Adding a Serial Port
#1
02-05-08, 03:16 PM
Adding a Serial Port
Can you add a RS232 Serial Port to a Dell Inspiron 1501 laptop that does not have one already in it? Our Mack truck software will not work on this laptop without the serial port. Here's what Mack says about them.Dell will not talk to me because the warranty is expired.
Mack software says that USB ports are not supported
"must be 16550 UART-equipped,not emulated
Adapters are not supported These include:
USB port to serial port adapters
Parallel port to serial port adapters
PCMCIA cards(pc cards)that contain a serial port
Mack software says that USB ports are not supported
"must be 16550 UART-equipped,not emulated
Adapters are not supported These include:
USB port to serial port adapters
Parallel port to serial port adapters
PCMCIA cards(pc cards)that contain a serial port
#2
02-05-08, 03:26 PM
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Sure you can add a serial port, but unfortunately it sounds like Mack has listed every possibility as not supported.
What exactly gets connected to the serial port? A cable which goes to the truck itself? Or some kind of modem? A USB serial adapter is so inexpesive I would just try it. There's always the possibility it will work. Companies simply do not want to support them. I have gotten many such things to work even though they were not supposed to work.
Also, see page #3 of this PDF:
http://www.macktrucks.com/assets/mac...b_221_043B.pdf
I don't know if this is the same kind of deal you have there, but they apparently sell a USB cable which does not require a serial port of any kind.
What exactly gets connected to the serial port? A cable which goes to the truck itself? Or some kind of modem? A USB serial adapter is so inexpesive I would just try it. There's always the possibility it will work. Companies simply do not want to support them. I have gotten many such things to work even though they were not supposed to work.
Also, see page #3 of this PDF:
http://www.macktrucks.com/assets/mac...b_221_043B.pdf
I don't know if this is the same kind of deal you have there, but they apparently sell a USB cable which does not require a serial port of any kind.
#3
02-05-08, 04:37 PM
Originally Posted by core
Sure you can add a serial port, but unfortunately it sounds like Mack has listed every possibility as not supported.
What exactly gets connected to the serial port? A cable which goes to the truck itself? Or some kind of modem? A USB serial adapter is so inexpesive I would just try it. There's always the possibility it will work. Companies simply do not want to support them. I have gotten many such things to work even though they were not supposed to work.
Also, see page #3 of this PDF:
http://www.macktrucks.com/assets/mac...b_221_043B.pdf
I don't know if this is the same kind of deal you have there, but they apparently sell a USB cable which does not require a serial port of any kind.
What exactly gets connected to the serial port? A cable which goes to the truck itself? Or some kind of modem? A USB serial adapter is so inexpesive I would just try it. There's always the possibility it will work. Companies simply do not want to support them. I have gotten many such things to work even though they were not supposed to work.
Also, see page #3 of this PDF:
http://www.macktrucks.com/assets/mac...b_221_043B.pdf
I don't know if this is the same kind of deal you have there, but they apparently sell a USB cable which does not require a serial port of any kind.
We tried a USB port replicator & it did not work. I called Mack & they said don't even waste your time with anything but a serial port. However they never mentioned the service bulletin you linked me to.
#4
02-05-08, 05:10 PM
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"not supported " doesn't mean it wont work
I have a cheapo usb to db9 adapter I use for some equipment programing
the manufacturer only supports one brand (pricey ) mine works the only issue have had is when I cant connect Im on my own and tech service wont help
once I was able to connect they helped with other issues
I have a cheapo usb to db9 adapter I use for some equipment programing
the manufacturer only supports one brand (pricey ) mine works the only issue have had is when I cant connect Im on my own and tech service wont help
once I was able to connect they helped with other issues
#5
02-05-08, 07:03 PM
Originally Posted by mango man
"not supported " doesn't mean it wont work
I have a cheapo usb to db9 adapter I use for some equipment programing
the manufacturer only supports one brand (pricey ) mine works the only issue have had is when I cant connect Im on my own and tech service wont help
once I was able to connect they helped with other issues
I have a cheapo usb to db9 adapter I use for some equipment programing
the manufacturer only supports one brand (pricey ) mine works the only issue have had is when I cant connect Im on my own and tech service wont help
once I was able to connect they helped with other issues
When I talked to the guy in Allentown,Pa that was part of the software writing team(or so he claimed
) He said "don't even waste your time or money on adapters, they WILL NOT work"
