VFD-2041v Problems HELP Please :-)

DonG1967 · Post by **DonG1967** » Tue Jul 30, 2002 10:44 am

I can't get any software to work. I have tested it using Hyper Terminal & it works. When I boot up I get flasing cursor.

But when I try LCDC or LCD Smartie 5.0, I get garbage on the screen or it goes blank. Then I have to reboot to get VFD back on? I have tried on com 1 & 2 same thing on both.

I have tested power cable, it is getting 12v. Don't know what else to do.

Help

[ This Message was edited by: DonG1967 on 2002-07-30 22:02 ]

Post by **Henry** » Tue Jul 30, 2002 11:12 am

What speed do you have the display set to and what speed is the software set to?

DonG1967 · Post by **DonG1967** » Tue Jul 30, 2002 12:23 pm

Ok if you mean in software "LCDC" its set to 19200 in config table. Hardware are you talking about using control panel, then system, & device manager. Open com1 then set speed under port settings? If so, I did change that to 19200. Other setting I did'nt change. I did that after LCDC was installed.

In LCDC, under Definition file the only output I can get is using LCD4041?

When running WinAmp its sending info to the VFD but its very fast and you can't make anything out.

A side note, I've been building computers for friends and family for the past four years. But this is all new to me, saw VFD on The Screen Savers and thought it was very cool.

Don

[ This Message was edited by: DonG1967 on 2002-07-30 12:24 ]

Post by **Mat-Moo** » Tue Jul 30, 2002 1:58 pm

In LCDC if you go to configure then test - can you send text to the screen okay?

DonG1967 · Post by **DonG1967** » Tue Jul 30, 2002 2:29 pm

I can send text, but its mix up. Example
L.C.D.C.!!! shows up as H*B*@B. Anything I type in shows up different? What about the definition file? What should that be set on?

Don

[ This Message was edited by: DonG1967 on 2002-07-30 14:31 ]

DonG1967 · Post by **DonG1967** » Tue Jul 30, 2002 9:32 pm

Still can't get anything to happen, have tried several different settings. I only get mixed up text on VFD. I have even uninstalled the software then reinstalled it. Before when I said I got it to work in Hyper Terminal, I meant that text was messed up there also.

Any ideas?

Don

Post by **Mat-Moo** » Wed Jul 31, 2002 2:17 am

Sounds like the baud rate ont he screen is wrong... or you have the wrong cable on it.

1) Make sure the cable is a null modem cable (not a standard rs232 cross over)

2) Check that the module has a jumper on j1/j2 to set speed at 19200, if not either change it to so or find out in the manual what speed it is set to (possible 9600?) and try the software again

3) Pray

DonG1967 · Post by **DonG1967** » Wed Jul 31, 2002 9:44 am

Null Modem means the wires are crossed on other end, right? Also if jumper is on J1 & J2 that should be 19200 speed. I'm using what MO sent me, I ordered PC mount kit. Came with all the cables. I'll pull out & look at them.

Thanks Don

Post by **Henry** » Wed Jul 31, 2002 10:55 am

If we sent you all the cables it should be all good...

ok, open up alpha demo, go to the setting and see what speed you are set too, 19200 should be there.. and then turn the backlight on and off... if that works, send some text.

DonG1967 · Post by **DonG1967** » Wed Jul 31, 2002 12:07 pm

Ok, here we go. All cables are good. When I try to run the Alpha Demo I get "Unable to open com port:5" then you click "ok", then I get

"Exception EAccessViolation in Module MatrixDemo.exe at 00002d38, Access violation at adress 00402D38 in moduale Matrixdemo.exe Read of adress 505C3A3F"

So I changed to to com port:5 to see if it would read, no luck. Any ideas?

I'm starting to think I have a lemon display.

Thanks for the help. Next tip if any?

Don

Post by **Henry** » Wed Jul 31, 2002 2:33 pm

Try MOGD then...

DonG1967 · Post by **DonG1967** » Wed Jul 31, 2002 3:17 pm

Ok, tried MOGD. I can turn display on & off using backlight. But same story for everything else, nothing but mixed up alphabit soup on the screen. No matter what I type.

Also I got to thinking about what Mat-d-rat
said on his post. Make sure cable is null modem and not standard rs232. The cable that came from MO is a stanard rs232. I used my mulitmeter and pins 1 thur 9 match.

If it is a null modem cable should'nt two of the pins be crossed?

yes or no

Remember I got the PC kit from MO. So did they send the wrong cable or not?

Don

[ This Message was edited by: DonG1967 on 2002-07-31 16:51 ]

Miles · Post by **Miles** » Wed Jul 31, 2002 5:09 pm

Can you contact me at myero@matrixorbital.com This way if it is a RMA situation we can discuss the options in greater detail.

Post by **Mat-Moo** » Thu Aug 01, 2002 2:18 am

If you can turn the backlight on/off the cable must be ok as commands are being sent.

I also just realizes that you have a 204 (20charactersx4line) yet you are using a 404 (40charachtersx4lines) definition. Try chaning the defintition in LCDC to LK204-25 (close enough to see if we can get it working correctly!)

DonG1967 · Post by **DonG1967** » Thu Aug 01, 2002 7:08 am

Mat,

I changed the display to LK204-25, the text
is still messed up. It does match the Virtual display a little better. As the way the text is moving around.

Don