Split-Second PTB605v13

Try to run it from the computers serial port instead of the USB. Sometimes the cheap USB to serial adapters dont work too well. The other option is the more expensive PCIMCIA card to serial adapter. This is a better option for a mission critical system like the clock if your laptop does not have a built in serial port. Display can be run on USB to serial.

I had the same problem last year. The timer can talk to the Computer, but the Computer can't talk to the Timer or any other device for that matter. Scoreboards included. I think you have a couple of issues here. I'm sure some of the computer experts can offer more, but here are my observations. 1. Windows 98 and USB don't always get along. (Most people will advise you to get off the Win98 platform for many reasons. I 2nd that motion) 2. As others have said, the best solution to the Serial issue is the get a PCMCIA card for your computer. About $150 for a single, $199 for a dual serial port card. (Not sure you want to spend that much money on an old computer, but even if you buy a new one you will still need the card.) 3. I had good luck with the same issue on my computer (Compaq Presario 2500 with WinXP SP2) and a 605 by changing the Port settings for the Com port I was working with. The Tag manual specifies using Xon - Xoff for the Flow Control settings. My USB - Serial adapter defaulted to a setting of "None". I changed the setting, restarted and it worked. Maybe I just got lucky. The Flow control settings are in Device Manager. You'll have to go to the properties for the port you are using and then the Port Settings tab and down to Flow Control. There should be three settings. None, Hardware and Xon-Xoff. This is for Win2K or XP. Haven't used Win98 in so long I can't help you further than telling you to go to Control Panel, System and then finding Device Mangler, (oops, I mean Manager) Good Luck!

We have been using a PTB605 for many years and these type of commnunication problems started showing up when we updated the timer to the latest firmware. Even the PTB605.exe that is supplied with it won't work properly, the only software so far that I have found that has been modified to work properly with the latest version is DTRIS from Dick Bear, I am sure others have done it too but you might need a specific version of their software.

Once you have invested in a proper serial card if you still have problems you should contact your supplier with the exact version of your firmware (hint: it prints out when you turn the PTB605 on) and ask which software version works
with yours.

Make sure your port is set up for bi-directional communications.

The latest version of Split Second software will work fine with the 605, however, you need to make sure you have selected the proper version from the drop down menu. Make sure when you are in the Setup and Test screen that the timer you have selected is the PTB 605v13 not just PTB 605. There are two in the drop down menu. The first is for those who have not upgraded to v13, the second one, way down on the list is specifically for v13.

The PTB controller that was originally supplied with the timer on two disks is called PTB Controller Version 4. This will not work with v13 on the timer. You will need to upgrade to PTB Controller Version 5 if you wish to use this for your utility. I got it directly from Tag and you can get it from Gerry at Reliable Racing. There are many other software programs that work fine with the PTB 605 v13 including Soft Control Ski which is available directly from the Tag website. You can download the evaluation version and set up your timer. To use all the features of the software you need to buy a license. Better to stick with Split Second software.

Thank you all for the various suggestions. Unfortunately none have worked. I tried com1 without success. I checked the com port settings and indeed they were set to xon/xoff.
Also, I used this timer successfully with this computer using the usb com ports prior to changing to v13 and have been unable to use it since then. Should I send the PTB 605 in for service? Again, thanks for the many helpful suggestions. Scott

Hmmm. Well the first thing I would do is go find a Desktop computer somewhere that is running a newer version of Windows. Win 2000 or XP. Nearly every desktop computer I have seen has a built in Serial Port on the back side. Download the Split Second software and make sure you have selected PTB 605 v13 from the list of timers in the Setup and Test screen. If it works on the desktop, you have a computer issue, most likely related to the USB-Serial converter. If not, you will need to dig deeper into the timer and find out why it is not communicating bi-directionally since you upgraded to v13. Maybe Gerry at Reliable has some other suggestions, but I would at least try the desktop computer before you send the timer back for service.

I confess to computer stupidity! I finally took the computer to clock cord apart and determined I had a cord set up for Alge S4 (2 wires). PTB requires 3 wires. Anyway, a search produced to correct cord (Labled PTB on one end and computer on the other) and everything works well now. Thank you all for your helpful suggestions. Also thanks for the helpful hint elswhere on this site to the effect that most problems are wiring problems. Have a great year. Scott