Skip to main content

Attempting to update my DCS TIU-seems my MTH WIU doesn’t see my TIU. 

That failed. 

So I bought an RS-232 9 pin cable-only to learn my PC has no RS-242 port. 

Went to LHS -no success there-he couldn’t load drivers on his PC. 

My DCS remote has an issue with the wheel-which I am going to repair, but I want to utilize my WIU and upgraded App  

Anyone have a solution or the program on a CD?

Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

The MTH DCS website has a lot of info and more so in Barry Boskowitz's DCS books.  MTH explains and links to their recommended 9pin serial to USB adaptor(s) and there are a number of threads w/i the DCS sections of this forum that both guide and provide online links to those products you might need.  Also a quick amazon search for 9 pin serial to USB pulls up a bunch that you can pick from and likely have delivered w/i a day or two.

Keystone posted:

The MTH DCS website has a lot of info and more so in Barry Boskowitz's DCS books.  MTH explains and links to their recommended 9pin serial to USB adaptor(s) and there are a number of threads w/i the DCS sections of this forum that both guide and provide online links to those products you might need.  Also a quick amazon search for 9 pin serial to USB pulls up a bunch that you can pick from and likely have delivered w/i a day or two.

Unfortunately this is not an MTH issue, per se, it’s a computer/windows issue. 

 

The driver upgrade comes from the MTH website. 

As does every other patch one might need on their DCS WIU System. 

mort1345 posted:

I had been using a win 7 laptop and the USB Serial Adapter and it (the adapter)  would not work with my WIN 10 computer even after a driver update.

Picked up a new adapter and it worked fine.

Mort

 

I’m using the USB cable that came with my TIU. 

BUT, at the LHS, he tried to download the MTH DRIVERS, and couldn’t. 

But, initial tests of the TIU showed no issues. 

 

A CD with the drivers would resolve this issue. 

So, I can not tell who is more inept- the idiot at MTH who created this TIU DCS downloading disaster-plug and play my butt. 

Or, the idiots at Microsoft who cannot give accurate directions on how to gain access to be the Administrator on the computer that when you log in-clearly says you are logging in as the Administrator. 

When attempting to install usb driver upgrade from MTH the pc says “requires elevation”

so you search for that-it says “log into computer with administrator account”

Which I clearly am logged into the computer as the administrator  

so, you search how to change administrator settings-and you get more useless information about what can happen if you change these settings 

and all I want to do is update the drivers so I don’t get an error box telling me my ISB cannot recognize my device  

 

lot of F-big BULLCRAP

 

 

rtr12 posted:

You should be able to right click on the file you are trying to run and select 'Run as Administrator' from the drop down menu.

Yes, you would believe it is just that simple, but not in my reality. 

Im using my wife’s laptop-so, there is a whole level of Bull sh-t involved. 

Because she believes every program will destroy her computer and my access to everything is of grave concern. 

I even logged into her Microsoft account she set up when she first got the device 

and there is next to no information for anyone who doesn’t have x amount of experience and expertise with the language of the binary and hexadecimal realms. 

I can dismantle any electrical device and rebuild it-but speeking geek is not my forte. 

Its exhausting to me

Not sure even Microsoft knows how Windows really works? They can't possibly keep track of that code it uses these days. Not to mention what all is in the registry possibly messing things up. 

I can sympathize with all the security measures that one can have, I probably couldn't get through those either. I hate working on other people's computers, my wife's and daughter's included. Maybe a format and re-install of Windows would be in order? This time without all the extra security? Of course this could get you in big trouble with the wife, so it may not be worth it! 

Last edited by rtr12
Casey Jones2 posted:

Which DCS Consumer Loader version are you using?? 

The latest. 

Which downloaded just as expected 

I contacted Midge at MTH, via email, she forwarded it to Jason. 

I sent him a video of my TIU/WIU at startup-

his response 

“Looks like your TIU USB port has a problem. Since you can’t do much with a WIU without a TIU it would be best if we could take a look at them. I can issue you an RA for those pieces. We won’t have them long I wouldn’t imagine.“

So, along with “driver download syndrome”, I have a TIU that “the USB jack on the TIU the TIU's processor uses the 5V USB bus voltage to turn the TIU's processor on.”

 

So, I get to be without the ability to run my trains-and I have just replaced my Remotes Thumbwheel assembly-which apparently now, can no longer be acquired  from MTH-just the cradle.  

And I won’t be able to do this(because while I have power blocks, I don’t have a way to isolate the power)

but, I do have 24’ of Yard to build.  

https://youtu.be/oxnwFfhcYC0

 

Update

 

sent the TIU and WIU to MTH. 

The problem has been found. 

Seems the center pin in the rectangular plug on the USB CABLE had broken off and was inside the cable end. 

Jason at MTH said this is only the second time he has seen this. 

So, it’s repaired; tested and on its way back. 

By fedex-from Michigan by way of Ohio, and Indiana-which means a trip through Illinois before it gets to Missouri. 

I sent the package to MTH via THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE...it cost $17 with insurance-took three days. 

Jason sent it to fedex 6/25

expected delivery 7/2. 

Must have only cost about $2.08 to ship fedex. 

So, I’ll get it in time to go on vacation 

which means 4 more days of no train running

but I’m seeing Harry S. Truman’s Home and Museum and a few other places before I die..even if it kills me(technically-it’ll be the wife for dragging her to “History” on her vacation—she said the same thing about Lincoln-but admitted she enjoyed it—I’m hoping for the same outcome...if I don’t post in July-launch an investigation 🚂😎)

1drummer posted:
The problem has been found. 

Seems the center pin in the rectangular plug on the USB CABLE had broken off and was inside the cable end. 

Jason at MTH said this is only the second time he has seen this.

Funny, I've seen it twice, and I suspect I see a small fraction of the TIU's that MTH gets in for repair.  I'm surprised they don't see it more often.  The plastic pin in the USB B connector is pretty fragile, and if you put a side load on the USB connector, you will break it off.  I actually grabbed a couple of USB connectors off old PC hard disk enclosures when I needed to fix these, saved waiting for an order for them.

gunrunnerjohn posted:
1drummer posted:
The problem has been found. 

Seems the center pin in the rectangular plug on the USB CABLE had broken off and was inside the cable end. 

Jason at MTH said this is only the second time he has seen this.

Funny, I've seen it twice, and I suspect I see a small fraction of the TIU's that MTH gets in for repair.  I'm surprised they don't see it more often.  The plastic pin in the USB B connector is pretty fragile, and if you put a side load on the USB connector, you will break it off.  I actually grabbed a couple of USB connectors off old PC hard disk enclosures when I needed to fix these, saved waiting for an order for them.

His words

not mine. 🚂😁

You are not alone questioning deliveries... I signed up for USPS delivery notices. Yesterday I was notified that my package had been delivered, in Ft. Worth, TX (of all places).  Two problems here, 1.) I live in Kansas,  2.) I didn't ship anything to FT Worth, TX.  I've had very few problems, ever, with shipping & USPS. Hopefully this not the beginning of change?  Very puzzling situation...

rtr12 posted:

You are not alone questioning deliveries... I signed up for USPS delivery notices. Yesterday I was notified that my package had been delivered, in Ft. Worth, TX (of all places).  Two problems here, 1.) I live in Kansas,  2.) I didn't ship anything to FT Worth, TX.  I've had very few problems, ever, with shipping & USPS. Hopefully this not the beginning of change?  Very puzzling situation...

I’d be contacting the company that sent the package. 

My wife had the same name, except middle,  as a woman whose credit was mixed in with my wife’s-drug my wife’s score down 

it took almost two years to get it corrected. 

Check your credit history

make sure no one is ghosting you

Good advice. I have had friends that had the same problem as your wife. That is a real mess! And I sure hope that never happens to me, fingers crossed! 

Unfortunately, the USPS info doesn't mention the shipper, just says shipment originated in K.C. MO (I'm in a suburb S.W. of KC). My credit score was good a few days ago, but I'll sure keep an eye on it just in case.

I guess our shipping friends get a little mixed up every now and then.  For the mass quantities of items handled, they don't do too bad and I suppose it's only really bad when you are the one having difficulties. 

Good news is, I haven't been alerted to pick anything up in Ft Worth, TX (so far anyway).  If they do notify me, I'm following your lead. 

I think 1drummer may be onto something here, about similar names. There are at least 3 of me living in our metro area. Me, one that sells horses and one in the asphalt business. Used to get a lot of their phone calls until we moved, changed to Google for phone service, and our new phone number is no longer listed in any directory. 

rtr12 posted:

I guess our shipping friends get a little mixed up every now and then.  For the mass quantities of items handled, they don't do too bad and I suppose it's only really bad when you are the one having difficulties. 

Good news is, I haven't been alerted to pick anything up in Ft Worth, TX (so far anyway).  If they do notify me, I'm following your lead. 

I think 1drummer may be onto something here, about similar names. There are at least 3 of me living in our metro area. Me, one that sells horses and one in the asphalt business. Used to get a lot of their phone calls until we moved, changed to Google for phone service, and our new phone number is no longer listed in any directory. 

Don’t just check your score

thats what my wife did

 

check the accounts-because if there’s one or that aren’t yours, and they are a slow payer, it will take months before it reflects on your score. 

 

Take nothing for granted. 

 

We we got bill collectors calling for the wrong person-and we couldn’t talk to them because we weren’t the person they were trying to contact-it became a catch 22 dead end scenario-like Who’s on first level of stupidity. 

 

 

Add Reply

Post
This forum is sponsored by MTH Electric Trains

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×