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Troubleshooting Serial Links used with true serial ports

Unusual serial port setup

Problem description: A variety of problems with uploading, downloading, and interactive knitting.

Some serial ports have options that apply to specific devices, and these options can prevent the DesignaKnit cable links from working. Such options are "Enable auto RTS/CTS flow control", "Overspeed", and "Use fast receive". Check for these options as follows:

1. From "Computer" select "Control Panel" (it may also be necessary to select "Performance and Maintenance" or “System and Security”) then “System”.

2. Select “Hardware” and “Device Manager”.

3. Make sure View / Devices by type is selected.

4. In the "System Properties" dialogue, double click on "Ports (COM & LPT)".

5. Right click on "Communications Port (COM2)" or whichever one you use for DesignaKnit and click on "Properties".

6. Select “Settings” or "Port Settings" and then "Advanced".

7. In the "Advanced Port Settings" dialogue, you can expect to find options called “Use FIFO buffers” and “Com port number”. If there are any other options available, such as "Enable auto RTS/CTS flow control", and they are ticked, untick them and try the cable link again. It might also be necessary to untick the “Use FIFO buffers” option.


Damaged serial port setup

Problem description: A variety of problems with uploading, downloading, and interactive knitting.

Reload the serial port drivers as follows.

1. From "Computer" select "Control Panel" (it may also be necessary to select "Performance and Maintenance" or “System and Security”) then “System”.

2. Select “Hardware” and “Device Manager”.

3. Make sure View / Devices by type is selected.

4. In the "System Properties" dialogue, double click on "Ports (COM & LPT)".

5. Right click on "Communications Port (COM2)" or whichever one you use for DesignaKnit and select "Remove" or “Uninstall”.

6. You will see a warning that you are about to remove com2. Select OK.

7. In Control Panel, double click on the icon labelled "Add New Hardware".

8. Do not ask Windows to search for the hardware, but then choose "Ports (COM & LPT)" from the list of devices, then choose "Communications port". Then follow the instructions given on the screen. If the instructions tell you to insert a circuit board, that is a good sign, but you do not need to do it. But you will need to restart Windows. Then try uploading or downloading again.


Computer cannot use serial BrotherLink cable

Problem description: When using a serial BrotherLink, no error is reported by the knitting machine, but the progress bar does not start or gets stuck.

Brother knitting machines weren't designed to be connected to PCs and operate at a different voltage range. It is possible that your computer’s serial port is unable to detect the signals coming from the knitting machine. If none of the other points produce success, ask to try a USB BrotherLink cable.



These are problems that may affect serial cables that are being used with true serial ports. Please also see pages about individual cable types here.


Switch box is in use

Problem description: When using a switch box to switch between various serial devices, uploading or downloading don’t work.

Try not using the switch box and connect the cable link direct to the computer. If the link now works, the switch box may be faulty.

To return to Cable Links Troubleshooting, click here.

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