SuperTrack
Pinewood Track

SuperTimer II
Pinewood Timer

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Pinewood Software Serial Port difficulties:

When attempting to connect using our RaceManager Pinewood Derby Software, BE SURE that the "power" light on SuperTimer II is blinking once per second. If it is not, you must re-cycle the power to SuperTimer II. If the "power" light is on steady or off steady and SuperTimer II isn't talking then SuperTimer II is hung and will not respond to COM port inquiries. If SuperTimer II is blinking every two seconds or so then the start gate is open. However, it will still detect the serial port.

If the routine search of COM-1 thru COM-4 fails to find SuperTimer II an error message is displayed. The error message allows 'Retry' which searches thru COM-20 which may cause some Windows ME machines to hang so we don't do it without permission. However, some USB-Serial adapters assign the created serial port well above COM-4. Once you have successfully connected, RaceManager will remember the number for speedy future startup.

Be sure you install the driver software for your USB-Serial converter preferably before you plug the converter in. Drivers for Windows 98-XP and Windows Vista are included on the RaceManager CD. Click on the Install USB button of the CD menu and the correct driver will be installed. If the CD is not available the drivers may be in the C:\SuperTimer folder or can be downloaded from RaceManager Tech Support. See the second or third link depending on your operating system.

To check for proper operation of a USB/Serial converter Shift-click on the USB install button on the CD menu or on your computer desktop click on Start - Control Panel - System (if you don't see System, click first on Switch to Classic View in the upper left corner) -Hardware - Device Manager. Once the Device Manager appears, then click on the + sign of Ports and verify that the USB/Serial converter (or just the plain serial port) is both available and working. Sometimes what it takes to get the USB adapter working is to simply unplug it from your computer and plug it into a different USB port.