Step into the way back machine: Omnibook 6000 question

Hey guys, yes I actually still own an Omnibook 6000 w/a Pentium processor. It has (had actually) a single USB port that I used to hook to my Nissan to run real time diagnostics with. However, I walked through the usb cable while the laptop was sitting outside the car and shredded the usb port itself.

I haven't used the laptop in 2 years probably but after rediscovering it, decided to try and reuse it if possible.

Does anyone know offhand if the Omnibook 6000 would accept a Serial to USB adaptor so I could bypass the broken usb port?

I've seen them for $10 online whereas BestBuy(BestRipoff) wants $30 instore and OfficeDepot, $20...

I'm thinking of running down and snagging one for $20 but thought it wouldn't hurt to ask around first...maybe the Smithsonian would like the laptop after I'm done with it...


Jeremy

 

Maybe if it has a PC card (PCMCIA) slot you could use a PC card to USB adapter.

 

It does have a PCMCIA slot that I've been considering but automatically assumed a simple serial/usb adaptor would be easier and cheaper...

I'm going to try and check on a compatible PCMCIA card (if one exists that works) and see what the prices are just in case...


Jeremy

 

Use the pcmcia, Luke... It would give you USB2 speeds too.

I haven't ever seen serial to usb adapter. Only usb to serial. I wonder if such thing even would exist, what devices would work on it.

I really loved my OB6000, 10 years old and still kicking. I gave it to my cousin couple months back and it still gets heavy use

 

You know, I just assumed that it worked both ways since I've never been in a position to need one. I didn't even consider it being one way...

Guess I'll try to find the card then if they still make them...

BTW, is there anything specific I need to look for or are they basically the same, just different brands?

The BIOS is original as far as I know as well...

 

What I can remember cards with NEC Chipsets were good, I have one of those in this desktop I currently use. If I remember right, there were some compatibility issues with older motherboards. Hard to remember since I bought that card almost 6 years ago but I had some good reason back then.

I could imagine same applies to laptops and pcmcia cards.

 

Just a quick uneventful update, just plugged in the PCMCIA USB adaptor card (Dynex/NEC) and couldn't get the Omnibook to recognize it to save my life...went into Device Manager, tried different the install CD,etc nothing. So I pulled it out and pushed it back in, then a little harder...click. 'New Hardware Found'

I'm still surprised this little unit with a 667mhz PIII Intel chip and 128mb ram can run XP so easily! I'm an AMD/underdog kind of guy but this is pretty neat (plus I did build a cheap E7200 C2D desktop a year back).

Anyway, back to the 21st century !


Jeremy

 

The Pentium III was one of the best chips Intel made. Actually, the Core CPUs are based on the PIII Tualatin. If you drop in another 128MB it'll run XP even better, but if you only use it for diagnostics for your car, i doubt that you need it.