Digitilt DataMate Q&A

Question: There is no serial port on my notebook computer. How can I connect to the DataMate?

Answer: You need a USB-to-serial adapter or a PCMCIA card that provides a serial port. More Information.

Question: I have a DataMate II. Where can I find instructions for installing the USB Drivers?

Answer: Follow this link: Installing the USB drivers for the DataMate II. Note that these drivers will not work with older versions of the DataMate, which uses RS-232 serial communications.

Question: I'm having communication problems. Can you help?

Answer: Normally, this isn't a problem. If your PC has a serial port, it should be able to communicate with the DataMate. First, check that you have the current version of DMM. Then try working your way through the steps below.

1. Do you have another computer that can successfully communicate with the DataMate? If so, connect the DataMate to that computer and see if you can communicate now. If communication is successful, we can eliminate the DataMate and its cable from further trouble shooting.
2. Do you have a serial port? Run DMM. Choose "DataMate" and then choose "Options ." DMM scans for serial ports. Some laptops don't have serial ports. If no ports appear, click the following link to learn about USB to serial adaptors.
3. If DMM shows that you have a serial port, check to see that it is working. Click Start -> Settings -> Control Panel. When the control panel opens, choose System -> Hardware -> Device Manager. Look for Ports in the list of devices. Do you see yellow warning marks next to comm ports? If so, right click on the device and choose disable. Do you have duplicate serial ports? If so, disable one of them. Then run DMM again to see if it finds a different serial port. If it does, try communicating again.
4. Do you have a "hotsync" or "activesync" program installed on your computer? If you do, there is usually an icon at the bottom right of your screen. Right-click on the icon and choose exit, or change the program's settings to "manual" or "only when desktop is running." Most PDAs now use USB ports, but there may be an old version of a sync program that uses the serial port.
5. Check the continuity of the wires in your interface cable. Set your multimeter to ohms. The resistance between two ends (eg. Lemo 3 to DB9 4) should be a very small value. Wiggle the cable to check for intermittent contact. A large value indicates a broken cable. See the pinout drawing below.
6. Did DMM work before, but now it doesn't? Windows may have had a problem registering all the program components. Uninstall DMM. Next change to your system32 folder. Click start and choose Run. Enter: regsvr32 dmmcom32.ocx /u   and click OK to uninstall an ocx. Now reinstall the latest version of DMM.
7. Have some of your other programs also stopped working? Call your IT person.
8. If you still can't communicate, take a look at the question below, then give us a call.

Question: My interface cable has a loose wire in the connector. Do you have a pinout drawing that shows the proper solder points? Answer: Use the drawing at right. Wire colors may vary, so they are not listed. You'll have to look at both connectors to identify the wire colors.

Question: I'm having trouble communicating with the DataMate. What do the error message mean?

Answer: Here are some steps that we use. First, let's look at error messages. We used these for the DOS version of DMM, but they should be good with the Windows version, too.

If DMM says "communications failed" and the DataMate says "waiting for PC", we know that the DataMate did not receive serial data. Possible causes are (a) a bad serial port in the DataMate, though this is rare, (b) a bad interface cable, (c) a bad PC comm port, (d) an interfering driver.

If DMM says "communications failed" and the DataMate says "linked to PC", then DMM did not receive proper handshake information. The probable cause is a bad interface cable.

If DMM says "Device is not a DataMate" and the DataMate says "Linked to PC," serial data is corrupted. The probable cause is old DMM software. You can download the latest from this website. There could also be hardware problems or driver interference as explained above.

Question: While I was setting display contrast, I accidently shut off the DataMate. Unfortunately, the contrast was so low that all the characters disappeared. How can I reset the contrast?

Answer: Follow these steps to navigate to the Contrast menu.

1. Switch power off and then on again.  (The hidden cursor is now on Read)
2. Press the right-arrow key 3 times, then press Enter. (Cursor is now on Utilities)
3. Press the right-arrow key 5 times, then press Enter. (Cursor is now on Contrast)
4. Press down arrow until characters reappear.

Question: I need to replace the battery used in my Digitilt DataMate. What battery should I use?

Answer: The battery is a Sonnenschein A206-6.5S. We keep them in stock, but you may be able to find a Sonnenschein distributor locally if you search the web.

Question: I've been told to reset the DataMate. How do I do that?

Answer: Normally, you don't have to do this. However, if a technician at Slope Indicator has recommended the reset, follow these instructions: Resetting the DataMate . Be sure to ground yourself and the DataMate to prevent damage from static discharges.

Question: My DataMate displays a message: "Firmware upgrade is recommended-Call Rep." What's wrong?

Short Answer: Nothing is wrong. You don't need to do anything.

If your DataMate has a firmware version dated 1997 or earlier, there is no firmware upgrade available. Simply ignore the message. To see the firmware version, switch on the DataMate. The second line displays the firmware version (a date).

If your DataMate has a firmware version dated 2005 or later, a firmware upgrade is available. Contact Slope Indicator about that.

Long Answer: The DataMate and the DMM software on the PC exchange "version codes" when they begin to communicate. If the codes do not match, either the DataMate or the PC will complain.

We made a new version of DMM software to support the newest version of the DataMate, so the DMM version code had to be changed. The new DMM software supports both the old DataMate (firmware version 1997 and earlier) and the new DataMate (firmware version 2005 and later).

When an older DataMate receives the new version code, it displays the "firmware upgrade" message. Usually the message disappears quickly, but if the DataMate is waiting for a response from the PC, then the message will be displayed long enough for you to read it. If you are looking at your PC, you won't see the message at all. Here are the conditions when you can see the message:

• When you retrieve data from the DataMate, the message appears, but goes away quickly. Some people will never see this one.
• When you send data to the DataMate, the message stays on the display, because the DataMate is waiting for a response from the PC.
• When you delete data from the DataMate (using DMM), the message stays on the display, until it gets a response from the PC

Question: Can I retrieve readings from the DataMate as ASCII text rather than store the data in a database?

Answer: Yes. DMM for Windows lets you retrieve all the readings at once, and then and save them, one by one, as tab delimited files. This is quick and easy.

You can also "print" to a terminal program. Any terminal program (such as 'hyperterm' in Win95/98) can recieve ASCII data from the DataMate. Set the serial parameters on your terminal program to the same baud rate, no parity, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit. On the DataMate, go to Datasets and choose Print. You will be prompted for a baud rate, and defaults to 9600. On the DataMate, select the dataset and press enter. The data will be output through the serial port in ASCII format.

Question: How do I "refresh" the dessiccant used in the DataMate?

Answer: We use a dessicant called Sorb-it. The instructions on the side of the packet tell you to bake the packet at 118 degrees C (245 degrees F) for 16 hours.

Question: The DataMate displayed a message: "Too many datasets" so I deleted some old datasets. Then, when I tried to add a new dataset, the DataMate displayed strange characters. Do I need to send the DataMate for repair?

Answer: The DataMate's memory has been corrupted and most data cannot be retrieved. There are three ways that this might have occurred.

1. If you tried to delete datasets in the datamate's memory, but accidently shut off the DataMate during the deletion process, memory will become corrupt. This is in the manual, but it is easy to forget.

2. There is a loose circuit board inside the DataMate. To check, you should open the DataMate to check that the circuit boards are firmly seated in their sockets. While you do that, you should disconnect the battery for a few minutes and then reconnect. This causes a full system reset. Be sure to ground yourself to prevent damage to the boards through static discharge.

3. One of the circuits in the DataMate has failed. After you perform the step above, switch on the DataMate. If the DataMate displays any system error, it must be returned for repair. If the DataMate does not display any errors, please try this: Use DMM to send datasets to the DataMate until the DataMate's memory is full. Then disconnect from the PC. Now try deleting some datasets (using the DataMate keys) and adding a new dataset (just press the keys - the probe is not necessary). If there is failure again, the DataMate must be returned. If there is no failure, the DataMate may be OK, but please retrieve data regularly, just to be save.

Question: I'm trying to add another installation, but I don't see the "Create New" prompt. What's wrong?

Answer: There are several possibilities.

1. Do you already have 40 installations? That's the maximum number you can store. If you're in the field and need to do a survey of a new installation, you can use another installation as a temporary holder for your data - just edit its parameters as required. Later, when you return to the office, you can place the survey under a proper installation.

2. Did you use DMM for Windows to set up your DataMAte? An early version did not handle the list of installetions correctly - resulting in a problem like yours. Download the latest version of DMM for Windows and resend the setup database to the DataMate.

Question: My DataMate is giving strange readings. The humidity in the box was 90%. Could this be the problem?

Answer: Yes. Humidity greater than 60% can cause problems, particularly when the DataMate undergoes temperature changes, such as being taken from a warm office to cold outdoors or from hot outdoors to air-conditioned office. If possible, store the DataMate in a cool, dry place in winter and in a warm, dry place in summer. See the DataMate inspection and maintenance tech note.

Question: I'm having trouble with my inclinometer system. Can the readings that I have recorded help me diagnose the problem?

Answer: Yes, there are certain reading values that are good indicators of problems:

Reading of 12000 in either axis: This indicates a sensor problem.

Reading of ±6000 to 8000: This indicates a power line problem if it appears both axes. The problem is probably in the cable or a connector.

Reading of +730 or 740 (English) or +1280 or 1290 (Metric): This indicates an input line problem on DataMates with firmware version 1997 or earlier. This is the same reading that appears if no probe is connected. The problem is probably in the cable or a connector.

Reading of +1786 or 1787 (English) or +3125 or 3126 (Metric): This indicates an input line problem on DataMates with firmware 2005 or later. This is the same reading that appears if no probe is connected. The problem is probably in the cable or a connector.

Reading of 60 or some other low number: If you see a low number that stays constant in one axis, the problem is mostly likely in the probe. The accelerometer for that axis is not working and the op amp is trying to compensate, resulting in a constant value.

Question: I have an English-unit probe, but accidentally recorded readings with the DataMate set for metric (or vice versa). What should I do?

Answer: Use DMM for Windows to change the instrument constant for that survey. Follow this link to find the instructions in the DMM for Windows Q and A: Incorrect English/metric Settings.

Question: How did the wrong (English/metric) settings get into my data?

Answer: There are two ways this can happen. (1) You are accidentally telling the DataMate that you have a metric (or English) system, or (2) the installation information in the DataMate is incorrect.

Case 1: When you start a survey using the DataMate, you choose an installation and then you must step through the installation parameters by pressing the Enter key. If you press the down arrow by mistake, you'll change the value of that parameter. It seems logical that you could press the down arrow to scroll through the readings, but you can't. Always press the Enter key to step through the parameters.

Case 2: You should check that installation information in the DataMate is correct. Switch on the DataMate. Choose Read to display the Read menu. Then choose Installations. Scroll through the list of installations and choose the one that is causing problems. Then step through the installation parameters until you see Units. Set this to English or metric, depending on the type of probe that you have. Press Enter to see the next parameter, Ins Constant. Set this to 20000 for English probes or 25000 to metric probes. Also, check your DMM database to see that probe type and instrument constant are set properly for that installation.

Question: Most of my surveys are marked Full Set = "T." But sometimes I see a survey that is marked "Full Set = F." What's this about?

Answer: The full set flag tells DigiPro how to process the data. A T value indicates a normal two-pass survey, in which each depth has a 0 reading and a 180 reading). The software then combines the two readings and divides by 2. An F value tells the software that there is only a 0 reading and therefore no combining or dividing takes place.

If you end your normal two-pass survey by choosing "Done," the flag is set to T. However, if you end your survey by pressing Esc, the flag is set to False, even though all the data are present.

Question: The DataMate displays an error when I switched it on. Where can I find a list of error codes?

Answer: The most recent manual lists these codes. You can also find a list in DataMate inspection and maintenance .

Question: Readings displayed by the DataMate used to stabilize quickly, but now it takes much longer. What's going on?

Answer: The most common explanation for this is moisture (water) in the connectors. There are three connectors that could be affected: the connectors on the control cable and the connector on the probe. Use an ohmmeter set to the 2 Megaohm range to check.

Check cable connectors when the cable is not connected to the probe or the DataMate. Check the resistance from pin to pin and pin to connector body. In each case, the ohmmeter should read overrange (infinite resistance). If you see another reading, there is a problem. A reading cause by moisture usually drifts (does not remain steady). Continuity checks for the conductors should read about 1 ohm per 100 feet of cable.

Check the pin to probe body resistance (not pin to pin). The roll pins (pins that go through the body to hold the springs) make a good connection to the body. Again, the reading should be overrange.

If you find a problem in the cable connector that plugs into the DataMate, you may be able to disassemble and dry the connector by yourself. See this technote for directions.

However, if you find moisture in the cable connector that attaches to the probe or in the connector built into the probe itself, you must send them to the factory for servicing. Send both items. See instructions for returning equipment to Slope Indicator.

Question: Can I use the DataMate to record data from 4 passes through the casing? In Italy, we usually employ the B-axis casing grooves as well as the A-axis grooves. After recording data in A180 groove, can I select Continue one more time, to continue the survey in the B0 and B180 groove ?

Answer: the DataMate records both A and B axes with only two passes through the casing: the A0 and A180 pass. The B axis is less accurate because the wheels can move from side to side in the A grooves, and this affects the tilt of the sensor in the B axis. Slope Indicator's casing has very narrow grooves, so this is not usually a problem. However, if you are using casing that has wider grooves, the probe can wander in the B axis and give less accurate readings. In that case, the highest accuracy is obtained by orienting the probe so that the wheels travel in the B axis. (Thus you use the A-axis accelerometer to record B axis readings).

The DataMate offers a "Uniaxial" routine that lets you record one direction at a time: A0, A180, B0, and B180. When you step through the parameters of the borehole before recording a survey, change Type from Digitilt to "Spiral." This tells the DataMate to perform a uniaxial survey. Keep your instrument constant, depths, and intervals the same as usual. The DataMate will then prompt for the A0 pass, continue with the A180 pass, and continue with the B0 and B180 grooves.

When you retrieve the data with DMM, you have to make one change. In the dataset header of DOS DMM, change the value of "Spiral?" to N or False. In the Windows DMM, change the value of Probe Type from Spiral to Digitilt.

Question:  When I switch on the DataMate, it displays a message: "Key is down." After that, the DataMate does not operate. What's wrong?

Answer: There are two possibilities.

1. There may be a partial vacuum in the box due to air shipment. The vacuum is sucking on the keypad and causes the "key down" error message. In this case, unscrew the two screws at the bottom of the box and wiggle the box a bit. This should allow air to flow into the box and release the keypad.
2. The keypad may be too large for the panel. In 2004, we received a batch of keypads that were slightly too large. They fit the panel well enough during assembly, but later expanded. The result was this same "key down" error. In this case, please contact your distributor. He may be able to replace the keypad or will send the box to us for repair.