Posted on 05/23/2009 9:13:14 AM PDT by RangerM
I run software that requires a serial port, and a usb-to-serial converter doesn't work reliably, and a port replicator is not a good option.
Anyone know of a current model laptop with RS-232 built in?
I given up trying to search the manufacturers' websites.
There are apparently seven chipsets out that are used in these devices, and three of them are buggy and have unsigned drivers, whereas the rest have signed drivers and work quite well.
For myself, I'd rather try a $10 solution rather than jumping to a new laptop.
USB to RS-232 adapter
keeps that dot matrix going since I am too cheap to buy another
What is your OS and what is the application. ie why do you need the RS-232?
Must be some pretty old software.
Lenovo 3000 series
ping!
> I purchased one of those adapters for my laptop but it
> works only intermittently.
I was having problems with mine after I bought it, but I went to the manufacturer website and updated the driver. No more problems.
Actually it’s several older pieces of scientific equipment (Gas Chromatographs, and a Datalogger) that require the interface.
I know I said software, but it’s actually the hardware I’m attaching too. Much expenditure involved with the hardware, so the laptop is a cheap part of the system as a whole.
As mentioned before, try a different USB to RS232 converter. As wasn’t mentioned before, try one withe a different chip inside of it. You can find out the chip usually by haunting Linux forums on the web.
Thanks for help. Much info found in the collective.
Does it need to be a laptop? If you had a small desktop you could install an RS-232 card (I think). Not sure if new operating systems would recognize it.
Try a Radio Shack Model 100... If you can still find one.
Here are some things to consider. If you are running an old device you may want to consider Microsoft Virtual Machine(it's free). Microsoft VM enables you run an older OS or experimental software and test for integrity. What you may want to do, for instance, is run the device under Windows 3.11 to support a device, play a game or access certain software that is no longer supported on say Vista 64bit.
VM Ware has a much better program that does the same thing for about a $100 bucks. I haven't found the need for it so I don't use it.
So you run the software your device was originally designed for and use a USB-RS232 converter.
Saves some money and doesn't force you to buy a computer designed for a specific need.
Another option is to buy a used computer from the era your device ran on and network it to your existing computer, if it is possible.
You may have to adjust the speed at which the information flows from 19200 down to 9600 or whatever works. You will just need to experiment. There are even guys who will give software as an interface for free. here are a few. Read their specs. http://www.rs485.com/psoftware.html http://www.lammertbies.nl/comm/info/RS-232-usb.html Here is one by Belkin. They explain it as an intermediary for Palm Pilots, cameras, etc. http://download.cnet.com/Belkin-F5U103-USB-RS232-Adapter/3000-18493_4-69930.html You can google others. Personally, I would try the Virtual Machine option and load whatever OS you originally used the device on. Good luck Hope this helps.
A GOOD USB (2.0 only) to serial adapter can do anything a real serial port can do, including little-used handshaking lines. I have “legacy” chip programmers that utilize these little-known features with no problems with a good adapter.
Dud why I did think of this before... have you a PCMCIA RS232 card?
http://www.quatech.com/catalog/rs232_pcmcia.php
Dud why I did think of this before... have you try a PCMCIA RS232 card?
http://www.quatech.com/catalog/rs232_pcmcia.php
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