[Elecraft] K3S USB issue with Dell OptiPlex 745 - Win 10

[mtkoszew at gmail.com]

Thanks Don for your quick response and suggestions.

FYI - I reloaded the K3S firmware.  No change.

On a whim, we connected the radio to the computer via a USB Hub (non powered).  This seems to have addressed the problem.   The USB port on the computer (older chipset) must not like the current FTDI adapter in the radio.  This seems counter intuitive, but the HUB seems to facilitate the proper communications between radio and computer.

We have cycled the radio and computer many times in various sequences.  All seems to be good.
73,
Marty - N1VH



Sent from Mail for Windows 10

From: Don Wilhelm
Sent: Sunday, March 5, 2017 4:03 PM
To: mtkoszew at gmail.com; elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3S USB issue with Dell OptiPlex 745 - Win 10

Marty,

Are you running the K3S from a HUB hub?  You will find more reliable 
connection using a USB port directly on the computer.

You *could* have a marginal USB port on the computer.  It may detect a 
mouse easily, but the FTDI USB to serial chip is another matter.

Since it connects reliably with other computers, the problem most 
certainly is with the computer.

Win10 normally detects the FTDI adapter in the K3S as well as the CODEC 
with no problem.

Have you tried removing the driver from the troublesome USB port and 
re-installing it?

73,
Don W3FPR

On 3/5/2017 3:33 PM, mtkoszew at gmail.com wrote:
> Our club’s new K3S will not stay connected and often can not be found by our Dell Optiplex 745 w/Windows 10 (it’s an older computer – but seems to run all of our Ham programs and attached devices  without issue).   Reconnecting the USB cables sometimes fixes the issue.   Oddly, if we install & remove a USB mouse to the same USB port and then reconnect the K3S, the computer finds the K3S without issue.    Cycling the computer and radio does not address the problem.
>
> The K3S connects instantly  on newer Dell laptops and and Apple computers.
>