CPCWiki forum

General Category => Technical support - Hardware related => Topic started by: !FOZ! on 06:43, 11 March 24

Title: Dandanator Mini “Send game via serial port…” stops
Post by: !FOZ! on 06:43, 11 March 24
Running v2.5 of the CPC Dandanator software under Java 8 on a Mac (latest OS). I am unable to write to the cart or use the USB mode to send a game to the machine. In the later case when sending a game (and I have tried a few) it seems to send a couple of blocks and then just stops with no error in the console. The game snapshot screen appears to start to load but does not complete before the send operation appears to just stop without error.

My cart is also on v2.5, and I have tried v2.6.1 of the client software. It seems the main thread is riddled with folks also having USB connection issues, with only those that have replaced the serial IC having some luck? That said in my case I am seeing some comms? I have attached some pictures of my cart recently bought.

I've watched the Amstrad Noob videos and I noted even he claimed one update got hung on block 1 and then after reducing the number of games appeared to work. Note that in my case I am just trying to get the one off game send working.

This device seems magic, but scattered docs and flakey behavior seems disapointing. Any pointers?

Title: Re: Dandanator Mini “Send game via serial port…” stops
Post by: !FOZ! on 07:33, 11 March 24
Some more pics show the send process and partially loaded game...
- https://share.icloud.com/photos/049BDIHdUAy3mtl2ebPMcL6HQ
- https://share.icloud.com/photos/044D3-gqCZf1r8N9qzXbVUsWg
- https://share.icloud.com/photos/095KxVxNhdUEjzThsoXWUbF4g
Title: Re: Dandanator Mini “Send game via serial port…” stops
Post by: dodogildo on 09:01, 11 March 24
Did you also try running the Jar on Windows?
It may seem irrelevant but first I got problems updating a Dandanator Mini using the Macbook Pro M2. Then I tried doing it with Parallels Desktop/Windows on Mac and it magically worked.

PS. Got other problems with another Dandanator (DES) but turned out a faulty USB to serial chip CH340G was responsible.
Title: Re: Dandanator Mini “Send game via serial port…” stops
Post by: !FOZ! on 06:08, 12 March 24
Thanks - time to dig out the old Windows laptop then! I am hoping since I see some data exchange - this is not a replace CH340G situation...
Title: Re: Dandanator Mini “Send game via serial port…” stops
Post by: !FOZ! on 04:59, 13 March 24
Ok i can confirm that running Windows with ParrallelDesktop does work - all I did was install Windows (it does this for you) wait a long time - and then from the menu select the USB serial device and it appeared as COM3 in the Windows VM and yep it worked. Most odd. Now that i know this I will dig out physical Windows hardware - compiling ROMS is slooooow this way. Thanks for the help! 
Title: Re: Dandanator Mini “Send game via serial port…” stops
Post by: bart71 on 17:17, 06 June 24
I had the same problem and was not able to solve it. Installed Windows in VirtualBox and worked out of the box
Title: Re: Dandanator Mini “Send game via serial port…” stops
Post by: Dandare on 13:35, 24 June 24
Hi,
Could you please give more details as to what MacOS version, hardware, etc are you using?

Thanks,
Title: Re: Dandanator Mini “Send game via serial port…” stops
Post by: Wobble_master on 10:50, 27 December 24
Hey all, I'm having issues with the same, but running on a Windows devices. I've tried with the Dandanator Mini and Dual and I get the same issue (similar issues):

Common Issues:
When running the ROM Generator 2.6.1 the software starts, but when I try to switch the EPROM Writer nothing happens, then when I switch back the screen goes cuts.

Also, if I try to add a game or ROM Set it just sits there with a swirling circle?

Dandanator Mini:
When connecting the USB Micro Cable it constantly disconnects?

I've tried this in serveral different systems now with the same results, also on Windows 10 and 11. Any assitance would be most helpful.
Title: Re: Dandanator Mini “Send game via serial port…” stops
Post by: robcfg on 13:44, 27 December 24
Is the CPC on?
Title: Re: Dandanator Mini “Send game via serial port…” stops
Post by: Wobble_master on 13:45, 27 December 24
Yes, I have the CPC on and connected.

As you can see it's connected to COM4, just can't get it to read or write to the cartiridge?

Thanks 👍
Powered by SMFPacks Menu Editor Mod