Data Logger Support Articles | MadgeTech

No devices are connected. Why are my devices not appearing?

Posted on January 1, 2019January 14, 2020 by Thomas King

The software displays “No devices are connected. Why are my devices not appearing?” – MadgeTech 4

The software displays “Unable to find an active device!” – MadgeTech 2

This generic error occurs when a data logger fails to connect to the software. There are several potential causes.

1) The interface cable may not be plugged into the computer.

2) The data logger may not be plugged into the interface cable.

3) The battery in the data logger may be depleted.

4) The product may not be supported by the version of software being used, if it is not the latest version. Typically, the software will display an error or notification. Later versions are backwards compatible, so there is no drawback to having the latest version. The latest version of the software and drivers are available on our software download page: https://www.madgetech.com/software/madgetech-4-software/. To determine the latest software version in MadgeTech 4, go to File > Options > About, or in MadgeTech 2, go to Help > About. In almost all circumstances, MadgeTech recommends that MadgeTech 2 users update to MadgeTech 4.

5) If the interface cable is an IFC200/IFC202/IFC300/IFC400/RFC1000, the USB drivers may not be installed properly, or may be out of date. Check to see if a blue LED is lit on the interface (not applicable to RFC1000).

If the interface is an IFC200 (flash drive model), it is plug and play and there is no need to install the device drivers. If the interface is the older IFC200 R1 (Rectangular box with two wires), IFC202, IFC300, IFC400, or a RFC1000, install the USB drivers first. Disconnect the IFC from the computer, download the USB drivers from the software download page above, extract the files from the downloaded ZIP folder, and run the PreInstaller.exe from within the new folder. This will install the updated drivers. Connect the IFC to the computer and Windows will apply the driver. At this point, the blue LED should light up on the IFC. The RFC1000 has a red LED to indicate power and a flashing green LED to indicate communication with wireless logger.

MadgeTech 4:

Verify the interface cable is correctly installed, by checking that it shows up under Detected Interfaces in File > Options > Communication. Check the box labelled “Search for devices using USB interfaces.” Connect the logger to the IFC. If successful, the logger appears in the Connected Devices panel.

Claim Wireless loggers from the list of active data loggers. Uncheck the box labelled “Only show claimed wireless devices.” Select the desired logger from the list and click the Claim icon.

MadgeTech 2:

Select Auto Configure Port from the Communications menu to communicate with the logger. If successful, the software displays “Found a <logger model> on <communication port>” where the logger model is the name of the type of data logger, and the communications port is the one used by the IFC. If unsuccessful, manually connect the logger. Go to the Communications Menu and select the Baud Rate specified on the device. Go to Communications and select the Comm Port. Typically, the Comm Port is USB1 if the interface is a IFC200/202/300/400. If using an IFC110, the COM# for the Communication Port will be specified in the Ports section of Device Manager.

For remaining issues, please contact [email protected]. Include as much information as possible by listing all attempted troubleshooting. Specify the data logger model, the interface cable, the PC operating system, the software version and drivers (File > Options > About in MadgeTech 4, or Help > About in MadgeTech 2).

Can I change the colors on my graph?

Posted on January 1, 2019January 14, 2020 by Thomas King

Are the graph colors customizable? If so, how do I change the colors of my graph?

The MadgeTech data logger software provides customization options for graphs. The options include changing the the color and thickness of each data channel’s line on the graph, and the color of the background.

With a graph report open, select the Line Thickness, Line Color, and Background Color from the Report Tab in the Graph section. To make a more permanent change, Go to File > Options > Reports to select the Background color for a Graph. Go to File > Options > Units to change the color preference for a Unit Type.

Back Up MadgeTech 4 Data

Posted on January 1, 2019October 1, 2019 by Thomas King

This article instructs users to back up data in the MadgeTech 4 Standard or MadgeTech 4 Secure software. The scope of this back up includes but is not limited to the following: datasets and reports stored within the internal file database, user defined preferences and settings, secure user database, security settings, and the audit trail. The scope of this back up excludes any datasets or reports saved outside the internal file database, such as .mtff/.mtffs documents or Excel exports saved in Windows.

The MadgeTech 4 file database is stored locally, and MadgeTech recommends keeping it in the default location. By default, the Preferences Directory is located here:

C:\Users\[WINDOWS_USERNAME_HERE]\AppData\Local\MadgeTech\MadgeTech 4

Note: The AppData/Application Data folders may be “Hidden”. If the folder is not visible, turn on “View Hidden Files, Folders, and Drives” in Folder Options. Folder Options can be accessed by searching for it in the start menu search in Windows Vista, 7, 8, 10 or by selecting it from the Tools menu in file explorer in Windows XP.

The location of the user data is determined by the method of the original installation, and whether the user used the default location for the Preferences Directory or moved this folder to a new location. To verify the Preferences Directory folder location, the main user of MadgeTech 4 should open the software, go to File>>Options>>File, and record (but not change) the location shown for Preferences folder.

Once the location of the Preferences Directory has been verified, close the software, then copy this folder and save it to a backup location. Users may want to include this folder in an automatic back up procedure.