The Ultimate Box Knowledgebase
SERIAL PORT CONNECTION
The Answers to the most common Questions

I am having trouble learning how to browse and get the design to the card in the Ultimate Explorer; also I have downloaded designs from Internet but they are in ZIP format what do I need do? Files and folders on the left side do not show the full name and type, how do I expend the columns to see full name of the designs and folders? Some designs show on the left side and have Embroidery file in the type but when I click on one of them it does not show the preview and can not double click on it to transfer to the right side. When I open the Ultimate Explorer, I get an error message: "The procedure entry point VarNot could not be located in the dynamic link library oleaut32.dll" I do not know if I am using the correct power supply for Ultimate Box, how can I find out which power supply is original for the Ultimate Box? I am able to open Ultimate Explorer, it detects the Ultimate Box and Card but when I try to select a design on the left side I get an error message and Ultimate Explorer shuts down. I am using Windows98 and I have NVIDIA TNT video card, what can I do to fix this problem? The Ultimate Box is connected to COM1 port in my computer and the light is ON, but when I open Ultimate Explorer in the detection windows it keeps telling me “[COM1] Trying to open the port...  Failed!”. What can I do to fix this problem? The Ultimate Box is connected to COM1 port in my computer and the light is ON, but when I open Ultimate Explorer in the detection windows it keeps telling me “[COM1] Trying to open the port...  Failed!”. What can I do to fix this problem? My computer does not have Serial port available to connect the Ultimate Box, is there a way to connect the Ultimate Box to USB port via some adaptor? I have lost the installation CD, how can I get software installed for Ultimate Box on my computer? My computer runs Windows VISTA and my Ultimate Box is not found in Ultimate Explorer? I use Monogram Wizard Plus software to create and save monograms in PES format, but when I try to transfer these files with Ultimate Box, I can not select a file or I get a "Bad stitch data??” message. How can I fix this? I have not used my Ultimate Box and Card for a while and now the Ultimate Box is no longer recognizing inserted Ultimate Card in Ultimate Explorer, but everything was working before? I would like to use Embird software and/or your newest software to transfer designs, but my Ultimate Box has serial connection, even though I use USB to Serial adapter, how can I do this?

Problem: I am having trouble learning how to browse and get the design to the card in the Ultimate Explorer; also I have downloaded designs from Internet but they are in ZIP format what do I need do? Solution: To browse and transfer designs in Ultimate Explorer, follow these directions: 1. Open Ultimate Explorer; hit ESC once the Ultimate Box was detected, look at the left side. On the same line where you see Menu, look to the left you will see current path to the folder that is open (i.e. C:\MyDocuments\Designs). 2. Look down below, you will see "<...>   Parent Folder" as the first item in your list, double click on it several times until it disappears, up in the top it will say "My Computer", down in the list you will see letters for available drives, usually starts with A:\, C:\. 3. Browse to your designs by choosing correct drive (i.e. if you have designs on the floppy drive, double click on A:\ and browse to your designs). 4. Once you are able to browse to the design, single click on the design and you will see a preview on bottom of left side, double click on the design and you will transfer it to the right side (Virtual Memory Card panel). 5. Click on Menu on the right side and select Write files to the card and you will transfer design on the card. Click YES to the message about erasing the card and wait for the writing process to be completed. Make sure the designs you have are UNZIP and have following extensions .PES or .PEC for Brother type machines, .HUS for Viking/Husqvarna type machines. If designs are in ZIP format, you need to unzip them first. Use WinZip program on your computer to do so, if you do not have one, download an evaluation version of WinZip from www.winzip.com, when installing it check an option to use WinZip Classics. To learn how to create folders, download and save designs from web, unzip files into created folders, and transfer designs on to the card use this link: ONLINE TUTORIAL: http://www.vikant-emb.com/WindowsExplorer.htm If you use dial up internet connection, give it about a minute or so for all the pictures to get loaded (shown).

Problem: Files and folders on the left side do not show the full name and type, how do I expend the columns to see full name of the designs and folders? Solution: To expend columns on the left side, point your mouse between NAME and TYPE on the vertical line that divides them, the mouse icon should change to a black cross, while you see the black cross - double click with your left mouse. That will expand the column NAME; now do the same between TYPE and SIZE.

Problem: Some designs show on the left side and have Embroidery file in the type but when I click on one of them it does not show the preview and can not double click on it to transfer to the right side. Solution: The designs that did not work could have been created in PEDesign5.0 software, this problem was recently discovered due to some changes in the software. The very simple solution is to convert these designs. Attached program is conversion program for PES designs into PEC format which is another valid format for all Brother type embroidery machines and Ultimate Box & Ultimate Explorer. 1. Copy designs from a CD or a Floppy to a designated folder on your computer (i.e. C:\Embroidery\CD1) 2. Click on the link to download the program: http://www.vikant-emb.com/EasyPEC.exe Choose an option to SAVE and save it on the desktop of your computer, double click to start EasyPec.exe 3. Follow the steps on the screen: choose a directory on the hard drive of your computer, choose a folder where designs are placed. 4. Under options to "Convert for usage with" select an option "other application". 5. Select the files in STEP2 or use "Tag All Files" button. 6. Press "START CONVERSION". Converted files will be placed in the same folder where the originals are with the same name but different extension (PEC). 7. Open Ultimate Explorer, browse to these files on the left side, preview or transfer them on the card.

Problem: When I open the Ultimate Explorer, I get an error message: "The procedure entry point VarNot could not be located in the dynamic link library oleaut32.dll" Solution: If you are using Windows98 or Windows95 you need to install DCOM for your windows use this link to download needed DCOM: http://www.vikant-emb.com/Downloads_Serial.htm Click on the word DCOM, save file on the desktop of your computer and start downloading. Once downloading is completed, double click on the file to start installation and follow the windows to complete installation.

Problem: I do not know if I am using the correct power supply for Ultimate Box, how can I find out which power supply is original for the Ultimate Box? Solution: Click on the link below to see a picture of the original power supply. http://www.vikant-emb.com/PowerSupply.JPG

Problem: I am able to open Ultimate Explorer, it detects the Ultimate Box and Card but when I try to select a design on the left side I get an error message and Ultimate Explorer shuts down. I am using Windows98 and I have NVIDIA TNT video card, what can I do to fix this problem? Solution: The drivers for your video card needs to be updated. 1. Click on the link below, choose to Save file on the desktop of your computer, let it finish downloading, double click to start installation. http://www.vikant-emb.com/45_win9x_english.exe 2. Open UltimateEXPLORER; try to browse and write design to the card.

Problem: The Ultimate Box is connected to COM1 port in my computer and the light is ON, but when I open Ultimate Explorer in the detection windows it keeps telling me “[COM1] Trying to open the port...  Failed!”. What can I do to fix this problem? Solution: If you use a PDA such as Palm Pilot or Pocket PC or Digital Camera with your computer, you need to turn off the HotSync software. Look for the icon near your clock (to the left), point your mouse over it(the pop up will show you what it is), do a right click on HotSync icon and choose an option to close or exit.

Problem: The Ultimate Box is connected to COM1 port in my computer and the light is ON, but when I open Ultimate Explorer in the detection windows it keeps telling me “[COM1] Trying to open the port...  OK!  Looking for the UltimateBox™...  Not found!”. What can I do to fix this problem? Solution: 1. Unplug the power from the back of the box (small round connector), wait 5 seconds and plug it back in, make sure you see light on. Open Ultimate Explorer or if it is already open click on the right side MENU and select "Redetect the Ultimate Box". If the light on the Ultimate Box works fine and cable is firmly attached, but the software does not find the box and/or card, proceed to step2. 2. Right click on my computer, select Properties, click on HARDWARE tab (in Windows2000 and XP only), click on Device Manager button. In the list of the devices double click on Ports (COM&LPT), right click on COM1 and select UNINSTALL or REMOVE option, say YES to the message. Restart your computer, the COM port will be reinstalled by the Windows on its own. Open Ultimate Explorer and see if the Ultimate Box and Card are detected. Note! For Windows 95 and 98, you might be asked to insert the CD labeled Windows 95 or 98 when computer tries to reinstall COM port driver, make sure you have one before uninstalling the COM port from Device Manager.

Problem: My computer does not have Serial port available to connect the Ultimate Box, is there a way to connect the Ultimate Box to USB port via some adaptor? Solution: The USB to Serial adapter cable that we recommend to use with The Ultimate Box is made by IOGEAR model GUC232A, this cable was tested and worked on all Windows with no problems, other USB to Serial adapters might work too, if the drivers are sufficient. When ready to install, make sure plug the USB end into the computer and do not attach anything to the serial end, when asked to install drivers, use the CD that came with the USB to Serial adapter. After installation is finished restart your computer, connect the Ultimate Box, plug the power, open Ultimate Explorer. Check with your local Best Buy or you can buy one here online.

Problem: I have lost the installation CD, how can I get software installed for Ultimate Box on my computer? Solution: Software for the Ultimate Box is available on our website as a free download: http://www.vikant-emb.com/Downloads_Serial.htm Make sure to choose correct edition depending on the embroidery machine and the Ultimate Box that you have.

Problem: My computer runs Windows VISTA and my Ultimate Box is not found in Ultimate Explorer? Solution: For Windows VISTA, the Compatibility Mode needs to be changed; make sure Ultimate Explorer is closed. Right click on the Ultimate Explorer icon and select properties. Click on the tab Compatibility, check the check box next to “Run this program in compatibility mode for:" with WINDOWS XP SP2 is selected from drop down box, click OK and try to open Ultimate Explorer again.

Problem: I use Monogram Wizard Plus software to create and save monograms in PES format, but when I try to transfer these files with Ultimate Box, I can not select a file or I get a "Bad stitch data??” message. How can I fix this? Solution: The problem is in the Monogram Wizard Plus, in the way how the files are saved in PES format. Please make sure to download the PATCH updates for this software from here: http://www.needleheads.com/MWPlus_update.html Then open and resave your designs under the different name to see the difference in Ultimate Explorer.

Problem: I have not used my Ultimate Box and Card for a while and now the Ultimate Box is no longer recognizing inserted Ultimate Card in Ultimate Explorer, but everything was working before? Solution: Disconnect the Ultimate Box from the computer and power. Hold the box with one and with another insert and pull out the card, make sure to insert the card straight in by pushing in the center or equally apply pressure on each corner of the card, pull the card straight out of box. Repeat it up to 5 -10 times, then connect the box back to your computer, connect the power, insert the card and open Ultimate Explorer software.

Problem: I would like to use Embird software and/or your newest software to transfer designs, but my Ultimate Box has serial connection, even though I use USB to Serial adapter, how can I do this? Solution: Using the USB to Serial adapter does not make it the USB version, the Ultimate Box is still the Serial version and can only be used with Ultimate Explorer transferring software for Ultimate Box with serial connection. The Ultimate Box with Serial connection is no longer manufactured, and we no longer offer the upgrade option. You could get the Ultimate Box Basic or Plus without the card and use the Ultimate card that you have. To learn more about Basic or Plus software, please follow this link: http://www.vikant-emb.com/UltimateBoxSoftwareInfo1.htm

If you did not see the Solution for your problem, please contact our technical support for further assistance service@vikant.com or call 888-760-8554 x 203