andy vt's tools & blog

LCDWriter

LCDWriterX64

After installation run the config tool and "Browse" to select the HD44780.dll (not the x64 one) and select class with LcdSmartie in the name.

Then select the display driver dll and change the usage (if there is any) for your system.

 Excellent news!  I can't wait to test this out!

 Well... Itried it out, but am running into some major problems.

First, the HD44780.dll given in the x64 install does not have the LcdSmartie class as an option.  I pulled the dll from the x86 install and tried it out with the x64 version, but the LCDWriter service won't start when I select the LcdSmartie class.  I'm running Windows 7 in driver test mode, and have signed the HD44780.dll and LCDWriter.dll files.  The service will start when I use the nullwriter or file based classes, but not the LcdSmartie class.

When I choose the LCD Smartie dll, is it supposed to show up in the corresponding box of the config utility? If not, do I need to write anything else in that box?

 I suspect I must be doing something wrong

Try installing the non-x64 rev, the x64 rev is really only for parallel port users (I didn't think about it until you mentioned having trouble with it).

Before starting the service you need to select the lcd smartie display dll (LCD2USB.dll).

I had some difficulties and need to know what I am doing wrong, my experience is as follows:

 I installed the non 64 bit version on a 64bit Windows 7 OS.    Installation had an issue. 

 "OBJECT REFERENCE NOT SET TO AN INSTANCE OF AN OBJECT."

Then when it finished installing (I selected Media Center only and unchecked Sage) the configure menue only had Photos in the list. 

Finally when I went to change all the DLL's and such, it came up with an error.

 Configure

 Unhandled exception has occured in your application.  If you click continue, the applicaion will ignore this error and attempt to continue.  If you click quit, the application will close immediately. 

Object reference not set to an instance of an object.  

That's what happened.   What do I do?

gnnash:

I'm fairly certain that the dll for lcd2usb comes in both 32 and 64 bit versions. LcdSmartie itself is 32 bit, however.

That's my understanding as well... so to use the x86 lcdsmartie, the x86 version of LcdWriter is required.

For those who can get it to install but the config tool won't run, try exec the attached reg file.

I got the 32 bit version installed, and the config program running with this reg file.  However, choosing the LCDSmartie class and dll with the "select LcdSmartie DLL" button results in the LCDWriter service not running.

 However, if I include a path to my LCD2USB.dll in the  LcdSmartie DLL box, the service will run, but I get nothing on the screen.

Have you received your LCD2USB screen yet and been able to test with this?

I haven't received it yet.  

 Anynew thoughts lately?

The display showed up today and I did have to make some changes to get it working, but everything does including custom chars :)

I'm guessing that you'll need the x86 installer even if you're running x64 because the lcd smartie dll for this display is x86, but I copied the wrapper class into the x64 project and put a copy of it up as well.

x86

x64

 Sounds excellent!  So does it still run using the LCDSmartie DLL?

I'm away from my computer this weekend, but can't wait to try it tomorrow!

I have a coolermaster elite 330 (normal desktop case), and am using the lcdmodkit 4x20 made on a bracket for 5.25" bays. No modification necessary, though the instructions (!) said I would have to.