No, the loop does not need to be connected for the computer to find the decoder.

Autoscore should open if installed properly. Did the Autoscore program go through the installation process? Did it place a icon on the desktop? Are you logged in as "administrator"? Try right clicking on the icon, click on "properties" go to "shortcut" and "advances" and check "run as administrator".

You said "So the correct software drivers are there and I can't find the decoder anywhere", what drivers are you referring to? The decoder drivers or the USB to Serial adapters drivers?

I'm not sure where the drivers for the USB to Serial adapter show in Device Manager but "AMB Decoder" will show up under USB Controllers.

Did you download the "AMB/USB drivers" from the Autoscore site? If so did you execute the installation program. If so it should have placed a folder on your C drive named "AMB/USB". When you plug in the decoder for the first time it should pop up the "Found new Hardware Wizard". Select the option to manually install the drivers and browse to the folder on the C drive and select the folder "AMB/USB". If the "Found new Hardware Wizard" doesn't appear go to "Device Manager" and see if it's under "Other Devices". Right click on it and click "Drivers" and choose the option to "Update Drivers" and browse to the AMB/USB folder on your C drive. If done properly the decoder should show up under USB Controllers.

When using a USB to Serial adapter in Windows, it will show up in Device Manager under Ports (COM & LPT). It will list something like: "Brand USB to Serial Adapter (COMx)" where the x is the serial port it's emulating. I don't think you need this for the scoring systems. But this is the way you verify this part is working.

For the most part XP doesn't need a driver installed to recognize a Serial to USB adapter.

Using the driver from the Autoscore website is only necessary if you are trying to use the decoder natively off USB, which many people have said is problematic.

Is this the system you're going to use to race? Thought you were looking for a laptop? If you are, I'd recommend a Dell Latitude, something in the D or E class. These are meant to be abused and are normally tanks. Also since they were very popular, there's a huge supply of them, especially with companies dumping them because of refresh cycles or leases. Should be able to pick up a good condition one for less than $100. I wouldn't worry about Windows XP, if that's what it comes with. XP was Microsoft's most popular OS and even though it's not supported anymore by Microsoft, it will be around for years and the peripheral makers will continue to support it for years.

I've got a couple of XP systems including one we use for our RC track. It's not connected to the internet and never will be, so I'm not concerned.

Thanks for the info on where the adapter is located. Makes sense it would be under Ports. I've never needed to use one.

I would have to disagree that XP doesn't need drivers for the adapter. I've heard to many accounts where getting the right adapters and the right drivers to get them to work in XP and Win 7/8.

As for the RC2 decoder connected via the USB being problematic.....absolutely not true! If anything this is the perfect protocol! Not only is it 100% reliable it also powers the decoder and when connected to a laptop it will not lose power in a power outage. I think this rumor was started by some software's companies inability to use USB. It makes no sense to use a USB to Serial adapter, just another thing to fail!

I was sorry to lose the USB when the RC3/4 came out. I wish they had dropped the serial port and kept the USB! I do like the TCPIP (LAN) on the new decoders! Connected to a hub or router you can share the decoder with multiple computers. Of course the software has to support it!

I have to admit I have no experience running the AMBRC2 decoder off USB, only serial. It was a no-brainer since we use a computer with a serial port and serial is straight forward.

I just tried my generic usb to serial on a XP SP3 system and it did require downloading the driver off the Microsoft update site, but did so automatically when I plugged it in. I used to use one of these things for work all the time, but it's been years since I had XP, I had forgotten the process.

It is strange that Mylaps would drop USB with their new decoder. Wonder if the logic is that serial is universal as well as IP and you don't need to create/maintain USB drivers if you use these protocols.

Can't believe you are having this much problem. .. I've loaded AS on 2 lap tops & 3 desktops... most of them have had a least one HD replacement.. my race laptop has been rebuilt twice. Never loaded any drivers... just AS software. .. just load it and it flies... on like... 10 -11 computers.

Its been that easy, just load and play... somethings missing. Back when I had an rc decoder I swapped cables from serial to USB and back... still never had any problem.

Really appreciate all the advice and patience everyone.
Turns out I hadn't installed the usb drivers for AS. Finally got the decoder to show up under USB devices. Can't tell you what a relief that was. Thank you!

There is an AS icon on the desktop and I've tried running it as an administrator. It still doesn't work tho. It says "Autoscore will not work properly without a computer" then opens and displays an error message (printer error).
I'm guessing I need a printer? The decoder came with one just need to dig it out and power it up. Another night. I'm over the moon for now just seeing the decoder show up on the computer :)

I was talking about the USB to serial cable drivers before. I didn't know the decoder had its own drivers. Not sure if I need to find them or if they're on the decoder?

The USB Autoscore drivers are probably the exact same drivers you can download off the support section of Mylaps. If you have the decoder showing up in the devices list, you should be good to go.

That's a strange error message. If you don't have a printer installed (installed, not necessarily connected), you should get an error message along the lines "Autoscore requires a printer to run", but if you click OK, it continues.

Autoscore is unfortunately very picky and buggy. Sometimes it installs perfectly and other times you get frm errors that fatal. I remember diagnosing a bug with Bill (the developer). It had something to do with an update he wrote and it not being compatible with the ini file the program used from the previous version I had installed. It took lots of trial and error to figure out it was the .ini file, but eventually Bill wrote a patch to fixs that bug.

Sorry, it was late when I wrote that last bit. The error message says: "Autoscore requires a PRINTER to run properly". When it goes on to open after clicking "OK" it then displays another error message and closes" so I get to see the race car graphic and the "Click anywhere to continue" before it shuts down.

Should I try reinstalling AS? I'll go and dl all the stuff I can find at the B&B site now.

AMB RC2 vs Mylaps decoder
 

So I am contemplating on buying a AMB RC2 for around 2k or a Mylaps system with latest firmware for 3.5k. What would you guys recommend. I have been researching, and there seems pros and cons on both.

Swarf, I think I replicated the error you're getting. Install some sort of printer on your system and the error should go away. A printer doesn't need to be physically connected, Windows just needs to know you have a printer available. I think the program is trying to read the default printer and without one, it crashes.

Mhughesjr, I'd personally go with the RC2. The only transponders that don't work are the 3 wire ones that Mylaps came out with that only work on the RC4 system. Sure your racers don't get to log into the mylaps website to get their results, but come on, is that worth the $1500 cost? And if you want you can upgrade the RC2 to the RC4 with Mylaps for $1015. What are you thinking of using the system for?

You're right! I should've done that right away.
I'm sorry if I'm starting to sound dense. But now I have the decoder working and the software is recognizing the decoder I'm at a loss what to do next.
The AMB manual seems like it's written in broken English. It's talking about silicone and cutting slots in the track, making a perfect seal...
I have looked but is there a simple explanation of connecting/ setting up the detection loop anywhere? I'm guessing Autoscore has some instructions somewhere and I'm going to go and look for that now. I have no idea how to set up the loop

Thank you for your advice!

I mean, the manual says: Cut slots in the track. What track?
Then it says "put the wires of the detection loop in the slots and cut off the excess length".
When I try to picture that I see 2 wires connected to nothing, covered in silicone and buried in the dirt.
The next step starts with "When all wires are installed" It has up to this point said precisely NOTHING about installing any wires. Only cutting and burying them.
It reads like gibberish. The diagram makes no sense to me. Would someone take a picture of their detection loop please?

http://support.mylaps.com/kb/en/b2b/...l_vJan2010.pdf

On page 5 of the manual the loop shows are R at the center of the loop. That is a resistor you can buy and make your own loops. For our track, we tape the loop to a piece of carpet, then flip it over, and tape it to the carpet we use for racing. You can also make a bridge.

Hope this helps

Will I need one of these resistors to make the loop work?
Would u have any pics of the loop?
I've got the coax that goes from the decoder to the connection box and some thinner orange stuff that I'm guessing is the loop. There's 2 sections of that.
One side has a bare wire and a male 5mm plug. The other side has a female 5mm plug and a male 5mm plug. I can't find any instructions on how to connect it to the box

Does the wire in the loop need to be a specific length? I think I see how it's put together. I'll need to cut the wire a little tho

Finally got it to work! Thanks so much for the help and advice everyone!