Ultimate II Computer download help

[Ed Carpenter]

I have a AutoMeter Ultimate II tach that I cannot get to download to the computer. I loaded the software that came with the tach. I then bought a cable to connect the 9 pin connector on tach to computer(usb) port. The cable is a gigware from radioshack. I also downloaded the software that came with the cable. when you open up tach facts and select download run it only says invalid port try again. When you download the cable software it takes you through a number of steps and at the end you have to select a com port for the cable. My computer has com8 for that. I tried numerous other ports and got nowhere. Before someone asks yes I went to radioshack and the kid behind the counter looked at me like what do you want me to do about it so I left. Autometer was no help either. Any ideas? Sorry so long. Ed

[Phillip marvetz]

I had the same problem, I had the autometer tech guy at the check my tach at a national event. It worked on his laptop but not mine, He said it was the cable and gave a part number to buy but I lost before I got home,lol.

[Ed Carpenter]

Found out today Auto Meters tach software is not compatible with Windows Vista. Thats what I have on my computer. Nice

[SPS]

Ed:
Not so about Vista.
My laptop has it and we use it all the time with the Ultimate II.

I'll try and get my daughter to help answer your dilemma, as she's the computer expert at the track.

FJ

[Ed Carpenter]

Thanks I appreciate the help. I went to options on the tach facts page selected com port 1 and selected com port 1 for the cable. Still says invalid port when you try to download a run from tach.

[JimFarrell]

Ed, if you installed the software before configuring the cable then the software won't be able to 'find' the tach. Try re-installing the tach software and pointing it to Com-8 when prompted (provided the cable is still configured as com-8). Make sure the cable is connected to the computer during the install or it will likely fail again. If this doesn't work, you may need to un-install the tach software, re-boot, then try again.

[V Smith]

Ed,

There are a couple things that could fix your problem.
1 - Make sure your USB cable adapter is plugged in when you open TachFact.
2 - Depending on how many USB ports you have on the computer, keep switching it around until you find one that works. Ours is very particular that we use the same port every time. That's probably easier than using TachFacts to select the port.

Try these, and if they don't work, we'll move on to some other suggestions.

Also, make sure that the software you have for the USB adapter is compatible with Vista.

Victoria

[Ed Carpenter]

Thanks I will try these suggestions in the morning and let you know. ED

[68camaroSS]

Not sure how to find the port you are using in Vista, but in XP you find the correct port by plugging in your USB cable into the computer. Go to "My computer" and right click, Go to Properties, click on the Hardware tab, click on Device Manager. Scroll down to you find Ports (com), and click on the + sign to explode it to see all the ports. It will show all your ports and the hardward if any attached to them, also show all open ports. Make sure the port number you see there matches the one your tach software is pointing to, or change it.
I have to do this to open my racepak now and then. Be aware that sometimes, the laptop computer will change or reassign the port numbers on you, eventhough you physically plug your USB cord back into the same port. When this happens this is what you have to do. The Com numbers must match.

[Ed Carpenter]

I think I got it figured out. I will know for sure fri when I try to download a run. Thanks for all the info. Ed