Difference between revisions of "Linux Setup Guide"

Linux Setup Guide for Serial Communication

The following has been tested using Ubuntu 15.10 and will probably work for all Debian based distributions of Linux.

Serial Port Permission

Any applications requiring access to the serial port(s0 must have the current user added to the "dialout" user group. In a terminal window copy and paste the following:

sudo adduser <You_User_Name_Here> dialout

Linux Applications Tested

• BCProgTool

Windows Applications Tested Using Wine

The following applications do connect to the scanner and will allow upload and downloads. Additional features may be affected with the use in Wine as noted below.

• FreeScan doesn't connect to the RadioReference Database after Username and Password are entered.

• ProScan Full Function Trial version connects nicely with the RR DB, doesn't find its User Manual from the toolbar. $50 after 30 day trial.

• ScanControl last updated 2009. No import option.

• ARC-XT Demo tested, no virtual control with it or the Basic Version, $39.95. Pro version $69.95.

Wine Installation Process and Serial Configuration

1) Install Wine 1.6.2:

Using the Package Manager install the latest version of wine.

2) Create a 32 bit wine prefix:

Delete the directory ~/.wine (If created in step 1 above) and create the new prefix.

rm ~/.wine
WINEARCH=win32 WINEPREFIX=~/.wine winecfg

Close Wine Configuration window by selecting “OK”.

3) Install winetricks:

Install winetricks and make it executable:

wget http://www.kegel.com/wine/winetricks
chmod +x winetricks

4) Install .NET Framework v4.5:

Note: .NET Framework (FW) 3.0 and XML Parser are prerequisites for .NET Framework 4.5. If they are not found in their respective ~/.cache directories the .NET FW 4.5 install will fail.

Download .NET Framework 3.0 from: http://www.oldversion.com/windows/download/net-framework-3-0

Copy netframework3.exe to ~/.cache/winetricks/dotnet30

Download MS XML Parser 3.0 SP 7 here: http://download.cnet.com/Microsoft-XML-Parser-MSXML-3-0-Service-Pack-7-SP7/3000-7241_4-10731613.html

Copy msxml3.msi to ~/.cache/winetricks/msxml3/

Proceed with the .NET Framework 4.5 Installation

bash winetricks -q dotnet45 corefonts

Note: The actual install takes ~10 minutes. Wait until it finishes with a command prompt.

5) Check the .NET Framework v4.5 (Optional Step)

Download the tool from here:

https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/astebner/2008/10/13/net-framework-setup-verification-tool-users-guide/

Check your .NET FW 4.5 installation run:

wine ~/Downloads/netfx_setupverifier_new/netfx_setupverifier.exe

In the "Product to Verify" pull down select ".NET Framework 4.5"

Select "Verify Now"

When complete select "View Log"

If you don't see the following line return to step X above and start over:

[DATE,TIME] "Install state for .NET Framework 4.5: installed with no service packs."

If you do the hard part is over!

6) Add current use to the dialout group:

Replace <<You_User_Name_Here> with the current user:

sudo adduser <You_User_Name_Here> dialout

Logout then back in to complete the user group addition.

7) Create symbolic link to the serial port:

For RS-232 Run:

ln -s /dev/ttyS0 ~/.wine/dosdevices/com1
<?pre>

:For USB to RS-232 Adapter Run: 
<pre>
ln -s /dev/ttyUSB0 ~/.wine/dosdevices/com1

8) Add serial port to the registry:

Run: gedit ~/.wine/system.reg

Add to the file under the line “#arch=win32”:

[Hardware\\Devicemap\\Serialcomm] 1131331688

"COM1"="COM1"

Note: This was the trick to get FreeScan and ProScan operational but didn't solve the problems with BCTool+ which has it's Com fields populated where as the other 2 programs do not. Something else is needed here for BCTool+.

9) Reboot after connecting your serial cable.