Tech Question..Paperless Caching

jsj444 · Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2005 6:48 pm Post subject: Tech Question..Paperless Caching

Hi all.
I finally got my Palm Pilot. It's an M500.
I downloaded the Palm desktop software, cachmate, and Swiss Army Knife. Then I set up a pocket query to run the closest 500 caches to me. The problem is when I try to download them from GSAK to my Garmin Legend I get an error message that says " Error sending waypoints [Error] Createfile: Access is denied. Garmin: Can't init COM1.
Is this problem caused by the palm pilot software I installed on my PC or maybe the palm itself being plugged into my PC? Because now, my PC does not recognize my GPS at all. Something goofy with the ports, I think, but I am not really technically savvy. Should I delete everything and start over? If anyone has any ideas how to get this stuff to work, I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks
Jeff
jsj444

Isotelus

I'll give you some history on my experiences with this . My magellan was doing the same thing and sending the same type of message. It would tell me that magproto could not open com three. So I went in to set up and changed it to com 4. Problem was solved. Let me know if this helps ya.

jsj444

Thanks, I tried setting it to diff. coms I'll try it again.

Isotelus

You are making this change in GSAK ? That is what I refering to. Just checking.

jsj444

Yea but now it just says that all the other COMs listed don't exist. I think I'm gonna have to delete everything and start over, I don't know.
I think it may have something to do with the Palm itself. I thought I saw a blip while it was loading that it cannot share a port with anything else.

jsj444

When I try to change the Com # in GSAK, I get the same message as listed above. Went from 1 through 9, no luck.

Isotelus

Maybe someone with a Garmin can add to or give more detail with this problem. I'm out of the water on this one.

jsj444

Thanks for trying though, I appreciate it.

Isotelus

If I think of anything I'll let you know. You're welcome though.

GCMarauder

Hey Jeff - do both your palm and your legend use a serial connection (that's the small 9 pin connector)? I thought maybe your palm would use a USB connection, but I could be wrong.

I just bought an M500 off ebay today, so I guess I'll find out soon enough.

In my current situation, my legend uses a serial connection, and the treo 650 (palm) uses USB - so there is no conflict.

If both of your devices use a serial connection, and you don't have two serial ports, you might be able to sync up your palm pilot (assuming it's using COM1), and then stop your Hotsync software, plug in your legend and send the waypoints to it using GSAK, also on COM1. The Hotsync software would definitely be the culprit in this scenario because it runs constantly and monitors the port for a signal.

Hope this helps some...

Dave

jsj444

Thanks Dave. My Palm is USB and I think my GPS is serial, but I'm not sure. I'll try to figure it out.

GCMarauder

It's also possible that the COM (serial) port on your PC isn't working or is disabled. If it's disabled, you can go into the BIOS on bootup and re-enable it.

If you can't get it, I'd be willing to stop over and help you some night after work. I'm a computer engineer - couldn't remember if I already told you that. Smile

Dave

jslagle

Right click on your hotsync manager in your system tray and unckeck serial.

Problem solved.

GCMarauder

Aw crap - I didn't even think of that one! Sad

I'm so used to using USB with hotsync manager, I forgot you can have more than one connection method selected at a time. Good call Jason!

Jeff - I just tested that with my own setup (USB palm and serial Legend). With serial selected in hotsync manager, I get the "Can't init COM1" error in GSAK.

We owe Jason a beer now.

Dave

jsj444

Woo Hoo!! Beers are on me for both of ya!! See ya at Mutts! LOL
Now this is going to be a stupid question, I'm sure, but now how do I get the caches downloaded to my Palm Pilot? Worked perfectly going to the GPs. Now for the next step.