RockBox to PC connection troubleshooting

Things to know:

• You can use any version of RockBox Commander to upgrade your firmware
• You must use RockBox Commander version 2 to connect with Firmware version 3 to upload waypoints, change settings etc...
• You can not use RockBox Commander version 2 to connect with Firmware version 1
• The connection protocol is different than the upload firmware protocol, they are two separate sub-programs. Don't assume you can't upload new firmware if you can't connect
• RockBox Commander version 2 has vastly improved connection logic, if you have having trouble connecting we recommend you upgrade to version 2 immediately
• You'll have to press the upload button twice while uploading firmware, once initially and then again after you close the dialog window telling you to reset the microcontroller on your RockBox
• You reset the microcontroller by pressing the white button labelled RESET on the circuit board of your RockBox
• With RockBox Commander version 2, your RockBox must be on and in the main menu system to connect
• You can download the latest firmware and Commander PC software here
• RockBox Commander version 2 has an integrated Help file, click on the Help tab and you'll find step by step instructions for connecting and uploading new firmware

Frequently asked questions, and good answers:

• How can I find out if my computer is set up correctly to connect to the RockBox?
  • Check and make sure your port settings are correct, Click here for step by step instructions

 

• What are the step to use to connect my RockBox to change settings, upload waypoints, etc...?

• 1) Verify that your RockBox has version 3 firmware installed
  2) Start Commander version 2
  3) Click the "Find the RockBox" button
  4) Select the appropriate COM port
  5) Click the "Connect" button

 

• How do I know which COM port to choose?

• To see which COM port to select, Click FIND THE ROCKBOX without your RockBox plugged into the USB cable and note the ports listed. Then plug it in, power your RockBox on, wait a moment, click FIND THE ROCKBOX again and see which COM port is new

 

• What are the steop to use to upload new firmware?

• 1) Click the "Find the RockBox" button
  2) Select the appropriate COM port
  NOTE: DO NOT click the "Connect" button!
  3) In Commander v2, go to the Upgrade tab
  4) Select the file you would like to load (.hex)
  5) Click the "Update firmware" button
  6) Press the reset button on your RockBox
  7) Close the dialog screen on your PC that tells you to press thereset button
  8) Click the "Update firmware" button again
  Now you should see both LEDs blicking and the firmware will be loading!

 

• What if I did all that correctly and I still can't connect or upload new firmware?

• First uninstall the connection drivers by running both of these programs found on your CD:
  • 
• Then restart your computer and follow the steps to reinstall the drivers, click here for the steps

Verifying COM port settings:

Step 1: Go to your Control Panel

Double click on the SYSTEM icon

Step 2: Open the Device Manager

Go to the Hardware tab, and click the Device Manager button

Step 3: View your USB com port properties

Right click and select Properties

Verify that you have a USB Serial Port (COM#) showing

• If not, verify that your RockBox is powered on and connected to your PC via the USB cable
• If you see an icon with an X over it, disconnect your RockBox and restart your PC. After it has restarted connect your RockBox again. If you still have the X over the icon, see the instructions for system cleanup at the bottom of this page

Step 4: Verify the port settings are correct

First verify the following:

• Bits per second = 9600
• Data bits = 8
• Parity = None
• Stop bits = 1
• Flow control = None

Then click the Advanced button and you will see this:

Verify that the COM port number is set to one that is 1 through 9, not a higher number. If it is, change it to a number less than 10

Set the Latency Time to 16

Verify that Serial Enumerator is check, and the rest are not

Click OK

Step 5: Try to connect

Open RockBox Commander and follow the steps to connect to your RockBox

If you are still having difficulty connecting to your RockBox, you most likely need to uninstall and reinstall the FTDI drivers

Run FTDIUNIN.exe and then FTClean.exe

Then follow Procedure 1 in the software installation instructions on your CD to reinstall the drivers

NOTE:

• The programs listed above are on your CD in the "FTDI Utilities" folder

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Install the COM Port drivers onto your PC

Step 1: Disconnect your PC from all internet connections

• Unplug all network cables
• Turn off or temporarily disable all wireless connections
• The purpose of this is to prevent Windows Update from installing incorrect software

Step 2: Connect your RockBox to your PC

• Use the included retractable USB cable
• Your computer will now start the “Found New Hardware” wizard

Step 3: Install the CDM and Virtual COM Port drivers using the “Found New Hardware” wizard

Summary steps:

• Select “No, not at this time” when the wizard asks if it can connect to Windows Update, and click Next
• Choose to install from a specific location and click Next
• Choose to search for the best driver, check the box to include a location, and the click Browse.
• Browse to this location on your RockBox CD:
• \RB Commander Software Installation\RB Commander Software Procedure 1\Windows Vista-XP-2K drivers
• Once you have selected this location, click Next
• If the window regarding Windows logo testing appears, click Continue Anyway
• Your CDM drivers will now install, click Finish when complete
• After the CDM drivers have been installed you will then be automatically asked to repeat this process to install the Virtual COM Port drivers, follow the same procedure as outlined above

Detailed steps:

• Select “No, not at this time” when the wizard asks if it can connect to Windows Update, and click Next:

• Choose to install from a specific location and click Next:

• Choose to search for the best driver, check the box to include a location, and the click Browse.
• Browse to this location on your RockBox CD:\RB Commander Software Installation\RB Commander Software Procedure 1\Windows Vista-XP-2K drivers
• Once you have selected this location, click Next

• If the window below appears, click Continue Anyway

• Your CDM drivers will now install, click Finish when complete

• After the CDM drivers have been installed you will then be automatically asked to repeat this process to install the Virtual COM Port drivers, follow the same procedure as outlined above

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