MobiFlight Community Support

Hi there,

today i had a very strange behaviour of my MF/Mega

The Mega is connected to my Saitec Yoke and from there to the PC.
When connecting the Saitek there are several "bings" from windows showing that it recognized devices on the USB Port.
Two devices, two bings. Three devices (Saitek Throttle, too) -> three bings.

It worked for some weeks like a charm but not today. MF keeps on telling me there are no modules.
After pluggin the Ardiuno directly to the PC MF was happy.
But why?

I reconnected it to the Saitek and then tested it on other USB Ports of my PC and in deed there is one where it is running fine.
(By the way: a "Connect" function in the menu would be fine, as MF obiously only scans for Arduino at startup.

I haven't changed anything on the config of my Arduino, PC, Windows, ... no new USB devices on the PC....

Is there anyone else having these issues as well?

It can't be that i have to search which USB Port is working "today" before being able to use MF.
Sure, this is not a MF problem, but maybe someone has a hint for me.

Thanks

Kai

Today i had the almost same problem.

Connected the Arduino on the Saitek Yoke and this to an USB-Port.
Everything working fine.

For lunch i shut down my computer and after that i restarted it.

Guess what? MF says that there are Arduinos without the firmware. WHAT?

OK, i then stopped MF, connected the Arduino directly to my PC and now it is working again pretty well.

I think this must be a combination of Windows-USB-Port-Version-Power and so on AND the scanning routine of MF, which runs only during MF-Startup.
(Btw: woult it be possible to place a Re-Scan entry in the menu to not have to stop and start again MF?)

It's a mess driving me mad, because it makes no sense at all.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Kai

Hi

I not know the full logic behind the scanning and the USB System itself.
So i can "confirm" also crazy situations.

E.g. i got 3 different Megas.... On my USB extension cable 2 work.... one work not. On a USB Hub the former non working is work here. But one of the other 2 ( work on extension) not work here..... All 3 work when i plug in in a Master Port on the Computer itself.

As we know... Quality of Cables are also a Big Factor !


And to your situation.... I think that the USB Ports on the Saitek are NOT for useage to other things (except Saitek Throttle/Rudder/Yoke itself.)
For sure technical it is a USB hub like every other..... But my experience ( When i connect Mouse, Keyboard or so) there are problems.

Solution:
For me.... All Megas only to USB Hubs (that are used for MF only) All other stuff like Saitek, Keyboard and so on connected by there "own" hubs.
And finally.... If there is a Problem with a board.... swap the Cable, swap the Port, Swap the Mega..... until one combination finally work !

At least i'm happy as i'm not the only one having weird things happening like described. Puh....

But it is more than annoying. Especially when it worked and without even touching anything one hour later it refuses to work.

OK, noone ever said, that IT is logical. But this behaviour? Really strange....

Hi there.

What about having more than 2 or 3 Arduinos for MF?

My computer has some USB-Ports, but there are other devices as well, willing to be connected....Mouse, Camera, E-Piano, ....

Does anybody have experiences with several Arduinos connected over a most likely active USB-Hub?

And if so and you are happy with it, which Hub do you use?

Kai

Yes this work.
As i know also "Hub over Hub" is possible ( no garantee but it should work)

Like with the cables we recommend to use a good Quallity. For sure not golden Contacts and 100€ for a 4 Hub.
But also not 2,99 China Hubs.

I personally also try to reduce length of wires as best as i can.

For example a FMC mostly need 2 Megas ( In the past before we get shifters) .... So Most user set a simple 1:4 Hub into the FMC..... Wire length of 10-15 cm is enough to connect the two Megas into it and have only one final line out of the box to the Computer.

Or Helimach who use i think nearly 10 Megas in the Overhead.... He simply use a 10 USB Hub on a central Point and have finally only one USB wire and one Power Line for the whole Overhead.


LAST NOTE: If you controll multiple Megas and you have a lot of power consuming stuff like LED.... Think about a active USB Hub ( E.g. a 4 Connector Hub would be good with a 2A Power Supply to offert 500mA again clean on every port !
Sure... A "Input Only" Build with just 300 Buttons pretty sure not need external powerd Hubs. The Button not need many power. So USB 500mA will also be enough for 2,3 or 4 Megas without problems !