PC Miler 450 oddities

A little more on the 450...

I like the #### thing...it is an improvement in several ways (1) its not as bright, doesn't blind me at night even when the backlight is set to high...yet you can still see it during the day (2) it makes better use of the "real estate" on the screen (3) the map updates are good ones (4) it has the "next turn" map view...I like that, it was what I always used on my old CoPilot 9 Laptop version (4) the color scheme on the display is better...the left side bar is dark grey, not blue like it is on the 440 (5) that lil "quick turn" arrow is a BIG plus in my opinion (6) the clock flashes back and forth between 12 and 24 hour time formats, my 440 wouldn't display the 24 hour time format (7) its far more "user friendly", the buttons you need most often are easier to get to...

But I'm still waiting to see if the support people can figure out why my computer won't recognize it...in device manager it gives a code 43, problem code 0000002B. (that mumbo jumbo means...unknown device, device not recognized)

When I plug it in, Windows tries to install the drivers...but then it says "installation failed: device unplugged...I've tried plugging it in both while the GPS unit is off and on, the result is the same either way...I've tried 2 different usb cables, uninstalled and reinstalled all the required software...I'm fresh out of ides.

If they can't fix it tomorrow...I'm taking it back for a refund. (no online updates is a deal breaker)

 

Support is not able to help me with the problem my 450 is having...but I do give Joel (of Transplant GPS) an "A" for effort.

I gave him the problem codes my computer gave me and he told me he would research those codes and get back to me...when we hung up I honestly didn't expect to hear from him again.

But he did call back a few hours later...and he had me to try a couple of things (one of which I had already tried on my own, except he wanted it done in "safe mode").

It didn't help...they are aware of this problem I'm having, but it has been a very rare occurence and most who call in over it aren't much help....he told me that I was the first to be able to provide the error and problem codes for this issue (they are found in the device manager, btw)

I'm going to hold on to the 450 for now...and see if it will work right with my home computer (Windows XP SP 3), as long as I can get it updated...I'll keep it.

It is a driver problem...most likely of some small detail in the configuration. (hard to nail down)

 

Joel is a good dude and a very conscientious support engineer. You've got the right guy on the job over there.

I have one user that has this same issue. It is rare so I'm just wondering a couple of things:

- What is the computer you tried to connect to? Is it a laptop running Windows 7? Is it a Dell?

When we connected it to this other driver's home desktop, all went fine. Just his brand new laptop not recognizing the GPS as a "mass storage device" in the Windows control panel hardware manager. My prediction is that it will connect on your home system. If you got it from us, then call me whenever you want to try it. We're open a lot later than the factory.

Thanks for the updates.

 

A powered Usb port hub from best buy fix that problem for me,
(Dynex - 4-Port USB 2.0 Hub)

 

it will work on the RM and the pc-miler

 

Yes, that was where I was going next if his unit connects to the home system. Thanks! You are indeed correct that we have been using that method to connect some of the Rand units. It worked on all but a very small percentage of them.

 

DB...I didn't get it from you, I bought it at the TA in Hudson, WI. It was a spur of the moment thing...my 440 quit on me, I thought I had stepped on it and messed it up but it turns out that the SD card went bad (why? I do not know, but it did)...the new SD card for it arrived at my house today (it cost me $15), I plan on selling the 440 to help pay for the 450

The computer that is having trouble with the 450 is an HP G62 (laptop) running Windows 7 Home Premium x64...its been a great computer for what I paid for it. This is the only trouble I've had with it of any kind...so far.

I should get home this weekend...we shall see.

Edited to add: I've been driving for a good while...I was at it long before GPS units came along, even before cell phones were popular.

I was slow to come around to both cell phones and GPS's...but after having them, getting used to them being there (tools in my toolbox, so to speak), I find it aggravating to be without them. Thats why I didn't order from you DB...I believe GPS's are a valuable asset to a truck driver, provided they are set up right (road preferences, weight and height limits, etc.)...combined with a little experience and common sense, they do help a lot more than they hurt.

I just didn't want to be without that little voice on my dash that works hard to make sure I don't miss turns. I've always been bad for that....its not that I don't pay attention to what I'm doing because I do (all these years and no wrecks backs that up), its just that I sometimes ain't thinking about where I'm supposed to be going. (Go ahead...laugh all you want people...I have laughed at myself over it more than once)

You know...cruising down the big road enjoying life (I do enjoy it)

 

Well, it turns out I'm not gonna make it home this weekend....I may try to get in a WalMart and get the powered USB port thing and see if that works.

 

I tried 2 of them and both were 12 seconds behind on the position of my truck ! has anyone else had this problem

 

Nope....never had that problem.

And the 450 worked just fine on the home computer (XP) I didn't get to try it on my sons Vista machine though.