Trimble TSCe, how to get the data out...

I seem to remember there being an adapter from the 25pin (?) connector to either a usb or a serial cable adapter. Many years ago, both me and the other solo guy I teamed up with had the older Ranger data collectors, and we found those connectors, and used them with much success. I don't know if I have one left since that data collector died many years ago. You might try contacting Chris Billingsley on this forum, and see if he has one left. His data collector died also, but I believe I gave all of my accessories for that collector to him after mine died.

I may have one of those 25 pin connectors Jimmy mentioned. I'll check when I get back to the office. If it's there you can have it.

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whitey1371, post: 422184, member: 10111 wrote: I may have one of those 25 pin connectors Jimmy mentioned. I'll check when I get back to the office. If it's there you can have it.

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On the TSC2 there is a slot for an external SD card hidden under the top, does TSCe have one?

whitey1371, post: 422184, member: 10111 wrote: I may have one of those 25 pin connectors Jimmy mentioned. I'll check when I get back to the office. If it's there you can have it.

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Thanks,
That's very generous of You. However, the problem is that it is in the 25-pin connector the pin is missing. So I won't get any functioning USB out of a multiport adapter.
So unless I can find a way to get the data out of one of the two serial ports or through the Ethernet port I'm stuck. So is the data 🙂

I think there is aan infra red beamer in the tsce, if you have, or can find someone with a second unit you can transfer it wireless to that unit and then download as used to.
Chr.

The way I get at files on my TSCE is via the USB connector (on the TSCE's external multiconnector dongle) and Windows Mobile Device Center. It maps the TSCE as a drive. So if one of the pins that connects to the USB port is broken, then I'd be screwed like you may be.

If all else fails you can open up the case, pull out the CompactFlash card and use a USB based flash card adapter to connect it to your computer as an external drive.

astrodanco, post: 422281, member: 7558 wrote: The way I get at files on my TSCE is via the USB connector (on the TSCE's external multiconnector dongle) and Windows Mobile Device Center. It maps the TSCE as a drive. So if one of the pins that connects to the USB port is broken, then I'd be screwed like you may be.

If all else fails you can open up the case, pull out the CompactFlash card and use a USB based flash card adapter to connect it to your computer as an external drive.

Ah, so there's a compact flash card inside? That is good news. Thanks for all the good ideas and info!
I did however try to open the unit earlier, in hopes of finding a way to solder in a wire on the missing pin (on the inside of the connector), as a crude "fix" to get 'USB connectivity.
However, after removing all the visible screws (4 inside battery compartment + 4 more i think) there still seemed to be something holding the case together; i could not get it opened. Anyone who has opened a TSCe, that can tell if there are any hidden screws?

Cheers,
Jonas

There is a screw in the middle of the narrow part of the body, accessed from the back. It is usually covered by a plug of clear RTV silicone - just run a sewing pin around the perimeter of the plug and it will slide right out.

Then you can turn out that screw.

GB

Thanks for all good information!
I was able to open the TSCe and solder a thin wire to a SMD resistor that was connected to the broken pin. I drilled a 1mm hole in the case next to connectors and pulled the wire out through the hole. I then sealed it with silicone and put the TSCe back together.
I then connected half a lab cable (with a "crocodile clamp") to the USB+ line on the cable/connector that goes on the 26-pin multiport connector, which can be easily connected to the wire now sticking out of the TSCe. Now USB works, and windows mobile device center successfully connects!
Now that USB works I could also use "CERegEditor by mdSoft" to modify the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINEcommFTPDAllowAnonymous and AllowAnonymousUpload registry keys to 1, so now I can also use ftp over the Ethernet connection to the TSCe built-in FTP server to get data out, as a second/backup option.
The TSCe lives again! 🙂

Nice one. I have a Trimble ACU which has a similar multipin (can't remember how many) connector for USB transfer, but I didn't have the adapter so through www research and trial and error I found the 3 pins that were relevant and made an adapter. Couldn't post it here as I am away from the office. The ACU has bluetooth but it is somehow locked to only talking to Trimble devices - cheery people.

WOW! that's quite a fix! not something I would have any idea how to do or even attempt. I'm impressed. just hope you don't need any resale value on that!

nice fix. I rarely used that connector until I found that adapter. I usually used the 9 pin serial connector.

Jimmy Cleveland, post: 422709, member: 91 wrote: nice fix. I rarely used that connector until I found that adapter. I usually used the 9 pin serial connector.

That's interesting. How did You use that port?

I think I just plugged up the serial cable to the computer and connected to ActiveSync (at the time). It's been 10 years since I started using that data collector, and it died about 5 years into my business.