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RS232 Port in Vista Notebook

10/26/2008 11:25 PM

I bought a new notebook computer, ASUS F8S series with a Intel Duo T8100 chip. OS is Vista Premium. There were 5 UBS ports in the computer but no serial port RS232. I am doing some process control work which requires a RS232 port to download Mitsubishi PLC program into Mitsubishi PLC. Is there a software or hardware which can converst a UBS port into RS232 port that the notebook can recognize it?

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#1

Re: How to find/generate a RS232 port in Vista notebook

10/26/2008 11:36 PM

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3120513

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#2

Re: How to find/generate a RS232 port in Vista notebook

10/27/2008 4:22 AM

Hi jeahuatech,

Guest's suggestion in #1 is just one of many such products.

Google "USB RS232 converter"

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#3

Re: RS232 Port in Vista Notebook

10/27/2008 3:35 PM

Purchasing any converter check it out asap. Is there appropriate driver for Vista? Is it workable? I had an experience when data could have been transmitted in but couldn't out. Once installation done you have to be careful avoiding to touch pins of db9.

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#4
In reply to #3

Re: RS232 Port in Vista Notebook

10/27/2008 6:22 PM

Then again, for some reason I haven't yet fathomed, some of these thing are better than others (even tho' they seem to have the same specs).

I often have to carry my laptop around, & connect to A-B Micrologix 1500 PLCs. I use a USB - 4 port RS232 converter called ComHUB, from Rotronic Logistics. Usually it works, but I got stuck the other day - the software reported a comms error. I borrowed an Edgeport (USB - 4 port RS232 converter), and the connection worked fine. When they had to take it back, the connection using the ComHUB was again intermittent.

I've never had a problem using the ComHUB to communicate with Parker motor drives - I've even built one into one application, which has worked fine for about 9 months so far.

BTW The Edgeport costs about 8 x as much as the ComHUB.

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#5

Re: RS232 Port in Vista Notebook

10/28/2008 3:47 AM

hi,

I had the same problem when interfacing with various scada components, specifically GE, Mitsubishi, Omnitech, Hach, and Hatch products.

Unfortunately many of these new control devices utilize a rs232 or 484 connection. I used a usb-rs232 dongle available at my local computer store.

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#6

Re: RS232 Port in Vista Notebook

10/28/2008 5:03 AM

I must do the same conversion on my Windows Vista computer. I have purchased five different USB-to-Serial converters. I have only had luck with the Iomega and the Belkin brands. Note: my computer randomly selects a different COM port every time I boot up, so I must go to my Device Manager to determine which COM port (1-9) it is on that particular day. I am told that the port can be permanently assigned, but with Vista who knows what other problems you can cause by changing one setting.

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#7

Re: RS232 Port in Vista Notebook

10/28/2008 5:26 AM

I use "Cables Unlimited" USB2.0 to RS232 device, USB-2920.

www.cablesunlimited.com

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#8

Re: RS232 Port in Vista Notebook

10/28/2008 5:33 AM

For industrial applications you might want to look at B & B Electronics at www.bb-elec.com. I have never used their products but they have a very wide range of interfaces for industrial networking which look well engineered.

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#9

Re: RS232 Port in Vista Notebook

10/28/2008 7:54 AM

You may want to check out the fowlling website for a PCMCIA card from www.quatech.com P/N SSRPR-100 RS232 INTERFACE communication card this will give you a physical com port that the OS and software will see as a hardware device. Ther are other interface cards for communication requirements.

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#10

Re: RS232 Port in Vista Notebook

10/28/2008 9:30 AM

And do not be too annoyed as working USB-RS232 sometimes makes a funny things when you're playing lovely windows' card games :).

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#11

Re: RS232 Port in Vista Notebook

10/28/2008 1:33 PM
  • $9.95 USB to Serialwww.emtcompany.com/usb-to-serial USB to Serial Adapter Cable Free Shipping on All Orders!
  • Any number of locations are available just Google USB to serial converter
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#12

Re: RS232 Port in Vista Notebook

10/28/2008 3:58 PM

I have the same problem with the new laptop I have here at my company. We have purchased USB To Serial adapter and it also came with the software to use it as a serial port. I am sorry to say I have not yet gotten to test it as the machines have not been able to be shut down so i can attempt a new program upload.

I am also Using Mitsu software and uploading to a Mitsu fx2n plc.

Let me know if you have any luck and I will do the same.

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#13

Re: RS232 Port in Vista Notebook

10/28/2008 7:58 PM

I do contracted installs/replacements of POS terminals for a major retailer that I'll not mention. I have a bunch of cat6/rs232 cables that allow the IBM machines to connect to gigabit ethernet. Usually the store managers just want to keep the cabling inplace and tell us to "just get rid of them."

Being a struggling college student (in networking), the rule of thumb is never throw perfectly good cables (or any other usable tech)out! I asked my site suprvisor, he said keep 'em," so, I have a bunch of them. Since you only need to connect one end to RS232, one of these should do the trick for you (or, two, for a back-up).

I know there are USB/RS232 cables but they're usually expensive and since its a comm device, why not stick with a comm cable.

If you're in the US/Canada and willing to pay for an express mail pack I'll send you two, gratis.

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#14

Re: RS232 Port in Vista Notebook

10/28/2008 11:39 PM

I've just bought no brand converter. Its marked as HL-340 and it seems had been made in China. It works fine for me. I'm just programming the PLC without any problem.

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Anonymous Poster
#16
In reply to #14

Re: RS232 Port in Vista Notebook

11/22/2008 8:08 AM

can you upload the HL-340 driver?

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Anonymous Poster
#17
In reply to #16

Re: RS232 Port in Vista Notebook

02/03/2009 1:12 PM

se puede cargar en tu trasero¡

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Anonymous Poster
#15

Re: RS232 Port in Vista Notebook

10/28/2008 11:47 PM

USB to RS232 adaptors available in the market.

U can plug in play.

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