I have an old laptop that I am trying to turn into a truck PC and I am trying to download from a Husky into the laptop.
The connection on the back of the Husky is a nine pin male and I have a nine pin male on the back of my desktop. I have a nine pin female, on both sides, cable that I use to download to my desktop, which works fine.
I do not have a nine pin male on the back of my laptop, but I do have four USB slots, as well as a few other slots.
When I run the downloading software on my laptop it tells me that it cannot find COMM PORT 1, but when I change the COMM Port to 2 it seems to be happy with itself.
This is an old XP machine and the download software is DOS based.
I need to figure out what port the software is identifying as COMM Port 2, which I am hoping is one of the four USB slots and then try to get a cable that would be a nine pin female on one side and a male USB on the other side. I have found one for about $30, but I am reluctant to buy it without knowing that I can make it work.
So if anyone has a way to determine which COMM port the software is identifying as COMM Port 2 or if they have been able to, or not, download a Husky through a USB slot I would offer them my gratitude.
It can be done. It's been four years since I've used this setup but I remember that when you install the usb adapter you can go into the device settings in XP and force the adapter to be a specific com port. Since you have a cable that works, if you can't find a usb serial adapter that has the correct gender port just use a gender changer with the existing cable you already have.
I am going to need a download cable for the field, so I don't have to tote a cable back and forth.
I think it has to be a null modem cable. Not sure if the box box electronic stores will have them, might have to go to a computer store and possibly have to order it or look on the internet.
First Assume You Have A 50/50 Chance
in getting a USB to COM working on any computer. Some converter are not hardwaare compatible some require you to go to the manufacturer's site for a different driver.
Years ago I went out of my way to find a laptop with a COM and LPT1 connection. That is much harder today.
In the interim I have set up other people's laptops, but there are no guarantees.
Stay away from the internet when buying. Local electronics stores are more agreeable at accepting a return. Buy an adaptor and an extra null modem cable. Once you get it working you want to keep that set connected to each other. Once you find the USB port that your laptop is happy with, never use it for anything else. Also pay attention to if your laptop needs to boot up with the adaptor already connected. If it does not work after trying all 4 USB ports with the adaptor plugged in or not go to the manufacturer's website for alternate drivers. With an internet purchase you may never know who the maker was.
Trial and error, yes, but well worth it.
Paul in PA
There are a lot of pitfalls when trying to get a DOS program to work in XP and recognize a USB to COM cable ... there is good advice above. The only thing I wanted to add is that, rather than buying a null modem cable, look for a null modem adapter that you can just stick on the end of the USB to COM cable. It will be a cleaner setup for field use.
Look online for a
Tripp Lite Model U209-000-R
I have used this with a Juniper, Husky, and some legacy GPS equipment. It has a lifetime warranty and there are drivers for most operating systems. I have used this same device on Dells and Lenovos with out any problems still works fine after ten years or so. Sometimes it won't want to let you assign it to COM1 but I just tell it to ignore conflicts and make it COM1 and so far it has not created any smoke. I just recently installed it on an S10 Ideapad to use as a datalogger. Works fine.
For your usb to serial converter, I recommend an iogear guc232a, which uses a real Prolific chip. I've had no problems with mine. When you plug it in, Windows may ask for drivers if it doesn't have them already. A disk should come with the converter. After plugging in and installing, go into the Control Panel/System/Device Manager. The converter will be found under Ports (COM & LPT) as a "ATEN USB to Serial Bridge (ComX)", where X is the com port your software will need to connect. If you plug into a different usb port, the com port will change.
Looks like about $25+ on Amazon.
The chip that this converter uses has been cloned by the Chinese and put into cheap converters. The original maker has changed the drivers to verify the legimate chip is being used or some such. The result is that if you buy a cheepie converter, it may not work, or may work at first but then stop.
A converter which uses a FTDI(?) chip should work too.
Look online for a
I use the same appliance and it works great. I have a Toshiba L670 laptop.
I will definitely second the buy a quality usb to serial adapter.
I bought one about 5 years ago, I think it may have come from the local computer store I bought my desktop from.
I tried two different usb adapters from ebay, and could never get them to work with my Compaq Vista laptop. I ended up buying one from Hayes Instruments,and it works flawlessly.
The null modem adapters/gender changers may be easier to find than a null modem cable. The above advice is correct. Once yo0u get the adapter installed, and the right cable combination, make sure to always plug the adapter into the same usb port.
I think I found one on Ebay with the drivers included. Is this what you are talking about?
That one should do it for you. The one I mentioned (Tripp Lite)is around $15 on Amazon and they list a null modem cable for around 6 bucks. I have ordered from the Adorama outfit before... I think I bought a printer from them, and they are a good internet retailer.
:good:
Be careful with these.... last one I purchased on eBay (not this seller) kept displaying an "error 11" message. It turned out to be a counterfeit...
I found one at Office Depot for about the same price... it works great.
I've used my laptop in the field many times. I run Windows 7 and an old transfer software program.
That's it!
I just loaded Windows 7 and the drivers were loaded automatically. For older computers, you might have to use a disk or download from iogear's site.
You have to rename the USB port to a COM Port. We have this problem with our old Trimble gear and that was how we beat the animal, but admittedly, I haven't had to fight it in 2 years so I can really remember. We too bought a nine pin to USB adapter.
Would that same setup with the adapter work getting a new printer with a USB, to work with a computer with a serial port.
John Harmon
I believe that is a one way street. If the computer has a network card you might try using a networked usb print server to connect them.
We had this problem with a DOS based downloader.
The DOS software only had COM 1 & COM 2 as available ports.
The USB was using ports higher than 2 because I think it detected that COM 1/2 were being used.
Tried also to rename the USB port to COM 1 or 2. Tried all combinations - No Go.
Just fired up an old Pentium machine running on Windows 2000 solely for use as the downloading PC. No other software to mess around with the settings.
