ZThinCable Testing Using Minicom

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JeTerm and JavaTerm recommended for cable testing. JavaTerm comes with SerialPort package. For those who prefer a more tedious method, use this document. This document details how to test ZThinCable using minicom terminal program on Zaurus SL-6000, SL-5600, SL-5500, SL-C860, SL-C700, SL-C750, SL-C760

Connect ZThinCable to another device GPS, modem, PC, whatever. Be sure you know the required parameters for the device. For example GPS receivers normally operate by default with 4800 bits per second (aka 4800 baud), no parity, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit. These parameters are sometimes listed as 4800/N/8/1 or 4800,N,8,1

Note: on the SL-5500 ROM 3.10 and later, and on the SL-6000, SL-5600 the following procedure needs to be executed as root user.

1) Install the opie Terminal applet

http://www.myzaurus.com/downloads/qpe-terminal_1.5.0-2_arm.ipk

2) Download minicom

http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/zaurus/minicom.zip?

3) Unzip and copy minicom to /home/QtPalmtop/bin

4) Use Terminal applet to set attributes to allow execution

  • Start Terminal
  • Enter the comman su root (optional for SL-5500 ROMs prior to 3.x)
  • Enter command chmod 777 /home/QtPalmtop/bin/minicom

5) Use Terminal applet to create a symbolic link from for the modem device.

  • ln -s /dev/ttyS0 /dev/modem

6) From the Terminal applet menu, set the font to “Micro” or “Small Fixed” (note: if you choose “Small Fixed” you won’t be able to fully see the communication parameter menu)

7) Using Terminal applet run minicom. You should get message similar to the following:

  • minicom: WARNING: configuration file not found, using defaults
  • Note: If you don't run minicom as root, the following error msg will occur: "minicom: there is no global configuration file /etc/minirc.dfl Ask your sysadm to create one (with minicom -s)."

8) Set minicom parameters

  • Issue CTRL-A Z command to get menu
  • Press FN + SHIFT + A
  • Press SHIFT + Z

b. Get parameter menu

  • Press SHIFT + P
  • Set parameters e.g. GPS receiver 4800,N,8,1
  • Press SHIFT + D
  • Press SHIFT + P

d. Exit parameter menu

  • Press ENTER

9) Connect your device and see if you see expected data. For example connect a GPS receiver and you should see NMEA messages from the device similar to that shown in the image below

Troubleshooting

1) If step 5 is not performed properly you will see this message

  • minicom: cannot open /dev/modem: No such file or directory

2) If step 6 is not performed properly you may see this message

  • Sorry, Your screen is too small