sorry i cannot find it

[fastbysuzuki]

Hi
sorry, i have installed the silicon labs driver for win 7 64 bit CP210xVCPInstaller_x64.exe it says it has installed, but i cannot find it in device manager could someone please tell me what its under and the name of the driver so i can check its all there please? i have read it in the wiki in the past but i cannot find it doh.

[N0BGS]

In Windows 7 look in device manager under: Ports (COM & LPT)

It will read something like: "Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge (COMx)"

--Kurt

[Jim Brown]

You really should not be using that driver with Cumulus. If you read the instructions for weather link they it tells you not to install the USB drivers if you are going to use third party software.

You should set the console up to serial mode even though you are using a USB connection.

[fastbysuzuki]

I was under the impression that is the driver to allow cumulus run in serial mode via the data logger am I correct with this driver please?

[Jim Brown]

No you do not need it and should remove it per the instructions on page 15 of the WL instructions. That driver will cause you much grief.

The removal tool can be found in the WL directory >support>utilities.

From the manual:


Note: Once the data logger has been assigned this unique serial number, it cannot be converted
back to emulate a serial port connection within the software. Included with the
WeatherLink software is a utility that allows you to convert a USB data logger from a
direct USB data logger back to a USB data logger that emulates the serial port. To use
this utility, select Convert USB to Virtual Serial in your WeatherLink program group on
the Start menu of your computer (Start>AllPrograms>WeatherLink>Convert USB to Virtual
Serial) and run the utility to convert your data logger. Please contact Davis Technical
Support (“Contacting Davis Technical Support” on page 26) for more information.

[steve]

Are you sure about that, Jim? Doesn't the "VCP" part of that driver mean "Virtual COM Port", and is hence the driver that is required to allow a USB station to be accessed as if it were a serial station? It's the driver that the Cumulus FAQ suggests installing: http://wiki.sandaysoft.com/a/FAQ#How_do ... Cumulus.3F

[prodata]

There's absolutely no need to remove the driver (though that's probably a misinterpretation of what's happening). What happens AIUI is that the logger will be fixed in one or other of its two operating modes, either VCP or USBX (USBXpress). This current mode state is retained when the power is off.

Then whenever the PC is rebooted, the logger state controls which driver is activated in Windows - either the VCP mode driver (ie as used by Cumulus and other third party software such as VVP) or the USBX driver (as you can see if you look in Windows Device Manager under the Ports (VCP) or USB controllers (USBX) sections). The 'unused' driver component just sits there unloaded.

The issue is that while the switch from VCP mode (the default on a new logger) to USBX mode can be made by appropriate software such as the Weatherlink program, the reverse switch (ie USBX==>VCP), for whatever reason, cannot be made by standard software. It needs a specially written utility (the converter) to trigger the switch back to VCP mode.

Once you've done it a couple of times, it's actually very easy to switch back and forth between the two modes and have the relevant software pick up the appropriate mode, with a different driver component loading according to which mode you're using. But since Cumulus will only work with VCP mode then there's really no point in ever switching away from VCP mode.

So, running the converter utility doesn't 'remove the driver', it simply changes the logger mode. (Possibly you might say that the converter effectively unloads the USBX driver, but that's rather different from removing - ie deleting - it.) If you never place the logger in USBX mode in the first place then you'll never need to run the converter. But if you do need to run it then it's simple enough to use.

[fastbysuzuki]

Hi
As of yet I have not got the pro2 activated I have installed the anometer and iss in situ, the location is a new build owned by the local council we lease a room within whilst the build was going on two 4 core data cables was fitted one spare, due to regulations the fitting out has to be done by qualified personal so am waiting for the cable to be brought out so I can attach to iss and consul. I installed the CP210x USB to UART Bridge VCP Drivers in preparation.
Could someone please confirm that is correct?
On another question due to not using the Davis supplied cable are the end plugs RJ11?
Thanks

[prodata]

I installed the CP210x USB to UART Bridge VCP Drivers in preparation. Could someone please confirm that is correct?

I'm slightly reluctant to comment, because I may be contradicting the usual advice here, but my usual line would be: You've obviously got the Weatherlink USB logger and hence the WL CD. Personally I'd always suggest installing the WL program first from the CD, even if you plan to use Cumulus as your main software. This will install the required USB drivers anyway; it will allow you to run WL just as an initial check that the logger is working OK and it will give you a WL installation that you can use if you ever need to change any of the station/logger parameters that Cumulus doesn't implement. Just be sure not to be tempted to click the USB option in the Communications Port dialogue, but to stick with the Serial option (yes, even with the USB logger).

On another question due to not using the Davis supplied cable are the end plugs RJ11?

They are what is often referred to as RJ11. (I don't think that strictly speaking this is the correct or maybe not the full designation, because 'RJ11' is used as shorthand for a set of standards. They may be called 6P4C RJ13 or RJ14 (the difference between 13 and 14 is probably only important in a telephone context) officially I think - the cabled VP2 console cable plugs just have the central 4 contacts fitted though the physical plug has space for 6 contacts. But if you're planning to crimp your own plugs on then it may be sensible to get the 4-contact blanks.)

[steve]

I'm slightly reluctant to comment, because I may be contradicting the usual advice here, but my usual line would be: You've obviously got the Weatherlink USB logger and hence the WL CD. Personally I'd always suggest installing the WL program first from the CD, even if you plan to use Cumulus as your main software. This will install the required USB drivers anyway; it will allow you to run WL just as an initial check that the logger is working OK and it will give you a WL installation that you can use if you ever need to change any of the station/logger parameters that Cumulus doesn't implement.

That's the advice I always give, too.

[fastbysuzuki]

Hi
thank you for the help and information much appreciated.