Batboard

Has anyone tried to program a M5 with a "serial-less" laptop using the SIIG PCM/CIA to serial card yet? How about a USB-to-serial adapter?

This is the first time I've had a problem with the SIIG.

I've use the codi USB-to-Serial adapter with no problems.

I know guys that have used the SIIG single PCMCIA/serial card with no problems.

You will probably have better luck with a PCMCIA Serial Adapter than a USB/serial adapter. Working in the alarm business I have to connect to panels via RS232 and with my new laptop came no serial DB9 port. It was hit or miss with USB/to serial, once I picked up a PCMCIA Serial adapter I had no more problems it works with everything that I need it too. But as far as DOS your probably sunk.

SeanS

But it should be noted that the PCMCA/serial adapters only work reliably with software written for Windows 98 and up. I've heard of people having luck using them with DOS programs in a DOS window in Windows but they're not meant to work that way.

My Socket adaptor works great in DOS as well as Windows.

Splat wrote:But it should be noted that the PCMCA/serial adapters only work reliably with software written for Windows 98 and up.

Not completely true, although that statement is getting closer to reality. There are some manufacturers which still sell a true DOS compatible PCMCIA to Serial card. Quatech's SSP100 is one example, which I set up in 4 brand-new HP laptops last year to work in DOS (not a Window). It took a bit of 'tweaking', but they work perfectly...in both DOS & Windows. The same laptop with a Belkin USB to Serial adaptor managed to fry an HT1250 using the Windows CPS...not nearly stable enough in my books to program anything 'M' related.

Todd

Quatech's own site doesn't list DOS for supported OSes though. An associate of mine toasted his MT2000 using SIIG's PCMCIA/serial card, the same one I have, using a DOS window in WinXP. I tried the card in a DOS 6.22 environment and it didn't work. They used to have a DOS driver for it but they had lots of troubles with it so it's not offerred anymore. I don't want to buy anyone a new radio so my trusty 486 laptop does the DOS stuff.

Splat wrote:Quatech's own site doesn't list DOS for supported OSes though.

No, the site doesn't list it as they no longer offer "official support", but the CD comes with the necessary software driver & instructions to make it work. There's actually two different methods outlined. One relies on a 3rd party software package ($$), the other you just need a bit of DOS savvy. I went with option #2.

Splat wrote: An associate of mine toasted his MT2000 using SIIG's PCMCIA/serial card, the same one I have, using a DOS window in WinXP.

That would happen even with a true built-in COM port...nothing to do with the card at all. DOS Windows will kill your radio, plain & simple.

Todd

"That would happen even with a true built-in COM port...nothing to do with the card at all. DOS Windows will kill your radio, plain & simple."

You can program in a DOS window, though we all don't obviously recommend it, but there's a greater chance of a paperweight when using a dos window and the serial card(s). Because of my last job I am, or was , a DOS expert, but I'd rather not spend the time dicking around when my 486 is right here.

Splat wrote: You can program in a DOS window, though we all don't obviously recommend it, but there's a greater chance of a paperweight when using a dos window and the converter card(s).

You can play russian roulette with a pistol too, though we don't recommend it. The PCMCIA card is not a 'converter'...it taps into the PCI bus & brings out the serial port exactly the same way your 486 COM port does...there is no difference. It's the laptop equivalent to installing a COM port card into your desktop computer. Programming through a WinXP Command Prompt is simply not the right way to do things, that's why the radio smoked.

Todd

The only thing an NT console window and DOS have in common is the commands you use - you're not using DOS at all, you're still in Windows.

Windows NT (XP/2000 etc) has a fairly weak DOS emulator that kicks in when you run an old application, giving the illusion that you're in DOS.

Syntrx, this is getting wierd.... "The only thing an NT console window and DOS have in common is the commands you use - you're not using DOS at all, you're still in Windows." is exactly, word for word, what I said to someone a few weeks ago that started a whole argument about DOS and the whole Windows line. I try not to get into those conversations... no, seriously, I really do.

what you want to use is a PCMCIA RS232 adapter...you can get them with 1, 2, or 4 ports....these work, unlike USB to Serial cables with drivers....which don't work in many cases, like on my new dell 700m...but the card adapter does...