LH4PI

Everyone I now also want to run interface B , rcx and nxt using robolob 2.9 on windows xp using natively serial port . Can anybody confirm that the interface B actually works well on this platform. Best Lars

I find a solution , I bought a vintage Toshiba Tecra M5 that have a standard 9 pin serial port (as well as SD, PCCARD, USB, CD/DVD, Video ou and a 80 GB SATA harddrive and 2G RAM) , I successfully install Lubuntu 18.04 LTS and Dosbox for linux and get it working using the Dacta Dos program and the serial port ! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qP8ikgW1RdHr6lKT7XvZvx8HCeDMJicG/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ksEbxfCaHvN_ZMdJo2E9ZHQbzpGiAcLO/view?usp=drive_link

I find a solution , I bought a vintage Toshiba Tecra M5 that have a standard 89 pin serial port (as well as SD, PCCARD, USB, CD/DVD, Video ou and a 80 GB SATA harddrive and 2G RAM) , I successfully install Lubuntu 18.04 LTS and Dosbox for linux and get it working using the Dacta Dos program and the serial port !

Thanks Thorsten I also use Hterm ! I testet the software , but it is free only for two first week and not as good for the same price as my suggestion in my opinum . I have bought a faulty interface B from USA and hope to be able to fix it , I let You know . Best Lars

Hi All Anybody that have info or link about a good free rs-232 monitor/analyzer that can " sniff'/ listen to the traffic between a wIN 7/10/11 64 bit computer and a RS 232 device and save that to file ? Best Regards Lars

Test of uploading a picture from my Google drive https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kpDcydF3zalG7CGQnTBvIEHQe4pUOlR-/view?usp=drive_link

Bricklab.exe actually have been made by Swedish programmer , I have talked to him but it is clear that it is not running win 3.11 but win 95 and up !. you find the program here http://www.blockcad.net/dacta/, the interface B The sniffer program I have found that actually support win 11 64 bit is https://www.electronic.us/products/serial-port-monitor/ Best Regards Lars

Almost correct Point 4 differs Bricklab.exe is a windows test program for interfacec B and it works in windows 11 but no use for me. Ctrlab exe is the original Dacta full funktion DOS program with labview like interface that I can run i DOSbox-X but not yet errorfree communication . I have started to use a sniff terminal program , let see if that help

Hi Thorsten It is no problem to run the dos Dacta LEGO control lab program ver 1.3 itself using DOSbox-X The present problem are related to set up the communication to the Interface B . I have tried to get DOSbox-x working using ATEN usb to serial adapter at com1 . That serial adapter works with Windows 7 and windows 11 using windows bricklab.exe application for the interface B . The strange thing when I run the serial emulation (using directserial realport: com1) I only get communication working for a short time (at least it indicate that it sense the right port and speed I believe) , a few seconds and then the dos program loose the communication (Can't find the control box message is displayed ) I have to play around how to config and set up virtual serial1 port using the DOSbox-x configuration Tool. It may be that dos program is sensitive for how it share the port with windows in the background and now have incorrect handshaking that is not what it expect or something in that direction . I have to investigate using a terminal and usb oscilloscope or/and play around with the settings I belive Best/Lars

Thorsten , I already run the original control lab for interface B in Dos , it works perfectly on my old OB 600C so why not try win 11 and DOSbox-X using DOS 5.0 ?!

Yes , that is the link , fantastic work !

Hi Toastie et all I found recently old link with description using the interface A and use it together with DOSbox-X . I now have installed version 2024.03.01 . I want to test if I can get the orignal dos version of Lego controlab with interface B using Dosbox-x running on win 11 Pro and using a a USB to RS232 dongle to work . Anybody that have tested that before ? Best /Lars

Update I find finally the real problem with the serial transmission using my old Omnibook 600 C running win 3 .11 and Dacta control lab . It was the ground pin nr 5 in the 9 pin serial port that have mechanically been pushed into the base of the connector and therfore not keep the ekectrical ground path I was able to push it out again and fixate pin 5 with superglue ,so now the OB 600C works without the dockingstation ( that was providing the ground path using its extension connector to its 9 pin serial connector ) So all good now !

Hi Good news today for me for the use of Dacta original control Lab . I found the original docking station to my HP Omnibook 600C and using that serial port I could get the serial transmission to work running windows 95 version on my windows 98 computer . I have run the software and program the graphical interface without any errors for several hours so the software /hardware is stable I almost get the same software working on another computer Running windows XP pro using an ATEN USB to serial dongle , I could read inputs and control motors but only for a short time but the software get transmission errors that you could delete , but soon you get the same error message again . Using bricklab.exe the communication works without problem . So I can confirm taht other has said that the Dacta control lab win95 version do not work on XP (but almost) Now I should the my other Omnibook 600C that have windows 3.1 installed and see if I can that computer to run Dacta control lab win 3.1 version ! Best/Lars

Yes , fully agree, It is something with the RS 232 world ! . When you get it to work You almost sense how the hardware and software , work together. I have still a lot of tools that uses serial ports , a lot of HP 95, 100 and 200lx palmtops with a wonderful terminal program (actually,I have to try to run the original lego data software on this Dos platform if I can find a mouse that can run from the IRDA interface that this small palmtops has besides the RS 232 port and PCCARD slot ) , two German made ISEL made 4-axes cnc milling machines, a dispenser unit, voltmeter, oscilloscop and now Lego interface B all about 30 Years old and still going strong ! Have heard about .an Irda controlled mouse with driver for 3 1 DOS ? Best Lars