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[Jimbob]

Thinking about getting a new laptop, the continued ability to use the cheapo tech2 would be nice, but a cheap(ish) (£400) laptop with a serial port seems impossible to find.
Now I know the cheapo tech2 is especially binky, generally doesnt work with USB - Serial adaptors.
PC Card (PCMCIA) also seem obsolete now,

So am wondering, has anyone got a ExpressCard Serial Adaptor working with the cheapo tech2?
Seen a few for sale, mainly in the states at about $100
Dont mind buying one if it works, but an expensive mistake if it doesnt.

Cheers

[TheBoy]

Thinking about getting a new laptop, the continued ability to use the cheapo tech2 would be nice, but a cheap(ish) (£400) laptop with a serial port seems impossible to find.
Now I know the cheapo tech2 is especially binky, generally doesnt work with USB - Serial adaptors.
PC Card (PCMCIA) also seem obsolete now,

So am wondering, has anyone got a ExpressCard Serial Adaptor working with the cheapo tech2?
Seen a few for sale, mainly in the states at about $100
Dont mind buying one if it works, but an expensive mistake if it doesnt.

Cheers

Why not use new lappy for normal use, keeping old one for working with cheapo tech2?

Thats what I do, get an old one (or 2 ) for use with Tech2 (not that real one mines about USB adapters) and VAG-COM (which is as fussy as cheapo Tech2) etc.

That way, I don't get my usual laptop all oily and horrible.

[Jimbob]

Ahh well, good plan except.....

The current tech2ing laptop, is my work one    shouldnt really be using it for this, plus its up for replacement soon, now the current work laptop's do have serial ports, but who knows when it's my turn.

My other old laptop (*cough* very old ex-work laptop *cough*) although it has a serial port, is not fast enough to run the software.

So functionality *may* not be required, but would be nice to have in case.

[Kevin Wood]

I bought a Dell D620 for work use recently and it has a serial port and works nicely with cheapo Tech2

The D5xx Dell laptops have serial ports too AFAIK.

I keep meaning to try a PCMCIA serial card with cheapo Tech2..

Kevin

[TheBoy]

Ahh well, good plan except.....

The current tech2ing laptop, is my work one    shouldnt really be using it for this, plus its up for replacement soon, now the current work laptop's do have serial ports, but who knows when it's my turn.

My other old laptop (*cough* very old ex-work laptop *cough*) although it has a serial port, is not fast enough to run the software.

So functionality *may* not be required, but would be nice to have in case.

My new (last year) lappy had a serial port (essential for building unix servers with no screen/keyboard).  Alas, it is unreliable, and has been swapped a few times, last time with the 'upgraded' model. Yup, you guessed, no serial port  

[Jimbob]

Great fun innit!

Just having another look around dell, and £410 gets their cheapest serial ported laptop (D520), whose spec is unfortunately pretty low in comparison

[Marks DTM Calib]

I had pretty reasonable success with a USB to serial adaptor and cheap tech 2.....cant remember what make the lead was though!

[TheBoy]

I had pretty reasonable success with a USB to serial adaptor and cheap tech 2.....cant remember what make the lead was though!

In my experience (not much), the prolithic driver seems to be best, but still flakey. Better with fast (ie P4 or Core chip) laptop.  VAG-COM even more fussy!

An old lappy for cheapo (PIII laptops are about the price of a decent meal for 2 now) with proper serial is the best solution, as it will likely get a bit grubby.

[Taxi_Driver]

How about using one of these with non serial port laptop.....

http://www.pcwb.com/catalogue/item/KEN00325

I use a port replicator.....tho not one of those.....on my dell laptop to get a serial port....cheapo tech2 works fine on it  

The above replicator seems to be what Dell are flogging now for port replicators.

[TheBoy]

How about using one of these with non serial port laptop.....

http://www.pcwb.com/catalogue/item/KEN00325

I use a port replicator.....tho not one of those.....on my dell laptop to get a serial port....cheapo tech2 works fine on it  

The above replicator seems to be what Dell are flogging now for port replicators.

many replicators now are usb devices, which means success may not be guaranteed....

[Kevin Wood]

Cheapo Tech2 certainly didn't work with my Toshiba port replicator. YMMV.

I suspect cheapo Tech 2 is also quite sensitive to CPU speed so that's another variable.

Kevin

[Jimbob]

Cheers, some interesting points there.

Least adaptors arn't a total no-no.

Sounds like choose a laptop and tinker for a bit while hoping for the best.