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K3 - Intermittents serial disconnect problem

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Mike Murray-4

K3 - Intermittents serial disconnect problem

I've been experiencing a strange problem with my K3 and have been
unsuccessful in isolating the cause. At times it just loses the serial
connection to the PC and the K3 must be power cycled to restart the
connection. It happens both during active contest logging as well as when
sitting idle - the connection just stops. I've tried several logging
applications with the same results.

At first I thought it might be related to the PigKnob I have between the
serial port and K3, but running the serial cable direct resulted in the
same problem. I've also seen the problem using a different PC with an
Elecraft serial to USB cable for the connection.

Indications are that a problem might exist in the K3, but I can't envision
why it would work flawlessly for some random period and then fail. Any
ideas for further troubleshooting? I've entertained updating to the KIO3BUPKT
KIO3B Upgrade Kit,
but don't know that the extra expense would be worth a try.

73,
Mike - W0AG
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Dick Dievendorff-4

Re: K3 - Intermittents serial disconnect problem

Sometimes PC USB devices can go to sleep based on lack of activity. The
detail may vary by operating system version, but my Control Panel applet
"Power Settings", Power options, advanced settings, USB settings, USB
selective suspend setting. I've disabled USB suspend.

I don't know that this is the problem you're having, but it's one
possibility.

73 de Dick, K6KR

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Mike Murray
Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2017 08:58
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] K3 - Intermittents serial disconnect problem

I've been experiencing a strange problem with my K3 and have been
unsuccessful in isolating the cause. At times it just loses the serial
connection to the PC and the K3 must be power cycled to restart the
connection. It happens both during active contest logging as well as when
sitting idle - the connection just stops. I've tried several logging
applications with the same results.

At first I thought it might be related to the PigKnob I have between the
serial port and K3, but running the serial cable direct resulted in the same
problem. I've also seen the problem using a different PC with an Elecraft
serial to USB cable for the connection.

Indications are that a problem might exist in the K3, but I can't envision
why it would work flawlessly for some random period and then fail. Any
ideas for further troubleshooting? I've entertained updating to the
KIO3BUPKT KIO3B Upgrade Kit, but don't know that the extra expense would be
worth a try.

73,
Mike - W0AG
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Rick WA6NHC-2

Re: K3 - Intermittents serial disconnect problem

In reply to this post by Mike Murray-4

If you're using anything USB related (serial converter) start with: in
Device Manager, make sure that for EACH USB setting, under the power
management tab, that the ability to power down is NOT enabled.

The port could be going into 'sleep' mode to save energy.

Have you tried it with different software controls? The update rate for
some software can push the limits of the serial data rate (or the CPU of
the K3).

Rick nhc/7

On 6/28/2017 8:58 AM, Mike Murray wrote:

> I've been experiencing a strange problem with my K3 and have been
> unsuccessful in isolating the cause. At times it just loses the serial
> connection to the PC and the K3 must be power cycled to restart the
> connection. It happens both during active contest logging as well as when
> sitting idle - the connection just stops. I've tried several logging
> applications with the same results.
>
> At first I thought it might be related to the PigKnob I have between the
> serial port and K3, but running the serial cable direct resulted in the
> same problem. I've also seen the problem using a different PC with an
> Elecraft serial to USB cable for the connection.
>
> Indications are that a problem might exist in the K3, but I can't envision
> why it would work flawlessly for some random period and then fail. Any
> ideas for further troubleshooting? I've entertained updating to the KIO3BUPKT
> KIO3B Upgrade Kit,
> but don't know that the extra expense would be worth a try.
>
> 73,
> Mike - W0AG
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

Mike Murray-4

Re: K3 - Intermittents serial disconnect problem

In reply to this post by Dick Dievendorff-4

Dick,

Thanks for the suggestion! I've checked mine and it's set to disabled like
yours.

On to the other suggestions!
73, Mike

On Wed, Jun 28, 2017 at 11:37 AM, Dick Dievendorff <[hidden email]>
wrote:

> Sometimes PC USB devices can go to sleep based on lack of activity. The
> detail may vary by operating system version, but my Control Panel applet
> "Power Settings", Power options, advanced settings, USB settings, USB
> selective suspend setting. I've disabled USB suspend.
>
> I don't know that this is the problem you're having, but it's one
> possibility.
>
> 73 de Dick, K6KR
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Mike Murray
> Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2017 08:58
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: [Elecraft] K3 - Intermittents serial disconnect problem
>
> I've been experiencing a strange problem with my K3 and have been
> unsuccessful in isolating the cause. At times it just loses the serial
> connection to the PC and the K3 must be power cycled to restart the
> connection. It happens both during active contest logging as well as when
> sitting idle - the connection just stops. I've tried several logging
> applications with the same results.
>
> At first I thought it might be related to the PigKnob I have between the
> serial port and K3, but running the serial cable direct resulted in the
> same
> problem. I've also seen the problem using a different PC with an Elecraft
> serial to USB cable for the connection.
>
> Indications are that a problem might exist in the K3, but I can't envision
> why it would work flawlessly for some random period and then fail. Any
> ideas for further troubleshooting? I've entertained updating to the
> KIO3BUPKT KIO3B Upgrade Kit, but don't know that the extra expense would be
> worth a try.
>
> 73,
> Mike - W0AG
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message
> delivered to [hidden email]
>
>

Mike Murray-4

Re: K3 - Intermittents serial disconnect problem

In reply to this post by Rick WA6NHC-2

Rick,

Thanks - I've checked all and the only one that is enabled is my USB 3.0
port for external backup.

73, Mike

On Wed, Jun 28, 2017 at 11:38 AM, Rick WA6NHC <[hidden email]> wrote:

> If you're using anything USB related (serial converter) start with: in
> Device Manager, make sure that for EACH USB setting, under the power
> management tab, that the ability to power down is NOT enabled.
>
> The port could be going into 'sleep' mode to save energy.
>
> Have you tried it with different software controls? The update rate for
> some software can push the limits of the serial data rate (or the CPU of
> the K3).
>
> Rick nhc/7
>
>
>
> On 6/28/2017 8:58 AM, Mike Murray wrote:
>
>> I've been experiencing a strange problem with my K3 and have been
>> unsuccessful in isolating the cause. At times it just loses the serial
>> connection to the PC and the K3 must be power cycled to restart the
>> connection. It happens both during active contest logging as well as when
>> sitting idle - the connection just stops. I've tried several logging
>> applications with the same results.
>>
>> At first I thought it might be related to the PigKnob I have between the
>> serial port and K3, but running the serial cable direct resulted in the
>> same problem. I've also seen the problem using a different PC with an
>> Elecraft serial to USB cable for the connection.
>>
>> Indications are that a problem might exist in the K3, but I can't envision
>> why it would work flawlessly for some random period and then fail. Any
>> ideas for further troubleshooting? I've entertained updating to the
>> KIO3BUPKT
>> KIO3B Upgrade Kit,
>> but don't know that the extra expense would be worth a try.
>>
>> 73,
>> Mike - W0AG
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

tomb18

Re: K3 - Intermittents serial disconnect problem

In reply to this post by Dick Dievendorff-4

As Dick mentioned this is the most likely reason. There is another power
management setting that should be checked and disabled as well. Open the
device manager, and expand Universal Serial Bus Controllers. In there there
will entries such as Generic USB Hub, USB Root Hub and each of these will
also have power management settings. It is best to disable power management
there as well.
73 Tom

va2fsq.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Murray
Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2017 12:46 PM
To: Dick Dievendorff ; [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 - Intermittents serial disconnect problem

Dick,

Thanks for the suggestion! I've checked mine and it's set to disabled like
yours.

On to the other suggestions!
73, Mike

On Wed, Jun 28, 2017 at 11:37 AM, Dick Dievendorff <[hidden email]>
wrote:

> Sometimes PC USB devices can go to sleep based on lack of activity. The
> detail may vary by operating system version, but my Control Panel applet
> "Power Settings", Power options, advanced settings, USB settings, USB
> selective suspend setting. I've disabled USB suspend.
>
> I don't know that this is the problem you're having, but it's one
> possibility.
>
> 73 de Dick, K6KR
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Mike Murray
> Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2017 08:58
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: [Elecraft] K3 - Intermittents serial disconnect problem
>
> I've been experiencing a strange problem with my K3 and have been
> unsuccessful in isolating the cause. At times it just loses the serial
> connection to the PC and the K3 must be power cycled to restart the
> connection. It happens both during active contest logging as well as when
> sitting idle - the connection just stops. I've tried several logging
> applications with the same results.
>
> At first I thought it might be related to the PigKnob I have between the
> serial port and K3, but running the serial cable direct resulted in the
> same
> problem. I've also seen the problem using a different PC with an Elecraft
> serial to USB cable for the connection.
>
> Indications are that a problem might exist in the K3, but I can't envision
> why it would work flawlessly for some random period and then fail. Any
> ideas for further troubleshooting? I've entertained updating to the
> KIO3BUPKT KIO3B Upgrade Kit, but don't know that the extra expense would
> be
> worth a try.
>
> 73,
> Mike - W0AG
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message
> delivered to [hidden email]
>
>

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Mike Murray-4

Re: K3 - Intermittents serial disconnect problem

Thanks to Tom, Dick and all who offered suggestions, but nothing seemed to
cure the problem. As a last resort I began troubleshooting the PC by
disabling all startup programs and selectively disabling non-Microsoft
services installed at boot time. Although time consuming to re-enable them
(services) one at a time, reboot, and then test for the problem, it finally
appeared that a Malwarebytes Pro service was causing the problem. An email
to their support yielded a quick response with a suggested fix to do a
clean uninstall, reboot, then a new install. They provided the software to
make sure it was done correctly. Lo and behold the problem is now gone. I
can only conclude that there must have been some corruption involved and a
clean install corrected it.

Thanks again to all.

73,
Mike W0AG

On Wed, Jun 28, 2017 at 12:09 PM, Tom <[hidden email]> wrote:

> As Dick mentioned this is the most likely reason. There is another power
> management setting that should be checked and disabled as well. Open the
> device manager, and expand Universal Serial Bus Controllers. In there
> there will entries such as Generic USB Hub, USB Root Hub and each of these
> will also have power management settings. It is best to disable power
> management there as well.
> 73 Tom
>
>
>