We finally got our machine all set up and is ready to run, I keep getting a alarm while trying to handshake.

Alarm 086-Data cannot be read or output due to irregular transmission or malfuntion of external device - correct the external device condition

The computer/connection setup is
ASUS laptop running Windows 7 (MetaCAM software)
9600Baud, 1Bit stop
Gigaware 26-949 USB-A to Serial
25 pin from machine to 9 pin then to the USB

I need to get this machine handshaking ASAP, Any ideas on which direction I need to start troubleshooting? Thanks in advance!