The newer GPS models use the USB inteface instead of serial interface. To use it, just connect a cable directly from GPS to USB computer port to do the connection.
If GPS TrackMaker doesn't automatically recognize the Garmin models, certainly the USB drivers of the GPS were not installed.
The USB-Serial converter allows to connect a GPS with serial interface to a computer with USB ports. If the GPS has an USB port, the converter is not necessary.
How to know the GPS has an USB or a serial port? Read the manual.
The USB-Serial converters are sold with a CD or diskette with the respective drivers. The most common mistake is to connect the converter to the computer without installing the drivers.
If GPS TrackMaker doesn't detect the virtual comm port created by the converter, certainly the drivers were not installed.
Follow the steps below to eliminate the problem:
- Connect the converter to the computer
- In Windows, click in START - CONTROL PANEL
- Click on SYSTEM icon
- Click on HARDWARE
- Click on the DEVICE MANAGER button
- A window similar to the side picture will be opened. You probably will see a yellow icon indicating that the drivers were not installed
- Double click on the yellow icon
- In the device window, click in REINSTALL DRIVER
Insert the CD/Diskette with the drivers and wait for the computer to find the drivers. If they be not found, indicate the location where they are.
Connecting the GPS to PC through Serial Communication Port
The Interface menu allows to do the connection between GPS and the computer through the RS-232 serial communication port.
The models that doesn't have a specific Interface in GPS TrackMaker can be connected to the NMEA 0183 interface, working only in real time navigation.
Note: As default, the program makes the automatic detection of the available communication port. However, some external devices (for example: mouse of three buttons) can generate conflict when detecting and it can paralyze the computer. To avoid this situation, click in Tools - Options and disable the option Auto-detection. Then, choose one of the available serial ports.
Connecting the GPS to the Computer
Many Users are not able to connect the GPS to the computer, because they don’t know how the serial communication port work.
The illustration above shows the back side of a computer with the ideal configuration to turn the GPS on. The user must verify which serial port is available to turn on the GPS. In the example above, the serial port 2 is being used by the internal Modem. This way, even if the GPS TrackMaker program informs that the port 2 is temporarily free, the internal connection of the Modem can generate conflict. In the example above, only the serial port 1 is available to turn on the GPS.
Message "No Data on Serial Port"
A lot of Users owns computers with mouse with connector type DB9 of nine pins. This connector is identical to the connector of the data cable of GPS. The mouse with this connector is generally plugged into the serial port 1. One of the most common mistakes is try to disconnect the mouse with the computer turned on and try to connect the cable of GPS where the mouse was plugged. With this procedure the program will inform " no data on serial port". It happens because the computer continues recognizing the GPS as a mouse, causing conflict and blocking the communication.
To avoid this problem, the User can do one of these procedures: try to turn on the computer with the mouse disconnected and then connect the GPS. This procedure is not the most appropriated, because the User will have to start GPS TrackMaker program through keyboard, and it is not an easy task. Besides, the user must configure Windows in "Control Panel", removing the information of the driver of the mouse of the available serial port.
The second procedure is to change the mouse with connector DB9 for other mouse with connector PS/2. This is the appropriate procedure, because it lets the communication port free for the GPS. An USB mouse can also be acquired to let the communication port free. The side illustration shows the connector PS/2 of the mouse and the connector DB9 of the GPS communication cable.
Finally, one of the most common mistakes of GPS Garmin's Users it is to try to do the GPS communication with the computer, with the GPS configured to another communication protocol. The configuration is done in GPS through the Interface menu, choosing Garmin or Grmn/Grmn.
Conflict with Synchronization Programs for PALM, PDA, Cellular and other Equipments
Other common problem connecting the GPS to the computer is the unavailability of serial ports because of conflict generated by synchronization programs for Palms, PDAs, cellular telephones and other equipments. These programs constantly verify the serial ports status, blocking the connection with the serial port for the GPS recognition.
Usually it is not necessary to uninstall these programs to use GPS TrackMaker. Just disable the auto-detection function (or other similar) to release the communication port. If the synchronization program doesn't allow to disable the auto-detection, the solution is to uninstall it or to use the synchronization through USB.
Old Computers with Connectors DB25 instead of DB9
Users that own computers with communication ports that use DB25 connectors experience another problem. The cables are generally supplied with connectors DB9 and it makes the connection with the computer a difficult task.
The first step to try to solve this problem is not to mistake the parallel port of the printer with the serial connector DB25 shown on the side. To distinguish the two connectors, see if the connector of the computer has pins or holes. If it has pins, it is the serial connector DB25, otherwise, if it has holes, it is the parallel connector of the printer.
The best way to plug the GPS to the connector DB25 is to buy at specialized shop a special connector that makes the connection DB9-DB25.
If the User wants to do the connection for his own, the table below indicates the compatibility of pins of connectors DB9 and DB25 of the serial ports:
The newer GPS models use the USB inteface instead of serial interface. To use it, just connect a cable directly from GPS to USB computer port to do the connection.
- Connect the converter to the computer
The Interface menu allows to do the connection between GPS and the computer through the RS-232 serial communication port. 
The second procedure is to change the mouse with connector DB9 for other mouse with connector PS/2. This is the appropriate procedure, because it lets the communication port free for the GPS. An USB mouse can also be acquired to let the communication port free. The side illustration shows the connector PS/2 of the mouse and the connector DB9 of the GPS communication cable. 
The first step to try to solve this problem is not to mistake the parallel port of the printer with the serial connector DB25 shown on the side. To distinguish the two connectors, see if the connector of the computer has pins or holes. If it has pins, it is the serial connector DB25, otherwise, if it has holes, it is the parallel connector of the printer.