Issues updating my cab-2 base to version 1.7

If you have a hobby store near you they may be able to help.  Blank Lionel modules are available on Amazon.  I bought a spare from them.

@RixTrack posted:

Blank Lionel modules are available on Amazon.

Or make your own from materials on hand! Free Black Modules for Legacy

@JEFFREY RUCKGABER 050219 posted:

I don't seem to be able to update my cab-2 base to version 1.7 of the software. The ports on my laptop are being locked through my firewall software and I don't seem to be able to unlock any of them.

What version of Windows are you running?  You can surely disable the firewall long enough to use the LSU if nothing else.

@JEFFREY RUCKGABER 050219 posted:

The wifi approach does not appear to be an option as it requires another lionel device (LCS?) - at least that's the way I'm interpreting the instructions.

Correct, that's how I connect, makes it very convenient to connect to my Legacy base that's in the middle of the layout on a power panel.  It just pops up like magic when I fire up the LSU.

I have the black modules. But my firewall SW is preventing port access. I need to contact Macafee on how to enable opening a port.

btw - I was talking about the blue modules. If I can’t get a com port open, that will be my only method to do the update.

Windows 11

I don't have Mcafee AV, but it's impossible for me to believe that it won't allow you to use your serial ports!

If you can't fix it, I'd get rid of Mcafee and use something else.

Software  ver. 1.7 is for the Cab 2 and only ver. 1.6 is for the base.  If you're trying to upgrade 1.7 to the base it's not compatible.  

I just want to update the base. I recently had the base/remote sent to Lionel for repair. The upgraded the cab 2 to 1.7, but left the base at 1.5.

Let me see what McAfee says when I speak to tech support today.

Wait a second. You are using a usb to serial port adapter?  You need to check the virus program does not have device blocking capabilities. Locking USB port etc.

Yes - I looked at that and windows defender said that McAfee was blocking. I could not figure out how to unblock, so I’m calling McAfee tech support today to walk me through that process. Crossing my fingers!

Hey guys - was on the phone with McAfee support for over an hour. They could not get it to allow ports to be opened.  De-installed McAfee - no change. They ended up reinstalling McAfee and the ports started showing up in the McAfee application. No explanation why the reinstall enabled the ports. Whatever!

Now for the bad news - the Lionel utility still does not see any ports. The drop down shows disabled for available com ports. The McAfee tech said it was probably an issue with the USB to serial cable. I don’t buy it. But we’ll see - I ordered a new cable. It will be here tomorrow.

Any possible thoughts about the Lionel utility not being compatible with Windows 11? In my job in IT, many times newer versions of an OS require an update to the software that runs under that OS.

If the new cable does not fix the issue, then Lionel tech support on the possible compatibility issue.

tra la la la!!

I’ll keep you all posted.

I run it under Windows 11 no problem. I don't and won't use McAfee as its ad ware, not needed. Windows Defender does the job. That being said I use my desktop that has a real RS232 serial port. I would try a better/higher quality USB to Serial adapter, or just a different brand, they are not all equal, LOL.

Unfortunately, based on my own experience this sounds like a USB serial port adapter issue. Only certain chips used in these are compatible for purposes of using them with the Lionel software. I think that at one point Lionel published a very short list of those USB adapters that it knew will work. After three tries I found one, but eventually went over to the WiFi option.

I also use a desktop that I put in a dual serial port PCI adapter, it works flawlessly and needs no extra drivers.

Well guys, I finally got this to all work. After unsuccessful dealings with McAfee and also purchasing a new usb to serial cable, I was still having issues.
I finally did a search on enabling COM ports (which is what the LSU module kept showing me under serial "not enabled". I walked through the results and had me go to device manager where I enabled a com port. Still same issue with the new cable. When in device manager, I saw an error under the com port that said "pl2303ta do not support windows 11". Did a search on that and got the windows 11 driver. I installed that. Still no luck - a new error message, that I don't recall in device manager for the com port. I did a search on that error message and came across a thread that indicated to download an older version of the driver. Which I did. Finally, success. The laptop was now talking to the Lionel base.

Now more adventures:

I went through the process of updating the black module to the 1.6 version of the base software. I then followed the install of that software onto the base. Lights were blinking, etc. But nothing. I was getting 5 blinks in a row on the yellow light on the base indicating "Module too advanced to read" - whatever that meant. It was an error shown on page 15 of the LSU manual. I pulled out the black module and went through the process again. Same blinking yellow light with 5 blinks. At that point, I pretty much gave up, but just wanted to see what now showed on the cab 2 remote.

Lo and behold - the Cab 2 is version 1.7 (which it was already) and the base now showed 1.6 (versus 1.52 - before I started this process). So, I guess I'm now up to date. I checked all my locomotives, switches, etc. All were working properly. I did notice on one of my legacy locomotives that the display on the cab 2 that shows the icons now had a new one called Aux 3. Not sure what that's for - but may investigate after I finish drinking this evening!

What a long haul this was!! Yikes. I hope I don't need to do any more updates in the near future.

Thanks all for sticking with me on this!

AUX3 is for some newer Legacy locomotives.  I know the F40PH Cabbage uses it to start their generator sounds.