Monroi - Configuring COM Port??

I need some help figuring out how to transfer games from a Monroi to my computer.  

I installed the Monroi software "Personal Tournament Manager - Home Edition".  I connected the Monroi to the computer using a mini-usb to USB cable.  

The computer software and instructions say go to Databank -> Download Games from Personal Chess Manager.

When I do that, a drop box appears says: COM PORT:  1, 2, 3, 4, Not Connected

None of the Com Port selections appear to recognize that the Monroi is attached by a USB cable.  The PTM software, for whatever reason, doesn't automatically recognize the Monroi is connected.

Questions:

(1) WTF?

(2)Do I need to somehow configure a USB port as a virtual COM port?

(a)If so, why the #$@! isn't that in the user guide or instructions.

(b)  How do I do that on XP and Windows 7...

(i)I fiddled with Device Manager but I don't know how to do this or how to select the 'right' USB port to make it a com port.

(ii)I imagine there's some driver I need for this?

This seems overly complicated.  I should be able to plug the Monroi into a USB port and the software handle all this.

I don't have a Monrio but they have some USB to serial drivers on their support page

I would guess you need one of those.

I saw those and I think those are for the type of cable that has a USB on one end and a serial/rs232 on the other.  The PTM hub requires that type of cable.

The cable that connects the Monroi to the computer (which was missing from my package for some reason but I have some) is a regular USB on one end and a mini-usb on the other (like the small plug that fits into a blackberry).

I have settled on saving games to the SD card and physically moving the SD card between the MonRoi and the computer.  

I am bitterly dissapointed that this device and software: (1) do not wirelessly transmit games to my computer, (2) do not recognize one another upon being plugged in via a USB cable, and (3) come with no directions for configuring communication between the MonRoi and a computer.

On the other hand, I am optimistic that I will experience a time savings by using the MonRoi versus recording my practice OTB games by hand and manually entering them into the computer to analyze.  That hand-written process, which I have been doing for several months, results in not insignificant delay while I try to figure out what move I missed or misrecorded (the board I play on lack written coordinates on the surface and I tend to mis-write a coordinate at least once-twice a game).

From using the device today for 4 games, I have to say it is initially highly distracting.  Like having a blackberry open in front of you.  There's a natural tendency for the eyes to gravitate towards the bright screen.  Also, the speed of notation is increased significantly and I found myself moving the pieces faster instead of reflecting... the first game with the monroi I was thinking less than 15 seconds.  Losing the game reflected that. :p

Makes sense those were for the serial cables. I just did a quick look to see what they had listed.

If they weren't so expensive I probably would buy one. I have a very bad habit of not transcribing my games from my notepads to the computer and then not working through and analyzing my games (I have 130+ games to transcribe). If I had something like the MonRoi, then I would remove one step and then not analyze my games in a timely manner

Let me ask you something about that PCM. It has nothing to do with your issue, but I didn't know about this product, and I have just taken a look.

Have you ever had any kind of problems when playing OTB and anotating your games with that? I mean, did anyone complaint because he/she thought it was a mini-computer?

It's a really interesting device, but I'm not sure I'll be allowed to use it in my club, because people might think I'm using external help.

Thanks.

@riuryK - I just got the device yesterday and only used it in some OTB practice games today.  It's certified by FIDE and I think find in USCF as well, which allows some PDA-based electronic scoresheets according to internet anecdotes.

The MonRoi technology reminds me of a 1990s Palm device: it's absolute crap compared to an iPad or iPhone.  The interface to save games to the SD card or "dump" it through the USB cable is cumbersome and looks ancient.  It hangs if you accidentally trigger it to look for a wireless Tournament Manager hub.

On the other hand, as old as the technology feels, it eliminates the # of errors I was making with hand-written notation, and if you just plug the SD card into your computer you can rip the games off it as a PGN and drag it into Chessbase or what have you.  So, having a drawer full of 25 handwritten score sheets just from this month that I haven't keyed in yet, I'd say the MonRoi has a time saving component that--for me anyway--makes it worthwhile.  I'm a hopeless gadgeteer though, and I play about 4 OTB games a day and had been handwriting my notations.

No word back from Monroi after a week.  Still physically removing the SD card and putting it into the computer and ripping out the PGN.  This causes me to lose all the timestamp info on moves and it takes longer, but it's faster than hand-entering moves from a written scoresheet when analyzing practice or friendly games.

Absolute PIECE OF GARBAGE SOFTWARE for connecting your Monroi the a PC. Does-Not-Work. No-Tech-Support.

* Cannot connect to a PC with a USB cable to download a PGN.

* No wireless connectivity to download the PGNs to your computer

* Must save game to an SD card, transfer SD card to PC, download game.

* Each game generates 3 files, 2 of which are useless. 1 is the PGN.

Basically, picture an iPhone 2x the size and 10x as slow, add an SD card jutting from the top. You enter your moves (and allows illegal moves like pawns going horizontally so you slip, you're screwed) and save it to the SD card. Pull the SD card out and stick it in your PC for analysis.  

Is it more accurate for recording games for later analysis? Yes. Does it work as advertised, No. Am I going to sue them?  Probably.

I know it's been 2 years, but any luck on this issue. I bought a monroi, and so has a friend, but we can't transfer games without using an SD card. Also, they SD card that came with it has gone corrupt, and the monroi only recognised low capacity SD cards (2 gig and under). No1 near me sells them anymore. I understand you can solve some problems by updating the monroi, but u need to put the update on an SD that it can recognise in order to do this....

No, I went back to recording moves on paper. Monroi is sitting in a box in my garage.

JHB,

If is still sitting in a box, do you want to sell it to me?

Monroi is useless unless you can buy a SD card that is 256kb or less. It can't ready memory cards with more capacity than that. 

I can't believe anyone would still want to buy one. Tablets are now under $100.

Tablets are not offically allowed to be used as notation devices in rated tournaments. Mon Roi's, Ply Counter's and eNotate (on a specific device) are allowed in USCF tournaments. I would have to double check for FIDE but I would think the no electronics rule would keep them from being used though.

If one is allowed, so should the other. Personally, I think none should be allowed.

The first two devices don't have any kind of engine capability and the latter when running can't get out of the program screen without rebooting the device. The USCF validates them and authorizes their use.

Any device that meets the requirements and passes certification can be used. I was just replying to the statement that tablets are cheap so why would anyone buy a more expensive MonRoi.

I would agree, it's probably just easier (mitigating chances of cheating) to not allow any device for notation in rated games and rely on paper.

Certification doesn't matter. Anything with a CPU has engine capability, if modded. Hence my opposition to their use.