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Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: zirk on 26 November 2010, 16:04:25

Title: USB / RS232 adapter lead Help.
Post by: zirk on 26 November 2010, 16:04:25
Trying to get one of those USB serial lead adapter thingy's to work on my Samsung Netbook (Win7), Its a Bafo type BF-810 if that means anything, windows finds the Hardware and loads the drivers fine and allocates a comm port to it. Run the software change comm settings to suit all seems fine, just wont communicate through the lead.

Thought it might be win7 issue, so tried doing the same on the Dell lappy with Vista, same deal.

I know the real answer is to use a proper RS232 port, but dont have any portable devices with them fitted any more.

Any thoughts?

Chris.

  >:(
Title: Re: USB / RS232 adapter lead Help.
Post by: Jimbob on 26 November 2010, 17:37:25
question is the lead the problem, or the software your using with it.

some things demand these be forced to com1, even when the claim to support others
Title: Re: USB / RS232 adapter lead Help.
Post by: zirk on 26 November 2010, 17:52:53
The software is fine, its a commercial release, it talks to Radios through the Mic socket, the communication type, works fine on the bench using a PC with a real Comm port, just trying to get it usable out on the field. The USB adapter was supplied by them, so Im thinking its an Netbook or win7 issue?

I did wonder about the Comm port 1, the adapter is loading itself as com 18,19,20 depending which of the 3 USB port I use on the Netbook, cant seem to change that on win7.

?
Title: Re: USB / RS232 adapter lead Help.
Post by: Richgm on 26 November 2010, 22:24:15
USB serial adaptors are a real hit and miss affair. It seems that the software and drivers can work well on one PC and not on another depending on OS and other programs installed.
If you've got a pcmcia slot then I an lead to believe that you would have better success using a pcmcia/serial card.
Title: Re: USB / RS232 adapter lead Help.
Post by: Jimbob on 27 November 2010, 09:14:27
try using device manager to force them one to com1, you may then me lucky, you may not.
Title: Re: USB / RS232 adapter lead Help.
Post by: Kevin Wood on 27 November 2010, 11:19:44
A lot of software like this works by "bit bashing" the pins of the serial port so timing is critical.

Having said that, even for straightforward applications some USB to serial chipsets are better than others.

Kevin
Title: Re: USB / RS232 adapter lead Help.
Post by: TheBoy on 27 November 2010, 11:22:59
I find generally the Prolithic chipset and their drivers work best, thats what I stick to.

As Kevin Wood says, many of these apps work by controlling the serial lines manually, whereas the usb-serial leads expect an rs232 compliant stream via WinAPI.
Title: Re: USB / RS232 adapter lead Help.
Post by: zirk on 28 November 2010, 16:16:30
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If you've got a pcmcia slot then I an lead to believe that you would have better success using a pcmcia/serial card.

No pcmia or card slots on the Netbook, nice thought though.  ;)

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try using device manager to force them one to com1, you may then me lucky, you may not.

Think you may be on to something there JB.

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A lot of software like this works by "bit bashing" the pins of the serial port so timing is critical.

Having said that, even for straightforward applications some USB to serial chipsets are better than others.

Kevin

Noted, Kevin  :y

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I find generally the Prolithic chipset and their drivers work best, thats what I stick to..

The 810 uses Prolithic drivers, so guessing its the same chipset. Did a google on the drivers for win7 with no real joy, lastest seem to be for Vistra , 3.2.x. from memory, The Bafo website says win7 works and no drivers required.

Any way thanks all, will have a play with it tomorrow and try forcing the com port to 1,2,3,or 4.

Might even have an old breakout box somewhere or an old dail up modem laying arround, so might have a play with that and see if the leads are working as they should be.

Seem to remember theres 12v flying around on good old RS232, not sure how that works with a 5v USB, may be the adapter sorts that one out.

Cheers Chris.  :y

Title: Re: USB / RS232 adapter lead Help.
Post by: TheBoy on 28 November 2010, 16:23:18
I use my Prolithic ones under Win7.  No idea what driver (other than prolithic), I know I went through hell and high water to find it.
Title: Re: USB / RS232 adapter lead Help.
Post by: zirk on 28 November 2010, 16:29:35
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I use my Prolithic ones under Win7.  No idea what driver (other than prolithic), I know I went through hell and high water to find it.

Dont suppose youve got the original download file by any chance?
Title: Re: USB / RS232 adapter lead Help.
Post by: TheBoy on 28 November 2010, 16:39:11
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Quote
I use my Prolithic ones under Win7.  No idea what driver (other than prolithic), I know I went through hell and high water to find it.

Dont suppose youve got the original download file by any chance?
Somewhere...  ...think I got them from prolithic in the end.

If you can't find in next few hours, I'll go through my stuff
Title: Re: USB / RS232 adapter lead Help.
Post by: zirk on 28 November 2010, 16:47:13
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Quote
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I use my Prolithic ones under Win7.  No idea what driver (other than prolithic), I know I went through hell and high water to find it.

Dont suppose youve got the original download file by any chance?
Somewhere...  ...think I got them from prolithic in the end.

If you can't find in next few hours, I'll go through my stuff

Cheers TB, I'll do a bit more surfing, on top of what I've already done, if you reckon its out there, if no joy I'll give you a pm later.
 :y Chris.

Title: Re: USB / RS232 adapter lead Help.
Post by: TheBoy on 28 November 2010, 16:48:09
Wondering now if I use a vista driver...
Title: Re: USB / RS232 adapter lead Help.
Post by: TheBoy on 28 November 2010, 16:48:49
hang on, there is one on this lappy, I'll get its version if I can find the usb adapter...
Title: Re: USB / RS232 adapter lead Help.
Post by: TheBoy on 28 November 2010, 16:51:15
Its came from a zip called PL2303_Prolific_DriverInstaller_v110.zip

HTH
Title: Re: USB / RS232 adapter lead Help.
Post by: zirk on 28 November 2010, 16:58:39
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Its came from a zip called PL2303_Prolific_DriverInstaller_v110.zip

HTH

Just checking mine now, but I dont have the adapter with me.
Title: Re: USB / RS232 adapter lead Help.
Post by: zirk on 28 November 2010, 17:19:27
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Its came from a zip called PL2303_Prolific_DriverInstaller_v110.zip

HTH

Just checking mine now, but I dont have the adapter with me.

Ok, mine is PL2303_Prolific_DriverInstaller_v1013.zip, looks like I need a later version.
Title: Re: USB / RS232 adapter lead Help.
Post by: zirk on 28 November 2010, 17:31:46
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Quote
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Its came from a zip called PL2303_Prolific_DriverInstaller_v110.zip

HTH

Just checking mine now, but I dont have the adapter with me.

Ok, mine is PL2303_Prolific_DriverInstaller_v1013.zip, looks like I need a later version.

Actually mine installs as v3.3.10.130, so guessing yours must be v3.3.11.0x, so I'll do some more searching.
 :y
Title: Re: USB / RS232 adapter lead Help.
Post by: TheBoy on 28 November 2010, 19:00:06
Try this...

http://theboy.omegaowners.com/oofpics/odds/PL2303_Prolific_DriverInstaller_v110.zip
Title: Re: USB / RS232 adapter lead Help.
Post by: zirk on 28 November 2010, 19:32:01
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Try this...

http://theboy.omegaowners.com/oofpics/odds/PL2303_Prolific_DriverInstaller_v110.zip

Thanks TB, just download your link, theres plenty of v110 on the web but nothing that I could find that actually downloads, so cheers for that.

Did manage to download PL2303_Prolific_DriverInstaller_v130.zip which did give a release note warning of early and late Win7, but Im going to try your one first, I update tomorrow as I dont have the adapter with me at the mo.
 :y :y :y