APU set up with Wi-Fi

eiger3970

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.

stephenw10

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

eiger3970

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

stephenw10

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

eiger3970

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.

stephenw10

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

eiger3970

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

Logging gives the same results?

stephenw10

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

eiger3970

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.

stephenw10

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

eiger3970

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.

stephenw10

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

Steve

eiger3970

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?

stephenw10

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_thumb

eiger3970

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.

stephenw10

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

Steve

eiger3970

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.

stephenw10

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

Steve

eiger3970

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.

stephenw10

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