1.8.9 beta, usb connectivity problem

[werribee_au]

Update!
I had another flat line yesterday when I got home from work, which was good as i saw it before the scheduled reboot.
Shut down cumulus and edited the logs and restarted cumulus. It just sat there with the downloading data dialogue box.

I could make Cumulus restart (as in the unplugged case) but I doubt whether it would help. Possibly worth trying...

In this case Steve, a cumulus restart probably wouldn't have fixed the connection.

Ok then, end task with task manager, unplug the usb from the station console (console end) and reconnect, start cumulus and it downloaded the data from the logger. No pc reboot required.

I come to remember another thing though, about a month ago I relocated the notebook and station console to another part of the house and I think I then started to use a different usb port. This is about the time I started to have problems which I had never experienced in the past. So I have once again started to use the usb port I probably was using before the relocation and will keep an eye on things.

I'm inclined to think it may be (I Hope!) the usb port change.

[steve]

In this case Steve, a cumulus restart probably wouldn't have fixed the connection.

Ok then, end task with task manager, unplug the usb from the station console (console end) and reconnect, start cumulus and it downloaded the data from the logger. No pc reboot required.

Yes, I think that some sort of intervention like that will always be needed when this happens. I've put in a change to log a message in the diag log when this happens (previously you would need the debug log switched on). What's really needed though is for Cumulus to actually do something. I guess it could close itself down, to avoid invalid data being logged. Or just put up an error box and stop.

[GTB]

anybody checked to see if the power management on the usb port is ticked to allow it to be turned off ?

geoff

[Super-T]

I also had to resolder the USB port connection inside the Desktop Console. That was giving intermittent problems.

[nking]

I wonder why a few people have problems with XP when most don't. I think it's more likely to be other software installed in XP rather than XP itself - or maybe some subtle difference with the hardware. I've run Cumulus on several machines but never seen this problem. Even with many years experience with both hardware and software, I still have to put some things down to MAGIC!

I to have seen inexplicable issues with USB connections i.e. PC will not start when a particular piece of hardware is connected to the PC but will connect/work once the PC has started. Yet, the USB item causes no problem on another PC and, the original PC has no problem with any other USB item!
Whether it is faulty USB item or PC hardware/software can often be very time consuming to pinpoint so it is classified a “mystery”. However, if you have access to another PC, I would see if the situation can be replicated.

[chris48]

I have been reviewing the earlier posts as I am having the same issue with a new second station I just purchased. My difference is I am getting the same error conditions (lost connection with TX) with out being connected to the computer while I was waiting for my USB cable to arrive. Once the cable arrived I ran the Easy Weather software first and the problem was evident there as well. My OS is Windows 7, using Cumulus 1.8.9 build 210, on new computer that should have all current drivers and updates. I am leaning to this being Fine Offset station problem not a software issue. Any thoughts on this as a possibility?

[nking]

I have Win 7, Fine Offset and have the latest beta without problems. The chances that I have exactly the same software or hardware however, are remote. Since you are getting problems without being connected I would say it's highly probable you have a faulty Fine Offset.

[werribee_au]

anybody checked to see if the power management on the usb port is ticked to allow it to be turned off ?

Excellent point Geoff, I just logged in remotely and found it checked. But, It didn't give me any problems 3 months prior to Jan this year. I have rolled back to 1.8.8 for a trial to see if it happens again. So at this point I'll leave the power management checked.

[steve]

I have been reviewing the earlier posts as I am having the same issue with a new second station I just purchased. My difference is I am getting the same error conditions (lost connection with TX) with out being connected to the computer while I was waiting for my USB cable to arrive. Once the cable arrived I ran the Easy Weather software first and the problem was evident there as well. My OS is Windows 7, using Cumulus 1.8.9 build 210, on new computer that should have all current drivers and updates. I am leaning to this being Fine Offset station problem not a software issue. Any thoughts on this as a possibility?

The main problem being discussed in this thread is the loss of the USB connection between the PC and the station which causes Cumulus to stop getting new data. The reason for this is uncertain.

It sounds as though you are having the 'other' connectivity problem (which Gerard did mention in this thread) where the console loses contact with the sensor? This is almost certainly a problem with the station and/or sensor (or the siting of it) and not a software problem.

When you say you have a second station, do you mean as a replacement, or are you running them both at the same time in close proximity?

[daj]

Could I just confirm something....when Cumulus says "Lost Sensor Contact" what is it telling me?

Is it that Cumulus has lost contact with the Console, or the Console has lost contact with the sensor/transmitter outside?

[steve]

Could I just confirm something....when Cumulus says "Lost Sensor Contact" what is it telling me?

Is it that Cumulus has lost contact with the Console, or the Console has lost contact with the sensor/transmitter outside?

It's saying that the console has set the flag which means that the console has lost contact with the outdoor sensors.

[daj]

thanks -- slightly off topic for this thread then, but I wanted to be clear. I have had a few lately and was not clear if it was related to the USB problem being discussed here

[chris48]

Neil and Steve thanks for your responses. I have two separate stations. One is located remotely in my summer home, running 1.8.8, XP SP 3 (which recently stopped communicating and I hope that is due to batteries) and one that I just recently purchased for my winter home running Windows 7, 1.8.9. What I found so interesting is that several days of the new unit operating while I was waiting for a cable to arrive, it starting to exhibit the same problems being discussed here. This same unit has experienced the loss of connection while connected and being disconnected. I have requested a replacement transmitter to see if that is the problem. I wondered if there was a common thread ever though I know the USB is identified as a potential problem that there may also be a problem with the station/transmitter as well. I know not being connected I was not having a USB problem but I wondered if the disconnect was actually taking place on the other units without regard to the USB.

Chris

[werribee_au]

I know not being connected I was not having a USB problem but I wondered if the disconnect was actually taking place on the other units without regard to the USB.

Chris, the usb is connected, just communication stops.

OK, now my update.

As I said I went back to 1.8.8 and the other day Geoff mentioned the USB power saving feature. It was checked on but I left it checked until my 1.8.8 trial was over. Well flat-lined again overnight.

• Debug log:
  2865.0328 : 00:06:15 USB device is plugged in
  2865.0328 : 00:06:15 request EW data block, written = 0, addr = 000000
  2866.0328 : 00:06:25 USB device is plugged in
  2866.0328 : 00:06:25 request EW data block, written = 0, addr = 000000
  2866.6328 : 00:06:31 Realtime FTP Put attempt

Ok, back to 1.8.9 (912) and I have unchecked "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" box in "Device manager | USB controllers | USB Root Hub | Properties | Power Management"

Now sit back and wait!

The only other thing I can think of is that I added 5m of cable to the wind sensors and raised them another 5m.
Maybe the cable is acting like an antenna and picking up interference and transmitting bad data to the station console affecting the usb comms. Nah, too much of a long shot that one.

[GraemeT]

Gerard and Chris,
Have you tried to connect using a 'real' serial port?
It's starting to sound like you've got similar usb problems I and others have had with LaCrosse stations.

Cheers.