USB socket reliability

[richwalters]

I have been running a 4224 for several years now, and only til recently it's been playing up with a new notebook. It may sound trivial but it isn't; the USB connectors these days are basically rubbish quality and go intermittent very quickly. There are other connectors still used on most notebooks i,e the RS232 clone. Can you suggest ? suitable adapter ?

rj

[Gerry]

Hi rj,

I would strongly advise against trying to go retro on this one.

For starters, you will have even more connections to worry about. Also there are only very specific USB to serial adaptors that you can use with a very specific driver, which could complicate things significantly, if for instance, you need to use a hub.

But, most importantly, it may not be the connectors. Quite often the current requirement for USB is under implemented by the Laptop manufacturers, which can result in what you are experiencing. So, the first thing that I would suggest is testing this on a computer with a well implemented USB supply, such as a desktop.

Then, if the problem persists, try running a previous version of the software that you didn't experience these problems with (to confirm that it's not a Driver issue). If you don't have a previous version, then we can help you with that.

Finally, even if it is a USB connection problem you could either look at using contact enhancer on the plug/socket (such as this: https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/contact-cleaners/8232668?cm_mmc=UK-PLA-DS3A-_-google-_-PLA_UK_EN_Facilities+Cleaning+%26+Maintenance_Whoop-_-Contact+Cleaners_Whoop-_-PRODUCT_GROUP&matchtype=&pla-342946034833&s_kwcid=AL!7457!3!413164777433!!!g!342946034833!&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5ZiT1rq16AIVVp3VCh2WGAg-EAQYAiABEgIgrPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds)
or, if that doesn't help (perhaps because the problem is internal to the Laptop) you could get the Laptop connector fixed/replaced (which would be a better method).

Regards,

Gerry