The Waits

So...a few weeks later and we're still troubleshooting the Compu-Dobby.


I'm waiting for the arrival of the new Keyspan adaptor to come (due to be delivered tomorrow).  I see that a lot of people who use these explain that they break not infrequently and that some people who have used one for a couple of year mentioned that they worked well and then stopped working. 


I have a gut feeling that it's not an issue with the Keyspan adaptor, but it might be.  But I think that since we were able to connect to the computer using a serial port, i.e. without the need for the adaptor, and it didn't work then, it's likely that it is not the issue.  Still, a new one can't hurt, and if somehow it turns out to be that, then that's a nice fix. 


AVL helpfully mentioned that it might be that, or it might be a problem with the port in the Compu-Dobby.  They also mentioned that it might be the sensor box, but again, since the Compu-Dobby is working fine with the tabby, I would be surprised if it turns out to be that.  Again, gut feeling...port.


I'll try the new adaptor when it arrives tomorrow, but I doubt very much that that will be the issue.  Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised.  But I suspect that I will need to get the two Compu-Dobby boxes back to AVL for a look-see.  Hopefully it won't be that much to repair.  If I end up needing a whole new Compu-Dobby, I wonder whether I can just go ahead and get a Compu-Dobby IV (they do have a 16-harness version; dunno whether it would fit my loom or not, but I think it does.  The loom itself is in excellent shape; in the worst-case scenario I might have to finance a whole new Compu-Dobby unit. 


I've been thinking a lot about this and going in and out of feelings.  I am very comfortable with the mechanical dobby and its vagaries; I'm not so bad at good old analog technology.  The digital stuff is the next great step, but I suffer from imagining that it's all magical.  It's good to be reminded that it is a problem WITH A SOLUTION.