Hey guys,
It worked at last!
The problem was probably some dirty wiring I had done to connect the PIC to COM1. I was using TX, RX and GND only and I'm not sure if the PIC needs any of the handshaking signals, although the flow control was turned off in Windows. After replacing the wiring for a decent DB25S to DB9S adapter I finally succeeded in communicating to the CPU.
The application made by dmroeder (Dustin) didn't work for me due to some administrator priviledges issue. I don't know if it had to do with the fact I'm using a Portuguese BR version of Windows XP. Anyway, I had to replace the files pointed by dmroeder manually and in the following order:
C:\WINDOWS\Driver Cache\i386\sp3.cab
C:\WINDOWS\system32\dllcache\serenum.sys
C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\serenum.sys
Beware that you need to have your folder options properly configured in order to be able to see the hidden and protected files of the operating system. Many people
wrongly report that they don't have the DLLCACHE folder in their PCs just because of that.
I had to extract all the files in SP3.CAB, replace SERENUM.SYS for its Windows XP SP2 version, and then put them all back together in the cabinet file. Attached is a zip file with the SP3.DDF script I used with MAKECAB.EXE to recreate SP3.CAB.
Below is the recipe step by step:
- Extract SP3.CAB to a folder named SP3, for example;
- Rename SP3.CAB to SP3_BACKUP.CAB, for example;
- Copy SP3.DDF (attached) to the SP3 folder just created;
- In the SP3 folder replace SERENUM.SYS SP3 (15,744 bytes) for SERENUM.SYS SP2 (15,488 bytes). I've attached a copy for your convenience;
- In the command line (at this point you must be at C:\WINDOWS\Driver Cache\i386\sp3) type the following command:
makecab.exe /f sp3.ddf
- In a couple of minutes you'll have a new SP3.CAB file;
- Copy your new SP3.CAB file to the folder C:\WINDOWS\Driver Cache\i386 (I could have done it in the script...)
Additionally I've reinstalled RSLinx, deleted COM1 in the Windows Device Manager and rebooted the PC before installing a new driver in RSLinx, which must not run as a service.
That all together worked for me but I must tell you that there still are a number of error messages, the buttons 'STATUP...', 'START' and 'STOP' in the Configure Drivers window still keep disabled, etc
Definitely Rockwell did not rocked so well with this driver. :angr:
Many thanks to dmroeder and also Mickey for their invaluable support!
All the best,
Ren