How to establish where fault lies?

[SAT-WORLD]

Here's all the blurb about the programmer:
[quote
PHOENIX/SMARTMOUSE CARD PROGRAMMER
PROGRAM EVERY ISO7816 SMART CARD
This programmer is useful for programming:

Titanium Card 1, 2
Platinum Card
TitanCard
KnotCard 1, 2
Opos Card (1.03, 1.05)
Dragon Loader Card
T-Rex/Firecrypt Loader Card
M2 Card
BasicCard
Penta VR3, VR5 Card
Wild Card
Dayt*** Card
Cere*** Card
Zeb** Card
Did** Card
and any other cards.

Is suitable also as next card reader (additional CAM module) for
Dreambox 7000, 7020, 5620, 500 and PC DVB cards (SkyStar 1,2, Technotrend, Hauppauge...).

This programmer is suitable also as cardserver.

It can be used for read and write the phone directory of your GSM-SIM card.

Can be programmed eeprom in Fun,Gold,Silver,Green,Blue cards
but flash in these cards must be pre-programmed with loader.
For programming also flash in these cards is needed FUN or JDM2-ISO programmer.

Not all supported cards and applications are listed here.
Note:
Some programmers offered with name "Smartmouse" has only one fixed programming mode,
often only Phoenix, and only one fixed oscillator frequency, often only 3,58MHz.

Selectable oscillator frequency 3,58 and 6,00MHz.
Selectable Phoenix and Smartmouse programming mode.

Optical (LED) indication of supply, read/write and card reset.
Connected to serial (COM) port, supply 9-20V DC (Built-in voltage regulator).
Two supply connectors: for power supply and 9V battery.
Color and cover of card slot may be different.

Professional made, 100% stable and robust construction.
High quality and many times proven programmer.

[Mickha]

Hi SAT-WORLD,
judging by the instructions, when you have set the jumpers to 6Mhz and Phoenix mode then when you insert the card I would think the read/write light should come on. Try it in both Phoenix and Smartmouse modes, and try gently cleaning the contacts, in case there is any dirt or dust causing a problem. The problem could still lie with the loader card requiring the Load2MB file to be loaded before it's recognised, as it might be blank. The only other thing you can try is a different serial cable, computer, or COM port, in case the problem lies there.
Have you used this programmer for any other cards, or have you only just bought it? If all else fails I'm sure a member, nearby, would help, using their programmer, to load the 2MB file, as this only requires loading once.
Best wishes
Mickha

[SAT-WORLD]

Thanks for all the help.
Have tried it in both Phoenix/Smartmouse mode.
Have cleaned the contacts.
Tried different com port numerous times.
Also downloaded CIW dragon loader software,this is showing the same problem,that it can't connect with the programmer.
The serial cable is also brand new as is the programmer,which was purchased just a couple of days ago.
Will try it on another computer,see how I go.
Many thanks.

[BGonaSTICK]

Just a few other unlikely things...

Your serial cable is 9-pin male at one end, and 9-pin female at the other (i.e. you're not using a gender changer)? Otherwise it's probably a null-modem lead!

Also, some serial cables are only partially connected internally, i.e. not all pins are connected - whereas others have all pins connected. I don't think this is your problem, as I expect the programmer to only need the basic type.

Do you have any other software on the PC that uses the COM ports?

Several members recently have had problems using their COM ports due to conflicts with other drivers and software such as Bluetooth adapters. This has completely wiped out their normal COM port operation.

You say you have a power adaptor, and not a battery? You might try upping the voltage a little. Maybe even 12V. Some adaptors don't actually quite put out what they should. Either that or try a really good new 9V battery for a short period.

Running out of ideas now I'm afraid

[SAT-WORLD]

@BGonastick

Definately a serial cable with 9-pin male-9 pin female,as initially I thought a null modem cable was the correct one to use,until I discovered that it has 9 pin female at both ends,so that was definately a no-no.
All 9 pins are present,at both ends,whether they are connected internally,i don't know,but assume so.
I use com port 1 regularly,to download tap software to a pvr,never had any problems.
Both com ports in device manager are showing that there is no conflict,and all the settings are as they should be,as stated on Ucassupport.nl
Don't have any bluetooth software on the pc.
I'll try another adapter,as the one,i've been using is a fixed 9v adapter.
Thanks guys.

[SAT-WORLD]

Just an update.
Tried a another adapter on 12v dc,but got the same error.
Also tried it on another computer,but again,same error.
I've come to the conclusion,that the programmer is faulty.
Thanks for the help.
Hope I don't need any further help,if and when this programmer is replaced.

[SAT-WORLD]

Regarding the dragon loader card,is there any other software that has to be loaded on to it prior to the dragonload exe files.
Thanks.

[SAT-WORLD]

I'm ready to pull my hair out,and believe me it's not a pretty sight. ops:
I am now on my second programmer:cryptik smartmouse se serial programmer.
Once again,I am trying to program the original dragon loader card(F84A),Even though the programmer is being recognised(Thankfully),I am still getting an error,when I try to write the latest Predator file.
The error is "Loader error,Aborted"
I am using CIW Dragon loader 1.2 software.
The programmer is in Phoenix mode,6.00mhz setting.
I have tried it in the Smartmouse mode,3.58mhz setting as well,same error.
Yes the card is inserted the right way in,yes i've pulled it out 1mm,as suggested before.
Anyone any ideas.
Thanks.

[SAT-WORLD]

P.S
I have tried using the Dragonloader.exe software as well.
Again same error:load error.
Thanks for any input.

[BGonaSTICK]

Have you tried the load2MB file? Based on what Mickha has said, this could be your problem.

I have the exact same programmer as you have now, but I've never used it to program a Dragon loader card.

It strikes me that the common denominator here is the card itself :?

Sorry I'm not much help. I don't use my programmer for programming cards. Maybe Mickha has something else to try, but do the above first...

STICK