Can someone help me upgrade my DCS System?

You will need to purchase a USB to serial adapter and then you can do the updates yourself

Paul,

If you're attending York and can wait until that Wednesday evening, bring them to the DCS User Group Meeting and we'll do it for you.

I am with Matt get the short adapter cable for less than $10.  You will then be able to do later upgrades plus load sound files if necessary.  G

I use this one: Vantec USB to Serial Adapter - Model CB-USB20SR.  It works fine for both the TIU and my Legacy system.

here is a rs232 to usb for $5.65 with free shipping Alan

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RS232-...?hash=item3a795723fb

 I've used this one and it works perfectly with mth update on DCS tiu and remote updates and is very reasonable price! Alan

Thanks, all. I only have a work computer and have to get permission to download any and all software programs. If I obtain that permission I'll get the special cable.

Barry, I am going to try to get it done before York, and I appreciate your offer.

Are you near Wheeling, WV?

Hi Chuck,

I live in PA and that'd be a hike for me. I do travel to Reston, VA to my work's HQ but I think Wheeling is closer to OH. Thanks anyway.

I learned that my work computer has a restriction on loading 3rd party software applications, and I don't know if I can get around this.

Where in PA do you live?  I'm in SE-PA, I'd be glad to assist you.

Personally, if I couldn't do it myself at home, and everything is working, I'd defer the task awhile and await next release to avoid duplication of effort.

Well, we've been waiting for that "next release" for well over a year.

True, but apparently Paul has to expend much effort to get it done, so if everything is working ok, why bother?  Why do it twice?

Buy a used laptop for $100, plus a usb to serial cable if needed.

You'll find other uses for the laptop, like posting on the forum, SCARM, etc!

Ed

I tried to upgrade a DCS unit oncee and gave up as either my computer would not take the program or transfer to the DCS or handheld unit.

Take it to somebody that knows what they are doing. That's what I did, I went to Ready To Roll in Miami FL. Spent $25.00 and they did the update with no problems. Also great guys to work with down there.

Lee Fritz

I buy "throw-away" laptops at Walmart.com for around $250 (I'm not paying $800 for a laptop that's going to be obsolete in 24 months). I got a USB-Serial adapter off eBay for $15 which is compatible with Windows 8.1 and Windows 10. Works great.

John, I live in Honey Brook, Chester County ~ about 30 minutes south of Reading. I appreciate your offer. Where are you located? If its not too far I can travel to you. And, of course you're welcome to come out to my home.

My e-mail is: paulefudd@hotmail.com  e-mails don't always come through so let me know here if you sent one. Thanks.

You're not all that far from me, I'm in the middle of Montgomery County.  Hit my profile email and I'll give you contact details.

Got your e-mail. Will send a message. Thanks.

Gunrunnerjohn was able to upgrade my DCS systems...am now in good shape.

Thanks, again, John!

That should assure release of the new version 5.0 in the next couple of weeks.

Well, at least we won't have to wait for 3.31 anymore.

It's been many years since we waited for anything in the V3 series.

I wish you could do upgrades that stick.

Totally out of my control.

You meant 4.31, hence RJR jab.

I'm sure GRJ caught the meaning of the post.  After all the effort Paul went through to get his units upgraded, the upgrade won't "stick" as the current version because the new version is due out imminently.  That is, "Totally out of my [GRJ's] control."

Guys, what do you mean upgrades that "stick"? Do they disappear?

Besides the wifi in version 5.0, what else does it have?

Paul, just joking that what you now have won't continue to be the latest for very long.  5.0, due out within the next 2 weeks, is supposed to cure some bugs that were in the last version, as well as providing for wi-fi.  I am also running the latest pre-5.0 version, and have experienced a single bug, which doesn't affect my normal operations.  Works fine.

Good to know, Jamie!

I just hope with version 4.31 engines won't start up when sitting on VAR channel set to FXD tracks. There was a problem with lashups too with 3.31, and not being able to activate quilling whistle.

Paul, as I understand it, 5.0 cures the lashup issue.  With the 4.3 family, if they are powered by a transformer applying voltage on startup, as a postwar ZW with the handles raised, the tracks become powered a few seconds after power is applied.  DCS locos shouldn't start up, because the application of power to a TIU channel input causes the watchdog signal to be sent.  But if there's a conventional loco on the track, it will start in whatever position it usually starts in.  I would expect 5.00 to be the same.

Darn, I had problems with lashups in 2009 - and it's taken MTH to 2015 to fix them! Now, I'll have go get 5.00, LOL.

Wait a bit for the pioneers to test it.

My PS2.0 engines are still coming up in conventional mode whenever I raise the handles on the Z-4000. This only happens on VAR outputs set to FXD. I was really hoping 4.31 had cured this "leaking" voltage or whatever is wrong with the TIU.

Paul, don't laugh at what I'm about to say:  try raising the handles rapidly.  I have heard that if raised too slowly, power is applied too slowly for there to be enough voltage for locos to react to the watchdog, or something like that.

also make sure dcs signal is turned on for variable channels.

as to 5.0 will wait 

Jamie, I just tried raising the handle super-fast, and the engines on the VAR track set to FXD still come up in conventional. Oh well, this is where Legacy engines have an advantage.

Just a suggestion but it would do you well to purchase an older used laptop off Amazon or Ebay. The one I use for my TIU is 11 years old running an outdated version of Windows XP and it works great. I believe it can be had on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-Satellite-A135-S4666-Notebook-1-73GHz/dp/B000Y1QT1E/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1445536467&sr=1-2&keywords=toshiba+satellite+laptop&refinements=p_n_size_browse-bin%3A2423841011This is what I use and it works great.