Hardware & Devices Discussion Boards

Re: How to access a Kernel-Mode dll from C#

Richard MacCutchan22-Dec-09 10:52

22-Dec-09 10:52

Firstly you may get more assistance by posting this question in the C# forum. Secondly, what does the documentation for this DLL say about using these functions in C#?

Re: How to access a Kernel-Mode dll from C#

Dimitri Witkowski28-Dec-09 10:51

Dimitri Witkowski

28-Dec-09 10:51

Are you sure that the function is declared as cdecl (CallingConvention = CallingConvention.Cdecl)
Typically Windows exports are stdcall. (this matters only the function has parameters)
What function exactly are you trying to export? Can you post the full signature and driver name (??.sys) here please?

Re: How to access a Kernel-Mode dll from C#

fat_boy14-Jan-10 5:41

fat_boy

14-Jan-10 5:41

You cant do it.

Not at all. It cant be done. Not in C#, C++VB, assembler, C, machine code, magic wands, anything,

The ONLY way to talk to kernel mode components is via the handle created by CreateFile() and then, you can only access kernel components that actually create a symbolic link accessible from user mode, and all kernel mode dlls, (in fact there arent that many) wont.

A sys file is NOT a dll. Its a library of functions that bridge parts of the OS and device.

Morality is indistinguishable from social proscription

Resistive vs. capactive touch screens

Ray Cassick20-Dec-09 7:26

Ray Cassick

20-Dec-09 7:26

Has anyone here any specific experience with touch screen technology as far as the hardware goes?

I am starting a project that is going to utilize them and am looking for some real world feedback on the differences in image quality, length of service, and accuracy of the resistive types vs. the capacitive types.

My environment is going to be a DRs office, most likely fluorescent lighting, maybe some direct sunlight that can effect contrast, etc... but nothing mobile. Small (7-8 inch) screen size) using a finger or stylus if I have to, but would prefer direct touch.

I am interested in opinions\experience on sensitivity and Mean Time Between failures (MTBF).

Also, if you have any recommendations on specific vendors that have been good\great\abysmal that would also be a great help.

Thanks... first time asking a HW related question here so I am wondering if anyone is even going to see it Smile | :)

LinkedIn[^] | Blog[^] | Twitter[^]

Laptop touchpad problem

David Crow17-Dec-09 4:37

David Crow

17-Dec-09 4:37

With a traditional mouse having a scroll wheel, clicking the wheel turned the cursor into a circle with up/down arrows. A friend of mine was telling me the same thing has happened with her Vista laptop. When either of the left/right buttons on the touchpad are clicked, nothing happens except for the "circle with up/down arrows" cursor shows up. Any cues on how to remedy this?

Thanks.

- DC

"One man's wage rise is another man's price increase." - Harold Wilson

"Fireproof doesn't mean the fire will never come. It means when the fire comes that you will be able to withstand it." - Michael Simmons

Re: Laptop touchpad problem

Richard MacCutchan19-Dec-09 4:01

Richard MacCutchan

19-Dec-09 4:01

I tried every combination I could to see if this would work but no luck. However, when I looked at Control Panel -> Mouse, I found a settings option to select the action to take on left/right button. One of the options allows it to emulate the "middle click"; so I guess that may be the place to look. btw I have Synaptics TouchPad on my laptop, but I guess the other makes are fairly similar.

Unique Serial Number of an SD (Secure Digital) Memory Card

Gaurav Dudeja India14-Dec-09 0:27

Gaurav Dudeja India

14-Dec-09 0:27

I'm trying to get the Unique Serial Number of an SD (Secure Digital) Memory Card, I know how to get the volume information and the like. From reading the specification for the SD Card, I do know each has such an Unique ID. After doing many search here, google, and other web sites I haven't been able to find the answer.

Thanks as always for any help you can provide

cross-post !! Re: Unique Serial Number of an SD (Secure Digital) Memory Card

Garth J Lancaster14-Dec-09 1:56

Garth J Lancaster

14-Dec-09 1:56

quit cross-posting please - you posted this same question in C# forum

'g'

Problem with RAID controller on Dell PowerEdge 4600 [modified]

T210213-Dec-09 19:20

T2102

13-Dec-09 19:20

The RAID controller on my Dell PowerEdge 4600 server may be failing and the server is out of warranty. Does this mean we need to buy a new server? If so, can we still use the server as a workstation to run programs from an external hard drive or can I buy a new motherboard and move the CPUs and memory to it? What are my options? I hope that I would at least be able to move the operating system and memory onto a new server I buy, and possibly create a new desktop for someone using the Xenon processors.

The server has dual socket Xenon CPU (8 cores total) and 10GB RAM.

modified on Monday, December 14, 2009 1:39 AM

Re: Problem with RAID controller on Dell PowerEdge 4600

Garth J Lancaster13-Dec-09 20:25

Garth J Lancaster

13-Dec-09 20:25

Ted2102 wrote:
Does this mean we need to buy a new server?

not necessarily - that depends on wether the RAID controller is on the motherboard or not - if its not, then you may be able to order a replacement RAID controller board ...

I'd first of all, before ALL else, make sure your data is backed up while the machine is still talking to you...

I forget what its called, but Dell usually install a diagnostics package which includes the raid/disk manager - that may tell you what you need to know about the board

BUT BACK YOUR DATA UP NOW, dude

'g'

Re: Problem with RAID controller on Dell PowerEdge 4600 [modified]

T210213-Dec-09 20:45

T2102

13-Dec-09 20:45

Thanks, I have hourly backups scheduled. PERC 3/DI controller. I think the RAID 5 controller is on the mother board.

The user guide says "An on-board ROMB is activated by using a 128-MB cache memory module, a RAID key, and RAID battery.
An optional integrated dual-channel RAID controller card supports RAID levels 0, 1, 5, and 10."

modified on Monday, December 14, 2009 3:01 AM

Re: Problem with RAID controller on Dell PowerEdge 4600

Jörgen Andersson13-Dec-09 22:04

Jörgen Andersson

13-Dec-09 22:04

3/DI is on the mother board. But what Garth said is still valid though. The built in controller can be disabled and you can install a new controllercard.
I would get in touch with Dell and find out if they have any PERC 3/DE controllers available, then maybe you won't have to reinstall the server as it uses the same driver.

Re: Problem with RAID controller on Dell PowerEdge 4600

Garth J Lancaster14-Dec-09 2:14

Garth J Lancaster

14-Dec-09 2:14

sorry - I was out at the physio and then to dinner, so I didnt get a chance to follow up - iirc, Perc 3/DI is 'Integrated/Internal', 3/DE is 'External' (To The Motherboard)

So, the 3/DI Could be disabled (reboot the system, watch the prompts and it should tell you which keys to get into the controller), and a replacment put in - Dell used to use some other brand or make American Megatrends Cards avail on request - these were slightly better becuase they had a Recover Config option.

As Jörgen Andersson points out, I think your best bet is still with Dell to start with - Dell have been pretty good to us in the past, (ok, the scale is different, we are a large corporate), but even if you get a replacement motherboard, it would be interesting to copy the raid config without their help (I cant remember how it works/where its stored)

If you could lay your hands on another P/E 4600 with motherboard, memory, but no DASD/Disk, you might be able to set it up as per your current system, then move your DASD/Disks across to it

At least you have backups, it really depends on what hardware you can lay your hands on - I dont think its a total loss yet.

Last of all, I hate to be a p.i.t.a. - keep your maintenance up to date - it might be $$ xyz per year, but how much is this exercise going to cost you in lost productivity, or worse (hopefully not) lost data

'g'

How to toggle USB power line

dybs13-Dec-09 14:40

dybs

13-Dec-09 14:40

I have an externally powered USB device, and sometimes I get a "Device attached to the system is not functioning" error. I've been debugging and googling this for a couple days now, and I'm just not getting anywhere anymore.

I've found the unplugging and replugging the USB will usually resolve this. I know toggling the Vcc line on the UBS port will prompt the device to reset its USB state. I can't physically disconnect the device because it could be running as part of an unattended test and may need to be reconnected like this (I'm logging any USB errors I encounter and the conditions so we can debug them later).

Is there a way I can toggle the USB power signal via C# or a Win32 API call?

NOTE: I can pretty consistenly get this to happen in XP, not as often on 7 or one Vista laptop. Other Vista laptops I've tried have never seen this problem, even running the exact same version of the PC code. But since i can get it to happen on multiple computers with different setups, I don't think its a PC issue.

Any help is appreciated.

Dybs

The shout of progress is not "Eureka!" it's "Strange... that's not what i expected". - peterchen

Re: How to toggle USB power line [modified]

Indivara20-Dec-09 3:38

Indivara

20-Dec-09 3:38

What happens if you disable the device in device manager? Does it even appear there?

I don't think the power can be switched off on individual USB ports (if it's possible at all to control power to the ports). On my motherboard, the power is permanently on, even when shut down.

There is a tool here[^] that allows you to control devices from the command line, it may help if enabling and disabling fixes the issue.

Also, you could look into the WDK[^], but I doubt there is anything that allows direct control of USB power.

<edit>
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms798253.aspx[^]
Looks like I was wrong about the WDK, it can be done (per device, not the port directly), but in kernel mode.
</edit>

modified on Monday, December 21, 2009 8:34 AM

How to understand the word "function" in the usb protocol?

bdwzz11-Dec-09 20:03

bdwzz

11-Dec-09 20:03

Hi,
I read this word in usb protocol (usb1.1 and usb 2.0).
But I don't know its meaning. Any idea will help.

Thanks

Re: How to understand the word "function" in the usb protocol?

Luc Pattyn12-Dec-09 1:58

Luc Pattyn

12-Dec-09 1:58

Google knows more; this[^] should tell you everything about USB 2.0

Smile | :)

Luc Pattyn [Forum Guidelines] [Why QA sucks] [My Articles]

I only read code that is properly indented, and rendered in a non-proportional font; hint: use PRE tags in forum messages

Re: How to understand the word "function" in the usb protocol?

Richard MacCutchan12-Dec-09 3:24

Richard MacCutchan

12-Dec-09 3:24

I've had a look at the specification and, to be honest, it's not that easy for a native English speaker. The best I can suggest is that a function would appear to be similar to a process in programming. So a function provides the connection between a host and a USB device and manages the flow of information between the two. I don't know if that helped but it may be worth trying to get a copy translated (professionally) into your own language.

Re: Thank you Luc Pattyn and Richard MacCutchan.

bdwzz12-Dec-09 17:56

bdwzz

12-Dec-09 17:56

I have found the interpretation about "function" in usb 2.0 specification. Thank you.
In this specification, the "function" is a USB device that is able to transmit or receive
data or control information over the bus. A function is typically implemented as a
separate peripheral device with a cable that plugs into a port on a hub. However, a
physical package may implement multiple functions and an embedded hub with a single
USB cable. This is known as a compound device. A compound device appears to the host
as a hub with one or more non-removable USB devices.
Each function contains configuration information that describes its capabilities
and resource requirements. Before a function can be used, it must be configured by
the host. This configuration includes allocating USB bandwidth and selecting
function-specific configuration options.

PC Temperature Sensors

Tony Richards9-Dec-09 3:12

Tony Richards

9-Dec-09 3:12

Hi all,

Does anyone know how programs like HWMonitor get readings from the temperature sensors inside PCs? I've looked into WMI, but the Microsoft documentation suggests it doesn't work.

I know that the sensors are accessed via the SMBus on the motherboard, but that isn't accessible (as far as I know) from a user-mode program. For what I actually want to achieve, writing a kernel-mode device driver is probably a bit excessive, and almost certainly too time-consuming (particularly seeing as I've never done anything like that before).

I've been googling around for about five hours now without any success. I know it's possible (after all, HWMonitor doesn't even need installing and works quite nicely), but I'm completely out of ideas. Sigh | :sigh:

Thanks all,

Tony

Re: PC Temperature Sensors

Indivara20-Dec-09 4:12

Indivara

20-Dec-09 4:12

Have you looked into WMI[^]? MSAcpi_ThermalZoneTemperature seems to do something like this, but I haven't tried it myself...

This[^] allows you to play with various parts of WMI

HQOTD [moved]

Brady Kelly7-Dec-09 7:46

Brady Kelly

7-Dec-09 7:46

I have just acquired a handed down mini-tower PC claiming to be a Fujitsu-Siemens Scaleo J (on the case). The only text I could find on the motherboard is p4m800-pro-M.

I have reached a point installing Windows Server 2003 (SBS, via MSDN) where a NIC is required, yet Windows does not recognise the installed NIC. The cable seems fine, green lights are on on both sides, i.e. my DSL router and the PC.

I can't find any working links for drivers for the Scaleo J, yet lots for various guises of p4m800-pro. The first I tried has had no effect on the OS recognising and dealing with the NIC. Any advice will be most welcome, especially low level dirties to help me interrogate the BIOS/NIC. NIC is enabled in BIOS.

moved on Monday, December 7, 2009 2:12 PM

Re: HQOTD

Ed.Poore7-Dec-09 8:10

Ed.Poore

7-Dec-09 8:10

Brady Kelly wrote:
yet Windows does not recognise the installed NIC

Does it pop up in the Device Manager or just not at all?

I doubt it. If it isn't intuitive then we need to fix it. - Chris Maunder

"Port 'COM 3' does not exist"...Except when it does

dybs5-Dec-09 16:13

dybs

5-Dec-09 16:13

Here's something I just don't get. I have a USB device that enumerates as a virtual COM port (CDC device), so I can use the .NET SerialPort class to communicate with it. For the most part, this works fine. However, sometimes the device just gets disconnected or resets and I need to re-open the COM port (this isn't my actual problem right now, I just need to be able to handle it). I should be able to do this:

try
{
  // Serial port communication
}
catch(IOException)
{
  // Device got disconnected, so close our connection.
  port.Close();
  // Wait for device to reconnet.
  Thread.Sleep(5000);
  // We should be able to reconnect to it now (maybe not really, but just assume we can for now).
  port.Open();
}

I get a "Port COM 3 does not exist", but if I look in Device Manager, COM 3 clearly exists. I cannot re-open the port until I power off my device AND close my program, then bring them both back up. This happens on XP, Vista, and Win7.

NOTE: This is not just a problem with my program - this also happens with HyperTerminal!

My colleagues and I suspect it's a problem with the driver, so I've been looking to see if I can find an alternative one.

What is the best way to handle this? I have to run some unattended tests that can last 12 or more hours, so if the device resets I can't really automatically close and re-open my program (well, I suppose I could, but I suspect that's more work than I have time to do, and I'd rather not have to keep track of the entire program state and restore it).

Thanks,

Dybs

The shout of progress is not "Eureka!" it's "Strange... that's not what i expected". - peterchen

Re: "Port 'COM 3' does not exist"...Except when it does

Luc Pattyn5-Dec-09 16:29

Luc Pattyn

5-Dec-09 16:29

Hi,

I recently read a Microsoft web page claiming closing-opening a serial port is likely to fail for unknown reasons, the serial port needs an undetermined delay between close and open, even when nothing went wrong. Unfortunately I didn't save the link.

So the only advice I have is: keep the port open and try and make sure nothing ever goes wrong!

OTOH I'm not surprised Device Manager, the SerialPort class and/or the serial driver(s) do not always agree on the availability or health status of a port.

Smile | :)

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