WTB: Working Laptop with DB9 serial port.... - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: jsantoro
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2019, 06:51:28 pm
content: Don't really care what OS, but Windows XP or older would be ideal. I need to run some old DOS programs that wont work with a USB-serial adapter.Thanks,Jim

author: Bicurico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2019, 07:13:14 pm
content: If you are at it, why not get a laptop that has a parallel port, too?Regards,Vitor

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2019, 07:54:54 pm
content: Quote from: Bicurico on June 27, 2019, 07:13:14 pmThe IBM T42 / T43 had a serial port on their docking stations - and yes, they were the last IBM / Lenovo laptops to feature a parallel port!Both laptop and docking station are cheap on ebay these days. They have Windows XP Pro COA. Pentium M, max RAM 2GB (PC2700), IDE HDD.I keep a T42 hanging around for just such purposes.

author: Bicurico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2019, 08:00:26 pm
content: I think that jsantoro wants to be able to run DOS/Win9x/WinNT and have direct access to RS232 (and per my suggestion LPT).There are JTAG flashing tools that only work with parallel port, the advantage being that such interfaces can be soldered together with a few resistors.Also, many professional equipment can be upgraded on bootloader level through RS232, but these often require more than just the RX/TX/GND lines, which is why SOME USB/RS232 adapters won't work. The main problem with the USB/RS232 adapters, however, is that they require Windows 8/10 drivers and won't work on DOS/Win9x/WinNT, which renders such adapters useless.You MIGHT want to try VirtualBox and sending the RS232 of the host (can be a USB/RS232 adapter) inside the virtual machine! That does surprisingly work well quite often.But for repair/flashing I still keep my HP Omnibook XE3. Why don't you try eBay for this? It can run up to Windows XP, has physical RS2323 and parallel port. I looked and found a few. I think that a purchase at around 50 Euro is possible.Regards,Vitor

author: DIPLover
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2019, 08:14:17 pm
content: Quote from: Gyro on June 27, 2019, 07:54:54 pmMy T60 also has both serial and parallel ports on its docking station.

author: boffin
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 27, 2019, 08:16:20 pm
content: Quote from: jsantoro on June 27, 2019, 06:51:28 pmThe part number you're looking for is DE9. DB shells are the size for 25 pin connectors such as DB25, and DE shells are the size of 9 pin (2 row) and 15 pin (3 row like VGA) connectors.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2019, 08:41:18 pm
content: Quote from: Bicurico on June 27, 2019, 08:00:26 pmThey are 'proper' traditional Serial and LPT ports, just both on the dock in the case of the T60, and serial on the dock and parallel on both dock and laptop in the case of the T42. You could run DOS or Win98 on either.

author: L_Euler
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2019, 08:42:08 pm
content: I'm giving away two SBCs with serial ports. See my 'free stuff' posts.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2019, 09:31:46 pm
content: @ L_Euler pm'd you

author: legacy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2019, 10:44:08 pm
content: IBM T23?

author: jsantoro
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2019, 12:23:37 am
content: Thanks Folks,Bicurico is correct. I need HW access to the serial port. I use an old Needham's SA-20 eprom programmer to burn proms for Studer tape machines that I service. My old laptop was stolen out of my car. (probably thought it was worth something). I keep .BIN and .HEX files on PC and send to programmer via serial program. I've tried VMware WS and Virtualbox, which typically work for me very well, and while I can get them to communicate from cmd applications like Putty, they drop bits sending a files from and to.L-Euler, that SBC would have been great but it didn't last too long. :-)Another forum member PM'd me with a laptop he will sell me. No LTP but oh well can't have everything. I will probably go with that.Regards,Jim

author: legacy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2019, 12:43:58 am
content: Or check eBay/similar for an IBM T23. It's a good machine with both LPT and serial port. It's a Pentium3.

author: jsantoro
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2019, 12:57:10 am
content: Legacy, I did check for them when you mentioned it, but slim pickings right now so bird in hand...

author: Bicurico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2019, 07:50:47 am
content: Quote from: Gyro on June 27, 2019, 08:41:18 pmHello Gyro,I am sorry - my post was actually replying to the one above yours, from blueskull. The forum system alterted me that a new post was published when I was going to submit mine, but I was too lazy to read it and thought it would be clear anyway.Now I do agree that it somehow looks as if I am replying to your post.IBM laptops are great and I have nothing against then, nor did I meant to imply that the docking station would not provide propper COM and LPT ports.Cheers,Vitor

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2019, 09:08:45 am
content: No worries Vitor.Chris

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 28, 2019, 02:52:36 pm
content: Dell Lattitude D610 has serial and parallel ports. Not too expensive on evilBay. Too bad you didn't post this a week ago. I scrapped a company D610 and docking station last Saturday. Had power supplies for both. You would have just needed to get a hard drive. I would have sent it for cost of shipping.

author: jsantoro
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2019, 03:16:04 pm
content: Thanks GreyWoolfe,I did end up getting one from a member here.