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Author Topic: fyi: cheap serial ports for newer laptops  (Read 7300 times)

pconroy

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fyi: cheap serial ports for newer laptops
« on: January 09, 2010, 12:29:52 PM »

Just thought I'd mention that after having no luck with an inexpensive (PL2303 based) USB-Serial port cable talking to either the old Powerlinc serial or a CM11A, I took a chance and ordered a cheap PCMICA - serial port card from a Hong Kong dealer off eBay.

Works great.  Think it was maybe ten or twelve bucks (US$).
It must have the ability to control the hardware lines better than the cheap cable.

I've ordered an ExpressCard based one too - will report when that one arrives.
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Charles Sullivan

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Re: fyi: cheap serial ports for newer laptops
« Reply #1 on: January 09, 2010, 07:57:43 PM »

Just thought I'd mention that after having no luck with an inexpensive (PL2303 based) USB-Serial port cable talking to either the old Powerlinc serial or a CM11A, I took a chance and ordered a cheap PCMICA - serial port card from a Hong Kong dealer off eBay.

Works great.  Think it was maybe ten or twelve bucks (US$).
It must have the ability to control the hardware lines better than the cheap cable.

I've ordered an ExpressCard based one too - will report when that one arrives.

Those inexpensive ($2-$5) USB-Serial adapters from China support only TX and RX; no hardware status lines at all.

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