Serial port not found

[John]

System is all NCE , Power Cab for programing track and SB5 with the Power Cab for the layout .

Thanks .. I'm not familiar with those devices .. I do know that the never versions of JMRI need the newer version of Java --  You may also have a driver problem .. I assume you've done all this

https://ncedcc.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/18227720828307-Windows-11-USB-help

[Mike C]

  JAVA 11 is what's needed for the newest version . The JMRI website has changed a bit since I last downloaded so finding exactly what worked last time is not as easy now .

[MILWcoastdiv]

I will 2nd Sumners comment about Mr Steve Todd's RPi set up.  So easy and reliable.  Sounds like you may need a new USB adapter for NCE, I'm on my 3rd in about 12 years or so.  I use my home wifi and have the RPi as a client, my cell phone throttles work so much better (range and speed) instead of using the RPI wifi signal which is weak.

Good Luck, hope you can get up and running, these type of time sponges are so frustrating
Mario

[np1969]

I used the OpenLogic dot com web site to download the latest version of Java 11. Look for OpenJDK Downloads. It worked for me to get the latest production run of JMRI working on my machine with Java 11.

[peteski]

Just to put the USB-COM port in perspective, it is simply an adapter.  As long as the dongle is workings properly and the appropriate USB->Serial drivers are installed and also working properly, the USB-based COM port just shows up as any hardware COM port would in Windows. Just like if it was a physical COM port on a motherboard.  JMRA/DecoderPro aren't aware that when they use that COM port they are actually going through USB port to end up as a DB-9 port at the end of the dongle.  To JMRI (or any other program utilizing that COM port) is it just an standard ordinary COM port.

[Mike C]

 I gotta get back to this again , been a busy few days . I need to uninstall the JAVA I downloaded last weekend , I think I used the wrong type instead of the JDK download .

[John]

I gotta get back to this again , been a busy few days . I need to uninstall the JAVA I downloaded last weekend , I think I used the wrong type instead of the JDK download .

JMRI does check for Java compatibility during the instant process as I recall.

[Mike C]

  Well pretty much spent all day on this . I need to download JAVA before JMRI . Well that don't work , Every time I try to install JAVA it runs through the install wizard with NO problem . But when I try to download JMRI I get the message that there is no JAVA installed on laptop .  Both JAVA and JMRI are installed on the comp according to the Download history an they are both listed in download files . I'm using JMRI 5.8 and JAVA 11.76.21 This should work according to the JMRI install page . I really think my comp is blocking something from working , Or windows just broke something like every other update . I gotta get this part working B4 I mess with the serial port .

[peteski]

Mike, the USB COM port stuff is totally independent from JAVA.  You can either see or not see the COM port ini the Device Manager.  That's all there is to that (other than setting things like baud rate, etc.)

I don't use Windows 11, but there should be a way to list all installed programs. Does Java show up? Also, in the control panel there should be option to configure various things in Java. Can you see that?  At least that is how you could verify Java was properly installed.  I believe you have to install Java run environment (not Java Development Kit or JDK).

[Mike C]

 Not even worrying about the com port at this time . JAVA does not show up in the installed apps list even though the wizard clearly ran and went all the way . I think that JAVA needs a path to JMRI so it can be recognized and be found . I need to fix that first . Or an alt path is to get a cheep Windoze 10 laptop and go from there . When I try to google how to fix that I can get part way there but then the directions go off on a different track . Its like microsoft is telling me there is no difference between win 10 and 11 ,clearly there is a difference .

[peteski]

I think that JAVA needs a path to JMRI so it can be recognized and be found .

Mike, I believe it is the other way around.  PATH variables are set in the OS (Windows., Unix, etc.) so applications can find their way to what they need.  If JMRI is looking for JAVA, it should find it if path to JAVA was set in Windows.

Also, if JAVA is not showing up under installed apps, then it is not installed.  I asked if you installed JAVA JRE (runtime environment) or JDK? If you have JDK installed it is not what you need.

[Mike C]

 Used JDK it was recomended . It IS installed , the whole install wizard ran and compleated it's task . Windows is NOT making the path so JAVA can be used . The instructions for manually setting a path does not work . I can get half way there following Google instructions but always before I  finish , the instructions tell me to click on a certain box , and that's where the instructions always fall apart . No such box to click on .  I need a windows 11 expert to help with that .

[peteski]

That's weird Mike.  JDK (Javal Development Kit) is not what is used to run Java apps.  It is for developing Java code.  Not sure why JMRI app would use that.  Java JRE (Runtime Envornment) is what installs the Java virtual machine that apps need  for running their code.  Java in general is a pain in the arse!  when you install JRE it should show up under installed software and the PATH should be automatically created.  The JRE install also installs the "java" command line command which you use to check the Java version.

I just checked on https://www.jmri.org/java/index.shtml and found the following statement:
JMRI needs a "Java Runtime Environment" (JRE) to run but will work fine with the larger "Java Development Kit" (JDK). A JDK is only needed if you want to work on JMRI development, i.e. make changes and compile them.

I would say go find and install JRE.  I know that it states that JDK will work too. I still think JRE will give you what you need.  Obviously the JDK you are installing is not installing the JRE for some reason.

[ridinshotgun]

Not even worrying about the com port at this time . JAVA does not show up in the installed apps list even though the wizard clearly ran and went all the way . I think that JAVA needs a path to JMRI so it can be recognized and be found . I need to fix that first . Or an alt path is to get a cheep Windoze 10 laptop and go from there . When I try to google how to fix that I can get part way there but then the directions go off on a different track . Its like microsoft is telling me there is no difference between win 10 and 11 ,clearly there is a difference .

Used JDK it was recomended . It IS installed , the whole install wizard ran and compleated it's task . Windows is NOT making the path so JAVA can be used . The instructions for manually setting a path does not work . I can get half way there following Google instructions but always before I  finish , the instructions tell me to click on a certain box , and that's where the instructions always fall apart . No such box to click on .  I need a windows 11 expert to help with that .

I am confused with your two statements.  First you say that Java (and it really should be JRE as Peteski mentioned) installed with the wizard but doesn't show up in the app list.  IF it doesn't show up in the app list it is not installed no matter what the wizard says.  There is some issue causing to not install.

However you then say it is installed.  Did it now show up in the intalled apps list?

Run this as they suggest by the JMRI guys to see if any Java has installed:
Check Java release on your computer
Check to see what release of Java is currently installed on your computer. Open a "command" window by typing "Command prompt" into the search bar next to the Windows Start icon. Then type:

java -version

Use the tables above to make sure the version of Java you are running is compatible with the version of JMRI you want to install. If you want to run a more current version of JMRI, consider installing Java 11 (see suggestions by clicking here). IF YOU HAVE JAVA 8 CURRENTLY INSTALLED, MAKE SURE TO UNINSTALL IT FIRST. [Multiple problems have been reported if both Java 11 and Java 8 are installed at the same time.]

This is old but will still tell you if you have Java.  I think we are up to Java 17 now.  And make sure you have a space after java.   

IF it doesn't show a java version then you need to install JRE.

Here is a direct link to a Java JRE download from azul as direct by JMRI:

https://www.azul.com/downloads/?os=windows&package=jre#zulu

You'll have to select the right operating system since I don't know if you are running a 64 or 32 bit system.

[John]

As @ridinshotgun states above




Then go into the jmri directory that was created during install and run installtest





Finally, make sure that windows has something similar in the Add/Remove programs area  (just to double check)