1 reply to this topic

[az8ball]

Greetings, first time post. Running out of ideas to get DOF working in my new cab.  All tables are vpx with directb2s and working great with PinupPopper.

 

I've been getting varying error messages in the DirectOutput.log indicating DOF can't talk to the TeensyStripController on COM3.  See partial logs below.  DOF seems to load fine in the logs, but bombs out when it can't connect to the controller.  

 

Error

2023.11.18 15:19:48.658 EXCEPTION: TeensyStripController vpin updater thread  could not connect to the controller. Thread will quit.

2023.11.18 15:19:48.658 EXCEPTION: Thread: TeensyStripController vpin updater thread 

2023.11.18 15:19:48.658 EXCEPTION: Message: Exception --> A exception occured while trying to open the Com-port 'COM3'. Found the following Com-Ports: COM1, COM3.  Will not send data to the controller.

2023.11.18 15:19:48.658 EXCEPTION: Stacktrace:    at DirectOutput.Cab.Out.AdressableLedStrip.TeensyStripController.ConnectToController()

2023.11.18 15:19:48.658 EXCEPTION: Stacktrace:    at DirectOutput.Cab.Out.OutputControllerCompleteBase.UpdaterThreadDoIt()

2023.11.18 15:19:48.658 EXCEPTION: Targetsite: Void ConnectToController()

2023.11.18 15:19:48.658 EXCEPTION: InnerException 1: UnauthorizedAccessException --> Access to the port 'COM3' is denied.

 

Hardware list

• I've got a Teensy 4.0 with an OctoWS2811 Adapter 3.2
• Wired up LED strips on 3 different channels (speakers, undercab, playfield LR)
• Successfully tested each LED strip using Arduino IDE 2.2.1 example sketch "Basic Test" on Com3
• Used the ConfigTool to create separate ports for 6 toys
• Installed the latest version of DOF R3++ using MSI installer (default path)
• Used TinyTools to create cabinet.xml 
• Created the GlobalConfig and GlobalConfig_B2SServer XML files
• Registered the DirectOutputComObject successfully and verified plugins were active
• Flashed Teensy firmware with TeensyStripController Firmware Beta V1.02 2.1.16 13:51

 

Troubleshooting steps 

• I've tried multiple USB ports and cables 
• Reinstalling COM port drivers in device manager
• Tried closing any other apps that may have COM3 in use
• Disconnected other USB devices (KL25Z, external sound card) 
• Tried reinstalling TeensyStripController via TinyTools and in Arduino IDE with manual hex file (Is there a way to verify which firmware version is loaded on the teensy or that an update was successful?)
• Removed directoutput.ini since I'm only using LED toys on 
• Confirmed AV is disabled
• No option to unblock DLLs (not sure if this is no longer a thing in Windows 11)

 

Since the Arduino IDE sketch uploads and runs successfully, I don't think it's an issue with the COM port or USB cable.  I also don't think this is a DOF issue since it seems to load all the cabinet files but simply can't talk to the controller. 

 

Happy to send more logs or config files if anyone has any thoughts or seen this issue before? 

 

Thanks-

 

[az8ball]

Solved - 

 

I figured I'd share my fix for this issue in case anyone else has similar struggles.  If you're using a newer Teensy\WS2811 combo, most of the documentation still points to a older versions of the TeensyStripController firmware for the Teensy 3.x (

 

Resolution -

 

If you have a Teensy 4.0 the firmware that seems to work for controlling WS2811 based led strips and compatible with the DOF can be found below.  I'm not saying this is the only rev that will work, but I tried several others until I stumbled across this and hope it will save someone their sanity.  Please let me know if anyone knows of any other versions that might also be recommended for newer builds.

 

https://github.com/fat-fred/TeensyStripController

 

GameOn!