You have a doubt, even after consulting the documentation?...
You are having difficulties? ...
The answer is certainly below. If not, do not hesitate to contact us.
ScanNav does not require a lot of resources, and any minimalist PC configuration running Windows is sufficient. Small configs are quite suitable, it is better to favor low consumption rather than high performance. There are also no prerequisites such as graphics cards or others.
ScanNav works on all PC and tablet configurations from Windows Vista to the latest versions of Windows (Windows 10 & 11 to date), and will continue to adapt as Microsoft evolves. It also works on XP (up to version 24.0), but with some restrictions(*).
New: Since version 23.0, ScanNav also works under Linux, MacOS, or ChromeOS.
The Wine software must first be installed on your pc. Unlike virtual machine environments such as VMware, VirtualBox, or Parallels, who create a complete emulation environment for a Windows PC by reserving part of the memory and disk space, Wine is only a very light layer over the system, the application running in the same environment as any other Linux or MacOS application.
More information in the documentation.
ScanNav continues of course to work on Parallels environments (www.parallels.com) for MacOS.
The points to be privileged (but not compulsory) are:
- Hard Drive: an SSD will be faster than a classical hard drive, and brings a real plus especially for starting Windows.
- Memory: this is the most important point in terms of performance. It all depends on the number of applications that you will be running at the same time on the pc. ScanNav is optimized on memory management, and is not very greedy. The Workshop part may however require more memory depending on the type of images you are handling as input.
- Processor: The better it is, the faster the display will be; but we're not in video games, and that's far from a critical point. It is better to focus on consumption than speed.
Regarding connections, it all depends on the instruments that will be connected, and the connection mode. For example, you can connect each instrument independently, in which case you will need one port per instrument, or go through a central control unit that will only require one port on the computer side ... or even none if you use Wifi.
- Wifi: Present on most computers, wifi will not only allow you to connect to the Internet to retrieve Gribs or other mails, but also to communicate with Nmea multiplexors, or to send Nmea information via Wifi to Compagnon or any other compatible device.
- USB ports: Apart from connecting instruments, you always have something to plug in (mouse, USB key, external drive, etc.). So the more is the better.
- RS232 Serial Ports: this type of port is getting rare on today's PCs, and absent from most laptops. If your configuration has one, it will avoid going through a Serial-USB adapter. Otherwise, it is not prohibitive. It also depends on the connection type of your instruments and / or multiplexor.
In short, ScanNav is largely satisfied with small configurations, but the more powerful the PC, the more performance you will have.
(*) Some restrictions apply for Windows XP:- The latest Navionics component is only compatible from Vista. The XP version must therefore continue to use the old management mode. See more details below .
- Some features can be degraded and / or slowed down, in particular for the orientation of the display and the fluidity of layers
- The Windows components being different, the version for XP is distributed as a specific package
- The last version of ScanNav supporting XP is version 24.0
From version 23.0, updates have been greatly simplified. Just use the "Help?" => "Check for updates" menu.
ScanNav will notify you if a new version is available, and provide a link to download it if available. It will also offer you to update your license with a single click if necessary. (This only applies to already registered PCs. For new PCs, or if you have reformatted your PC, you must use the full procedure below).
See Documentation for more information.
If you haven't already, download the latest version from http://www.scannav.com/GB/download.html. Once the file is downloaded, double-click on it to start the installation (it should be in your "Downloads" folder). On the screens that follow, click “next” at each step. Advanced users can however specify some installation options.
Once the software is installed, you must activate it with your personal code, provided when ordering. Be sure to keep this activation code for future use. The activation procedure must be carried out each time your license is modified (updates, new chart packs, etc...)
Launch ScanNav, and go to the "Help?" -> "Register / Obtain License..." menu,
Then simply follow the instructions on the screen in the window that appears. The easiest way is to use the "Register automatically" mode if the pc is connected to the Internet.
Otherwise, you can process manually with the 3 following steps:
-
1) On the pc intended for use: click on the button - 1- and save the resulting file
2-a) On any connected pc (you have to install the demo version of scannav), click on the -2 button and select the file saved from the first step. Then save the resulting file.
2-b) Or Alternatively, you can send us the file issued from step 1) by email,we will activate and send you back the corresponding license for step 3.
3) On the pc intended for use: click on the -3- button and select the file resulting from step 2.
You can register up to 2 pcs with the same code. In the event of a change of PC, subscribing to the update enables a new PC to be activated.
If you do not yet have a ScanNav license, it is possible to request a temporary trial license. See instructions on download page
Windows Firewall Issues
If an error message appears during activation, your firewall may be blocking access to the Internet for ScanNav. Try to temporarily disable your firewall, and try again. Do not forget to reactivate it once the license is activated.
If this solves the problem, we advise you to set your firewall to let ScanNav pass. The affected program is ScanNavFR.exe in the ScanNav installation directory. (refer to the documentation of your firewall / Antivirus)
Note : The firewall issue can also impact the GRIB file download. In this case, the program to pass is GribRequestor.exe , also in the installation directory of ScanNav.
Problems with accents (fixed in version 17.1)
A problem appeared on the use of accents in the first and last names given in the activation form. It is characterized by an error message during activation, with the code "http / 1.0 400 Bad request". This problem has been fixed in version 17.1 of ScanNav.
For older versions, avoid using accents in the form. For example, use "Francois" instead of "Fran
Old License Loss Issue (fixed in version 13.2)
This issue has been escalated due to the latest Windows updates.
Description: You activate your product code online, the system tells you that the license has been activated , but when you leave, you are still in demo version.
Recommended solution: update ScanNav and redo online registration (if your license is too old, you must subscribe to the 25 € update, see http://www.scannav.com/GB/order2.php )
Or, if you want to keep your old version prior to version 13.2 ( do not apply this method for updated ScanNav versions )
Activate the license in administrator mode:
- Start ScanNav in administrator mode: right-click on the ScanNav icon on the desktop, and choose " Run as administrator "
- Do the registration procedure
- Quit ScanNav
- Restart ScanNav in normal mode, and check if it is ok.
Note: Although still supported for existing licenses with the 32-bit version of ScanNav, we do no longer provide the dongle, because it brought more disadvantages than advantages (in particular occupation of a USB port, and complexity of the installation procedure), and is justified only in rare cases. It is possible to transform your dongle license into a license without dongle. You will then have the possibility of activating 2 PCs, and to compensate for PC changes, subscribing to the update allows you to activate an additional PC.
If you still wish to keep the dongle, you can follow the instructions below. However, first make sure you are using the 32-bit version of ScanNav, as the dongle is not supported on the 64-bit version. Furthermore, we will be unable to replace the dongle if it fails. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you migrate your license.
Be sure to install the dongle drivers before plugging the dongle. These are available by download or on the CD that came with the dongle.
A small (sometimes weak) light at the end of the dongle testifies to the proper installation of the dongle.
-
You can download the latest version of the drivers on the
following link:
http://www.scannav.com/Packages/driversdongle.zip
Once the archive has been downloaded and uncompressed, go to the "driversdongle" directory and double-click on the "install.exe" file. It is also possible to search the drivers manually in the 32 or 64 directories, depending on the version of your Windows (32 or 64 bits).
As for installation from the DVD, you should only connect the dongle after installing the drivers.
-
Click on the "install dongle" button of the window that opens by inserting the cd. A window opens and closes quickly. Then only after, plug the dongle. The Windows detection procedure then begins. Click Next at each step (needless to ask him to search the internet)
It is also possible to fetch the drivers manually in the \ Installer \ DriversDongle directory of the CD-Rom. Choose the subdirectory 32 or 64, depending on the version of your Windows (32 or 64 bits)
- -On the standard 32-bit versions of Windows, click on the "install dongle" button of the window that opens by inserting the CD. Then plug in the dongle, which will trigger the procedure for detecting new Windows device. Click Next at each step (needless to ask him to search the internet)
-On 64-bit versions of Windows Vista and 7, it will be necessary to indicate to it the location of the drivers if it does not find them automatically: these are in the directory "Installer \ DriversVista64bits" of the CD-rom.
What to do if the dongle is installed incorrectly:
- if you are on a 32-bit version of Windows: choose "uninstall", then unplug the dongle, reconnect it, and follow the Windows new device detection procedure (you must first have done the procedure described above "install the dongle ")
- if you are on a 64bits version of Vista or Windows7 / 8: choose "update the driver", then "search for the driver on my computer", then click on "browse" and go to the directory "Installer \ DriversVista64bits" CD-ROM, and continue clicking on "next".
Once the dongle is installed, you must register the license on the Internet to activate it . The dongle must be connected, and the same license can be used on any PC with the dongle connected.
-click on "Get the license"
-or in ScanNav go to the menu "?" => "Registration / License Application"
Then simply follow the instructions on the screen. The easiest way is to use the "automatic recording" mode if the pc is connected to the Internet. Otherwise, follow these 3 steps:
1) on the PC intended for use: click on the -1- button and save the resulting file
2) on a connected PC (you have to install the demo version of scannav),
click on the button -2- and go for the file from the first step. Then save the resulting file.
3) on the pc intended for use: click on the -3- button and go to the file resulting from step 2.
On the following screens, fill in the last name / first name and email, as
well as the product code that was provided when you ordered, then validate to activate the license.
Windows 64bits versions have appeared since, and the management of the register being slightly different, it requires a slightly more complex manipulation to introduce the old (*) licenses:
- Click Start , and then click Run on the Windows menu
- In the Open box , type % systemroot% \ syswow64 \ regedit , and then click OK .
- In the window that opens, click on the " File " menu and then " Import "
- Browse the file system to fetch your license file (.reg extension), then click Open .
From version 11.5, please refer to the instructions in the following document: DocInstallENC.pdf
The following is valid for older versions:
Simplified procedure:
A zip archive is provided for download when you order. Just unzip that archive to your hard drive, then insert the enc.pmt file from the ENC_ROOT directory into your map library. For updates, refer to the standard procedure with the S63Install tool.
Standard procedure:
The
2 permit.txt and enc.pmt files delivered must be copied to the ENC_ROOT
directory or the ENCs will be installed (see S63Install documentation). Copy them in place of the existing files.
The tool for downloading ENCs with its documentation is integrated into the ScanNav installer. They are accessible via the windows start menu in the ScanNav directory:
- S63Install documentation: documentation
- S63Install: download / update tool
The tool still has some minor flaws of youth, and you have to follow the instructions scrupulously.
Alternatively , you can also use the Primar Online service which involves copying the directory and files to the right place. You can access it via the primar catalog by clicking on the button with a small globe, and by filling in your User-permit
CAUTION:
when ordering new permits, the new file does not include the expired cells.
In order to continue using them, the easiest way is to use a different ENC_ROOT directory for the new cells,
you will then be able to include them independently by including both in the scannav library.
For example, if your folder for the old ENCs is
"C:\Cartes\ENC_ROOT" , you can use "C:\Cartes2\ENC_ROOT"
Then in ScanNav, insert the cells into the ScanNav charts library by looking for the file enc.pmt or permits.txt in the directory ENC_ROOT, where you copied it, which will insert all the cells in one operation:
- Open the charts library window: use the first button on the toolbar
, or the "File" menu -> "Charts Library" - In this new window, use the menu "File" -> "Insert charts or libraries"
- In the file chooser that opens, move to the ENC_ROOT directory,
- Select the file enc.pmt or permits.txt and click on the button "Open"
Note: before installing your charts, make sure you have first activated or updated the ScanNav license according to the instructions provided at the time of purchase.
Then, use the procedure integrated in ScanNav to download and install your packs.
See documentation here: DocInstallSnMap.pdf
NEW: From version 21.1 of ScanNav, the management mode of Navionics charts changes with the integration of the latest Navionics component. This version brings several improvements, in addition to fixing a chart activation issue with previous versions. Please refer to the documentation which describes the operating mode and the new features.
The remainder of this chapter only concerns previous versions (21.0 and earlier), or the Windows XP version, which is not compatible with the latest Navionics component. You must then use the old installation procedure described in the document available here: DocInstallNavionics.pdf
During the first installation, ScanNav connects to the Navionics site to activate the chart. Navionics having changed its activation mode in December 2020, an error message may occur during activation if it is the first activation on the PC. If you experience this problem, you must contact the Navionics support by email to activate your chart manually.
The best solution to continue using Navionics charts is nevertheless to update your version of ScanNav, and/or Windows if you are still running Windows XP.
If your chart was previously activated on the pc, this problem should not occur
Note: Maptech no longer provides any support, and their latest updates for Europe being excessively old, these charts should be reserved for test purpose. We therefore strongly advise you to opt for one of the other cartographic offers that are kept up to date .
Maptech charts were distributed on CD-ROM and must be registered for use. The system is completely independent of the license ScanNav, Maptech authorizes the unlocking on 2 pcs.
See the complete procedure here: Inst-Maptech-DVD.pdf
Problems installing Maptech charts on Windows 7 and above
If you can no longer open your Maptech charts, first check the following:
- Check that you have activated the Maptech license as described in the document Inst-Maptech-DVD.pdf
- If you have deleted or moved your charts in the Windows file structure, ScanNav will not find them anymore (this is valid regardless of the type of charts): search the files on the disk, and restore them to their location. origin, or rebuild your library by inserting the charts from their new location, or redo the installation of the charts.
The cause of the malfunction has been identified, however, and is related to the administrative rights of Windows.
Since the problem is of Maptech origin, and having no control over it, we can only propose workarounds, with the following possibilities:
A) Handling the installation of Maptech charts:
This procedure consists of modifying the access rights of certain keys of the Windows registry and requires a little technicality.
Be careful , before you start in this step, check the points mentioned above, otherwise the manipulations will be useless. If you do not feel comfortable with the regedit tool, we strongly advise you to be assisted. ScanNav disclaims all liability for mishandling that may be fatal.
The procedure is deliberately described briefly in order to reserve it to connoisseurs:
- Activate the Maptech DVD in administrator mode: right-click on the "Register.exe" executable of the dvd, and choose "Run as administrator"
- Then use regedit and change the access rights to "Total Control" for users to the following registry key (and its subkeys): "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Wow6432Node \ Maptech \ ChartKit"
This manipulation consists of going into the Windows settings and turning off the UAC. Also requires a bit of technicality, and has strong counterparts at the security level. Although it helps to unblock the situation, we do not recommend it. Refer to the Windows documentation.
C) or Run ScanNav in administrator mode
An alternative solution is to run ScanNav in administrator mode. It is not recommended either, because can have unmaintained impacts by switching from administrator mode to standard mode, including settings, licenses, and file access rights.
D) or Downgrade the system to Windows XP, or use an earlier version of ScanNav
These solutions are of course not recommended , and for good reason:
- The latest version of ScanNav that can use Maptech charts without special handling is the 14.1SP2 version which was generated with the same old Microsoft tools as those used by Maptech. However, this version is no longer supported and will not evolve, the ScanNav compilation tools have been updated to take advantage of the evolutions of Windows.
- Windows XP is no longer supported by Microsoft, and the latest version of ScanNav supporting XP is version 24.0, with some restrictions (*)
1) Noaa US ENCs : http://www.charts.noaa.gov/ENCs/ENCs.shtml
Read the disclaimer and go down the page to click on the "Proceed to Download" button
On the new page, click on the ENC link: " Click Here to Download NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts . Then follow the instructions. You then have the choice of different areas to download. Either download the whole, by clicking on " All ", or a complete state by clicking on the corresponding state, or cell by cell.
The result of your selection will be downloaded as a zip file to unzip into a blank directory on your computer.
Then in ScanNav:
- Open the charts library window: use the first button on the toolbar , or the "File" menu -> "Charts Library"
- In this new window, use the menu "File" -> "Insert charts or libraries"
- In the file chooser that opens, move to the ENC_ROOT directory,
- Select the CATALOG.031 file and click on the "Open" button, which will insert all the charts in the library.
Important Note: Noaa has stopped producing Raster charts since December 2024. The BSB charts from Noaa that you might find on the Net are therefore not up to date, and it is strongly recommended to use S-57 charts instead. The procedure below is only to be used for test or demonstration purpose, or other sources of up-to-date charts.
- Open the charts library window: use the first button in the toolbar , or the "File" menu -> "Charts Library"
- In this new window, use the "File" menu -> "Insert charts or libraries"
- In the file selector that opens, position yourself in the unzipped directory
- Select all files with the ".KAP" extension then click on the "Open" button (you can use the standard Windows multi-selection by pressing the keyboard <Ctrl> key, then click on each element, or use "<Ctrl>A" to select everything.
https://www.marinha.mil.br/chm/dados-do-segnav/cartas-raster
The maps are downloadable individually. Go down the page to view the list, and click on the links of the maps you want to download, which will bring you as many individual zip files (one for each map). You can unzip them all in the same directory for easy insertion into ScanNav. Then in ScanNav, use the same procedure as the Noaa Raster charts described above.
4) New Zealand Charts:
New Zealand offers its ENCs for free download. You must first create an account by entering your ENCs User Permit. This is indicated in the "About ScanNav" window, accessible via the "Help?" menu.
For more information: https://www.linz.govt.nz/products-services/charts/nz-enc-service
5) Maps of Marine Protected Areas:
SHOM broadcasts maps of Marine Protected Areas of the French coast free of rights. His charts have been converted to SnMap format and can be used as demo charts. Do not use for navigation. You can download them at the following links:
- Install for Windows version: http://www.scannav.com/PacksRaster/download/PackAiresMarines.exe Double click on the downloaded file, then follow the instructions on the screen.
- Zip format for ScanNav Companion: http://www.scannav.com/PacksRaster/download/PackAiresMarines.zip Follow the instructions in the Companion documentation
If you have this error message, you have not followed the procedure ;-)
To insert charts in the ScanNav charts library, use the file menu of the " charts library " => " insert charts or libraries ", not "open library" which is made to open charts libraries scannav already constituted.
To open the Charts Library window, use the first toolbar button , or the "File" menu -> "Charts Library".
Slow startup issues have been reported recently by several users. It turns out that for some unknown reason, Windows Defender scans the "ScanNav Settings" directory each time ScanNav is launched, blocking it during this time, which can be quite long. This is clearly a "false positive," but we don't know the actual cause.
Until Microsoft fixes the problem, the solution is to tell Windows Defender to ignore the "ScanNav Settings" folder. We also encourage you to report the problem to Microsoft.
The widespread adoption of sync tools like OneDrive, which is often set by default to sync the entire "Documents" folder, poses a major problem. Some of this data is specific to the PC and should not be synced. These include Navionics licenses, which are specific to each PC, but also certain access paths, which are often different on different PCs. If this folder is shared across multiple PCs, changes made on one PC can disrupt the configurations of other PCs (loss of Navionics licenses, different access paths, loss of the object database deleted or replaced by that of another PC, etc.), or even the entire folder can become completely inaccessible due to a synchronization error or loss of network access while browsing.
For versions of ScanNav up to version 25.0, if you use OneDrive, it is imperative to configure it to not synchronize the "ScanNav Settings" folder, which is located under "Documents."
Starting with version 25.1, it is possible to change the location of the "ScanNav Settings" folder to overcome this problem. See documentation for more details.
The most frequently encountered issues are regarding the settings of GPS and other
instruments, which must be taken care of in the preferences of ScanNav. Below is a small checklist of points to check before reporting a problem. Refer to the documentation for more details on the parameters.
Typical Question : I can not get my GPS to work.
Typical Answer : I need more information to help you out. First check the following points:
- What kind of GPS do you use (Nmea183, Nmea2000, internal gps, etc...)?
- What type of connection? (USB, native COM port, Wifi, Ethernet...)?
- Did you perform instrument setup in the ScanNav preferences? Please refer to the documentation on the following links:
- Standard case
- Specifics for Wifi or Ethernet Connections
- Specifics for Internal GPS
- If your GPS is in Nmea 2000, also refer to NMEA 2000 support
- Did you Activate the GPS using button
(or 
for versions 24 and earlier) ? (please refer to the documentation) - If there is an error message what is its exact content?
Communication issues with the GPS
The error messages can be among the following:
- Error upon opening: "port com (or file) does not exist" => no existing driver for this port number. Change COM port in preferences (See "No communication with the port")
- Error upon opening: "The process can not access the device", or "create file (\\.\COMx) Access denied" => Occurs if another program accesses the
same COM port at the same time (eg gps test tool). Stop the other program and that should fix the problem (only one software can access a COM port at any given time)
- "No communication with the port" => There is an existing driver in Windows, but it receives nothing at all. Possible causes are:
- The COM port set in the preferences is not the correct one. Try changing the setting of the COM port number in the preferences.
The list of existing COM ports should appear in the Windows Device Manager,
under the heading "Ports (COM and LPT)", with a textual description
that should help determine the correct port (it should be "USB adapter", or similar).
Tip: When connecting / unplugging the GPS or USB adapter, you must see the corresponding COM port entry appear / disappear in the device manager. - Or there is a problem of connection on the cable (cable sectioned or badly connected, etc ...)
- Or the gps does not transmit any information (Nmea output not set on the GPS, etc ...)
- Also check that the USB adapter has been installed in Windows.
- Your GPS may not be set to NMEA 183, but to another protocol. For example Internal GPS, some Garmin GPS that use the Garmin protocol, or a NMEA 2000 connection. In this case, choose the appropriate model in the preferences.
- When using an internal GPS, this message can also be displayed if it does not pick up satellites. Refer to next paragraph
- "No reception of valid position" => Something sends information on the other end, so there is a good chance that it is the GPS if no other instrument is connected. However ScanNav detects nothing in what it receives that can be interpreted as valid position information. This can be due to different causes:
- GPS coverage problem: this is the most common case, for example if you are testing inside a building, or the GPS does not pick up satellites.
- Parameterization problem in the preferences: check the speed settings, etc ... and the checksum parameter (some gps do not send valid checksum)
- Problem of setting of the GPS: to check that it is well in NMEA 183 with the good speed etc ...
- Faulty wiring problem: false contact, etc ...
- Or if it's just not a gps that is connected ...
- If the boat is correctly positioned, but the messages "No communication with the port" and / or "No valid position reception" appear only momentarily from time to time (they are displayed, then disappear automatically) , this means that the connection parameters are good, but that the GPS sends its information at a lower than normal rate. In this case, increase the "Maximum Time" delay in the preferences.
Communication problems with other instruments
The symptoms are the same as for GPS, with a few particularities, in particular as regards the AIS:
- The AIS sends its information in NMEA 183 "High Speed" and speed must be set to 38400bds. The other parameters being identical to the other instruments. There may be variants depending on your connections, check that the parameters of your control panel or AIS box are configured with the same parameters.
- Some AIS send no other information when there is no target in sight. In this case, it is necessary to increase the maximum times without communication and without valid reception to avoid having false alarms. If you are sailing offshore, do not hesitate to enter huge values (eg 86400 for 24h).
Notes on Internal GPS:
A few users have reported issues with internal GPS detection, with the sensor either being detected but silent, or in some cases more recently simply not detected. In 100% of cases encountered, the user had installed software including a system component to recognize the internal GPS via a COM or network port, so that other software that don't support the Windows standard internal GPS protocol can recognize it. It is therefore possible that this software modifies the proper functioning of the standard protocol, but we have no certainty, it may be a problem linked to the tablet manufacturer's drivers.
If you encounter this problem, you can first try using the COM port created by the third-party software, however you will not be sure of the source of the positioning.
An alternative Windows protocol allows you to obtain the position, even if the GPS sensor is not detected as such. This is implemented in ScanNav for a future version to come. If you encounter a similar problem, please contact us, we can provide you with a pre-release version for troubleshooting.
It should however be noted, that this protocol does not provide details on the location source if the GPS sensor is not detected (although ScanNav can give you a reliability index with specific repeaters).
In all cases, it is therefore recommended to contact the tablet manufacturer to report the problem to them. You can also report it to us, in order to cross-check the information. In this case, please provide us with as many details as possible (at a minimum: tablet model, other software installed, messages displayed and nmea logs)
Note for users of version 22.0: A problem concerning only GPS other than NMEA183 (internal GPS, Nmea2000...) appeared in this version. The GPS model was indeed not restored when restarting ScanNav but returned to "NMEA183 Generic". This issue is fixed since version 22.0SP1.
Problem not resolved?
If despite these checks the problem persists, do not hesitate to contact us, giving us as many details as possible on the problem encountered, including a log of the information received.
(In the preferences, choose "Log in a File" under chapter "Nmea Log", see documentation here )
A bug appeared on some old GPS starting April 6, 2019, and resulting in an incorrect date. For more details, type "GPS Bug April 6th 2019" on your favorite search engine.
The best way to correct the problem is to update the firmware of your GPS, if the manufacturer offers the possibility. However, this is unfortunately not always the case..
ScanNav therefore provides, from version 20.0, a solution to this problem with specific settings. As it consists in advanced settings which can result in malfunctions if it is used improperly, please contact us for more information if you are affected by this problem.The "crazy mouse" syndrome is a recurring problem of Windows, recognized by Microsoft.
In some cases, the connection of a GPS receiver antenna or other instrument is seen as a mouse and therefore creates a conflict with the real mouse, moving the cursor in all directions.
Solution for Windows XP / NT / 2000/98
One
solution is to set Windows startup to tell it to ignore the serial
mouse by adding one of the following options to the boot parameters:
/ NoSerialMouse
/ NoSerialMice
A priori, for Windows XP it is / fastdetect. But unfortunately, the docs are not clear, so if it does not work with / fastdetect , use one of the / NoSerialMouse or / NoSerialMice options. For an explanation of the startup parameters, see the article http://support.microsoft.com/kb/833721/en
Here's how to proceed:
You have to modify the file "Boot.ini" which is at the root of the boot disk (C: normally)
First of all, Warning: modifying the Boot.ini file is an operation that can be dangerous in case of mishandling. Be careful not to change anything other than what is described below.
This file is a hidden file. You can access it in several ways:
1) First method:
- use the windows menu "start" -> "Run"
- type "C: \ Boot.ini" in the window ==> the file must open the file with Notepad
2) Second method:
- Click with the right mouse button on the workstation, then on "Properties",
- Select the "Advanced" tab
- Click on "Settings" under "Start and recovery" => open a new window
- Click "Edit" under "System Startup" ==> This opens the "Boot.ini" file in Notepad
3) Third method (not recommended for expert nons): in the display settings: uncheck "hide protected files of the system", then open the file C: \ Boot.ini with notepad
Once this file is open with one of the methods above, you will have content that will look like this:
-
[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS
[operating systems] multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /noexecute=optin
==> Add the option "/ fastdetect" at the end of the line starting with "multi", you will have the following content
-
[boot
loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS
[operating systems] multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect
-Save the file
-Reboot.
If the problem persists, try replacing / fastdetect with / NoSerialMouse or / NoSerialMice
And if in spite of all this continues, there is also another solution a
little more complex by modifying the registry, described here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q283063
Solution for Windows 7 / Vista
Although a priori less common than on XP, the problem can also occur on Windows 7 and Vista. As the startup procedure of Win7 and Vista is different, what is stated above for XP does not work.
Before going any further, first check the version of your GPS driver or USB / Serial adapter. If the driver is not provided, you must be able to download it from the manufacturer's website. Most USB GPS and / or Serial / USB adapter using the Prolific chip, you can also download it from the Prolific website
If the problem persists, you can try the procedure explained on the microsoft forum: click here
This procedure involves modifying the Windows registry, so be careful and follow the instructions carefully. Alternatively, you can use the downloadable registry file here
- download the file disablesermouse.zip
- Unzip the downloaded zip
- double-click on the file "disablesermouse.reg" extract, and accept the security warnings
- Restart Windows
- According to the comments of the Microsoft forum, it is possible that the problem reappraises later, in this case repeat the procedure.