Lose signal when connected to PC?

[Truscom]

Yesterday I downloaded Windows Vista Service Pack 2 so I could then download IE 9, since then whenever I connect my weather station console to my PC I lose the signal between the console and the equipment outside... I have tried disconnecting the computer and leaving the console in the same place... and I don't lose the signal... any ideas how I can fix this?

[AllyCat]

Hi Martin,

It's probably radio interference from the computer being coupled into the console, I encountered a similar problem with a 3080 in a particular location. The first thing to try is changing the position and/or orientation of the console (or possibly the PC).

Some USB cables have a ferrite ring filter at one or both ends to prevent this type of problem. Unfortunately the FO cable is "non-standard" (it has two "Type A" connectors, the standard is to have one "Type A" and one "Type B") so you're unlikely to find a better cable. If you have any of the following they could be worth a try: "Canibalise" a filter ring (they are often in two halves) from another cable, use a USB extension cable (perhaps a long one coiled up) or a USB hub.

Cheers, Alan.

[b.e.wilson]

If the console must be close to your computer for space availability reasons, as a short-term solution you can try coiling the USB cable 6 turns of so. That usually keeps radio frequencies off the cable. Alan mentions ferrites which do the same thing, only better.