Com port problem re Silverlining and Dell D630

ghmerrill · Post by **ghmerrill** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 5:59 pm

I've recently switched laptops from a Thinkpad 42 to a Dell 630. On the Thinkpad, I used an async-to-usb cable and driver (Radio Shack) that connected through com 5 and worked without a hitch.

The Dell has an async port and so I thought it should be straightforward to just run a phone cable from my P&B 420e to that. But it won't connect via any of the com ports.

Any thoughts?

Snoreless · Post by **Snoreless** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 6:17 pm

Did you install the Driver in the Dell also?

ghmerrill · Post by **ghmerrill** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 6:22 pm

Well, since I'm trying to go direct from the RS232 port on the 420e to the RS232 port on the Dell, I don't think it should need a driver.

However, I just installed the USB-to-Serial driver and tried using the serial-to-USB cable that had worked on the Thinkpad. Same result: can't connect to the port (any port).

The Dell seems to be set up for the async port on com 5. But it doesn't seem to be working.

ghmerrill · Post by **ghmerrill** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 7:32 pm

Okay, I'm officially an idiot.

I was running a phone cord from the RS232 on the 420e to the RS232 port on the laptop. But of course, that porton the laptop is for the MODEM!

Once I ran the RS232/async cable to the actual async port, everything works.

Snoreless · Post by **Snoreless** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 12:50 am

Glad to see you finally figured it out.