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Home again, and a problem

Posted: Fri 01 Nov 2013 5:43 pm
by logjam
After spending a few days away, and leaving the console on its own, I returned today, connected up the laptop expecting it to update itself only to be confronted with the dreaded red light telling me that there is no communication. (Fine Offset station not responding. ) Stoically resigning myself to the lost data, I reset the console. Now it is coming up with huge rainfall rates, a great gust of wind followed quickly by another (Fine Offset station not responding. )
I am at a loss to know how to get it working again. I tried a dozen times to reset the console, turning off the computer etc. etc.
I've zipped up the diags folder. Any idea what has happened while I've been away?

Re: Home again, and a problem

Posted: Fri 01 Nov 2013 7:00 pm
by steve
I can't tell you what happened before 5pm today, because that's as far back as the diags logs go (it keeps the last 10). And I'm afraid I can't tell you any more than you already know about the current situation; the station stops responding.

Are you using the 'Synchronise Fine Offset Reads' setting, to avoid the usual USB lockup problem? I think it's unlikely that would help anyway, to be honest, as it's locking up so quickly after a reset. Worth trying, though, if you're not already using it.

It's fairly common to get some duff readings after a station reset, as the current logger location is no longer where it should be, so 'old' data is read. But there's clearly an issue with the station - or the USB connection - apart from that.

Re: Home again, and a problem

Posted: Fri 01 Nov 2013 7:03 pm
by steve
By the way, you seem to have the station set to a 1-minute logging interval, is that intentional? How many days have you been away? A 1-minute interval gives you less than three days coverage.

Re: Home again, and a problem

Posted: Fri 01 Nov 2013 7:26 pm
by logjam
Thanks for looking.
Yes, I regret trying so often, forgetting the diagnostic files get overwritten. :oops:
I notice you have updated the software, so I'll install that.
It set the data files back to what it was before I went away, and try again.

I have been using the 'Synchronise Fine Offset Reads' and that allowed me to run flawlessly for months.

I do normally set the interval to a higher figure when I'm away. On this occasion I was away for a little over 2 days so all the information should have been there.

Home again, and a problem

Posted: Fri 01 Nov 2013 10:33 pm
by logjam
It has continually disconnected all evening after I have tried everything I could think of. In desperation I hooked it up to an old desktop, and so far it is working as it should. I conclude there is something wrong with the USB port on the laptop. Either a physical, electrical or software problem.