Programming Cable, I only have USB ports?!?!?!

[LarryN]

HELP!!!!!!!!!

I finally decided to get a programming cable. Only problem is that I only have USB ports on the back of my laptop. Is there a such thing as a USB to serial adaptor?

 

[astrodanco]

HELP!!!!!!!!!
I finally decided to get a programming cable. Only problem is that I only have USB ports on the back of my laptop. Is there a such thing as a USB to serial adaptor?

Yes, and you're going to need one.

 

[oregontreehugger]

Same problem here. I bought a Radio Shack serial -> USB adapter cable a couple years ago and it's worked great. I think it was about 35 bucks. Only thing to be careful of is to put it in the same USB port when you use it, otherwise it thinks it's a new adapter cable and assigns a different COM port to it.

 

[jfdurham2000]

You might also check on the software. The cable I bought had a 3.5" floppy disk. Unfortunatly my new computer did not have a 3.5" drive. I could not find a CD or the driver on the internet. I ended up buying a $65.00 3.5" drive to get the cable to work.

 

[flyingwolf]

Then you bought the wrong cable.

The one that comes with the software is a one way cable. You need 20-289. And the adapter you need is 26-183
Only problem is its 40 freaking bucks. Hit the local goodwills around you and you can sometimes find one or two of them badboys for 2 or 3 dollars. The ladys there ususally have no clue about the prices and values of computer component.

 

[Voyager]

Then you bought the wrong cable.

The one that comes with the software is a one way cable.

He is talking about a serial -> USB adapter cable that came with the disc - not the programming cable.

If he were talking about the programming cable, surely buying a 3.5" drive wouldn't let it work.

Joe M.

 

[flyingwolf]

Ok sorry bout that. Read it wrong. On second reading I see what was said.

Thanks for clarifying.

 

[LarryN]

So the decision for me is: Will it be worth $65 to computer program my scanner? Thanks for all the help. I will see if the guys here at work can help me find one cheaper.

 

[loumaag]

So the decision for me is: Will it be worth $65 to computer program my scanner? Thanks for all the help. I will see if the guys here at work can help me find one cheaper.

Larry, I think you are reading this wrong. USB/RS-232 adapters don't cost $65. More like $20~$25 retail. What was costing $65 was a device so he could use a 3.5 inch floppy. Just go to BestBuy or Fry's or whatever is in your neck of the woods and pick an adapter up. Alternatively, and I don't see this mentioned much, you can spend a lot more for a PCMCIA RS-232 card which then will tie up a slot, but I will bet never has the possible USB/RS232 incompatibility problems mentioned occasionally throughout the forums on this web site.

 

[LarryN]

What I am looking at is the BIG picture. $20-30 for the cable (cable plus shipping) and someone stated 40 for the adaptor. I am going to bug the computer guys upstairs to see if they have one kicking around.

 

[Voyager]

What I am looking at is the BIG picture. $20-30 for the cable (cable plus shipping) and someone stated 40 for the adaptor. I am going to bug the computer guys upstairs to see if they have one kicking around.

Buy one on eBay for 10 bucks (OEM cables). I bought a couple of spares.

Joe M.

 

[crashcrew]

http://www.byterunner.com/cgi-bin/c...password=&exchange=&exact_match=exact