My computer will not open up futura. it says connection error. everything is connected?

If your computer indicates that there's no USB connection to the machine, and therefore the Futura program refuses to start, there are several possibilities. The most likely is your cable is bad, although I have had USB cables that worked fine elsewhere, but didn't on the machine. Try switching the cable you're using with your printer cable.

Sometimes if you originally installed it using one USB port, it doesn't want to work if another port is used. Although I have not had that problem on this line of Futuras, others have. Try switching the port you're using.

Another possibility is the USB plug on the machine doesn't "seat" very well. That's true of all the Futuras. Make sure that the plug is sitting squarely in the machine. Personally, I tape the plug in using masking tape, then plug and unplug it from the computer side.

I need more information to answer this question. Is this a error message on your computer screen? Or on the machine? I know Singer Futura machines require a USB cable connection to work; check USB drivers are installed properly on the compatible version of windows as well.
Cheers,
Embroidery Services
San Diego, CA

Go to the Singer website and down load the driver for your machine.

There are now several versions of the basic Futura software and AutoPunch available on the market. The most current is version 1.0.0.2. To determine what version of either software you have, you will find this information around the inside rim of the CD at approximately 4 o'clock. Before loading any of the Options into your computer, check the version and then follow the steps below. The following steps will update your software so that you will now have the latest 1.0.0.2 version of the basic program and all options.

To load base software 1.0.0.0 with AutoPunch 1.0.0.0 or base software 1.0.0.1 with Autopunch 1.0.0.1

• You must use bobbin part number 085128. This bobbin is specifically designed for the Futura CE-100 and CE-200.
• Load Base software (have machine set-up for embroidery with USB connected to both machine and computer - machine turned OFF)
• Turn on Futura machine and double left click on Futura icon to open program
• Close program and turn off the machine
• Install Autopunch and leave the CD in the tray
• Download appropriate update for Windows Version from the Futura-Support.com updates and save to desktop
• Double left click on the desktop download icon to install update
• Turn on Futura machine and double left click on Futura icon to open program
• Type in the Access code from Autopunch jewel case and then left click on the check mark to open program
  

To load base software 1.0.0.0 with AutoPunch 1.0.0.1 or base software 1.0.0.1 with Autopunch 1.0.0.0

• Load Base software (have machine set-up for embroidery with USB connected to both machine and computer - machine turned OFF)
• Turn on Futura machine and double left click on Futura icon to open program
• Close program and turn off the machine
• Install Autopunch and leave the CD in the tray
• Download appropriate update for Windows Version from the Futura-Support.com updates and save to desktop
• Double left click on the desktop download icon to install update
• Turn on Futura machine and double left click on Futura icon to open program
• Type in the Access code from Autopunch jewel case and then left click on the check mark to open program

To load base software 1.0.0.0 or 1.0.0.1 with Autopunch 1.0.0.2

• Load Base software (have machine set-up for embroidery with USB connected to both machine and computer- machine turned OFF)
• Turn on Futura machine and double left click on Futura icon to open program
• Close software and turn off machine
• Download appropriate update for Windows Version from the Futura-Support.com updates and save to desktop
• Double left click on the desktop download icon to install update
• Install Autopunch using Installation Wizard - leave CD in tray
• Turn on Futura machine and double left click to open program
• Type in Access Code from Autopunch jewel case and then left click on check mark to open program

To load base software 1.0.0.2 with Autopunch 1.0.0.0 or 1.0.0.1

• Load Base software (have machine set-up for embroidery with USB connected to both machine and computer- machine turned OFF)
• Turn on Futura machine and double left click on Futura icon to open program
• Close program and turn off machine
• Place Autopunch CD in tray but CANCEL Installation Wizard
• Download appropriate update for Windows Version from the Futura-Support.com updates and save to desktop
• Double left click on the desktop download icon to install update
• Turn on Futura Machine and double left click to open the program
• Type in Access Code from Autopunch jewel case and then left click on check mark to open program

To load base software 1.0.0.1 with Autopunch 1.0.0.1 with Hyperfont 1.0.0.2 or Photo Stitch 1.0.0.2

• Load Base software (have the machine set-up for embroidery with USB connected to both machine and computer - machine turned OFF)
• Turn on Futura machine and double left click on Futura icon to open program
• Close program and then turn off the machine
• Install the Autopunch program and leave the CD in the tray
• Turn on Futura machine and double left click on Futura icon to open program
• Type in the Access code from Autopunch jewel case and then left click on the check mark to open program*
• Close program and then turn off the machine
• Download appropriate update for Windows version from the Futura-Support.com updates and save to desktop
• Double left click on the desktop icon to install update
• Turn on Futura machine and double left click on Futura icon to open program
• Close program and then turn off the machine
• Install HyperFont program - leave CD in tray
• Turn on Futura machine and double left click to open program
• Type in Access Code from HyperFont jewel case and then left click on check mark to open program*
• Close program and then turn off the machine
• Install PhotoStitch program - leave CD in tray
• Turn on Futura machine and double left click to open program
• Type in Access Code from PhotoStitch jewel case and then left click on check mark to open program*

* Must open the program after installing each Option with CD in tray and type in Access Code before installing next Option.

To load base software 1.0.0.2 and adding all Options - Hyperfont 1.0.0.2, PhotoStitch 1.0.0.2, Autopunch 1.0.0.2 and Cross Stitch 1.0.0.1

• Install Base software (have machine set-up for embroidery with USB connected to both the machine and computer- machine turned OFF)
• Turn on Futura machine and double left click on Futura icon to open program
• Close program and then turn off machine
• Install Autopunch program and leave the CD in the tray
• Turn on Futura machine and double left click on Futura icon to open program
• Type in Access Code from AutoPunch jewel case and then left click on check mark*
• Close program and turn off machine
• Install Hyperfont program and leave the CD in the tray
• Turn on Futura machine and double left click on Futura icon to open program
• Type in Access Code from HyperFont jewel case and then click on check mark*
• Close Program and turn off machine
• Install Photo Stitch program and leave the CD in the tray
• Turn on Futura machine and double left click on Futura icon to open program
• Type in Access Code from PhotoStitch jewel case and then left click on check mark*
• Close program and turn off machine.
• Install Auto Cross Stitch program and leave CD in tray
• Download appropriate update for Windows version from the Futura-Support.com updates (Fut_sp2_Options.exe) and save to desktop
• Double left click on the desktop download icon to install
• Turn on Futura machine and double left click on Futura icon to open program
• Type in Access Code from Auto Cross Stitch jewel case and then left click on check mark*

* Must open the program after installing each Option with CD in tray and type in Access Code before installing next Option.

Futura installation integrity might be damaged, you need to uninstall everything Futura related, reboot pc and install from the beginning.
If you already did reinstall Futura but still get the error, you may launch troubleshooting utility and send its report to Singer.

My computer is extremely touchy when I use my usb cable to attach to my machine. I have to use the SAME usb port that I used when the driver was installed or else it will not recognize that my machine is plugged in. Basically it is telling you it cannot find your machine. Reinstall the driver and mark which usb port you used to install the machine.
Also, in order to open the futura software, your machine must be powered on and connected via USB cable before you attempt to open the software on your computer.

Hi I had the same problem sent question to Singer and this was their reply

"Do you have Vista 32-bit or Vista 64-bits? Unfortunately the CE-100/200 machine will not be compatible with either Vista 64-bit systems or the newest Windows 7 computers. The CE-100/200 will only be compatible with Windows 98 through Vista 32-bit operating systems.

This appears to be a hardware issue and not something that we will be able to create a patch to correct. Drivers necessary for 64-bit operating systems are not compatible with the CE-100/200 machines." so I guess we are SOL

I received an email back from Singer stating that it is not possible at this time to load the Futura software on a 64-bit system using Vista. I have emailed to ask whether it would load if the OS were XP, but I haven't heard back yet.

They said that they were working on finding a fix for this, but they aren't sure that they will since it's a hardware problem.

So here's what I did and it worked for me. Somehow the WinDriver that is on the software is uninstalling itself and needs to be listed with the drivers for Jungo for this software to work. I installed the software when I first got the machine with no problems, then suddenly I couldn't open it and was receiving the same connection error. When you go to http://www.futura-support.com/faq/machine.htm#2 to install the drivers, you'll notice their screen shot shows both the CLEM driver and the WinDriver. Check your machine following their instructions to see if you have both listed under the Jungo driver. If not, go to http://www.jungo.com/st/windriver_usb_pci_driver_development_software.html and select the link under "Available WinDriver Toolkits" for your operating systems (I selected WinDriver USB for Windows). It asks a bunch of questions which I didn't know the answer to so I selected "other" on almost everything then entered "NA"or "?" for the other description. Select Download now and it will need to restart your computer. Once done, I looked at the device manager again and now WinDriver is listed under Jungo and CLEM and the software opens, no problems.

This will at least temporarily solve the issue, however, it's a free trial which means the download will expire at some point. Good news is, the windriver is on the futura disk, I just don't know why it's not installing or staying on the machine. I am sending all of this to Singer to figure out what they're missing in the installation files and hopefully get a fix permanently.

Good luck!

You have to have all cables connected and machine on to open software