Greetings,

It's official, I'm pissed

I've had my Datalogit for about a month now, and have had these intermittent errors all along. Since I was working out the calibration details with my FJO, I wasn't too worried about the interface errors, and was just trying things as I went along. Now the FJO is working perfectly, but I can't even make it out of my neighborhood without having the interface crap out. Did I mention that I was pissed?

The error pops up anywhere from immediately, to a few minutes after starting to log data. I can usually start the log again without rebooting, powering off the PFC, or anything like that. Of course it only lasts another random amount of time till it craps out again. It has happend when the car was not running, though it's far more likely to fail when the car is running. That could be for a number of reasons though. For all practical purposes, the datalogging feature is completely nonfunctional

It would be waaaaaaaaay easier to list the things I haven't tried, but I'll try to list what I have done.

- tried 3 serial cables (real serial port, not USB)
- tried every possible serial port setting
- added ty-wraps to make sure the Datalogit, and Commander plugs stay tightly plugged in.
- tried 1.04 and 1.07 software.
- tried running laptop #1 (PII-233, 80 mb RAM, 20 GB HD, Win-98 2nd edition) on battery, and 12V adapter
- tried a second laptop (PIII-1Ghz, 256 MB RAM, 20 GB HD, Win-2000 Pro)

None of this has had any effect. As I started to type this, I thought of another possibility. I've got he FJO and Datalogit velcroed to the carpet in the opening just below my stereo. Is there any chance that the Datalogit box is getting interference from either the FJO or something else? It can't be the stereo, because I've turned that off. It would be bitch to move, since I have it all wired up, so I won't be trying that unless someone has good reason to believe the location causes a problem.

So, that's my tale of woe. If anyone has some useful advice, you'll be my new best friend. Otherwise, I'm going to have to get a replacement from rotary performance, or Datalogit, and cross my fingers that it works properly.

Thanks,
Rusty

 

Best bet is to try another Datalogit box. Experienced the same problem with Interface not Responding errors; swapped cables-no luck, tried different software versions and reloaded FCedit-no luck, ran the UEGO direct to the PC to confirm the port wasworking, finally tried another Datalogit box-problem solved. Have seen one or two Interface errors since but maybe only once every few days of use.

 

Thanks for the message. Replacement is the leading option, but it would sure be nice to hear what the Datalogit people have to say. Unfortunately, they've been non-existent on the official support forum. With any luck, they'll be back to work now that the holidays are over.

BTW- when you got your replacement, was it handled by the dealer who sold you the original, or did it have to be exchanged by Datalogit in NZ? It would suck to have to send mine to NZ and wait for a replacement, though I guess it isn't doing me much good at the moment anyway. I'll probably talk to Rotary Performance in the next couple days, and see if they can handle this for me.

Cheers,
Rusty

 

Try RP if you bought the original unit from them.

We found a local datalogit owner that lent us their box to verify it was not our PC or PFC. We sent our Datalogit back to New Zealand since it was purchased direct.

 

Is your old unit the one that Glen said works fine for them? I was happy to see a responce from him, so I'll try another unit, and hope for the best.

Thanks,
Rusty

 

Shipped the unit a few days ago, I doubt it will get there until the end of next week.

 

uhhh, i bought one from a guy on the forum here. is there a way to tell b/t them? that would suck if i had a problematic one.

 

I don't think there is a "recall" or anything. Alot depends on the cable connection into the PFC and the Datalogit. Loose connections can cause problems. Also the settings on the laptop for the comm port. Try turning HW flow control off, or at least tinker with it. Also, the connection speed can be changed down too.

I can tell you that with a older PFC, the problem is diminished. I might get a interface error once a month. I am thinking that the sampling rate coming out of the PFC and then your settings on your laptop may exacerbate the problem.

 

Baddog,

Can you elaborate on the HW flow control and laptop settings, not familiar with them or their effect on the Datalogit.

Recall that I did an A/B test with two datalogit boxes and found that one would work and the other would not, this test was performed many times to confirm the results. The same serial cable, PC/software, and PFC and was used for each box.

 

As I mentioned in my original post, I tried all this, with no success. The Datalogit guys seem to think that the problem is with certain PFC's, and they say they haven't been able to duplicate the problem.

I'll be calling RP today to get a replacement Datalogit unit on the way, and I'll post the results when they're available. I sure hope it works though, because without the Datalogit, the PFC won't do what I need.

Cheers,

 

A/B box is too noisy. When you switch it, it causes a drop and a spike in the signal. Adds a variable.

The issue IS with the PFC's in question. My theory is that it is the sampling rate. Ends up causing an over-run somewhere in the laptops.

My ancient PFC, must be one of the first ones in the states, has the problem rarely, while Nocab's is new...and the same make/model laptop. My sampling rate is half that of Nocabs. He has the problem many times worse.

To get to the bottom of this, we need to hook-up a datascope and monitor the connection between PFC, the Datalogit, and the laptop. That, and Nocab has suggested swapping PFCs and associated hardware. Might need to put your engine and turbo in my car!

 

Bringing up an old thread ... I hear that many users are experiencing the dreaded "Interface not responding" error. Anyone have any luck returning their Datalogit and getting a working unit in exchange?

 

Steve just posted a new version of the FC Edit software. v1.08 He suggests that it is possible that the INR is caused by the FC being too busy when the datalogit polls it. He adjusted the software so the retry time is longer. He wants feedback from us as soon as we try it out since the delay may need further adjustment.

 

Steve posted a few new versions of FCEdit to correct the interface not responding errors, and version 1.082 has worked perfectly for everyone who has reported trying it. I sure fixed my interface errors

Thanks Steve

 

Bringing this one back up again...

Have there been any new developments with this issue?

I installed my datalogit Saturday and I am having these same problems. I have tried two different laptops both with serial ports and I still get the damn interface not responding error. I cannot get into the datalogit yahoo group yet even though I sent my info last Thursday. I am going to try to borrow another datalogit and do some troubleshooting.

 

What version of FCEdit are you using. Check the FC_edit tab.

 

I am at work but IIRC it was 1.09.

 

1.09 should be fine

Try this.
1. Connect laptop to Power FC though serial cable. (make sure all connections are tight).
2. Start car
3. Start FC_Edit
4. If that doesn't work try reconfiguring using all the ports one at a time. (Select from the "setup" dropdown box.

Sometimes you will get a INR from the unit if you power up in some other order.

If that doesn't work, I may be in Sparta, TN and Murfreesboro (with David) either this weekend or next and I have a datalogit that we can test with.

 

That worked like a charm!

 

R1:

I've had the same problem with registering, I just bought mine last week and no reply yet. They must be on holiday or something!

Matt

 

I e-mailed them again today. Hopefully they will add us to the group soon.

 

I have the same Freaking problem! Just bought through RP (RX7.com) 2 weeks ago. It has version 1.09 in it. Cannot get rid of Interface not Responding no matter what I do.

Anyone live in Orange County in Southern Cali with a FC Box I can try?

 

USB or serial connector? USB has certain problems all its own in recognition of the USB interface. Drivers are available on the yahoo group files section

even if you are not registered see if you can access the "files section" of the yahoo goup at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Datalogit-FD3S and download the latest FC_Edit.exe file 1.10 and the USB driver.

 

I just got my invite today.