RazMan
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| posted on 14/1/07 at 11:34 PM |
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Serial to usb converters
I understand that the later laptops (without serial ports) can having trouble mapping with serial / usb converters connected.
Anyone got any experience of this?
[Edited on 14-1-07 by RazMan]
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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chockymonster
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| posted on 15/1/07 at 07:47 AM |
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I use one of these
http://www.expansys.com/p.aspx?i=101609
Never had an issue talking to any software that requires a com port. Much more reliable than the older usb-serial leads that I've used.
PLEASE NOTE - Responses on Forum Threads may contain Sarcasm and may not be suitable for the hard of Thinking.
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Werner Van Loock
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| posted on 15/1/07 at 07:59 AM |
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I don't have experience on the mapping part, but have a lot of experience using serial ports for all kinds of programming/terminal sessions
etc...
The problem with the usb to serial converters is that they only get a 5VDC feed and limited power(shared with other USB devices), while RS-232
(serial) is not strictly defined regarding signal levels. Signal levels need to be between +/-5VDC and +/-15VDC
Another problem is that they get assigned a COM port number different from COM1 & COM2 wich makes some (older) programs useless as they sometimes
need COM1 or COM2. You can change this, but it's a hassle. And each time you unplug the converter it changes COM number again. And again the
hassle starts.
Therefore we (at work) use PCMCIA RS-232 adapters, wich are much more stable and also get 5VDC fed to them but without sharing the load and
don't suffer the constant change in COM number. Only set it correct once and it stays that way. They also support busmastering meaning that
communication is done without the CPU, so it keeps communicating even if the PC is having high CPU load.
Only downside is that they are more expensive and harder to find. But if you need it regularly, use them instead of the USB thingy.
Just my advice.
Had some errors in it
[Edited on 15/1/07 by Werner Van Loock]
http://www.clubstylus.be
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RazMan
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| posted on 15/1/07 at 08:14 AM |
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Excellent info Werner  I will try and find a PCMCIA serial adapter and hopefully that will be easier.
I am still looking for a suitable lappy at the moment and the older ones are getting scarce.
Thanks guys 
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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pajsh
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| posted on 15/1/07 at 02:07 PM |
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I had this problem at the weekend having bought a cable Serial/USB to work with Megajolt and my new laptop.
Once I downloaded the driver from the net (thanks TheFBI, PeteF) all was fine and had it working last night.
Guess I must be lucky.
I used to be apathetic but now I just don't care.
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