[Elecraft] K2 not 'Talking' to Computer

[Chris Page]

I have a situation that is defying all logic and driving me nuts, and would 
appreciate any ideas, please, as I have run out!

We recently returned to our Florida QTH where I use a K2/100, a KRC2 for 
antenna switching and Logger32 on a Windows 98 computer for logging.  When we 
left Florida in May to go back to the UK for the summer, everything was working 
fine in that the K2 was 'talking' to the computer, but when I switched on after 
our return here the K2 is not 'talking' to the computer!  Nothing had changed 
in the meantime.  Logger32 does connect to the DXcluster ok.  

I have checked that the port on the K2 is switched on and that the STL setting 
is U8-4 in the K2's menu options.  I have checked the original cable between 
the KRC2 and the computer and have also tried a new cable.  I have also tried 
using both cables direct from the K2 to the computer (bypassing the KRC2).  

I have been unable to establish any contact between the K2 and the computer 
using Hyperterminal with either cable and with/without the KRC2.  I was 
originally using the proper serial port (Com 1) on the computer but have since 
tried using one of the USB ports with an adapter cable that I know works (Com 
3) (after ensuring I changed the setting in the Hyperterminal and Logger32 
configuration from Com 1 to Com 3).  I have run a diagnostics program on the 
computer to confirm that both the serial port and the USB port are working 
correctly.

I have also tried getting the K2 to 'talk' to my laptop running Windows XP, 
using one of the USB ports and the adapter cable, but neither work with 
Hyperterminal or Logger32 with either of the cables and with/without the KRC2.  

I use N1MM for contest logging and this program also doesn't communicate with 
the K2 using any of the wiring combinations.

Despite disconnecting everything in the shack when we leave our Florida QTH for 
the summer, I wondered if something could have been hit by lightning while we 
were in the UK, causing it to stop working, but because the K2 is switching the 
KRC2 ok, I am assuming the RS-232 port on the K2 is working fine.  That being 
the case, I have eliminated the KRC2 as the problem (by bypassing it), I have 
eliminated a bad cable (by replacing the original), and have eliminated the 
computer (by checking the ports and trying another computer)!  That doesn't 
leave anything else to eliminate that I can think of, hence my request at the 
beginning of this email for any ideas, please?  I have gone back through the 
Elecraft Reflector archives but cannot find anything different to try.

Thanks and 73 de Chris, N4CJ (G4BUE)