diff --git a/FORZA_METHODS b/FORZA_METHODS
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e69de29
diff --git a/OutGaugeInterpreter.py b/OutGaugeInterpreter.py
index 1f8cf4b..97dad3e 100644
--- a/OutGaugeInterpreter.py
+++ b/OutGaugeInterpreter.py
@@ -1,17 +1,35 @@
 import socket
 import struct
 import serial
+import time
 from GAME_METHODS import *
 ##import BEAMNG_FILES as BEAM
 
-
-toPi=serial.Serial('COM5',115200) #connect to arduino
+COM_PORT = 'COM5'
 UDP_IP = "127.0.0.1"
 UDP_PORT = 4444
 
-sock = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET,socket.SOCK_DGRAM)
-sock.bind((UDP_IP,UDP_PORT))
-print("waiting for data:\n")
+connectedArduino = False
+connectedWebSocket = False
+
+while connectedWebSocket == False:
+    try:    
+        sock = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET,socket.SOCK_DGRAM)
+        sock.bind((UDP_IP,UDP_PORT))
+        connectedWebSocket = True
+    except:
+        print("please check you are able to open the socket on this system")
+        exit()
+
+while connectedArduino == False:
+    try:
+        toPi=serial.Serial(COM_PORT,115200) #connect to arduino
+        connectedArduino = True
+    except:
+        print("please check connection to arduino and verify the correct COM port")
+        time.sleep(1)
+
+print("ready:\n")
 
 
 while True: