Many
DOS-based
RSS programs
can be run
on newer
systems using
to slow effective system speed and turn off cache in DOS. Click on the logo for more info.
MOTOROLA Radio Service Software (RSS)
Operational Problem TROUBLESHOOTING FLOWCHART
28aug98
Gary Christel
Motorola, Inc.
LMPS/RSTC/RPG
Plantation, Florida U.S.A.
===============================================================
(I) PRIMARY FAILURE MODES/CAUSES, -DOS- Operation
===============================================================
Primary failure modes under DOS (NO Windows) can be divided into -3- major categories:
B) RSS Will NOT Communicate With RIB/Radio
(Fails F9/F3 Comm Test).
C) RSS Will -NOT- READ/WRITE Radio Codeplug
(Passes F9/F3 Comm Test, but fails during
CODEPLUG READ/WRITE, CLONING or TUNING).
---------------------------------------------------
A) RSS Has RUNTIME Problems:
---------------------------------------------------
"Runtime" problems / possible causes/remedies are:
1) RSS Support/Utility File(s) (Help, Screen Data, System Keys, etc.)
corrupted or missing. RSS fails at beginning of Execution,
or when entering specific Menu/Data screen.
a) Use F9/F3 setup to properly set PATHS for all required files.
b) Re-install RSS from Installation Diskettes.
c) Re-install System Keys / OFP files from User's backup diskettes.
d) Make sure that -all- files used by RSS have -NO- DOS "read-only"
or "system/hidden" attributes set (see DOS command "HELP ATTRIB").
2) RSS reports/has INSUFFICIENT -CONVENTIONAL- Memory.
a) Create new CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT Files which
use "HIMEM.SYS" (must be 1st line), load DOS "HIGH"
and do NOT load any UNNECESSARY Drivers / TSRs.
b) Use DOS command "MEM /C | MORE" to view memory usage;
Refine Step (a) above until minimum of 520 KB of CONVENTIONAL Memory is available for RSS.
3) RSS reports/has INSUFFICIENT -EXTENDED- Memory.
a) Create new CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT Files which
use "HIMEM.SYS" (must be 1st line), load DOS "HIGH"
and do NOT load any UNNECESSARY Drivers / TSRs.
Add "EMM386.EXE RAM 64" as 2nd line of CONFIG.SYS.
b) Use DOS command "MEM /C | MORE" to view memory usage;
Refine Step (a) above until minimum of -2- MB of
EXTENDED Memory is available for RSS.
4) RSS reports/has "other" (miscellaneous) "Runtime" errors
(e.g. PC/DOS "locks up" and re-boot required; RSS fails with "math error").
a) If RSS has previously operated properly on SAME PC, review -all-
changes made to this PC since last successful RSS run (check
CONFIG.SYS, AUOTEXEC.BAT and CMOS SETUP for recent modifications).
b) Use SMALLEST-possible CONFIG.SYS
DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS /V
DOS=HIGH
BUFFERS=20
FILES=20
STACKS=9,512
c) Use SMALLEST-possible AUTOEXEC.BAT
PROMPT $P$G
SET PATH=C:\DOS;
SET TEMP=C:\TEMP
----------------------------------------------------------------------
B) RSS Will -NOT- Communicate With RIB/Radio
(Fails F9/F3 Comm Test)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1) Check F9/F3 "SETUP" for proper COMM. PORT setting.
2) Switch/Check
a) PC/RIB Cable.
b) RIB (turned ON, BATTERY OK ??).
c) RIB/Radio Cable.
d) Radio (ON, proper POWER, etc. ??).
3) Under CMOS SETUP (different for each Brand/Model of PC);
a) Turn -all- CACHE functions -off-.
b) Turn -all- POWER MANAGEMENT functions -off-.
c) Set CPU speed to SLOWEST setting.
4) Upgrade to LATEST-possible Version of RSS.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C) RSS Will -NOT- READ/WRITE Radio Codeplug
(Passes F9/F3 Comm Test, but fails/"hangs"
during CODEPLUG READ/WRITE, CLONING or TUNING).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1) Under CMOS SETUP (different for each Brand/Model of PC);
a) Turn -all- CACHE functions -off-.
b) Turn -all- POWER MANAGEMENT functions -off-.
c) Set CPU speed to SLOWEST setting.
2) Use SMALLEST-possible CONFIG.SYS
DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS /V
DOS=HIGH
BUFFERS=20
FILES=20
STACKS=9,512
3) Use SMALLEST-possible AUTOEXEC.BAT
PROMPT $P$G
SET PATH=C:\DOS;
SET TEMP=C:\TEMP
4) Upgrade to LATEST-possible Version of RSS.
===============================================================
(II) PRIMARY FAILURE MODES/CAUSES, -WINDOWS- Operation
===============================================================
Primary failure modes under WINDOWS can be divided into -2- major categories:
1) Windows 3.1 and Windows 95;
-------------------------------------------------
a) Windows Attributes set wrong for RSS.
SEE BELOW.
b) Fundamental DOS/PC Setup/Configuration wrong for RSS.
RE-BOOT PC to be in MS-DOS Mode, -or- Re-Start Windows 95
to be in Windows-DOS Mode. Re-execute RSS.
If failure still present, SEE ABOVE DOS/PC Setup/Config.
BE AWARE:
MS-DOS uses CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT
Windows 3.1 uses CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT
Windows 95 uses CONFIG.W40 and AUTOEXEC.W40
A successful MS-DOS Setup (CONFIG.SYS / AUTOEXEC.BAT)
can be "carried-over" to Windows by changing PATH names
from "C:\DOS\..." to "C:\WINDOWS\...".
c) CMOS Setup will be common to both MS-DOS and Windows, and on
LAPTOP PCs -all- Power Management Features -must- be -off-.
2) Windows NT;
--------------------------------
Windows NT will -not- allow RSS programs to talk directly to the
PC's Communications Port(s) or Timers. This effectively -disables-
proper communications between the RSS and the RIB/Radio.
The -only- present solution is to create a -DUAL-BOOTABLE- MS-DOS
Partition on the Hard Disk, and re-boot the PC into MS-DOS mode
when using RSS programs.
=================================================
A) Setting GENERAL/DOS/PC Attributes for RSS
=================================================
1) Ensure that CMOS Setup for PC is correct, and allows RSS operation
in MS-DOS Mode. SEE ABOVE.
2) Ensure the CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT Setup is correct, and allows
RSS operation in MS-DOS Mode. Then simplify Windows' CONFIG.* and
AUTOEXEC.* to match the MS-DOS Setup.
3) Power Management Features must be completely -disabled-
a) Under CMOS SETUP (different for each Brand/Model of PC).
b) Within DOS/Windows CONFIG.* and AUTOEXEC.*
BE AWARE:
MS-DOS uses CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT
Windows 3.1 uses CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT
Windows 95 uses CONFIG.W40 and AUTOEXEC.W40
c) In the Windows CONTROL PANEL / SYSTEM Setup.
=================================================
B) Setting WINDOWS 3.1 Attributes for RSS
=================================================
For Windows 3.1, use the PIF EDITOR to open the "DOSPRMPT.PIF" file;
On the "MAIN" menu
Set "Display Usage" to FULL SCREEN
Set "Execution" to EXCLUSIVE.
Under "ADVANCED..."
Set "Foreground Priority” to 10,000,
Set the "Detect Idle Time" box to OFF.
SAVE the "DOSPRMPT.PIF" file before using the "MS-DOS PROMPT" icon.
=================================================
C) Setting WINDOWS 95 Attributes for RSS
=================================================
For Windows 95, create an RSS icon/shortcut. Under PROPERTIES:
Select PROGRAM Sheet;
Set "CLOSE ON EXIT" box to TRUE.
Under PROGRAM Sheet "ADVANCED";
Set "PREVENT PROGRAM FROM DETECTING WINDOWS” to TRUE.
Set "SUGGEST MS-DOS MODE” to FALSE.
Set "MS-DOS MODE” to FALSE.
Select SCREEN Sheet;
Set "USAGE” to FULL SCREEN.
Select MISC Sheet;
Set "ALLOW SCREENSAVER” to FALSE.
Set "IDLE SENSITIVITY” to LOW.
Many
DOS-based
RSS programs
can be run
on newer
systems using
to slow effective system speed and turn off cache in DOS. Click on the logo for more info.