Need help from the geek squad

[motocross269]

I bought the lakemaster software.
I can't seem to get my GPS to link with my computer..I have 2 different GPSs and neither works.  I have set the Baud rate to match the computer. (4800).  I had to buy a Serial/usb adapter cable.  The computer recognizes when I hook the cable up, but I get a fault when I try to download or upload any waypoints..something like no device found check baud rate and upload. I set the Comm port to 3 which was the only way I didn't get a "no device detected" from the software when I tried to do GPS tracking.  I have never hooked a GPS to a computer so it makes me think that something is off there.  Could it be something not right in the transfer between going from the serial port to the USB?  I have read both the GPS manual and Lakemaster software manual..The lakemaster software manual is very weak at best.  Any suggestions would be appreciated...I am sure I am just missing something simple..I know it is hard to troubleshoot without the box sitting in front of you, If all else fails I will call Lakemaster on monday.
Thanks ahead of time

By the way The PC is a Dell with XP...Somewhere around 2 years old

[djkimmel]

I have never tried the USB to Serial adapter cable so that has me thinking it is the most likely place to start. Normally, with serial devices, they need to be plugged while the computer is powered down for the computer to recognize them. This was the case with my old handheld GPS when I connected them to the PC.

Have you tried that yet? I know USB can be taken in and out while the PC is on, but I think you need to treat this connection as a serial connection, not USB. Hook up the GPS to the cable to the PC while it is powered down, and then turn it on. See if that allows the PC to recognize the GPS unit.

Try that if you haven't. The other settings are important too, but you seem to have a handle on them.

Let me know if you've already tried that and/or if it works.

[motocross269]

Thanks I will give that a try...The computer recognizes that I have plugged something into the USB port (Like when you plug in a stick).  But I think it is only recognizing the cable...Not the device

[bshaner]

I'm guessing you do not have a serial port on your motherboard since you bought the adapter cable?   I have been out of the computer building arena for a while but my expertise is in Networking.  I do know that XP does not play very well with baud rates.  You are correct in matching up the baud rate.  It needs to be matched.

As Dan has stated I am not sure how the USB to Serial adapter works but classic comm/serial ports must be connect while the machine is off so they can be recognized by the BIOS.

You are most likely correct that it is recognizing a cable is connected but that does not mean it actually sees the device on the other end of the USB/serial cable. 

Maybe we could set up a time to do "remote assistance" through windows. 

Have you checked your device manager to see if you have a conflict or a misconfigured comm port?  You might start there for troubleshooting.  If you right click your "my computer" icon and select "manage" you can go into "device manager" and check your comm ports for errors.

PM me if you find an error on the device and we can troubleshoot from there.

B