TerraSync – Fixing COM Port Unavailability for GPS Trimble

gpstrimble

I have a Trimble GeoExplorer Series GeoXM that runs Windows PocketPC version 4.2 (Built March 15 2004 for a bit more resolution there).

Lately when the unit has been out on a job it will periodically disconnect from the internal GIS receiver (TISP on COM3) and give an error message that says:

"Failed to connect to the GPS receiver because the COM port in in use by another application"

My field techs tell me that this is happening randomly, sometimes several times a day. So far the only way I have to deal with it is to tell them to just keep trying to connect and after a few tries (generally around 20 minutes of waiting) it comes back online and they carry on with their task.

This unit is used exclusively to run Terrasync (v3.01) – it doesn't do anything else so I don't understand what other program could be occupying the COM port when Terrasync needs it.

I have tried to uninstall and reinstall Terrasync and the problem has persisted.

Best Answer

I had a brief stint with GPS/GIS tech support a while ago so I am a little rusty. I do remember the Windows PocketPC's com ports getting hung up. The problem was usually 1 of 3 things.

  1. a compatibility issue with a combo of Terrasync, the OS on the GeoExplorer, GPS Pathfinder Office (data transfer utility) or Microsoft's Activesync.
  2. Terrasync was installed to the Main Memory not the Disk
  3. A reset was needed.

Issue 2 & 3 are explained in greater detail in this manual, page 22-24, http://www.geoplane.com/downloads/Datalogger_Manuals/Mapping/GeoExplorer%202003%20XT%20Getting%20Started%20Guide.pdf

Trimble has a Compatibilty Matrix Chart so you can verify you have the most up to date version, http://www.neigps.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Trimble-Compat-2013.pdf

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