RM installation- newbie

[I_broke_it_87]

Hello all, I would just like to say hello as I've recently started the hobby of OO scale railways.

I have two murphy model's class 201's, one with a DCC sound chip I'm trying to get the most out of with Railmaster and an e-link.

I have spent 3 hours trying to get my laptop to connect to the e link but I am out of luck. I have installed the trial software on my windows 10 laptop (version 1809, OS build 17763.557)

I have run the RM as administrator and have amended the COM ports and bits per second as advised. I have some screen shots to show. I have also tried all my USB ports on my laptop to no avail, hence the 3 hours spent....

I not connected my line to the e link as of yet to eliminate any line induced problems.

Any help I sincerely appreciate.

/media/tinymce_upload/3ef085aa6450c97c6fe4c56aa6b5ad4c.jpg/media/tinymce_upload/8dc75b21bce09f8ec7ef6a0a6dce9ac4.jpg/media/tinymce_upload/550a6e13a484869c2070e8fe23f93d37.jpg

Thanks,

[I_broke_it_87]

Morning folks, further to the info above, i swapped the USB cables for a different one, same error, I tried to update manually the firmware of the e-link using the file buried in the RM folder (no connection possible so of course that wasnt going to work) and finally, used a friend's laptop also windows 10 and had the same errors.

The RM version is 1.70 for info too.

I have ordered another e-link box from hattons so will try again when that arrives.

Thanks,

[westernwill]

I also could not update the firmware on a new Elink I had bought using Win10, but fortunately I still have an old Vista PC on which it worked perfectly.

 

I see you are using COM1, usually it is COM3 or 4. Is the COM port USB3 for which there are known issues?

[Chrissaf]

Of course it is always possible that the eLink box is faulty, but unlikely. You have more than likely wasted £30 buying a replacement box from Hattons.

.

These USB communication errors are common between the eLink and Windows 10 PC......even more so if you have installed the 1.70.2 evaluation version copy of RailMaster.

.

The issue can be easily fixed by checking and amending if necessary the "railmaster.ini" file.

.

There are many threads on this forum devoted to eLink communication errors and how to fix them. Here are two of the best (look for the posts in them authored by me):

.

eLink not recognised – checking COM port numbers & .INI entries

https://www.hornby.com/uk-en/forum/railmastere-link-problems/?p=1

.

**alternative version specifically relating to V1.70.2 release

https://www.hornby.com/uk-en/forum/train-will-not-run-on-elink-plus-other-issues/?p=1

.

Then there is also the external RailMaster 'Help Site'.

https://www.hornby.com/uk-en/forum/railmaster-help-site/?p=1

.

PS - As WW has indicated. It is very unusual for RM to use COM1. RM works best when using a USB2.0 port of the PC assigned as either COM3 or COM4.

.

In your screen shots, the eLink entry is shown with a 'Pink' background highlight. Straight away, this tells me that your issue is a 'communications' issue. The eLink background will be white when the eLink is correctly recognised. Performing my 'railmaster.ini' file modifications will fix your isses with an 80% probability. The 20% shortfall, is just in case the eLink is indeed faulty.

.

I take it that you have installed the W10 USB Driver and installed it correctly. Just to be sure, review this further thread and ensure the driver details on your PC match (or are similar) to the entries shown in the screen shots. If the driver is not installed or installed incorrectly, then you will get the same symptoms you have described.

.

Note: The eLink uses exactly the same driver as the Elite, so where this post below states Elite, read it as eLink.

https://www.hornby.com/uk-en/forum/windows-10-drivers-for-hornby-elite/?p=1

.

TIP: As this is your very first post, just be aware that the 'Blue Button with the White Arrow' is not a 'Reply to this post' button. If you want to reply to any of the posts, scroll down and write your reply in the reply text box at the bottom of the page and click the Green 'Reply' button.

.

Now that you have used up your second newbie post, you probably won't be able to reply again until tomorrow. This restriction will be lifted soon, and you will be able to post freely. As you have already found out. images posted 'out of normal office hours' are not published until the next working day.

.

Thank you for posting the screen shots as your very first forum post. It makes life so much easier for us than having to rely purely on written text questions.

[I_broke_it_87]

So gents, got a functioning DCC set up, many thanks for your help. The solutions were Com4 and editing the INI file to have at the bottom:

Alternative Comms=0Check controller=1

That was my 3rd combination of values.

As a side, I hope Hornby do make it easier for the entry into DCC, the sound fuctions on my loco I still need to iron out the assignments but for now it runs like a dream.

Thanks again.

[Chrissaf]

Glad to hear that my eLink communication error solutions worked for you. I assume that you will either return the ordered eLink to Hattons for a refund, or keep it as a spare.

.

I have more threads posted on this forum with regard to setting up locos and sound functions. Here are a few more of my posts that all relate in some way to setting up locos in RailMaster.

.

Adding a loco from the database into RM.

http://www.hornby.com/uk-en/forum/loco-registration/?p=1

.

Using RM to read and write CVs

https://www.hornby.com/uk-en/forum/problem-with-tts-decoder/?p=1

.

Manually adding a Loco to the RM Database.

https://www.hornby.com/uk-en/forum/r3459tts-decoder-not-recognized-23469/

.

Full description of the ‘Locomotive Settings’ screen in detail.

https://www.hornby.com/uk-en/forum/changing-cruise-and-shunt-speeds/?p=1

.

Setting up Flying Scotsman TTS Sound Functions.

http://www.hornby.com/uk-en/forum/how-to-set-up-default-sound-functions-on-scotsman-r3284tts/?p=1

.

Expanding the large throttle to see all function buttons.

https://www.hornby.com/uk-en/forum/how-to-set-up-default-sound-functions-on-scotsman-r3284tts/?p=2/

.

better version of the above.

https://www.hornby.com/uk-en/forum/sound-functions-in-rm/?p=1

.

“on/off” function button labels.

https://www.hornby.com/uk-en/forum/post/view/topic_id/19619/?p=2

.

[I_broke_it_87]

Thank you Chris for the links, I will read them in detail. I'll return the spare e-link. Cheers.