FAQ: MicroBase Pro - MicroVib II Communication

Equipment needed to connect MicroVib II to PC

• MicroVib II Aircraft Analyzer
• DSS 1311 Cable
• Windows based PC with operable RS-232 Serial Port
• MicroBase Professional Software

1. Determine what your RS-232 Serial Port designation is. Serial Port names always begin with COM and end in a number. MicroBase Pro can utilize serial port names in the range of COM1 through COM9.
2. If your computer is not equipped with an RS-232 Serial Port, See the FAQ, Using MicroBase Professional With USB Ports for information on adding a Serial port via USB.
3. When you have determined your RS-232 Serial Port "COM" number, open MicroBase Pro, then select Options - Connect Settings and select the appropriate Com port number.

1. Connect 1311 cable from your MicroVib II to your RS-232 Serial Port
2. Start your MicroVib II. After power on self test is complete, press the Mode key. The Mode menu will display.
3. Start MicroBase Professional. Click the MV2 Data Manager icon (far upper left). The Data Manager dialog will open and MicroBase Pro will automatically connect to your MicroVib II.
4. Verify that you are connected by viewing the file listing on the right side of the Data Manager dialog. These are remote files located on the MicroVib II.

For detailed instructions on MicroBase Pro to MicroVib II communication, see the MicroBase Pro help section:

MicroBase Help - Using MicroBase - Using The Data Manager

MicroBase Pro won't connect to my MicroVib II Aircraft Analyzer - what should I check?

If you cannot connect to the your MicroVib II Aircraft Analyzer, use the following checklist:

• Make sure you are using the correct cable to connect your MicroVib II your PC. You should use the 1311 Serial Cable to connect directly from the large metal connector on your MicroVib II to an RS-232 serial port on your PC.
• If your MicroVib II has recently been used with a DSS Signal Mux, disconnect it from the mux unit, then turn the MicroVib II Off and then back On before trying to connect with MicroBase Pro.
• Make sure that your MicroVib II it turned on and in an idle state. To place the MicroVib II into idle, just press the MODE menu item.
• Your computer must be equipped with a working, available RS-232 serial port. To determine if your computer contains the necessary serial port, go to the Windows Control Panel - System - Hardware - Device Manager and open the category Ports (COM and LPT). Note what serial port numbers are shown in the format COMX where X is an integer 1-9.
• Open MicroBase Professional and enter the appropriate RS-232 port number under Options - Connect Settings.
• Make sure that the serial port you wish to use is enabled. On some computers, the serial port may be inactivated due to a setting in the computer CMOS or in the Windows device manager.
• If you are using a USB to Serial Port Adapter, see the FAQ, Using MicroBase Professional With USB Ports.
• Try to determine if another program is preventing access to the Serial Port even though it is not actively using it. This is a common problem with computers using Hot sync software intended to connect to a PDA. If this is the case, close the interfering program so that MicroBase can have full access to the Serial Port.
• Make sure you are using the correct procedure to connect to your PC. With the MicroVib II turned On and with the Mode menu selected, start the MicroVib II Data Manager Dialog (File - MicroVib II - Data Manager). MicroBase should automatically connect and report that it has found your MicroVib II.

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