LK204-25 (Non-PC) Can't get communication

[Ndtinker]

When I plug my LCD up, the backlight comes on and the black cursor blinks just like it should. I obviously wired the power correctly

But whenever I try and send data (either through LCDC, Hypertrm, or any other program) All the display does is "flickers"..

Or at least thats the best I can describe it. The cursor still blinks, no other things show up on the display, but you can see the entire screen almost "blink" whenever something is sent to it. I have read the manual and I've tried it on 2 different PC's now, and 3 different serial cables, which I'm pretty sure at least 2 of them were the plain straight through type.

Is there something I'm doing wrong? The jumpers I left alone and are on the J1 and J2 positions and I'm testing it at 19200. I've tried both COM1 and COM2 and get the same results.

Any suggestions?

PS: I had a GLK12232-SM that wasn't acting right that I sent back and asked if I could get the LK204-25 as a replacement instead - And to my amazement, MO actually exchanged it! I am extremely impressed with both the quality of the displays AND the quality of the staff. Little things like this are what differenciates MO from other companies. Keep it up! You guys ROCK!

[Miles]

Hello...

If you have a multimeter available can you check to make sure that the cable you are using is straight through by continuity. Also make sure that you use a full 9-pin serial cable (includes a ground).

also, what's you contrast set to?

[Ndtinker]

The contrast is set to 55%. I can very clearly see the blinking black square in the upper-left corner.

I just checked the primary cable I had been using - BINGO!! The sucker's NOT a normal serial.. I'll be finding, or maybe for cheapness and pride's sake be making my own.

Thanks again!

I'll post as soon as I have a cable I know works what the LCD's doing.

-Nolan.

[Hallis]

I am extremely impressed with both the quality of the displays AND the quality of the staff. Little things like this are what differenciates MO from other companies. Keep it up! You guys ROCK!

I totally agree with you there. I have the same display you had trouble with. HAd some issues with it. And the email replies and help on the forums here were instrumental in helping me fix them. their customer service definately beats the hell outta CF.

[Hallis]

Oh and in reply to your problem. I was getting NO responce from my LCD, i even had cables bought from MO. but when i swappes the transmit and receive wired on the connection where it connects up to the LCD i have been smiling ever since . You might want to try that also.

[Ndtinker]

Well it's working GREAT now!

It was the cables. I pulled out some bare wire and made my own following the mappings in the manual (I printed all 35 pages of the thing - I love laser printers )

The second I started up LCDC it sprang to life and have had no troubles.

Now, how do I get it to do the "Big Clock" - ya know, the full screen mongo one. I'm using the T22 plugin clock but its a bit hard to read from across the room.

[Hallis]

Hehe, glad i could steer you in the right direction. I love my laser printer also. ITs color picket it up on good 'ol eBay. as far as the really big clock, i havent messed with that yet. i know there are some special fonts and things that have to be downloaded for my screen to work with it. but your screen is a little different and may not require them. if youre using LCDC my advice would be to talk to Mat-d-Rat . But glad i could help you get it working enjoy

[Ndtinker]

Yeah, I thought you were supposed to be able to insert the clock on a line and change the custom characters to "BigFonts 4" but I guess not..

And the laser printers here at work are black & white but we do have a HUGE color I use only when I have too. It takes awhile to warm up but it sure does a good job. It's an HP Color LaserJet 4500N.

[Mat-Moo]

If you add a blank mew screen, there is an option to "Import" a screen, there should be some big font examples in the LCDC install dir - this will be easier in the next version

[Hallis]

From the worklogs i see MANY nice new features in the next release. I cant wait to get my hands on it. oh Mat, do you ever answer your ICQ?

[Mat-Moo]

I'm always on Trillian/ICQ but I have my ICQ account protected (you need my authorisation) to stop spam, otherwise I answer 90% of my ICQ stuff at least. You can PM me on here or on my boards...

[Henry]

but we prefer if you post on the forums instead of ICQ and so on