Picoscope 4425-030 wont connect to laptop

[Wealer]

Hi there,

I`m having problems connecting my Pico to a new laptop (Dell Latitude 5500). When I connect the scope I get the dong to confirm the usb connection but the scope doesn`t click and doesn`t communicate, also the led on the scope doesn`t go green but stays red. I can only chose demo mode in PS7. The laptop has USB 3.1 ports with the ss logo thats also on the blue Pico USB cable.

My older older Getac S410 has 2 USB 3.0 ports that don`t work either but it also has a USB 2.0 that does work.

Anyone know how to make my Pico work with this Dell laptop?

Thanks...

[PicoKev]

Have a read of this post ⇒ https://www.picoauto.com/support/topic23312.html
And see if it helps.

If not email support@picoauto.com

Make sure you give them the full details of the hardware you are using, the windows version and the pico software version. I am assuming (yes.. Dangerous I know!) that you are using a genuine Pico USB lead, as we all know that not all leads are created equal!

Regards,
Kev.

[Steve Smith]

Hello and thank you for the post

Could you provide the build of PS7 software you are using? (Generic or OEM build)

When connecting to the scope, do you receive an error message such as "Unsupported device"?

I ask because the 4425-030 is a VAS scope and depending on the PS7 software installed we may have a compatibility issue

Take care.....Steve

[Wealer]

Hi Steve,

I`m using the generic PS7 software. Version: 7.0.116.13985

There`s no message when connecting the scope, only the dong you get when you connect a USB device.

I also tried the Pico for VAS software version: 7.0.116.1374. It does the same thing.

I changed the USB settings according to this thread https://www.picoauto.com/support/topic23312.html didn`t make a difference.
I also tried powering a 5w testlight with the USB 3.1 port and that works, so the USB port is capable of delivering some current. I don`t think a power USB hub would make much difference.

[Steve Smith]

Hello and thank you for the feedback

Just reading through the posts, you mentioned the 4425-030 scope works OK with a USB 2.0 port on your Getac machine?

I ask because this confirms the scope to be OK

Kev also mentioned using the genuine Pico Blue USB cable, could you confirm this is the case?

Could you confirm that the scope is not working with either PS7 or PicoDiagnostics?

When connecting your scope to the Dell Laptop could you open the Device Manager and check the PicoScope is visible? (see image below)

DM

Could we confirm all essential and recommended Windows updates have been actioned on the Dell machine (.Net springs to mind)

I hope this helps and I look forward to any feedback

Take care……Steve

[Wealer]

Hi Steve,

I`ve tried several laptops, it always works on USB 2.0 ports and never works on USB 3.0 or 3.1

Yes I`m using a new blue Pico USB cable.

Pico diagnostics also doesn`t work.

In the device manager on the Dell laptop I can see the pico when its connected.

Laptop is up te date.

I`ve sent a email to: support@picoauto.com They think the issue is the scope itself and want it sent to them for repair.

[PhilB]

I had the same problem with a HP Mini PC. The Mini only has USB 3 ports & whether the 4425A worked or not was a lottery & when it did it was very noisy. I've read all sorts of conflicting specs for USB ports & have assumed them to provide 500ma max. It didn't matter if I used the supplied Pico blue cable or any other cable, my 4425A would not start more often that start.
I got a much shorter Vention brand USB A to USB B superspeed cable & a male USB A to male USB A cable from Ali Express, cut the A-A cable in half, opened the insulation of the A to B cable, cut the red & the black wires (which are like me, thick), spliced one half of the cut A to A cable red & black wires in, printed a Y joint cover & ended up with a cable that has data connection between the PC & the scope with the scope power now coming from a 2 amp phone charger.
I measured the current draw of the scope on a smart charger & found it to be 700ma when connected to Pico 7 & at idle, which led me to believe the USB ports were being overloaded preventing the scope from starting & now I have one dead port on the computer I think I'm right.
Make a DIY Y cable & your scope will work every time

EDIT: I don't use windows, I use Linux Mint. Which shouldn't make any difference to the scope starting or not starting
EDIT 2: A powered USB hub made NO difference, it still didn't start

[Steve Smith]

Hello and thank you for the post & the fix too

It was interesting how you resolved the power issue using the USB “Y” cable (nice work)

We used to offer such a solution (USB 2.0) with a double headed USB A to B cable where one of the USB A plugs was for power only (now obsolete)

This was a solution for smaller devices (often tablet style) where USB power was either limited or, for aging/worn laptops where power delivery was either intermittent or compromised

Your solution ensures power is delivered using external power whilst data is delivered via the connecting USB cable. This appears fo have cured the noise issue too viewtopic.php?p=105588#p105588

Interesting also to hear how the powered hub did not resolve the power connection issue

Thank you for sharing

Take care……Steve

[PhilB]

No problem, I hope it helps the OP & anyone else having the same issue.

I've been using it for around 2 weeks & can confirm it is a 100% fix. Maybe Picoscope will have to offer the Y cable again.

When scoping a narrow band O2 sensor with the 20khz bandwidth limit activated the trace is now a line with very minimal noise, something I could never have hoped for previously. The noise has completely gone on anything else I've used it for in the last couple of weeks.

When I cut into the Vention brand cable I found it has double shielding, so make sure you connect to the thicker red & black on the outer part of the cable. I didn't cut into the inner shield so not sure of the wiring colours inside it.

Cheers