[Product Review] Pulse Oximeter CMS-50D+

[SlightlySleepy]

It works as it is supposed to, but figuring out how to work it was difficult due to poor instructions.

My review:
( + ) /2 = 4.5 stars

I agree, the instructions are miserable (although at first glance they seem perfectly normal). You may have seen Paula's link earlier in the thread, but if not, do check it out -- helps clarify a lot of things (SleepyHead software is not needed, but the download process is the same):
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php...SleepyHead

In case it is not obvious, the main thing to remember is:
1) Once recording, you can exit the recording settings screen
2) Once finished recording, you should leave in the Recording settings (off) screen to download the data -- oximeter will not turn off in this mode until you exit, which is what you need to download the data.
3) If you use the supplied software, two of the best reports are Oximetry and Full Report (others are interesting too if you want to see pages of graphs).

[SuperSleeper]

My review:
( + ) /2 = 4.5 stars

Clever.

[PaulaO2]

I am working on a wiki page just for the software itself. It is on hold until I get some pics up and SS is done mucking about with moving the website.

http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php...2_software

psnnn's page on inputting it with SleepyHead is excellent!

[b360155]

HELP! Calling all computer experts! My CMS-50D Plus and accompanying software was working great for the first 2 days, syncing up perfectly with Sleepyhead. Yesterday I got a Windows system update and something caused my PC to crash. I ended up doing a system restore back to about a week prior and re-installed the SpO2 software and drivers and everything says it installed correctly but for some reason the software is not seeing the pulse oximeter. I'm using the stock cable that came with the unit. I've actually talked on the phone this evening with Kevin Cooper, the owner of Cooper Medical Supplies, the company behind Supplier #19. He's been very responsive and helpful, walking me through a couple of procedures (tried switching COM ports) but so far, the software still isn't connecting to the unit. He said he was going to contact the Contec rep he deals with and would get back to me, hopefully with a fix. Any computer experts out there that might have any ideas how to fix this issue???

[PaulaO2]

Is the meter on? It has to be on that screen that has the Record Off showing.

Then there's the install it under compatibility as XP.

That's it off the top of my head. My 'puter didn't update today when I did a reboot.

[b360155]

Thanks for the reply Paula. Yes the unit was on when I was trying to connect to the software. Don't know what running under XP compatibility mode does or how to do that. I'm running Windows 7. Something is really haywire on my computer. When I've unplugged the USB cable from the computer once last night and again this morning, Windows shut down and I got the blue screen of death.

[SuperSleeper]

Not sure Windows Compatibility Mode (inside of Win7) would solve your issue, but if you want to try it, to get to the link on how to do it, simply do a google search for "microsoft windows 7 xp compatibility mode" - It's the first non-ad link that pops up, directly from the Microsoft website.

This involves a lot more drain on your system resources, so make sure your computer can handle it by fully checking out the system requirements first on that page.

EDIT: If worse comes to worse, did you receive a "Restore Disk" to re-install your entire Operating System when you bought your computer? That's kind of a drastic step, but I generally re-install my Operating Systems every 2 years, no matter what. It's kind of like putting a brand new engine in and old car. Makes things run better.

[SuperSleeper]

Yesterday I got a Windows system update and something caused my PC to crash.

Just my opinion, and maybe a bit off-topic... and I'm not sure you're doing this, but it's probably not a good idea to have Windows automatically go out and download and update your Operating System. That has been a problem for Microsoft in the past.

By doing that, you're basically becoming a beta-tester for their updates. On my PCs that run Windows I always wait at least a week or two after an update is released before I download and install it. That way, if there's something wrong with the update, other people will have discovered it and Microsoft will fix the issue prior to me downloading it. I let other people do Microsoft's beta-testing for me.

[b360155]

Thanks for the information and suggestions SS. I'm not the most computer savvy person around. I just know enough to get me by. I've got everything back up and running and everything else seems to be working fine. The SpO2 software is there and I can open it. The driver supposedly installed correctly, yet when I plug in the pulse oximeter, the software isn't seeing it. I tested with other hardware in the same USB port and other hardware is recognized just fine. Also tried plugging the pulse oximeter into a different USB port but that didn't work. Hopefully Kevin Cooper will come back with a remedy. I don't think I'll try any further trouble shooting on my own. Our neighborhood supposedly has a good computer problem solver so I may have to enlist his services.

I do have my system restore disks available if I need to go to that length. Others have suggested that I not automatically accept Windows updates as well. Can you tell me how to turn that feature off?

[PaulaO2]

Start > All Programs > Windows Update > General Settings

Mine is set to "Check for updates but let me choose..."

To run in compatibility mode:

Right click installation file (or the .exe after the install)
Select 'Troubleshoot compatibility"
It will then test it
Select "Recommended settings"