Watlow 8LS Controller - Manual (Page 95)

Troubleshooting
8LS User’s Guide 87
If you write your own software, first write a routine that sends and
receives display commands to and from the 8LS. The protocol includes
all characters, so the display should show the hexadecimal values of the
data sent in both directions. If you have problems with the software you
write, you can use this program to test your communications.
ANASOFT
If ANASOFT is not working, check these things first:
1. ANAINSTL (the ANASOFT installation program) has the correct
path for the program and data files.
2. All the necessary files exist in the directory specified by the path.
3. Your computer has enough memory. ANASOFT requires up to 640K
of free memory to run. to maximize the amount of free memory avail-
able, use a memory manager (like HIMEM from DOS 5.0).
4. Your computer is not running memory-resident programs. Check
your AUTOEXEC.BAT file to make sure that no memory-resident
programs automatically run on startup; they may interfere with ANA-
SOFT.
5. The software key is properly installed on the printer port. It should be
plugged into the printer port with the female end toward the computer
and the male end toward the printer. Do not remove the screws on the
software key to connect it.
If, after you check these things , ANASOFT still does not work
correctly, consult the ANASOFT User’s Guide for more troubleshooting
information.
Communications Problems
If the computer is functioning properly, check the communication
interface, cables and connections. A number of problems have been
traced to bad cables or connections.
Serial Interface
The serial interface must be correctly installed in the computer and set
according to the manufacturers directions. ANASOFT communicates
using Comm Port 1. Some multi-function interface cards allow setting
of the comm port -- this should be done correctly. In addition, make sure
only one communications channel is set as comm port 1. If necessary,
you can change the communications port in the install program.
When the communications interface is correctly installed, you can use a
scope to check the transmit line to insure characters are being sent to the
8LS.