User`s manual

7
2: INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
2.1: CAUTIONS TO USER
To install the PCAP II Plus hardware and software, the user must have a good working knowledge of
IBM PC-compatible computers and the Microsoft Windows operating environment. Particularly, the
user must know which RS232 COM ports are COM1, COM2, COM3, etc. On most modern PCs,
there is a single COM port that is designated “COM1” that is suitable for connecting the PCAP II
external processor; the standard installation procedure assumes that this is the case, that this single
COM port is free (not connected to something else), and configures the software accordingly.
However, if no free COM port is available, the user will need to create a free COM port via any of the
following methods:
o Obtain a “USB to Serial” conversion module and install it onto any of your computer’s
available USB ports
o Obtain a “Serial Interface” card and install it in a free PCI slot inside your computer
o In the case of laptops, alternatively obtain a “Serial Interface” PCMCIA module and install it in
a free PCMCIA slot in your laptop
WARNING: Should you instead choose to share a single COM port connection with a PDA, e.g. a
Palm Pilot, connecting each to the COM port only when needed, be sure to shut down any “Hot
Sync” manager application that might be running before attempting to run the PCAP II Plus
Master Control software. Otherwise communication with the PCAP II Plus will fail due to conflict
with the Hot Sync manager.
Most likely, if any of these alternative options is used to create a free COM port, the new COM port
will not be COM1, but rather might be COM2, COM3, COM4, etc. Therefore, it will likely be
necessary to reconfigure the PCAP II Plus software COM port selection to the correct port by
performing the procedure in Section 6.1: after completing the installation procedure in Section 2.2: .
The Microsoft Windows operating environment must be in place prior to installing the PCAP II Plus
software. All video drivers, device drivers, etc. must be installed and operating properly.
For advanced users who need to configure the PCAP II Plus to operate at RS232 symbol rates slower
than 115200 baud (factory default), please see Section 6.2: .
NOTE: Altering the baud rate setting is not recommended.