to partition and install XP Pro on. I’ll try it in there and see if it works to eliminate the possibility that it’s the Media Center Edition of XP causing the problem. Then I’ll move on to drivers.
I could not tell for sure from one of your previous posts, but have you tried an USB to serial adapter on this machine as well and that this adapter worked on your portable? On My dev machine (this one), I am using a Linksys powered high speed USB hub with one of AcidTechs favorite USB to serial adapters and it is working good. If you have not tried this, you might try going down that avenue.
Kurt