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    APU set up with Wi-Fi

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Problems Installing or Upgrading pfSense Software
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    • E
      eiger3970
      last edited by

      So, just ordered a new Serial female to female adaptor, in case the current serial female to female cable is faulty.

      I also removed the APU's microSD 8GB card > placed the microSD 8GB card into the memory card reader > placed the memory card reader into the computer's USB > opened the microSD 8GB card's folder > unzipped pfSense-2.1.2-RELEASE-4g-amd64-nanobsd.img.gz > deleted pfSense-2.1.2-RELEASE-4g-amd64-nanobsd.img.gz > kept the unzipped file pfSense-2.1.2-RELEASE-4g-amd64-nanobsd-20140410-0542.img > ejected the memory card reader > removed the microSD 8GB card from the memory card reader > placed the microSD 8GB card into the APU > powered on the APU > connected the APU into my computer's USB port > the computer is still not recognising any USB from the APU (the computer recognises other USB devices ok).

      I also tried the APU USB cable in another computer which recognised no USB when plugged into the 2nd computer.

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • stephenw10S
        stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
        last edited by

        Neither that adapter or the cable you linked to earlier are null-modem cables which is what you need. Something like this:
        http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1-5m-Serial-RS232-Null-Modem-Cable-Female-to-Female-DB9-FTA-DB9F-F-/161195465404?pt=AU_CablesConnectors&hash=item2587ff9abc

        I assume you're in Australia. :)

        Try looking at the syslog in Mint:

        cat /var/log/syslog|grep usb
        

        or tail it whilst you plug in the cable:

        tail -f /var/log/syslog
        

        Steve

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • E
          eiger3970
          last edited by

          Thank you for the reply.

          Forgive my ignorance, but what is the difference between the
          null-modem cable and the
          serial female to female cable I bought or the
          serial female to female adaptor I bought?

          Not quite sure what I'm looking for with the below commands.
          I have included the output if it helps check the USB with the APU cable plugged in.

          
          $ cat /var/log/syslog | grep usb
          May 16 11:20:26 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [ 9232.342528] usb 2-1.2: new full-speed USB device number 3 using ehci-pci
          May 16 11:20:26 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [ 9232.436085] usb 2-1.2: New USB device found, idVendor=1a86, idProduct=7523
          May 16 11:20:26 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [ 9232.436090] usb 2-1.2: New USB device strings: Mfr=0, Product=2, SerialNumber=0
          May 16 11:20:26 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [ 9232.436093] usb 2-1.2: Product: USB2.0-Ser!
          May 16 11:20:26 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 mtp-probe: checking bus 2, device 3: "/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1d.0/usb2/2-1/2-1.2"
          May 16 11:20:26 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [ 9232.460808] usbcore: registered new interface driver usbserial
          May 16 11:20:26 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [ 9232.460826] usbcore: registered new interface driver usbserial_generic
          May 16 11:20:26 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [ 9232.460839] usbserial: USB Serial support registered for generic
          May 16 11:20:26 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [ 9232.463155] usbcore: registered new interface driver ch341
          May 16 11:20:26 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [ 9232.463175] usbserial: USB Serial support registered for ch341-uart
          May 16 11:20:26 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [ 9232.466347] usb 2-1.2: ch341-uart converter now attached to ttyUSB0
          May 16 12:52:29 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [14756.388091] usb 2-1.2: USB disconnect, device number 3
          May 16 12:52:30 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [14757.476486] usb 1-1.6: USB disconnect, device number 3
          May 16 12:52:30 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [14757.716443] usb 1-1.6: new low-speed USB device number 4 using ehci-pci
          May 16 12:52:30 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [14757.812687] usb 1-1.6: New USB device found, idVendor=04f3, idProduct=0230
          May 16 12:52:30 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [14757.812692] usb 1-1.6: New USB device strings: Mfr=0, Product=2, SerialNumber=0
          May 16 12:52:30 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [14757.812695] usb 1-1.6: Product: USB+PS/2 Optical Mouse
          May 16 12:52:30 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [14757.815407] input: USB+PS/2 Optical Mouse as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1a.0/usb1/1-1/1-1.6/1-1.6:1.0/input/input11
          May 16 12:52:30 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [14757.815597] hid-generic 0003:04F3:0230.0002: input,hidraw0: USB HID v1.11 Mouse [USB+PS/2 Optical Mouse] on usb-0000:00:1a.0-1.6/input0
          May 16 12:52:30 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 mtp-probe: checking bus 1, device 4: "/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1a.0/usb1/1-1/1-1.6"
          May 16 12:52:30 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [14757.884482] usb 2-1.4: new full-speed USB device number 4 using ehci-pci
          May 16 12:52:30 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [14757.977730] usb 2-1.4: New USB device found, idVendor=1a86, idProduct=7523
          May 16 12:52:30 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [14757.977735] usb 2-1.4: New USB device strings: Mfr=0, Product=2, SerialNumber=0
          May 16 12:52:30 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [14757.977739] usb 2-1.4: Product: USB2.0-Ser!
          May 16 12:52:30 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [14757.980085] usb 2-1.4: ch341-uart converter now attached to ttyUSB0
          May 16 12:52:30 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 mtp-probe: checking bus 2, device 4: "/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1d.0/usb2/2-1/2-1.4"
          May 16 16:08:16 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [26507.052035] usb 2-1.4: USB disconnect, device number 4
          May 16 16:08:17 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [26507.350341] usb 2-1.4: new full-speed USB device number 5 using ehci-pci
          May 16 16:08:17 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [26507.443614] usb 2-1.4: New USB device found, idVendor=1a86, idProduct=7523
          May 16 16:08:17 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [26507.443620] usb 2-1.4: New USB device strings: Mfr=0, Product=2, SerialNumber=0
          May 16 16:08:17 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [26507.443623] usb 2-1.4: Product: USB2.0-Ser!
          May 16 16:08:17 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [26507.445789] usb 2-1.4: ch341-uart converter now attached to ttyUSB0
          May 16 16:08:17 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 mtp-probe: checking bus 2, device 5: "/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1d.0/usb2/2-1/2-1.4"
          May 16 16:12:47 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [26778.170560] usb 2-1.2: new high-speed USB device number 6 using ehci-pci
          May 16 16:12:47 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [26778.263211] usb 2-1.2: New USB device found, idVendor=1e3d, idProduct=4082
          May 16 16:12:47 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [26778.263216] usb 2-1.2: New USB device strings: Mfr=0, Product=2, SerialNumber=3
          May 16 16:12:47 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [26778.263219] usb 2-1.2: Product: Flash Disk
          May 16 16:12:47 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [26778.263222] usb 2-1.2: SerialNumber: 213244704081
          May 16 16:12:47 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 mtp-probe: checking bus 2, device 6: "/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1d.0/usb2/2-1/2-1.2"
          May 16 16:12:47 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [26778.285404] usb-storage 2-1.2:1.0: USB Mass Storage device detected
          May 16 16:12:47 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [26778.285464] scsi4 : usb-storage 2-1.2:1.0
          May 16 16:12:47 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [26778.285560] usbcore: registered new interface driver usb-storage
          May 16 16:25:17 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [27528.501341] usb 2-1.2: USB disconnect, device number 6
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    0.116191] usbcore: registered new interface driver usbfs
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    0.116197] usbcore: registered new interface driver hub
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    0.116215] usbcore: registered new device driver usb
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    0.568106] usb usb1: New USB device found, idVendor=1d6b, idProduct=0002
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    0.568108] usb usb1: New USB device strings: Mfr=3, Product=2, SerialNumber=1
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    0.568109] usb usb1: Product: EHCI Host Controller
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    0.568111] usb usb1: Manufacturer: Linux 3.11.0-12-generic ehci_hcd
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    0.568112] usb usb1: SerialNumber: 0000:00:1a.0
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    0.584106] usb usb2: New USB device found, idVendor=1d6b, idProduct=0002
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    0.584108] usb usb2: New USB device strings: Mfr=3, Product=2, SerialNumber=1
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    0.584109] usb usb2: Product: EHCI Host Controller
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    0.584111] usb usb2: Manufacturer: Linux 3.11.0-12-generic ehci_hcd
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    0.584112] usb usb2: SerialNumber: 0000:00:1d.0
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    0.584474] usb usb3: New USB device found, idVendor=1d6b, idProduct=0002
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    0.584475] usb usb3: New USB device strings: Mfr=3, Product=2, SerialNumber=1
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    0.584476] usb usb3: Product: xHCI Host Controller
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    0.584478] usb usb3: Manufacturer: Linux 3.11.0-12-generic xhci_hcd
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    0.584479] usb usb3: SerialNumber: 0000:04:00.0
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    0.584603] usb usb4: New USB device found, idVendor=1d6b, idProduct=0003
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    0.584605] usb usb4: New USB device strings: Mfr=3, Product=2, SerialNumber=1
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    0.584606] usb usb4: Product: xHCI Host Controller
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    0.584608] usb usb4: Manufacturer: Linux 3.11.0-12-generic xhci_hcd
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    0.584609] usb usb4: SerialNumber: 0000:04:00.0
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    0.882965] usb 1-1: new high-speed USB device number 2 using ehci-pci
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    1.024644] usb 1-1: New USB device found, idVendor=8087, idProduct=0024
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    1.024649] usb 1-1: New USB device strings: Mfr=0, Product=0, SerialNumber=0
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    1.136244] usb 2-1: new high-speed USB device number 2 using ehci-pci
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    1.268708] usb 2-1: New USB device found, idVendor=8087, idProduct=0024
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    1.268713] usb 2-1: New USB device strings: Mfr=0, Product=0, SerialNumber=0
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    1.340474] usb 1-1.6: new low-speed USB device number 3 using ehci-pci
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    1.436502] usb 1-1.6: New USB device found, idVendor=04f3, idProduct=0230
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    1.436507] usb 1-1.6: New USB device strings: Mfr=0, Product=2, SerialNumber=0
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    1.436510] usb 1-1.6: Product: USB+PS/2 Optical Mouse
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    1.540529] usb 2-1.4: new full-speed USB device number 3 using ehci-pci
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    1.567410] usbcore: registered new interface driver usbhid
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    1.567412] usbhid: USB HID core driver
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    1.632907] input: USB+PS/2 Optical Mouse as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1a.0/usb1/1-1/1-1.6/1-1.6:1.0/input/input3
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    1.632972] hid-generic 0003:04F3:0230.0001: input,hidraw0: USB HID v1.11 Mouse [USB+PS/2 Optical Mouse] on usb-0000:00:1a.0-1.6/input0
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    1.649389] usb 2-1.4: New USB device found, idVendor=1a86, idProduct=7523
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    1.649391] usb 2-1.4: New USB device strings: Mfr=0, Product=2, SerialNumber=0
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    1.649393] usb 2-1.4: Product: USB2.0-Ser!
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    3.553345] usbcore: registered new interface driver usbserial
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    3.553546] usbcore: registered new interface driver usbserial_generic
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    3.553715] usbserial: USB Serial support registered for generic
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    3.556629] usbcore: registered new interface driver ch341
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    3.556857] usbserial: USB Serial support registered for ch341-uart
          May 16 16:27:36 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [    3.558988] usb 2-1.4: ch341-uart converter now attached to ttyUSB0
          May 16 16:45:05 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [ 1052.238828] usb 2-1.4: USB disconnect, device number 3
          May 16 21:04:10 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [16602.119770] usb 2-1.2: new full-speed USB device number 4 using ehci-pci
          May 16 21:04:10 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [16602.213050] usb 2-1.2: New USB device found, idVendor=1a86, idProduct=7523
          May 16 21:04:10 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [16602.213056] usb 2-1.2: New USB device strings: Mfr=0, Product=2, SerialNumber=0
          May 16 21:04:10 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [16602.213059] usb 2-1.2: Product: USB2.0-Ser!
          May 16 21:04:10 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 mtp-probe: checking bus 2, device 4: "/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1d.0/usb2/2-1/2-1.2"
          May 16 21:04:10 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [16602.215761] usb 2-1.2: ch341-uart converter now attached to ttyUSB0
          
          
          
          $ tail -f /var/log/syslog
          May 16 20:53:51 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 mate-screensaver-dialog: pam_ecryptfs: seteuid error
          May 16 20:59:16 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 mate-screensaver-dialog: pam_ecryptfs: seteuid error
          May 16 21:04:10 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [16602.119770] usb 2-1.2: new full-speed USB device number 4 using ehci-pci
          May 16 21:04:10 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [16602.213050] usb 2-1.2: New USB device found, idVendor=1a86, idProduct=7523
          May 16 21:04:10 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [16602.213056] usb 2-1.2: New USB device strings: Mfr=0, Product=2, SerialNumber=0
          May 16 21:04:10 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [16602.213059] usb 2-1.2: Product: USB2.0-Ser!
          May 16 21:04:10 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [16602.213465] ch341 2-1.2:1.0: ch341-uart converter detected
          May 16 21:04:10 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 mtp-probe: checking bus 2, device 4: "/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1d.0/usb2/2-1/2-1.2"
          May 16 21:04:10 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 mtp-probe: bus: 2, device: 4 was not an MTP device
          May 16 21:04:10 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [16602.215761] usb 2-1.2: ch341-uart converter now attached to ttyUSB0
          
          
          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • stephenw10S
            stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
            last edited by

            A null-modem cable has the transmit and receive lines crossed such that two machines with standard serial ports can talk to one another. A standard serial cable for connecting a PC to some other serial device does not.
            See:
            http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Null_modem

            It looks like your USB-serial adapter was recognised just fine:

            May 16 21:04:10 linuxmint-Z68MA-D2H-B3 kernel: [16602.215761] usb 2-1.2: ch341-uart converter now attached to ttyUSB0
            

            You should be able to open ttyUSB0 in a serial terminal emulator, like putty. In Xubuntu there is an issue where the user doesn't have permissions to access the serial port and putty gives no helpful errors or log entries. Nice  ::). The workaround is to add your user to the modem group. There may be a similar issues in Mint.

            Steve

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • E
              eiger3970
              last edited by

              Oh, great to see the APU is connecting via the USB port.

              So, I've tried a few ways to connect to the serial APU.

              Terminal > $ cu -1 /dev/ttyUSB0 -s 19200
              cu: /dev/ttyUSB0: System not found

              $ screen /dev/ttysUSB0 19200
              [screen is terminating]
              $ screen /dev/ttys0 19200
              [screen is terminating]

              $ minicom
              minicom: cannot open /dev/tty8: Permission denied

              $ sudo mincom
              Welcome to minicom 2.6.2

              OPTIONS: I18n
              Compiled on Feb  8 2013, 07:03:03.
              Port /dev/tty8, 22:05:36

              Press CTRL-A Z for help on special keys

              $ putty
              Serial line: /dev/ttyUSB0 > Speed: 9600 > PuTTY Fatal Error: Unable to open connection to: Unable to open serial port.

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • stephenw10S
                stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                last edited by

                Right so you have the permissions error.
                Looks like it's the 'dialout' group you need to be added to. Try doing

                sudo adduser your_account_name dialout
                

                Then logout and back in again. Try Putty again.

                https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/gtkterm/+bug/949597

                Steve

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • E
                  eiger3970
                  last edited by

                  Yes, I did the line $ sudo adduser user_name dialout.

                  Logging gives the same results?

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • stephenw10S
                    stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                    last edited by

                    Hmm, well that's all that's requiered in Xubuntu but Mint may be different (different versions of Mint too) but usually isn't because they're all Debian based.
                    You may need to reboot if logging out and back in didn't do it.
                    You may also need to do:

                    sudo chmod a+rw /dev/ttyUSB0
                    

                    https://fedorahosted.org/fldigi/wiki/Documentation/HOWTO/Serial_Port_Setup

                    Steve

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • E
                      eiger3970
                      last edited by

                      Thanks. Yes, I had actually tried the chmod a+rw /dev/ttyUSB0, but same errors.

                      I tried:
                      Terminal > $ putty > Connection type: Serial > Serial line: /dev/ttyUSB0 > Speed: 9600 > Open > Black window opens with the Title /dev/ttyUSB0 - PuTTY and green blinking cursor, but unable to type anything.

                      Terminal > $ putty > Connection type: Serial > Serial line: /dev/ttyUSB0 > Speed: 19200 > Open > Black window opens with the Title /dev/ttyUSB0 - PuTTY and green blinking cursor, but unable to type anything.

                      Terminal > $ putty > Connection type: Serial > Serial line: /dev/ttyUSB0 > Speed: 38400 > Open > Black window opens with the Title /dev/ttyUSB0 - PuTTY and green blinking cursor, but unable to type anything.

                      Terminal > $ putty > Connection type: Serial > Serial line: /dev/ttyUSB0 > Speed: 115200 > Open > Black window opens with the Title /dev/ttyUSB0 - PuTTY and green blinking cursor, but unable to type anything.

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • stephenw10S
                        stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                        last edited by

                        That is the expected behaviour if you're not connected to a serial console. Since your cable is not a null-modem you aren't seeing anything. Putty has a gui you can use to set the serial speed etc.

                        Steve

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • E
                          eiger3970
                          last edited by

                          Okay, I bought a Null Modem cable.
                          Plugged into APU and USB cable.

                          I tried:
                          Terminal > $ putty > Connection type: Serial > Serial line: /dev/ttyUSB0 > Speed: 9600 > Open > Black window opens with the Title /dev/ttyUSB0 - PuTTY and green blinking cursor, but unable to type anything.

                          Terminal > $ putty > Connection type: Serial > Serial line: /dev/ttyUSB0 > Speed: 19200 > Open > Black window opens with the Title /dev/ttyUSB0 - PuTTY and green blinking cursor, but unable to type anything.

                          Terminal > $ putty > Connection type: Serial > Serial line: /dev/ttyUSB0 > Speed: 38400 > Open > Black window opens with the Title /dev/ttyUSB0 - PuTTY and green blinking cursor, but unable to type anything.

                          Terminal > $ putty > Connection type: Serial > Serial line: /dev/ttyUSB0 > Speed: 115200 > Open > Black window opens with the Title /dev/ttyUSB0 - PuTTY and green blinking cursor, but unable to type anything.

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                          • stephenw10S
                            stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                            last edited by

                            Hmm. Well you clearly have some problem there. Do you have anything else you can use to prove the serial terminal with?

                            Steve

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                              eiger3970
                              last edited by

                              I'm trying to think of a way of proving the serial terminal.
                              All I can think of is
                              trying another Null modem cable
                              trying another computer's USB port. (I tried Linux, Mac and Windows).

                              I thought the MicroSD 8GB card might not have the pfSense OS file properly, but I understand this would not effect the serial connection needed to configure the MicroSD 8GB card?

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                              • stephenw10S
                                stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                                last edited by

                                One simple way to test basic connectivity is to use a paper clip or short piece of wire to connect the Tx and Rx pins at the end of the null modem cable. Take the end of the null-modem cable (where it connects to the APU) and connect pins 2 and 3. See photo. Now when you open Putty, at any speed, you should see anything you type echoed back to you.

                                Steve

                                IMG_20140517_122657.jpg
                                IMG_20140517_122657.jpg_thumb

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                                • E
                                  eiger3970
                                  last edited by

                                  Thanks, that's a handy test to try :-)

                                  I disconnected the Null Modem cable from the APU.
                                  I stuck a paper clip into the Null Modem cable pins 2 and 3.
                                  On my computer > Terminal > $ putty > putty window appears >
                                  Terminal > $ putty > Connection type: Serial > Serial line: /dev/ttyUSB0 > Speed: 9600 > Open > Black window opens with the Title putty and another windows opens with PuTTY Fatal Error. Unable to open connection to :  Unable to open serial port.

                                  Terminal > $ putty > Connection type: Serial > Serial line: /dev/ttyUSB0 > Speed: 19200 > Open > Black window opens with the Title putty and another windows opens with PuTTY Fatal Error. Unable to open connection to :  Unable to open serial port.

                                  Terminal > $ putty > Connection type: Serial > Serial line: /dev/ttyUSB0 > Speed: 38400 > Open > Black window opens with the Title putty and another windows opens with PuTTY Fatal Error. Unable to open connection to :  Unable to open serial port.

                                  Terminal > $ putty > Connection type: Serial > Serial line: /dev/ttyUSB0 > Speed: 115200 > Open > Black window opens with the Title putty and another windows opens with PuTTY Fatal Error. Unable to open connection to :  Unable to open serial port.

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                                  • stephenw10S
                                    stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                                    last edited by

                                    That's back to the permissions problem. Try chmodding the port again.

                                    Steve

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                                    • E
                                      eiger3970
                                      last edited by

                                      Oops, I had the USB in the 2nd computer.
                                      Now with the USB back in this 1st computer and the paper clip in the Null modem cable pins 2 and 3.
                                      Putty > black screen opens > I can type in the black window > Enter > cursor moves to top left of black screen?

                                      Tried Terminal > $ sudo chmod a+rw /dev/ttyUSB0 > Enter > putty > black window and same error of cursor moves to top left of black screen when I type and press Enter.

                                      With the paper clip pulled out of pins 2 and 3, the Putty black window opens, but I can't type.

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                                      • stephenw10S
                                        stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                                        last edited by

                                        I'm not sure I understand. You can type and cursor moves but you don't see any text?

                                        Steve

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                                          eiger3970
                                          last edited by

                                          Sorry if was unclear.

                                          I can type text, however I thought I need to press Enter, which would then 'echo' the text I just typed.
                                          E.g., test > Enter
                                          test

                                          Rather, when I type text in and press Enter, the cursor moves to the top left of the black screen. If I start typing again, the new text goes over the old text.

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                                          • stephenw10S
                                            stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                                            last edited by

                                            No that's all good. If you're seeing any text at all then the cable is working.
                                            Usually the serial console software running whatever you're attached to received what you're typing and echoes back whatever is appropriate including moving to a new line and the CLI prompt etc. Just connecting Rx and Tx you are seeing simply the raw output of the serial terminal.

                                            So that has proved Putty and the USB-Serial converter are working correctly. It has proved the serial cable you using has pins 2 and 3 connected BUT it has not proved that it's a null-modem cable and not a straight through cable since pins 2 and 3 could be connected either way. However since you have a multimeter it's easy to prove.  :) In a null-modem cable (of any type) pins 2 and 3 are crossed in the cable such that pin 2 at one end is connected to pin 3 at the other. Using two paperclips and the meter on it's continuity range (often beeps when connected) you can test this.

                                            Steve

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