open cpn can't see my GPS

[chaser2]

I have a BU353 USB GPS, and a windows 7 64bit Laptop. I installed opencpn for the first time, found the GPS and it worked fine. After switching off the laptop and back on, I can't find the GPS. I've checked all the settings and com port numbers, I've uninstalled and reinstalled Opencpn but I can't find the GPS. I have two computers, both 64 bit, and both have the same problem, ie after restarting I cant find the GPS. Any help is much appreciated

[aewing]

chaser2,

This happened to me the first time I plugged in my new BU353 antenna. First I should mention I have a mac. I'm not 100% sure on this, but OpenCPN does like when another program is trying to access the same port for the antenna. Try to uninstall the demo software that came with the antenna. Also make sure you don't have any other devices assigned to that same port, such as in AIS receiver. I think that worked for me. Hopefully some one more experienced than me can chime in here and confirm or deny this.

[MAS3]

I think that BU353 uses a prolific chip to convert serial data into USB data.
If you have other prolific adapters in use, that might conflict with the GPS.
In windows7 you can still get access to the control panel and connected hardware.
See if your GPS sensor it still there, and if it has the same com port number.
You could also visit prolific's website and download a more recent (and hopefully more reliable) driver for your windows version.
Be sure to always plug in your USB plug in the same USB socket on your system.
If you do not do that, windows (and / or or the driver) will see it as a new device and will assign a new com port number to it.
If you use an USB hub, that is the same as using an other connector in your system, so always use the same connector on that hub too.