Re: No Serial Ports on Notebooks

[Matt Ion <soundy106@xxxxxxxxx>]

Mark Leuck wrote:
> "Randy Mass" <randy@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:138jav3sd9o9i88@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> Hello All,
>>
>> I don't imagine that I'm the first to realize that most new notebooks
>> arrive lacking a standard rs232 port.
>>
>> I've tried usb to rs232 converters with very limited amounts of success
>> (they definately don't like legacy software, if they sniiff DOS walking
>> across the street three blocks away they just have a fit).
>>
>> Some manufacturers will provide a notebook with serial ports but you
>> usually have to buy a model that's far above (in price) their mainstream
>> models.
>>
>> I've done a little research and I believe a pcmcia card with a serial
>> port should function like a normal serial port. Most seem to advertise a
>> 16550 serial chip on the pci bus, just like if it was onboard.
>>
>> Anyone else run into this and already slain a dragon that I'm now facing??
>>
>> Thanks
>> Randy
>
> See if a docking station will work, they usually have those ports and aren't
> too bulky

That's an idea... sometimes also known as a "port replicator".  Most
will be specific to your model of laptop, but there are some
USB-connected versions that may work as well.

The PCCard version should work more like a "real" port, though.