Need a serial port .. need ideas

I have a HP2133 ..

I really need a serial port, so I bought a USB to serial connection port cable, but I'm not having any luck connecting to the equipment. I had a Com 1 set up in my Device Manager, but it said it was bluetooth. I guess I just don't know how to set it up.


I have an express card/54 slot, but not able to find a card that has a serial port connection.

I could really use some suggestions on how to solve my problem ... please.

 

Do you need a driver for that cable? Does Device Manager show any unconfigured devices?

My USB to Serial cable shows up under Ports in Device Manager as "Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port (Com 4)". You should see something similar.

John

 

I have a disc that came with the cable .. PCLinq20
I have installed everything that was on the disc.

No unconfigured devices

Under ports I have two lines:
bluetooth communications port (com3)
bluetooth communications port (com4)
these were created by XP in an auto-detection and auto-install.

There was one files: WIN_USB Driver.exe that had under the name:
Prolific Technology Inc.
I even installed that.

I hope I have told you enough to be able to help me. Sorry, I know it sounds like I don't know what I am doing, but your right.

Thank you so much for answering and trying to help me.

 

That could well be the same Prolific chip as I have. I'm using (with Vista) driver version 2.0.2.1 dated 4 Nov 05. Vista might have found that since it is newer than the file I have stored(P L2303 - here). You should run the driver installer before plugging the cable in. I've just done an installation on an XP machine and after installing the driver and plugging the cable in then it shows up as a COM port. If you have Vista then read this.

John

 

I have XP Pro

I unplugged cable ...
restarted computer ...
installed the driver ...
it needed to restart ...
then plugged in cable ...
then restarted again ...
checked device manager, still no change from last post.

I feel I am doing things right, but they are not working out.

 

Which driver? The one on the CD or the one from the Prolific website? I didn't need to restart the computer.

There's a small possibility that you have a different Prolific chip but, AFAIK, they only make one USB to Serial chip.

John

 

the driver from the site

I'm not sure what is going on, but I'm just a little frustrated. When I got this laptop I knew there was not a serial port, but in talking with other people and searching websites, I thought getting this USB to Serial Port cable would answer everything. Apparently not. Maybe I didn't get the right kind. Guess I will look for another way to connect.

It might even be easier if I could find a express card/54 that had a serial port on it.

Oh well, I thank you for your help. You have definately tried to help me. One more thing ... if you could suggest another cable or card, I would really appreciate it.

Thank you again.

 

Don't give up yet!

Did you try the add new hardware option in Control Panel (with the cable plugged in). If it doesn't find anything automatically then do a manual search under ports. If the driver has been installed there should be an entry for Prolific Comm port. Did Windows pop up a message about a USB device when you originally plugged the cable in?

If the device is somewhere there in Device Manager then it might be a case of persuading the device to use the right driver. Go into the properties of the device, as it currently appears, then select update driver. Then select the option to do a manual install. See if more than one driver is offered if you select to choose from a list. If so, try the different options. If not, try the option to search for another driver.

I am running SP3 on the XP machine I have tried. Have you installed SP3. It might possibly make a difference.

I would also suggest that you find another computer and test the cable there in case the cable itself is dead. You should get a message about a USB device when you plug the cable in. Pull the cable out. Then install the driver and plug the cable in and see if you get a new COM port.

Otherwise, a brand such as Belkin should work, but I think it is the same hardware inside. Express Card to serial adaptor exist, but are expensive.

John

 

Did you try the add new hardware option in Control Panel (with the cable plugged in). If it doesn't find anything automatically then do a manual search under ports. If the driver has been installed there should be an entry for Prolific Comm port.
Yes I tried that and no there wasn't an entry

Did Windows pop up a message about a USB device when you originally plugged the cable in?
Yes and actually it popped up twice and then when I checked in the Device Manager, thats when I found the two bluetooth devices, com4 & 5

The device does not show up in device manager, except for the two I just mentioned. I've tried updating the drivers to the one I have and still nothing.

I am running SP3 on the XP machine I have tried. Have you installed SP3. It might possibly make a difference.
I would prefer not to do SP3 yet, I really haven't heard too many good things about it and I have read 'if you computer is fine, why update'

I would also suggest that you find another computer and test the cable there in case the cable itself is dead. You should get a message about a USB device when you plug the cable in. Pull the cable out. Then install the driver and plug the cable in and see if you get a new COM port.
That is one thing I didn't think of .. I have two other laptops, I will try them.

Otherwise, a brand such as Belkin should work, but I think it is the same hardware inside. Express Card to serial adaptor exist, but are expensive.
Wow, expensive .. oh well, let me try other ideas first, but thank you for the link.

Let me try your newest idea to see if the cable is actually good. I'll get back in a few.

Thank you for not giving up on me, even when I was ready.

 

Yes, work though your other computers and see if you can get that cable to work.

This RS232 Express Card is a little less expensive and there's a big selection on ebay.

John