Hello,

I just got my MX-850 and none of my PCs have the old style serial connector. So until I go buy a serial to USB adapter I was wondering if I could do a head to head programming with out the remote being connected to a PC.

Thanks for any help!

No, the PC is required

OK. Thanks Constantin!

Yes you can just press and hold the main and enter buttons at the same time.

This is actually a two part answer.

First, you need the computer to setup and edit your button layout (if it's not already there). This should be done on a PC, in order to make your life easier.

Second, you can learn commands without a PC, just as Ziggi said. Press and hold Main and Ent at the same time for about 10 seconds until you get to the setup screen. Follow the prompts to learn your buttons from there.

By the way, you will want to get a Belkin or Keyspan serial to USB adapter, since those are the ones URC has tested to work properly. I know for a fact that others, such as Radio Shack, have not worked. I use Belkin and it has been great!



Thank you,
Damon DG
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http://www.ProRemotes.com - Authorized Dealer & Remote Programming Services

I've had my Radio Shack adapter for at least five years and have used it with the URC software to program MX-700s and MX-850s. I've programmed remotes using the adapter with several different PC laptops running Windows 2000 and WinXP and with a Macbook pro running WinXP under Fusion. Have not used it with Vista since I am now using the Mac for all my remote programming.

I guess it's possible that the Radio Shack adapter that you tried is different - maybe it's older or newer than mine.

But a quick check of the Radio Shack website shows the following USB to Serial adapter which appears to be identical to the one I purchased 5 years ago:

[Link: radioshack.com]

AFAIK, this model does work with the URC software.

One thing I did notice, you need to attach the adapter prior to running the MX Editor. If you run the editor, and then plug in the adapter, the MX Editor software is unable to locate the com port. I suppose it is possible that this behavior is unique to the Radio Shack adapter - I don't know as I've never used any other brand of USB adapter.

Probably...a lot of people claim Radio Shack ones work, I tried one once and it didn't.