GPS Buffer issue, Garmin eTrex H

[T-Rex]

Dear Andrew Calcutt and Vistumbler users,

Greetings to you all. I am very thankful for the existence of the Vistumbler program. I especially love its integration with Google Earth!

I am having trouble with the GPS function, however.

I am running Vista x64, en_US version, on an HP Pavilion dv4-1028us laptop, and using a Garmin eTrex H. The Garmin works with Google Earth (uploading tracks, etc to Google Earth, realtime tracks, etc.), Netstumbler (although of course without SSIDs) Geocaching.com (Downloading caches to the GPS receiver), and is reported successfully with ACalcutt's List_Ports script (Port: COM3/COM4.) It just won't work with Vistumbler. I'm using Vistumbler 9.0 because 9.1 is identified as a virus by my AVG, but I have tried both, and the results are the same.

The cable I'm using is found here: http://www.rnrplace.com/store/index.php ... oductId=22 , and I am using the driver recommended by the USB cable's manufacturer found here: http://www.prolific.com.tw/eng/downloads.asp?ID=31 . The CD that came with the cable contained only 32 bit drivers, and refered me to this website.

In the device manager, the port shows up as "Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port (COM4)."

I've tried both with GPSGate (14 day trial version) and without. The results are identical.

I've followed the instructions here: http://forum.techidiots.net/forum/viewt ... &t=18#p663 which details how to use NetCOMM.ocx with 64 bit Vista. I copied MSCOMM32.OCX and NetComm.ocx to the Vistumbler folder and registered them successfully with the commands Regsvr32 NetComm.osx and Regsvr32 MSCOMM32.OCX. I also tried doing so in the system32 folder.

If my Vistumbler settings are set for CommMG I get a "GPS Error" with the GPS receiver connected, and "Error opening GPS Port" if no GPS receiver is connected at all.

If my settings are set for NETComm I get the "Seconds Since GPS Update" flashing ten or so times, then "Buffer Empty for more than 10 seconds" error. This is the same thing I get if no GPS receiver is connected at all.

I have the port and parity and baud rate, etc set for exactly what works with Netstumbler. There are as follows:
Com 4, Baud 4800, Stop Bit 1, Parity None, Data Bit 8.

Nothing seems to work. Do you have any ideas for me?

Please forgive me if I missed the answer amongst the posts.

Thanks, T-Rex

[ACalcutt]

You have pretty much tried everything I would suggest. Some people have mentioned needing to use serial emulation software (http://forum.techidiots.net/forum/viewt ... t=122#p503) for certain gps units(and I think garmin may be one of those)