Yamaha S80 to-host problem

[Dakota]

I previously had Windows 98 installed, and the CBX drivers worked flawlessly. In case you don't know, the CBX drivers from Yamaha convert the midi signals for output/input thru the serial port and uses a special cable that plugs into the 'to-host' jack on my keyboard.

Anyways, now that I have XP installed, No programs are communicating with my S80. It's behaving like the cable isn't even connected. I've installed the latest CBX drivers for XP (v 2.00), and I have the latest version of XG works (3.07). I've also tried midi with Adobe Audition and Fruity loops to no success.

I've gone thru all the steps I could think of to try and fix this problem. The to-host switch is on PC-2. The only COM port I have is COM-1. The cable is in like new condition. tried reinstalling the drivers and programs. I verified that in the control panel the YAMAHA CBX A DRIVER is selected as the default playback. I've selected the CBX A Driver in all the programs. I even tried a second machine running windows XP. No luck with anything.

Something else I noticed that may be important... When I had 98 installed, if I had the S80 already on when I turned on the computer, I got a midi error. I've read that this is normal and that I'm supposed to turn the computer on first. Well, with XP, I don't get that error if I have my S80 on already when I power up the PC.

Oh, and I have the PLG-150AN and PLG-150PF boards installed.

Short of reinstalling Windows 98, does anyone have any ideas?

[ssscientist]

Try switching the 'to host' switch to midi and going into and out of the computer thru your midi interface.

That is how most manufacturers did it for years and how most do it today. The only thing you may need to do if you haven't already done it is switch both the 'omni' and the 'local' to the off position. Omni is a midi mode that makes the sounds inside the keyboard play no matter what midi channel they are on and local breaks the connection between the keyboard and the sounds inside.

[Dakota]

I don't have a midi interface for my computer. I was hoping to avoid having to buy one.

[ssscientist]

USB midi interfaces are available for $20 or so. For that price you don't get anything fancy, just a midi in and a midi out.

[Dakota]

Yea, I know. I'm just hoping someone will chime in that had a similar problem.

[Dakota]

Ok, i'm finally getting back to this problem. I think the problem is my port settings.

I now have the port set to:
38400 bits per second
Data bits - 8
Parity - None
Stop bits - 1
Flow Control - None.

Is this correct?

[ssscientist]

Try an XP help desk. Maybe you are trying com1 when you should be trying something else.

And have you given anymore thought to my suggestion of a month ago about breaking down and investing in a USB midi interface?

[Dakota]

Yea, I know. The only reason I'm still at the same place I was at last month is that I was away from my computer the whole time. And while I was away, somebody told me on another forum to check the port speed, which I did and found it to be wrong. But I don't know what all the rest of the settings are. Anyways, I'm gonna have to do some shopping on musiciansfriend.com for something. I'll prolly go for a usb-to-midi setup.