output to the controller

Its really hit or miss on some USB ports. Not so much Microsloth as it is hardware developers that want to save that extra .02 cents by not adding that extra regulator. Largely depends if there is sufficient current on the +5V line - which is why USB hubs (the ones that use wall warts) tend to have a better success rate.

Edited by LightChristmas - 23 Sep 2008 at 10:13am

Originally posted by tonyjmartin Originally posted by Jonathan Plugging the USB cord into any port should result in the same COM # because it's the RS485 adapter (or LOR equivalent) that is doing the work.  Think of it like plugging a lamp into any power outlet.  The lamp will work the same way no matter which outlet you choose. Nice analogy.  Now this whole COM port concept makes sense. My next question, though.  Is there a difference between the USB ports on a the back of the case (on the motherboard?)  vs. the ones on the front of the case vs. using a hub?  Can slow/fast USB come into play here? The reason I ask is that I have some other USB gear that specifically states in the documentation NOT to use a USB hub.  Have I just been lucky, or could this be a problem waiting to happen in D-Light/Aurora land?

USB hub works fine with the RS485. In Fact, on the computer I run my shows on, its the only way I can get the finicky little b@stard to recognize the RS485 is if I plug it into a external USB hub I have hooked to the computer.

You may have a USB port like one of mine.

Some things work when plugged in, some don't. If I plug in my Sansa music/video player, it isn't seen and won't charge. But, on the same computer, if I plug it into a USB port on the back (direct motherboard connection) it works perfectly.  I haven't spent the time to investigate, but the port that doesn't work is an auxiliary set that connects by wires to the computer case. Probably a bad wire causing reduced or no voltage. 

Originally posted by Jonathan Plugging the USB cord into any port should result in the same COM # because it's the RS485 adapter (or LOR equivalent) that is doing the work.  Think of it like plugging a lamp into any power outlet.  The lamp will work the same way no matter which outlet you choose.

Nice analogy.  Now this whole COM port concept makes sense.

My next question, though.  Is there a difference between the USB ports on a the back of the case (on the motherboard?)  vs. the ones on the front of the case vs. using a hub?  Can slow/fast USB come into play here?

The reason I ask is that I have some other USB gear that specifically states in the documentation NOT to use a USB hub.  Have I just been lucky, or could this be a problem waiting to happen in D-Light/Aurora land?

Ok, so my computer may be a little messed up.  Hardware utility recognized that I was plugged into COM PORT 4. So that is what I made my setting, however, I changed USB ports on my computer, and Hardware Utility still recognized it as COM PORT 4.  Different USB, same COM PORT. I dont know......Now it works.  But I ran into another problem.  Everything outputs just fine, except when I want to do a ramp shimmer, or a ramp twinkle.  Regular ramp and regular twinkle work, but as soon as I mess with the Start and End levels, nothing goes on. If I make both the Start and End levels the same....it works just fine.