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From: dru53130
Date: 11-22-2005, 12:00 PM (1 of 5)
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Hi all...my first post, and it's a doosie. I'm in a pickle and hoping you can save me.OK...so I bought the Bernina 200 v3...it has the miniCD drive, which works fine for discs. I also got the Bernina AutoDesign v3 program, and I'm having fits getting it to work. My 200 is v3 and my designer software is v3. I have a Dell desk top computer with Windows98 Second Edition. My old v3 editor program worked with my Artist 18 v3 with a wire that had serial connections at either end, which had a serial port that attached to my 180 and a serial connection that hooked to the back of my computer. The 200E only has a USB port, and seller gave me a cord similar to what I used with the 180 (serial connections at either end). The designer hasp is connected to the mini tower, and I downloaded the drivers to make it work, so the designer program is recognizing the security device. (which made me hugely happy, because this was my hitch with the 180 when I was setting it up) My problem is: 1. Am I supposed to be connecting the 200 to the mini tower with a cord with 2 USB ends? OR 2. Am I supposed to use a cord with a USB port to connect to the 200 and a serial end to connect to the mini tower. 3. Am I supposed to be using the cord she sent and stick some sort of USB/serial adapter on the wire to connect to the USB port of the 200 and then hook the serial port to the Dell minitower? Now, I previously download the CD named artista data transfer v1.01, and that included Activesync. When I load the designer and I put something from the portfolio onto the Dell screen and I try to transfer (write) it from the Dell screen to the Bernina screen, I get boo boo messages. Activesync says that I have "no connection" between the designer and my remote device, which I assume is the 200. It says I have Com1 and a serial port available, but there is "no connection". My original intent was to hook the whole mess up to my Dell laptop which has Windows200XP. This would save me a huge amount of space. My problem with the laptop device is that I have no parallel port to hook up the dongle. I do have an island with all kinds of ports, including USB, serial, and parallel, but when I put the dongle on the parallel port of the island, I get the old "no security device found" message. I was kinda hoping that the new dongle would have the USB connection, but that is not the case. The other issue is, even if I get it hooked to the laptop, when I was trying to use the Editor on the laptop, it gave me fits due to the incompatability of the XP with the editor program. All the Bernina software patches in the world didn't make it work. I don't mind having to use the old Dell desktop if I can at least get it to work. Any suggestions, or am I just too dumb to live? Calling for technical assistance is a waste of time. The Bernina reps never want to help if you bought it second hand. Thanks in advance for any assistance. Dru |
User: dru53130
Member since: 11-22-2005 Total posts: 2 |
From: paroper
Date: 11-23-2005, 05:54 AM (2 of 5)
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No, you are absolutely NOT to dumb to live. I think the hardest part of using the 200E and the software is the connection. There have been many times that if I drank.....well, it is sometimes a good thing I don't. V3 software CAN be used on your computer. The computer version is just that and it tells the tech how many bugs have been ironed out, etc. Updates are ususally free (I don't know about second hand machines, but I would think that they would still be free.) Any dealer should be able to tell you what the latest update number is and there is a way to find it on your machine. Unfortunately, my machine is in the other end of the house and it is early but a phone call will help. Your machine is a Windows powered machine and it operates like a computer..one large memory with folders, etc. Once you get used to it, that part is no problem. The version of the software just indicates how many times it has been changed (for a pretty penny). Just like Windows XP, Windows Millenium. I run the V4 with the new 4.0V update. (That update was free). There has been some rumor that there is a V5 coming down the pike (and I'm sure there is) but no one has a clue when it will come out. Your software requires a dongle. The dongle is actually the key that tells the software what version you can access. I understand that all versions are shipped together and then the dongle is activated and opens the software. When updates are purchased, the dongle is killed and will no longer work. If the lady who sold you the machine updated her software, your dongle is dead and you won't be able to access the software. The software takes a lot of "space" to operate. Often, after working on the machine for a period of time, it will lock up because the software needs more operating room (RAM?). You need to only restart your computer to give it what it needs. It is a good idea to save often. I've been lucky several times and the designs have recovered for me, but there is no guarantee that it will. My laptop has a lot of memory so when I was in class, I didn't often have problems (some had a lot.) Still, on occasion, when I forget, the machine doesn't. When transferring designs, you may find the message you received comes up because there have been many "things" done on the computer since it was last restarted (might be Word, access to the internet, whatever). Restarting the computer will often do it. I also have better luck if I open ActiveSinc before I start to transfer. I usually turn on my machine after the computer. Unless it has been disabled (with the touch of a finger), the machine will tell you if it is connecting. If you touch the diamond button of the bottom right front of the machine, you can get a list of the machine's settings. That option could be there someplace. I have V4 so I can't tell you how to hook up your computer but there are people running the 200 with V3 and having no problem. I think that if you do not have a serial port on your laptop, there may be an adapter. Ask that question at the Bernina site (directions are in this e-mail). The diamond button on the front of the machine will allow you to control the noises your machine makes as you access the functions (I think there are 6 different sounds (it is nice to vary those). It will also have options to set other things like the bobbin sensor. Check those out. I think it is a diamond and an arrow (bottom right button?) My suggestion is to go to the software forum on www.Berninausa.com. You'll need to register (free). It is located under the "Community" heading at the far left side. Go to message boards. Right now I can't access the boards, it is down, hopefully for maintanence, (it has been slow lately.) Patrick or someone there can help you with the hook up, ports, etc. Patrick is a computer guy who has a better handle on the hardware/software part than most of us. I also wouldn't hesitate to contact a local dealer if you can't get into the boards rather than wait. While on the Bernina Boards, check out the download section of the What's New. You will find downloads for basting stitches that fit the 200's hoops. There are also some licensed (not for resale) designs. They will come in ART3, ART4 and usually PES. They rotate out every couple of weeks or so. You can also access information about your machine and designs (that also rotate out) on line through the Bernina Portal. I don't know if you got the modem that came with the machine. Many people do not enjoy it, but I think that it is nice to go online through the sewing machine and download and read the information. There are several designs from OESD (some are not avail through their site) that you can download for free there. There is a conflict and you cannot use AOL to download these. For around 5-6 dollars a year I go through Budget Dial up and buy about 10 hours of access time. If you have time left over, it rolls over. So far I've been able to roll over a few hours each year. For 5-6 dollars a year, I enjoy the downloads and online magazine. If I can help you with your machine/software, I'll be happy to try. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: paroper
Date: 11-23-2005, 06:02 AM (3 of 5)
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By the way, the software is wonderful. Once you get used to using it, you'll really have a good time!!! It is rumored to be some of the best out there for home use. It is a close relative of Wilcom (I believe) software which is used professionally.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: paroper
Date: 11-23-2005, 10:53 AM (4 of 5)
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The BerninaUSA boards are back up. Be sure and post there because I know you'll get more help that you can imagine from people who really know what they are doing! Have fun and congratulations on your new machine. If you can handle the cost, you may want to check into the new BSR update for the sewing machine. There is supposed to be a firmware update coming soon also and it should be free according to my tech. The boards are quiet about this and he's the only one that I"ve heard it from. However, if it comes out you'll really want it. I'm not planning to do the BSR update (it is expensive) and I've already got the double memory and the firmware should take care of the rest that I am interested in. On the back of your machine, on the hand wheel side there are numbers. Among them is a serial number and there is an 8000 series number. If your number ends in 0, you have 32MB memory, if it ends in 1, you have 64. The later machines were made with 64MB memory. The serial number will also tell you what year your machine was made (it is the last number) but it is in code. They can tell you that on the msg board. A tech can tell you how many hours/stitches it has on it. That is hidden in a place that controls all the applications of your machine so they don't like to tell the "secret".
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: dru53130
Date: 11-23-2005, 02:43 PM (5 of 5)
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OMG, you guys have been postively WONDERFUL!!!! Now that the Bernina site is back online, I was able to troubleshoot it through the FAQ's. It turns out that one of the 4 manually installed drivers failed to install. I reinstalled all 4 drivers and WAAAA-LAAAA.... I'm dancing around screaming and laughing in my sewing room, and my 15 yr old thinks I've lost it. Thanks again for ALL of your HELP...I got a lot of good suggestons and links. Have a great Thanksgiving and a great holiday. Best wishes to you and yours. Dru |
User: dru53130
Member since: 11-22-2005 Total posts: 2 |
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