CMS 50D+ oximeter on XP

[presterjohn]

Connecting a CMS 50D+ (50D-Plus) pulse oximeter to Windows XP

This relates to the 50D+ pulse oximeter made by Contec Medical Systems (CMS) and sold under several brand names. It has data storage and computer-connect capabilities for data monitoring and uploading of stored data.

The CMS-50D+ currently comes with SpO2 Assistant 2.1 software. This is claimed to support Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7.

I was completely unable to get the 50D+ to be seen by either of my computers, both running Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 3, and with ample memory and hard disk space. This was true no matter what version of the SpO2 software I ran, from 0.981 to 2.1, and regardless of whether or not I installed an updated Silicon Laboratories driver.

After much frustration, I worked out what to do. These instructions are for the CMS 50D+ on Windows XP. They would generally apply to other recent models. But if your oximeter is currently connecting okay to your computer, do not do any of these steps!

First be sure your system is completely clean, free of any prior attempts to install SpO2 software or drivers. In particular, go to Start, Settings, Control Panel, System, Hardware, Device Manager and be sure there are no SiLab CP210x drivers listed under Ports (COM & LPT) or under Universal Serial Bus Controllers. If there are, uninstall them. Go to Add/Remove Software and uninstall any SpO2 or related software. Restart Windows. Wait 5 minutes. Do not plug in the 50D+ yet.

Go to: http://www.pulseoxstore.com/Manuals-Downloads.html (or do a Google search for the file: SpO2Setup_Gen_1.0, but you may not find much)
Scroll down to "Software to Download Pulse Oximeters SPO2 Review Version V1.0" and download "SPO2 Review V1.0"
which will be the file "SpO2Setup_Gen_1.0.zip"
unzip it to get "SpO2Setup_Gen_1.0.exe"
do not download or install any other versions, or any drivers.
do not download or install "CP210X USB Driver for Windows 7"
you can download instructions or manuals if you want.
do not install any software that comes with your 50D+
if you did install anything else, uninstall it and restart Windows.
run the "SpO2Setup_Gen_1.0.exe" file to install it.

Again, do not install any version except 1.0 and do not run any other SpO2 program. I repeat, do not install a later version, such as the version supplied on disk with the 50D+. The older version 0.981 might work with XP but will not work with Vista. Later versions, such as 1.2, can completely mess up XP.

Let Windows restart when prompted and wait at least 5 minutes - until all disk activity has completely ceased. Then plug the 50D+ oximeter into any USB port on the computer. Do not use a USB extension cable or port expander at this time. Do not have the 50D+ turned on. Wait 5 minutes, then insert your finger, turn on the 50D+, and press its button again to go into any menu screen on the 50D+. Wait 5 minutes, then double-click the just-installed red SpO2 icon (not the green SpO2 Review icon). The software should start. Select the language to use and it should then connect to the 50D+. Click one of the four numbers (1, 2, 3, or 4) at the lower left of the SpO2 computer window (probably "1") to get the active screen. After a few minutes, close the SpO2 program, wait a minute or two, then double-click the green SpO2 Review icon, select a language, and when you get past any initial screens, click the rectangle near the middle bottom of the window. This should make it connect. On one of the screens, you should also note the port (probably COM4) and select the CMS 50D+ from the model pull-down menu.

If you just can't get the thing to connect, you can still use it with the CMS 50D+ Oximeter screen in the free "SleepyHead" program (see below).

By the way, although I have not completely verified this, it appears that the 50D+ (and presumably other CMS models with computer connection) are not real USB devices, but fake the USB with a converter chip that is probably located in the cable's computer-end USB plug. Thus the 50D+ outputs old-type serial data, the chip in the cable makes it look enough like USB to get through the computer's USB socket, and a driver then converts it back to plain serial in the SpO2 programs. It works for the purpose, but don't expect quick downloading of stored data. This is at best USB 1.1 speed. Also, don't lose the cable. Although any cheap USB cable would fit, it probably would not work and might damage the 50D+. And the 50D+ cable would not work properly with regular USB devices. I suggest you attach a tag to the cable noting that it is ONLY for the 50D+. If you lose or break the cable, you could perhaps purchase one that would work from www.silabs.com. It won't be cheap. Mind you, I haven’t actually tried swapping USB cables to see what would happen. If anyone has, perhaps they could comment on this.

Once you have the 50D+ working with your computer, you should be able to use a passive or active USB EXTENSION cable or hub between the 50D+ cable and the computer.

Again, the above relates to Windows XP, in particular, Windows XP Pro with Service Pack 3 installed. It generally applies to Vista as well. Windows 7 or 8 users should try the latest SpO2 Assistant 2.1 software that comes with the 50D+. I have not done any testing on Windows 7 or 8. None of the SpO2 versions, including 0.981, work on Windows 98SE, even with the Microsoft Layer for Unicode support installed.

If you are unable to get your 50D+ working with the manufacturer's SpO2 software, it should still work with the free SleepyHead program from: http://sourceforge.net/projects/sleepyhead/
which is in some ways better and in some ways worse than the SpO2 programs.
SleepyHead worked fine for me on XP and should support Windows 7. It does not support Windows 98SE.

Another possibility is a little 50D+ display project by UC Santa Barbara physics student Greg Courville, at http://www.gregslab.com/projects/glexox
It looks like a nice, clean, minimalist program, designed for Linux but potentially also supporting Windows. Unfortunately, it is not yet finished or released and might never be.

Finally, I should mention that anything that supports the 50D+ will probably work with other recent computer-connect models, such as the 50E, 50H, 50F.

Anyone thinking of buying a 50D+ should understand that the 50D is not the same model. Only the 50D+ (50D-Plus) has storage, alarms, and computer-connect capability. The plain 50D has none of these and they cannot be added.

[bombadil]

I recently purchased the CMS-50F model from Amazon. I tried following presterjohn's instructions for the CMS-50D+ in the previous post, but I was unable to connect. Not surprising, since it's a different model.

Although the CMS-50F name wasn't marked with "+" at amazon.com, the description says it has the capability of storing and downloading data, which it does. I'm using XP (Service pack 3), so I first tried the "SPO2 Assistant Software Used for Windows XP and Vista Downloads V 1.0" from http://www.pulseoxstore.com/Manuals-Downloads.html. When that didn't work I tried the "Software to Download Pulse Oximeters SP02 Review Version 1.0" and then version 0.981 from the same URL. Neither worked.

I uninstalled the previous version and rebooted before installing the next one in each case, of course.

Finally, I tried the installation CD that came with the oximeter, and lo and behold, I can both capture real-time data on the computer and download stored data from the oximeter. So it looks like they finally got it right -- The installer packaged with the device works for XP (and hopefully for all OS versions after XP).

[presterjohn]

Based on bombadil's experience, it looks like even XP users should first try the software supplied with the oximeter. If that doesn't work, completely uninstall it and restart Windows before trying other software versions.

I think the "+" only applies to the 50D/50D+ pair. The models I know of are:
CMS-50F uses wrist display and fingertip probe
CMS-50H records perfusion index (pulse strength)
CMS-50E has rechargeable battery (non-replaceable)
CMS-50D+ records data to flash memory, has USB port, now has alarms
CMS-50D has pulse waveform and color display, lacks recording, lacks USB port
CMS-50DL lacks pulse waveform, lacks color display

[Craigwill]

Presterjohn,

A million thanks for the instructions on how to get through that USB driver glitch on Windows XP. Wow, what a bear that was getting through it initially. Your post saved me a helluva lot of time! I know you spent much much more.

Many Thanks!
Craig Williams

[JamesBennet]

Peterjohn

Thankyou for your post. The problem that I have is for Windows Vista. I have trouble getting Vista to recognise the device.

I have borrowed an old XP machine and following your procedure it worked fine. On the XP machine the device was connected to COM3, but on the Vista machine, the driver is somehow configured to COM6. I don't know whether that is the problem that the program cannot connect/recognise the device. I tried to change the COM port but Vista keep saying it is in use and will conflict with other programs.

I have tried installing all three versions (0.9, 1.0 and 1.2) but they all have the same problem. I have also used driver version 5.2 and 6.5 but also no success.

I have also try using Sleepyhead, still cannot connect, however, Sleepyhead screen do show COM6 as the device but cannot download any data.

Any suggestions?

JamesB

[thud]

The software v1.2 that came on the cd within the O2meter installed( a month ago) and is working without incident on my WinXP SP2.

[JoeCCPAP]

PresterJohn,

I want to second Craig's praise for you and your solution to getting your CMS50D device to work with your Windows XP SP3 computer.

I followed your instructions to the letter - nicely detailed - and my device is now recognized again by the the 2 SPo2 programs!

You rock!

My device is not a CMS50D+ - it is just a plain CMS50D. But it did come with a software disk and cable. For a while it worked - then I must have dome something to my computer - and a few months later, when I tried it, it just didn't work!

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

I've been trying for about 2 weeks to fix this problem - and getting nowhere till I read your post.

I'm saving your instructions in case this problem happens again.

Bravo!

JoeCCPAP

[LSAT]

The CMS 50D does not have software...there is no data collected. You must have a 50D+

[yawnny]

The CMS 50D does not have software...there is no data collected. You must have a 50D+

CMS 50D+ is marked on the bottom of the device as a CMS 50D. No where on the packaging is it marked as being a +, yet it was sold as a CMS 50D+ came with the data cable, and software. It has all of the functions of a plus.

LSAT, do you have a CMS 50D+ ? What does yours say on the bottom? I am curious as to if I have an older prototype model or something.

[Lizistired]

The CMS 50D does not have software...there is no data collected. You must have a 50D+

CMS 50D+ is marked on the bottom of the device as a CMS 50D. No where on the packaging is it marked as being a +, yet it was sold as a CMS 50D+ came with the data cable, and software. It has all of the functions of a plus.

LSAT, do you have a CMS 50D+ ? What does yours say on the bottom? I am curious as to if I have an older prototype model or something.

Is it recording? If it is recording, don't worry about what anyone else says it will or won't do.

[yawnny]

The CMS 50D does not have software...there is no data collected. You must have a 50D+

CMS 50D+ is marked on the bottom of the device as a CMS 50D. No where on the packaging is it marked as being a +, yet it was sold as a CMS 50D+ came with the data cable, and software. It has all of the functions of a plus.

LSAT, do you have a CMS 50D+ ? What does yours say on the bottom? I am curious as to if I have an older prototype model or something.

Is it recording? If it is recording, don't worry about what anyone else says it will or won't do.

Yes Liz, it recorded and downloaded just fine, right of the box. Initially I was having some issues with pulse reporting accuracy, but for the past several days, it has been working fine. I was just curious if I had a cheap Chinese knock off of a cheap Chinese knock off

[DrPepper00]

I ordered a CMS50D+. The box said CMS50D. The bottom of the device says CMS50D+. It has the cable, software, and records just fine.

[yawnny]

I ordered a CMS50D+. The box said CMS50D. The bottom of the device says CMS50D+. It has the cable, software, and records just fine.

Weird. On the hinge side, is there a bar code and something that looks like a date 9999-99?

[DrPepper00]

I ordered a CMS50D+. The box said CMS50D. The bottom of the device says CMS50D+. It has the cable, software, and records just fine.

Weird. On the hinge side, is there a bar code and something that looks like a date 9999-99?

Yes. The date is 2010 07 and then the SN. The first screen on start up says Ver 4.2.

The last two nights, it only recorded one hour of data eventhough I wore it all night and the recording light was on every time I looked. The first night, I thought the batteries had died, but I had fresh batteries in last night.

[yawnny]

I ordered a CMS50D+. The box said CMS50D. The bottom of the device says CMS50D+. It has the cable, software, and records just fine.

Weird. On the hinge side, is there a bar code and something that looks like a date 9999-99?

Yes. The date is 2010 07 and then the SN. The first screen on start up says Ver 4.2.

The last two nights, it only recorded one hour of data eventhough I wore it all night and the recording light was on every time I looked. The first night, I thought the batteries had died, but I had fresh batteries in last night.

Mine says 2009-08, but also Ver 4.2. Interesting.

An hour is the longest that I've had mine on for, will have to try longer to see if I have the same problem.