Deluo GPS - Axim won't recognize it

zizzybaloobah · 09-02-03, 11:59 AM

I purchsed a Deluo GPS for my Axim about two weeks ago.

I installed Routis, went my vehicle, plugged in the GPS (the mouse LED blinked and eventually went steady).

I started Routis, connected the GPS to my Axim, and the thing slowed to a crawl. Several soft resets later still no joy. I was able to contact Paul via this forum and still no joy, and with my road trip the next day, I had to leave without taking my GPS with me

(I did get another cable, which also did not work).

I have done everything: started routis then connected; started routis, connected, then powered the GPS. Still no joy -- the GPS is never recognized by Routis (or another GPS utility I downloaded). When I run autodetect, I am told no GPS found. Eventually the Axim slows to a crawl and I have to soft reset.

I uninstalled most all of my extra software - still no joy. I even took another Axim available to me, did a hard reset, and still no joy, even with Routis as the only additional software installed.

Both Axims are A5 without the updated ROM. I am requesting my return authorization and now and am giving up unless anybody has any suggestions. While I may be new to the Pocket PC (since March), I am a computer professional (and instructor) by trade and this problem has really thrown me for a loop. :rolling:

Paul -- you are a credit to your company and I appreciate your personal help with this. I'm sure Deluo doesn't pay you enough. Unfortunately, email support as the only option just stinks. Deluo really needs to offer some type of phone support -- especially since you have to be in the car to test the device. I would even be willing to pay for the call(s) myself. It would also be helpful if the document specifically addressed the Axim.

JakeRich · 09-02-03, 12:22 PM

Activesync looks at the serial port for any activity. If it sees that activity it fires up in the background and attempts to connect. That connect process has a high priority in the operating system, but normally only takes a very short time to connect, so you don't notice it.

Along comes GPS, provides activity at the port. Activesync starts to do it's thing, but doesn't connect. Unfortunately, that same high priority now is being spent on an activity that will never end, so the Ax slows to a crawl until you disconned the cables and A/S gives up.

To prevent this activity, start the software on the Ax first, get it searching for the GPS signal and THEN AND ONLY THEN, connect the cable to the GPS. This sequence blocks A/S from seeing the activity on the port and firing off. Note that it is not sufficient for Routis to be running, it has to be trying to connect to the GPS unit in order to block Activesync.

zizzybaloobah · 09-02-03, 12:44 PM

I normally close ActiveSync when I'm not using it (it's actually closed, not hidden/minimized). If it is starting up when I connect, it doesn't show in any of the lists of running applications.

I've tried what you've suggested (umpteen times) and still no joy.

One of my frustrations is a lack of any way of seeing what Com ports are actually available/being used.

Thanks for your suggestion and quick reply.

jaumero · 09-02-03, 12:51 PM

Wich Deluo GPS is it?? I purchased de Hollux CF few months ago and it runs very good. It's really great!!! On car I'm using de Tom Tom RoutePlanner and run a lot.

zizzybaloobah · 09-02-03, 01:00 PM

It's the mouse GPS which plugs into the cigarette lighter and the Axim.

And for the benefit of others reading this thread, I've opened the Axim end of the cable and verified that the white wire is snipped. (Not being "snippy", just want to make sure everybody knows what I've tried

).

jaumero · 09-02-03, 01:19 PM

Je,je...

Ypu've to purchase de CF...

JakeRich · 09-02-03, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by zizzybaloobah
I normally close ActiveSync when I'm not using it (it's actually closed, not hidden/minimized). If it is starting up when I connect, it doesn't show in any of the lists of running applications.

I've tried what you've suggested (umpteen times) and still no joy.

One of my frustrations is a lack of any way of seeing what Com ports are actually available/being used.

Thanks for your suggestion and quick reply.

You won't see it running, it's a small o/s component that does the connect, then fires up the A/S you see. Do you have Routis configured to search, or to look at COM1 only? If it's searching, it may get past COM1 before you can connect and then COM1 is exposed to A/S again. Try locking Routis to COM1. I have gotten Routis to work with a serial GPS just fine, it's just a matter of configuration.

Also, you might try GPSViewer from Holux. IT's a free utility that is simpler than Routis and will show you if you are connecting. It works with all GPS units, not just the Holux. Download it here.

zizzybaloobah · 09-02-03, 02:36 PM

I have manually configured Routis to use COM1, 4800. I have also connected the GPS to my Axim only after starting Routis, still no joy. If I ask Routis to autoscan for the GPS, it does not detect any GPS at all. I have also tried switching from COM1 to another port and then back to COM1 to see if it "wakes up" the port, but alas, I still have no joy.

I did download the GPSViewer utility (thanks to its mention in another thread on this website) and it did not detect the GPS either.

Oh well...

JakeRich · 09-02-03, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by zizzybaloobah
And for the benefit of others reading this thread, I've opened the Axim end of the cable and verified that the white wire is snipped. (Not being "snippy", just want to make sure everybody knows what I've tried ).

Can you tell me the reason for this comment? When I used the serial cables, I didn't have to snip any wires at all. I just used a Null modem to connect between the serial cable from Dell and the Serial Cable for my magellan. However, my review of the Deluo cable was done by just pluggin into the Axim directly, without any other changes. I wonder if the snipped wire is the failure point? Review.

Is the Universal Serial receiver you are using the same as the one in the picture on the review?

zizzybaloobah · 09-02-03, 02:47 PM

I received specific instructions from Deluo support indicating that I should snip the white cable (I know -- seemed strange to me as well). Imagine my surprise when I opened it and found it already snipped! BTW, putting the cover back on was not easy either!

I can post the specific instructions I received if anybody is interested.

silentknight · 09-02-03, 02:55 PM

I agree with jake, Im not sure of any "snipping" either..

I have the Deluo GPS mouse, and have had some simmilar
problems, but eventually the problems always work out, I do
notice it connects best for me if I connect the cable while it says
"Scanning com port what ever.."

Anyway thats just what works for me, no gaurantees
also, that snipping thing .. i have no idea what your refering to.

zizzybaloobah · 09-02-03, 03:08 PM

I envy you, as my problem has never seemed to work itself out. When you mention the software display "scanning com port..." (or whatever) can you be more specific? I don't think I've ever seen that message appear for me.

For those interested here's what Deluo support sent me:

--- support@deluo.com wrote:
> Dear customer:
> We found that some specific model of Dell axim has
> this problems with our GPS
> connector, we fix it out, we have 2 possible
> solution for this problem, one is
> that you send us back the cable for axim or if you
> are able to open the Axim
> conector at the end of the adapter cable that we
> provide (2 philips screws),
> and then cut the white cable connect to the board,
> just that, leave the cable
> cuted if you can just place a piece of tape and that
> it.
> if you can no do that just let us know and we will
> send you the return
> procedure, at the same time this will no affect your
> warranty.
>
> The Deluo Team
>

silentknight · 09-02-03, 03:27 PM

sorry, the "Scanning com ports" msg is on mapopolis..
(I had assumed other programs would display something
similar) .. and that snipping thing still confuses me as mine
works fine w/o being snipped.. (I got my deluo back in April)

borderline · 09-03-03, 08:50 PM

I'm having the same exact problem. Just received the unit today, Deluo Universal GPS with the Axim specific cable/lighter power converter. I did solve the massive slowdown problem by connecting the cable only after the map program has started to scan for the GPS, but it never does start to receive data.

It seems odd that they would ask you to snip the wire, and then you find out it's already been snipped. Does this mean there are two different Axim com ports out there, each requiring different cables?

I'm firing off an e-mail to Deluo support tonight. If they tell me to snip a wire, I'm returning the whole package and buying a CF GPS. (And I'm not buying it from Deluo.)

BP