What does "Serial Comms Timeout" mean when I am
trying to Read Data or Load Data on my HHD?
The Serial Comms Timeout message means that your PC is having difficulty completing
the communication with the HHD. Generally this error indicates that your PC began
communicating with the HHD, and then this communication was halted. In some cases, this
is due to the PC itself or the operating system, but it can be due to the HHD losing contact
to the stand during the Read Data or Load Data functions. There are several things you can
try that may alleviate this problem.
A good first step is to quit all open programs on the PC and perform a full Shut Down of
the PC. It may also help to unplug the power to the master charge stand for about 10
to 15 seconds and then plug it back in. Do this while the computer is off. After leaving
the PC off for about 15 seconds, restart it and go back into AutoRead. Do not open any
other programs before going in to AutoRead. Try to perform the function in AutoRead that
previously gave the error.
If you still encounter the Serial Comms Timeout message, try cleaning the contacts on the
back of the HHD with a pencil eraser or rubbing alcohol and a cloth or swab. Then try to
reseat the HHD properly on the stand. It may also be helpful to adjust the strap on the HHD
if it currently has one attached.
If you are using a 4000 series HHD, you may also try rebooting the HHD while it is in the
stand. To do this, leave the HHD in the stand and press the
Page Up + Page Down + Shift
keys on the HHD all simultaneously. The HHD screen should go blank for a moment, and
then in 15 to 30 seconds, the HHD will come back to the Charging Stand Active message
on the screen. Try the function that you were previously attempting.
What does "Serial Comms Unavailable" mean when I
try to Read Data or Load Data on my HHD?
Serial Comms Unavailable means that AutoRead does not know which COM port your
HHD stands are connected to. In some cases, you may see this error after an upgrade, or
after having to re-install AutoRead. To fix this problem, you need to let AutoRead scan the
available COM ports on the PC to determine which port to use when communicating with
the stand and HHD.
First, make sure the HHD stand is connected to the PC with the serial cable. Also, make
sure that there is electrical power to the stand. Then, in the AutoRead program, go to the
bottom of the tree view on the lower left side of the screen and click the plus sign (+) next
to the words Serial Communications. The name of the PC should display below Serial
Communications. Click the PC name to make sure it's highlighted. You should see a button
in the upper middle of the screen labeled Scan. Click the
Scan
button and wait 10 to 15
seconds. You should eventually see a message that says
Enter the number of Stands in
the Charging Stand Loop
. In the boxes provided, enter the number of charging stands you
have. If you are unsure of the model numbers of your stands, they can usually be found on a
sticker on the bottom of the stand.
Appendix A: Frequently Asked Questions | 133
