A.M.B RC2 decoder questions
 

I've just bought a whole timing system from a track that closed down. Everything seems to be there. There's a TON of coax, leads, adaptors P.A etc.. However I have a mac and need to buy a dedicated PC to run Laps free or something similar.

Before asking my questions I should say that I don't have a lot of money and want to get my track up and racing as soon as possible.

Can anyone recommend a laptop that would be ideal?
The leads that came with it all have serial-to-usb adaptors on them though I've read the serial connection is more reliable (possibly due to dodgy software drivers?). I've also read that some makes of PC are not as reliable as others. The computer would be dedicated and not connected to the internet.

I'm sure I've seen the system requirements somewhere but can't find them atm so if someone can tell me these (and possibly if some old versions of Windows are more suitable than others).

Any other advice from experienced users would also be appreciated

thanks

The make of PC is no big deal, but I would suggest you get something that can run Win7. The guys who make the software for timing, are moving past WinXP since it is no longer being updated by Microsoft. Win8 is more for mobile devices (and is a pain) so I don't recommend it.

The serial to usb adapters are fine, you need to use the right drivers. I have purchased this one, (Sabrent) and it works the best with drivers from 2008.

I would also look into upgrading to RC4 as soon as possible. RC Scoring Pro is offering a trade in for 700 bucks. RC2 will not see the RC4 transponders.

Good luck, anymore questions, just ask.

Thanks for that, that's exactly what I wanted to know.

I've read (and been told) that the RC2 will read the rc4 hybrids but not the rc4 pure (3 wire) transponders. That's fine for what I'm doing. In fact I've never even seen the 3 wire rc4s.

Also I figure being on a budget I'll be able to make use of the MRT clones.

As I still owe money for this system I'm not going to have $700 for some time

There is one other thing that can be done. If you plug in to the port on the decoder box( it looks like a D and printers use it), and put the other end into a usb port on the computer, it will power the unit. So if there is a accidental power outage, the laptop and decoder will keep running.

The port marked "auxiliary"?

no, aux port is for setting up timing lights for drag racing. The one Im talking about is in the shape of a D. It is the newer printer port. I forgot the name of it.

It's a standard A/B USB cable. The A being the flat end and B being the "D" shape end.

Never understood having to use the USB to serial adapter. Especially with the RC2 decoder. One more thing to have and to go bad plus the drivers are difficult to find. But then the software you use has to support the USB protocol!

I've got a PC with windows XP on it. Plugged the serial to USB cable into it and the hardware wizard searched for it and found nothing.
So now I have the RC2 decoder which appears to be working but it won't talk to the computer. I've found the drivers on the mylaps site and the computer won't open it.
Not really sure what to do now. Any help would be appreciated

Why are you using a serial to USB cable? From what I have read a lot of those don't work in this application. The rc decoder is the only one that had the capability to use either. If you have an older pc use a serial cable,... if you have a newer pc use USB... Steal one off a printer, scanner.. something just to try it. I'm using an older laptop,.. it had both.. so I could use either one. When I got an rc3 I used the Ethernet cable,... and the serial for the adaptive sign.

I would do away with the adapter cable first... Before wireless USB cables were the thing... I probably have 10 -15 of them around here....

Windows does not need to find the decoder box for it to work. The Windows will not even know what it is. The timing software does. If the drivers are installed correctly, it should work. You also may need to adjust which port it is on. The serial to usb adapter is "simulating" a serial port on the usb port. You should be able to go into devices on the computer and look for serial adapter and see if it is functioning. Also sometimes, you may need to go into the usb adapter and make sure the power is on all the time. That is also under devices. Sometimes they are setup as a power saver profile, and the usb will be off even if the adapter is plugged in.

All the stuff I have was bought from an existing, working track. I'm using the cables as they are because I figure that's how they had it working best.
I've tried plugging in from the "D" usb port on the decoder to the USB port on the PC and the decoder doesn't show in devices.
Is doesn't show up in the Decoder wizard. It's asking for an ethernet address.
It doesn't show up in Laps Free. It asks to assign a com port and I don't know what to put there.
Whenever I plug something into the usb port the wizard connects to windows update and tells me it can't find the necessary software. I've downloaded a bunch of drivers for the Serial-to-USB cable but none of them work including the one from the mylaps site.
There's a port on the PC I have that looks like a serial port but has more pins.
I really don't know what I'm doing here

You said everything was from an existing track... Was the laps fee also?

From Laps free's site.

"Unfortunately many USB-Serial Adaptors don't work with AMB systems, however we've tested this one and guarantee it will work with AMB System 20, AMBrc, AMBrc3 and our serial devices. A full refund will be given if you find it doesn't work!"

Also

"
•Supports AMBrc (Serial) <--- nothing about USB

•Supports AMBrc3 (Serial and TCP/IP - RJ45 connection)

•Support for AMB system 20 (Serial)
"

Think I remember reading this before... Lapsfree doesn't support USB... correct me if I'm wrong

Parallel port maybe?? You don't want that... I use that for my printer.

The track I got it from was using laps free yes. They suggested I do the same

There have been many posts through out the years about software... I do remember something about it. I went to lapsfrees site... didn't see anything about USB. Might want to contact them... or who you got the equipment from.

http://www.rctech.net/forum/4769382-post9.html

There is more then one post stating it in this thread

http://www.rctech.net/forum/radio-el...c-decoder.html


Thought I remembered reading this before.

Cool so that explains the serial to usb cable. I'm still on the original problem of getting that to work. I've got heaps of these that came with it. Are they useless? Will I just have to buy another with its own driver?
I've found the other thread and the drivers mentioned don't work for some reason. Don't know if i'm doing it wrong. Should it just work automatically? Some drivers say they can't be opened and some say they've been installed but the decoder still doesn't show up under devices, decoder wizard or laps free

Here's a picture of a serial port.

Serial Port

It's pretty lame that some timing software makes you use a serial to usb adapter. They obviously don't have the knowledge to code their software for the better protocols like USB and TCPIP.

Anyways like Ed said Laps Free doesn't support USB. Also if it did you would still need the AMBrc2 USB drivers for it to work, Windows will not find a workable driver on it's own. And AMB's USB drivers only support 32bit computers!

Lets start from square one, what type of computer do you have? Laptop or desktop? What version of windows??

Just came across this interesting bit of info searching for the AMB usb drivers. Autoscore is now freeware and they have the USB drivers on their site to download. I haven't ever seen or used their windows version but used their DOS version years ago. And it supports USB and TCPIP protocols, no serial to usb adapters needed!

AutoScore

We used to use the DOS version of autoscore too. I tried the windows free version when it came out. It looked messed up. I hope they updated it since then.
Im surprised they went to free. With all of the systems out there, maybe they decided it was the best course.

I think I'll download and play with it. I strictly only run JLap, but just curious!:)

We use Alycat. Have no complaints.. Been using it, close to 10 years.

I've been using AutoScore for 16 years +-... its constantly updated... probably have 10 full version updates. I'm not sure how he came up with the original version numbers... but somewhere around 04, 07 he changed it to a date code. This latest version is very recent 14.09.21. .. that's 2014, Sept, 21.

That has worked for me with serial, USB, & since 06 with the rc3 TCP/IP.

Thanks for the input so far everyone. It's a laptop with windows XP.

I've seen that laps free doesn't support USB. All I want to do atm is get the decoder to talk to the PC via the serial port using the serial-to-usb cable.

It must work because it's the same setup the previous owner was using.

I don't understand how to get the drivers for the cable/s I have and don't want to buy another if I can help it as there's 3 or 4 there already.

There's no brand on the serial-to-usb cable. It just looks generic

Maybe if you post a picture of your adapters someone will recognize them and help with drivers. :nod:

You could also contact the old owner, and ask if he remembers, or has the disks for the adapters.

They stopped making the rc decoder in 05,.. then the rc3 decoder came out in 06. .. If you look that thread was started in 08.... was there an earlier version of Lapsfree that worked with USB? IDK?? But there is more then one thread on here with people looking drivers to get Lapsfree to work.

https://www.facebook.com/36683019999...type=1&theater

These are the adaptors I have.
I asked the previous owner for the drivers and he said he just plugged them in and his computer found them

I'm still trying to get the decoder to show up in the the Decoder Wizard.
Downloaded and installed a heap of usb-serial drivers. Don't think they're working.

Is there anything else I can try to at least check and see the decoder is working?

Every post I have seen where people are looking for drivers has to do with laps free and the rc decoder. .. and I don't think any of them got it to work.. All the other race programs are plug and play... guess the drivers are included. Bob posted a link to a free version of AS... give it a shot... its free. no adapter needed.. just a USB cord.

Been a while but doesn't the rc decoder have a light on the front that flashes when a transponder crosses the loop?? Or is it just a power light... (pretty sure the rc instructions say you can just run the TP near the decoder and it will pick it up... without a loop). When bought new the rc & rc3 come with a headset, you will get a tone when a TP crosses the loop.

Wondered if you ever got this to work.

I haven't tried setting up the loop. I just want the decoder to show up in the decoder wizard. I don't know how else to connect the decoder to the computer.
The free version of autoscore says it won't open unless there's a printer connected.

All I want for now is to connect the decoder to the computer.

I thought the first step in setting up the timing loop was getting the decoder to register somewhere on the computer. Am I doing it wrong? Will it not show up in the decoder wizard without the loop set up?

The decoder has a light on it, its green when on, and blinks red when a transponder passes the loop, and every six seconds (clock on time to the computer).

This problem sounds like a simple driver issue.

Is the computer connected to the internet? If so, just connect the usb to serial adapter (no decoder) Windows XP should pick it up (if you have service pack3), if not, go to control panel, then to add new hardware. If it finds it, Windows will ask to dl from Windows update. If it works, then it should install the drivers. If it doesnt, try the other link posted in the thread.

The last option, spend the 15 bucks and get this one. usb serial adapter I know that one works with drivers from 2008. Drivers from 2012 mess it up. I still have this from when we had our RC2 decoder.

The other thing to remember, dont keep switching usb ports to get it to work, use one and stick with that one port. Windows XP doesnt seem to like it when you move devices from port to port. Its seems its not "global" for the system, just the port.

Since you are stuck with no USB support with the software, the only options you have is simulating a serial port.

If you want to, I can help remotely with Teamviewer if you want.

I've connected the computer to the internet and it says it can't find the necessary software. Downloaded a bunch of drivers. I'm pretty sure the cable I have is an aten r232 adaptor.
Thanks that would be great. I'll download teamviewer and PM you when it's set up :)

Do yourself a favor and go to the B&B software site and download the software and USB drivers for the Ambrc2. Install the race software and run the USB drivers install. The drivers install to a folder on your C drive. Then plug in the decoder with a A/B USB cable (printer cable). You should get "Found new hardware wizard" and manually add the drivers from the folder AMB/USB on the C drive.

If you had already tried to use the decoder with the USB cable follow the steps below:

Go to Device Manager and find the decoder. This may be hard to find, hopefully there's a device with an "!" if not Windows may have selected a driver for it (that won't work!) and it will be listed under "Universal Serial Bus controller". Find it and select "Update Drivers" and browse to the folder "AMB/USB" on the C drive.

In Auto Score under "options/transponders" select AMBrc2. When you open "Practice" or go to "Race" the light turns green.

Even if you have the USB drivers correctly installed the light on the decoder will stay red and will not signal a transponder passing until the race software sends a command to the decoder. Then and only then they do a "handshake" and the light on the decoder goes green. When a transponder passes the light blinks red. Also the decoder blinks red every 5 seconds on it's own without a transponder passing!

Thanks I'll try that. I keep reading about 32bit and 64 bit os and how some programs will only operate on one or the other. Is there a way to tell what my os is?

You posted earlier you had XP. Chances are you have 32bit XP. Mainly only higher end XP machines could run 64bit. Follow the steps below to see which you have

Computers running Windows XP


•Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.

•If "x64 Edition" is listed under System, you’re running the 64-bit version of Windows XP.


•If you don’t see "x64 Edition" listed under System, you’re running the 32-bit version of Windows XP.


The edition of Windows XP you're running is displayed under System near the top of the window.

So....any luck detecting the decoder yet?

Did you ever get this to work?? Let us know.

Thanks. I've tried all of these things listed and no luck.

Does the timing loop need to be set up in its entirety for the decoder to register on the computer?

It's a 32 bit system.

I've tried looking in device manager while the decoder is plugged in via the serial to usb cable and there isn't anything under "Universal serial Bus Controllers" besides a bunch of "Intel host controllers" and a bunch of "USB Root hubs".
There is nothing listed with a "!"

Autoscore won't open on my computer so am restricted to laps free.

The light on the decoder is a solid red.

So the correct software drivers are there and I can't find the decoder anywhere.

When I use the A/B cable something pops up under "Other Devices". When I try to update the driver it doesn't work. It also asks what type of hardware it is and I've put "Universal serial bus controller" which may be wrong.

Can someone please explain simply the process of making this work. The manual is not at all helpful and I am a complete noob.