ALK Technologies - Technology that Drives Transportation - GPS Navigation Evolved

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1. CoPilot keeps saying "There is no GPS receiver attached. Please attach your receiver or select the Planning Mode option" but my GPS receiver is plugged in?

  1. This indicates that CoPilot is not getting GPS data from the antenna/receiver either because the GPS unit is not getting power, or because the GPS data is not getting from the antenna/receiver into your laptop.
    1. Is the GPS unit getting power?
      1. Powering the GPS unit through your laptop's PS/2 port, make sure the connection is snug and that your laptop's battery has enough charge. If you've checked the power supply and it is sufficient, see question 2.
    2. Is the GPS unit plugged into the serial port?
      1. The serial port is a 9-pin port usually on the back of your laptop. One end of the GPS unit cord should have a 9-pin head that should plug easily into your serial port. If you've checked the serial port connection, see question 3.
    3. Are the port settings correct for the Com port? Note: CoPilot uses Com 1 as the default Com port.
      1. Click on the Start button, Settings, Control Panel
      2. Double click on the System icon.
      3. Click on the Device Manager tab.
      4. Click on the "+" sign next to Ports.
      5. Click on Com 1 so it's highlighted and click on the Properties button below.
      6. Under the "General" tab in Device Manager make sure it say's this device is working properly under Device Status . Next under Device Usage make sure there is no check mark in the box "Disable in this hardware profile"
      7. Click on the "Port Settings" tab. The settings should read as follows
        • Bits Per Second = 4800
        • Data Bits = 8
        • Parity = None
        • Stop Bits = 1
        • Flow Control = Hardware
          • If the settings are different please make the necessary changes and then click OK and restart your computer.
    4. Are you using the correct Com port for the GPS unit? Some computers may have more than one Com port. You will need to test each Com port starting with Com 1 to determine which Com port to use with the GPS unit. Please follow the directions below:
      1. Go to your Start button --> Programs --> Accessories -->Communications--> Hyperterminal
      2. Double click on the file Hyperterm.exe to open the program.
      3. Enter a name (any name) and click OK.
      4. Next at the bottom where it say's Connect using select "direct to Com 1" and click on OK.
      5. Next in the Com Port Properties window the settings should read:
        • Bits Per Second = 4800
        • Data Bits = 8
        • Parity = None
        • Stop Bits = 1
        • Flow Control = Hardware
          • If the settings are different please make the necessary changes and then click OK.

          If the GPS unit has power and is able to connect, you will see information flowing across the screen (random letter and numbers). If you do not see any information flowing across the screen, go back to step E above and repeat those same steps, but try the other Com ports (2,3,4) until you find the correct one.
        • Once you have found the right Com port (1,2,3, etc.), please do the following:
          1. Open CoPilot
          2. Go to the GPS menu and click on the Status tab.
          3. Make sure that the Com port number is the same one you found above (1,2,3, etc.) in the Hyperterminal. If it is different use the drop down menu to change the Com port and click the Close button. Next exit out of CoPilot to accept the changes. You should now be able to use CoPilot normally.
    5. If you have a Palm-Pilot, you need to close "Hot-Sync". Note: Hot Sync manager may be in your Start up folder causing the Hot Sync manager to enable each time you start your computer. If you do not wish to manually disable the Hot Sync manager each time you will need to delete it from the Start menu.
      1. To disable the Hot Sync manager click on My Computer.
      2. Click on your C: Drive or the drive Windows is installed to.
      3. Click on the Windows folder.
      4. Click on the Start Menu folder. (If no folders appear click on Show Files.)
      5. Click on the Programs Folder.
      6. Click on the StartUp folder.
      7. Now highlight the Hot Sync icon and delete it from the StartUp folder.