We have the Alge S4 as the primary timer and an Alge Timy as a back up. We tried using Windows 98 (Off a desktop) and could not complete the testing of the display board through the Split Second Setup and Test funtion. We get the first result of 1.11.11 (or something like that) but does not change to the 2.22.22 then 3.33.33 and so on. What could be the problem. We have not had any problems when we have used Dtris (a dos based timing software, don't laugh, yes DOS - that is why we would like to step into the future and go Back To The Future by remaining with the DOS software). We have Win 98 that allows us to run in a pure DOS environment because of the above software constraints. Before you suggest that we get XP, we tried it on a laptop with XP and still, the same problem.

Any suggestions would be greatly helpful.

Regards,

What type of ALGE GAZ display do you have? Is it a glass front, welded case with a hinged lid at the back? If so it is an older ALGE GA 82 display and will not work properly with Split Second. An upgrade to a newer ALGE GAZ c, GAZ 4 or D-Line will solve this issue.

We have a Gaz4 display. I read some other chats and can see how older hardware can cause problems.

Thanks for the additional reply. Everything helps.

Pietro

Will the display work properly when directly hooked up to the Timy or the S4? Have you checked your port settings on the computer?

We will try this this weekend and get back to you.

Thanks again!

I did some additional research on the web with the Gaz4 display and Alge S4 timer. It seems that we have to set the thumbwheel to 0 (which is where it is currently set) and then the switch to the down position to get the h:mm:ss setting. It seems that this is the recommended setting according to the information that I saw on the Split Second site. We will try this on the weekend also. The question that I have is thw following. When changing the switch position on the display board do we have to restart the software or powerdown the board much like a reboot on computers when installing new software??

Normally the GAZ can react to resets on the fly and does not to be rebooted.

Thumbwheel "0" is the default setting for the GAZ c and 4 models. It is also the only setting that works if the thumbwheel becomes loose. The older ALGE circuit boards were prone to the thumbwheel housing breaking free in transit and the programing failing to be recognized. Modern GAZ 4 circuit boards have an aluminum extension of the banana plug bracket that covers the thumbwheel and helps prevent it from breaking free. When in doubt apply GOOP to the housing to keep it from moving.

The toggle switch should be in the min:sec sec. 10th 100th position (center) .

The "ALGE" setting in the SST "setup and test" addresses the display in the "0" mode. The display with the toggle switch in the center will show 11:11.11 , 22:22.22 , etc. The left hand display used for bib and rank has the toggle in the up position. The bib rank board will remain blank during the SST test. It will remain blank until you run a "real" racer. Remember that forerunner times are not displayed with SST FIS software. SST Club and NASTAR will display forerunner times.

The setting for running dual courses is thumbwheel 2 and 4 with the toggle in the center. A failed thumbwheel will refuse to show times except on the "0" setting.

We did have the thumbwheel at 0 and the switch in the middle as indicated in the instructions, however, we only get the first signal with the 11:11.11 to display on the board, the second signal with 22:22.22 does not show up on the display board. We will be trying to play around with the port settings on the computer and laptop to see if maybe there is something there. I will keep you posted.

I tried everything that I read, heard, saw and just short of using dynamite, the SST software did not work with our display board. Upon closer examination of the board, it seems that it is an older model. I can't find model numbers but FKP indicated in a posting here that older models do not work with SST. Our display has the thumbwheel but it also has two switches witn only two positions instead of the one switch with three positions. What model might this be? And will this one work???

This display seems to be an ALGE GA82. These displays have a welded aluminum case and glass face. You access the digits and circuit board by removing the hinged back. The toggle switch description matches as well. SST software does not work with these displays. Your description of the test patterns are correct.

Broders Fiddleware software found on the

http://www.phoenix-sports.com/software.htm

Will work with these older displays.

THe simplest and best solution to the display issue is to purchase a new ALGE GAZ4, ALGE D-line display. Give the old display to a group that will only use it with ALGE timers. We like to donate them to the Special Olympics ski programs with S3 timers.

Yes you are correct. We opened the back of the old GAZ display board and found on one of the circuit boards the GA82 model number. Our team (two of which are engineers) want to invest some time into trying to see if this display will work with SST. I works for a DOS based timing software so they feel that it should work with SST.

A couple of options, as I know that $$'s are always a concern.

From a DTRIS perspective, I've always been able to buy computers for less than $50 US with 2 serial ports that DOS recognizes.

I have also, very succesfully, run DTRIS in a XP Dos box and a Win 98 DOS Box. I know that Dick highly recommends that you don't do this, but it seems to be a function of computer speed. I then print to the Seiko DPU printers.

We just ran a Pontiac Cup at Camp Fortune and were driving a DID board as well as many DLine boards.

That being said, can you send the data from both SS and Dtris to another computer and capture it in Hyperterminal. You can then compare the differences.

Not to get into a SS vs. DTRIS discussion. Both are able to do the job. However my DOS/DTRIS solution allows the race to go on just in case we get a Big Blue Screen from Bill Gates. [off soapbox].

Mike