No. RS-232 is a very "dumb" standard- it is not like USB, where the port is only "active" when something is plugged in. The computer has no way of knowing whether a peripheral is connected- the port will show up in Windows' device manager list all the time.

Well then that means that the megasquirt is somehow not giving any signal to the port, or the port is dead, or I could be missing something very trivial.

Was I supposed to download any kind of separate driver for the computer to recognize megasquirt? Other than the megatune install stuff. As it is now nothing happens what so ever when the MS is plugged in, and like I said, I changed the port numbers around and set megatune to try to connect with the said port, but no luck.

There was another error message that came up on my last try, but I didn't get a screenshot so I'll take a look tomorrow. Something about different files on the MS not corresponding... But then after that warning I tried to connect and it still didn't recognize the MS.

If you're having trouble connecting, try the Port Check utility with the MSPNP connected and powered up. It will answer back with what port it is connected to.

Thanks, I used the port check to verify the port, and it turns out that it was connected correctly.

But now I'm getting this warning message:

Controller code version does not match signiature in MSnS-extra.ini

Expected “MS/extra format hr_10**********” (found in ini file)
Reveived “MS1/extra format 029y3*********” (from controller)

Table coruptoion may occur, this is usually a very serious problem

Terminate megatune now?

Any thoughts? Update the MS firmware?

Whoo I went and answered my own question!

Updated the MS firmware and everything is good now. Well, by good I mean I can now concentrate on my two new non MS problems.

Sometimes the simplest solutions are what you need. :)

I have a MS2 and I thought I'd found a nice little power brick that worked and during the creation of the MS it did happily. Fast forward till after I received the MS back from Richy who helped me out because of my cackhanded soldering, and I kept getting lots of odd com port errors:
http://giryan.me.uk/MegaSquirt/MS2-screenshot-1.jpg
http://giryan.me.uk/MegaSquirt/MS2-screenshot-2.jpg
http://giryan.me.uk/MegaSquirt/MS2-screenshot-3.jpg

Today I bought a new 9 battery to try as a last ditch attempt and it just worked, straight away, no problems.

trying to get a response from mspnp. ive changed the com port multiple times. ive ran the PortCheck Utility and says No connection made, then says 2 valid ports available, one being the female VGA port and the other com1(the one i set it on, itll do 2 and 4 also).

Any advice?

If Port Check finds a VGA port, something's weird with your computer. Could you please post a screen shot of Port Check?

got them communicating, updated the software from DIYAutoTune.com Megasquirt Kits / Assembled Engine Management Systems, Wideband o2 Sensor Systems and tuning products to 061608 build and it works fine :)

This post should be stickied! Great reference.

Where are you gus going to be able to choose the port etc ?

I have XP and have no clue where this is.

My MS was shelved for two mo and now out of the blue the lap top will not talk to Megatune but it talks to Log Works WTF ?!

Thanks

Go into your system properties.
Fastest way to get there is to hold down the windows key and then press "pause break"
Go to hardware> device manager> click the + on Ports (COM & LPT) you should see your port in there right click > properties > I beleive it's under port settings and then click on advanced.. cant remember off the top of my head..

Thanks but Ports is not listed on the tree. It starts with battery goes on to lism mouse etc. I clicked and expanded every single one but I don't see anything that mentions ports USB or anything related.
What else could it be under ?
can I do a desk top search ?

thanks again

Sounds like you need to re-install some drivers.

Are there any yellow triangles with an exclamation (!) point in them?

No, no yellow triangles.

I intalled the drivers that came with the usb to RS232 cable and it still does not talk to MS.

Does your computer make the "ding dong" sound when you plug the USB adapter in? if not it isnt being detected. If you dont have USB listed in your device manager something isnt right.
Installing the USB adapter driver should have added a com port into your device manager.
What kind of laptop is it?

Yes, it makes the bling/dong sound with the original adapter and with the new one.

I was able to connect to Log works but when I closed out of the program it was over. I went back after dinner to try to connect to Log works but neither cable would work.

Log works only seems to have the option to connect via one port. It just shows a number but I don't know how it comes up with the particular port.

The lap top is an old Dell Inspiron 1200.

Do I need to supply power to the MS before the laptop will recognize it? Is the power supplied through the ECU harness or the serial port?

The car has to be in the on position before your computer will see it. The ECU gets power from the car, not the laptop.