USB serial interfaces and programming software

[ka3jjz]

It seems that there's a good deal of interest, not to mention pure confusion, about which USB interfaces work well with folks using scanner software on laptops. Would there be any interest in compiling, say a simple spreadsheet, with names of software, and those USB interfaces that are known to work? At a minimum, I could see 5 major columns;

a. Software (Win96, Scan Control, Scancat, ect.)

b. Make of interface (Radio Shack, ect.)

c. Model number

d. Number of supported ports

e. Operating systems supported

Opinions? Additional comments? This could develop into quite a useful little document, given that many newer laptops have dropped serial ports in favor of USB 73s Mike

 

[Al42]

Win95 and any software for the Vertex VX-5

(Add a field - scanner - some software works on more than 1, I think) RS Pro-95 and Vertex VX-5

Belkin

F5U409

Adapter - only one port

Win98/ME/2000/XP
Mac OS 8.x, Mac OS 9.x
I've only tested it on XP. Someone else tested it on FreeBSD and got it working with a patch.

BTW, an unnamed adapter, model number GUC232A doesn't work with either the Pro-95 or the Vertex.

I think whether a particular USB port/adapter will work depends more on the hardware (scanner, etc.) than on the software. Software problems would show up on almost all USB ports. Adapters that only get to 10 volts (or, worse, to 5 volts) may not work with certain scanners. Adapters with flaky drivers may also cause problems.

 

[DonS]

BTW, an unnamed adapter, model number GUC232A doesn't work with either the Pro-95 or the Vertex.

I've been using the GUC232A (branded by iogear when I bought it) with all of the Win9x apps for quite a while. I've used it with the RS 20-289 cable, the "Purple" cable, and Bill Petrowsky's "Simplified Op Amp Programming Cable". I'm running XP Pro. In Device Manager, the driver appears as "ATEN USB to Serial Bridge" from Prolific Technology, version 2.0.0.18.

-Don

 

[pro92b]

I've seen these conflicting reports before where adapter xyz works for some people but not others. I wonder if the computer itself is part of the issue. If it is, the database would have to be huge to be of value in a specific case.

For laptops using a PCMCIA to serial adapter has always worked better for me. The ones sold by Socket I/O even run in DOS and work with Etrunk and LTRtrunk. Try that with a USB adapter.

 

[Al42]

In Device Manager, the driver appears as "ATEN USB to Serial Bridge" from Prolific Technology, version 2.0.0.18.

That's the driver I used with the adapter that didn't work, so I assume that the loose specs on the scanner cables coupled with the loose specs in the adapter combined to cause a problem.

It sure would be nice if everything sold as "RS232" really was, but almost every single device I've ever tested, and this is going back 27 years, has not been designed to that document's requirements in one way or another, usually either in not producing a high enough voltage or in not accepting a low enough one..

 

[garyarff]

I've have a socket serial I/O pc card for my laptop and it works just fine. Forget about those usb-serial cords... I went through 5 of them even the one from purple computing....just a headache. just buy the pcmcia serial card....job done

 

[DonS]

I've have a socket serial I/O pc card for my laptop and it works just fine. Forget about those usb-serial cords... I went through 5 of them even the one from purple computing....just a headache. just buy the pcmcia serial card....job done

There's no intrinsic reason why a PCMCIA card should work and a USB adapter shouldn't.

We might find that it comes down to drivers, versions of Windows (along with its USB and PCMCIA layers), etc. In such cases, we'll see problems with both types of interfaces.

 

[Grog]

I just got a laptop with no serial port, so I guess I have some interest now I mostly use win93, and I'll borrow a adaptor tonight at work.

 

[Al42]

I just got a laptop with no serial port, so I guess I have some interest now I mostly use win93, and I'll borrow a adaptor tonight at work.

Be sure you "borrow" the drivers too.

 

[Grog]

When I said borrow, I meant it. I'm at work right now, but I'll need to get him to leave the drivers. He needs to leave me his 246T cable anyway so I can finish his programming.

 

[n3bxv]

PalmConnect USB Kit, on a HP Pavillon ze5200, and Win XP home SP2

Win96 and and a Pro-96 -- Works
Win93 and PRo-93 or Pro-2053 -- Doesn't Work

 

[eyes00only]

OK, here's my daily stupid question. What is a driver? If buy the two cables I would need to go from the PC USB port to my Pro 95, and download the software, I would still need a ?driver?.

Jerry

 

[rescue161]

I've have a socket serial I/O pc card for my laptop and it works just fine. Forget about those usb-serial cords... I went through 5 of them even the one from purple computing....just a headache. just buy the pcmcia serial card....job done

There's no intrinsic reason why a PCMCIA card should work and a USB adapter shouldn't.

We might find that it comes down to drivers, versions of Windows (along with its USB and PCMCIA layers), etc. In such cases, we'll see problems with both types of interfaces.

You're not going to get that USB adapter to work in DOS though.

 

[SCPD]

What is a driver? If buy the two cables I would need to go from the PC USB port to my Pro 95, and download the software, I would still need a ?driver?.

The adapter should come with a diskette or CD with the necessary driver software. As previously said by others - some programs / radios will work with the driver / adapter combo - others won't.

-rick

 

[MacombMonitor]

I've have a socket serial I/O pc card for my laptop and it works just fine. Forget about those usb-serial cords... I went through 5 of them even the one from purple computing....just a headache. just buy the pcmcia serial card....job done

There's no intrinsic reason why a PCMCIA card should work and a USB adapter shouldn't.

We might find that it comes down to drivers, versions of Windows (along with its USB and PCMCIA layers), etc. In such cases, we'll see problems with both types of interfaces.

You're not going to get that USB adapter to work in DOS though.

Windows NT 4.0 does not support USB either.

 

[eyes00only]

The adapter should come with a diskette or CD with the necessary driver software. As previously said by others - some programs / radios will work with the driver / adapter combo - others won't.

-rick

Thanks Rick. I have my 95 90% done by hand, but may want to rearange it. I'm guessing $50 min. for the TWO cables that I will need. I'm going to do a little overtime at work so I can afford it.

Jerry

 

[Al42]

When I said borrow, I meant it.

When I put "borrow" in quotes, I meant that you don't usually return it after you finish using it. At best you just delete your copy.

 

[Al42]

OK, here's my daily stupid question. What is a driver?

Software these days is written to connect to generic hardware. The manufacturer provides a program that takes these generic commands and translates them for his particular hardware. That's a driver. You have one for your printer, one for your USB->serial converter, etc.

 

[eyes00only]

Software these days is written to connect to generic hardware. The manufacturer provides a program that takes these generic commands and translates them for his particular hardware. That's a driver. You have one for your printer, one for your USB->serial converter, etc.

THANKS

Jerry

 

[imcleish]

The only problem I have encountered using Generic USB to Serial convertors is wether or not WINDOWS will fully detect them when you plug them in to the computer. I have a COMPAQ laptop, and it is pretty good at loading the correct usb/serial drivers if the cable is plugged in on power up, if you plug it once poowered up you have to go into the device manager, uninstall the usb drivers(port and root hub), then scan for changes/new hardware, and this will detect it. If you are losing connectivity, check theat the power saving option has been unselected for your usb ports.

Just my experiences, and so far they are good.