I have just discovered that my shiny new Thinkpad R51 doesn't have a serial port !!!!!
I want to be able to connect my GPS which requires a 9-pin serial connector. I see that there are USB to Serial cable adapters available including an IBM one for £50.00 (No thank you).
There are many available on ebay for £3 upwards (including postage) so can anyone tell me if these things are likely to require any special software to make them work. The reason I ask is that they all specify Windows or Mac compatibility - no mention of Linux of course.
Any information gratefully recieved.
On 9/12/05, Barry Samuels bjsamuels@beenthere-donethat.org.uk wrote:
I see that there are USB to Serial cable adapters available including an IBM one for £50.00 (No thank you).
There are many available on ebay for £3 upwards (including postage) so can anyone tell me if these things are likely to require any special software to make them work. The reason I ask is that they all specify Windows or Mac compatibility - no mention of Linux of course.
In Windows the supplied drivers should make it look like just another serial port. Worked for me with mscomm.ocx, the simple ActiveX control supplied with Windows for talking to serial ports.
For Linux, a quick Google search suggests this page: http://www.linux-usb.org/USB-guide/x356.html
Tim.
Hi Barry,
I've got one of these http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=29968&doy=12m9D which works perfectly with Linux. You'll need to compile the Prolific 2303 driver as a module. It's part of the standard kernel source. The module is called pl2303 Most of the cheap USB->Serial adapters use this chip. It'll appear as device /dev/tts/USB0 (assuming you're using a 2.6 kernel).
HTH
Chris
On Mon, 2005-09-12 at 13:51 +0000, Barry Samuels wrote:
I have just discovered that my shiny new Thinkpad R51 doesn't have a serial port !!!!!
I want to be able to connect my GPS which requires a 9-pin serial connector. I see that there are USB to Serial cable adapters available including an IBM one for £50.00 (No thank you).
There are many available on ebay for £3 upwards (including postage) so can anyone tell me if these things are likely to require any special software to make them work. The reason I ask is that they all specify Windows or Mac compatibility - no mention of Linux of course.
Any information gratefully recieved.
On 2005.09.12 15:18, Chris Glover wrote:
Hi Barry,
I've got one of these http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=29968&doy=12m9D which works perfectly with Linux. You'll need to compile the Prolific 2303 driver as a module. It's part of the standard kernel source. The module is called pl2303 Most of the cheap USB->Serial adapters use this chip. It'll appear as device /dev/tts/USB0 (assuming you're using a 2.6 kernel).
Thanks Chris. That's just the sort of information I need. Very helpful.
Barry Samuels http://www.beenthere-donethat.org.uk The Unofficial Guide to Great Britain
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Barry Samuels -
Chris Glover -
Tim Green