USB to Serial for Greywolf

[checkitout]

I am planning to use the old Laptop from the missus as a Grey Wolf Server however it does not have a serial port that I can plug my phoenix reader into.

Was wondering if anyone has any feedback in regards to using a USB to Serial converter to do the job.

I am sure this has been done before but I would really appreciate any feedback especially where there might be problems and what I might need to "keep clear" from.

Will probably pick up a USB to serial converter tomorrow.

Thanks in advance.

[warbo]

Will probably pick up a USB to serial converter tomorrow.

Thanks in advance.

Just make sure you can take it back if you need to. I have found a lot of usb to serial converters are rubbish. So if it doesn't work for you don't assume it's GW that's the problem.

[LeroyPatrol]

I've had reasonble success with them but did find that they don't work with every application (relating to the hobby) for some reason. So as above said, make sure you can take it back if need be. Also the laptop can't be that old if it doesn't have a serial port!

Leroy

[z80]

I tried even virtual com ports and it was fine.

[jasoni]

I find the best thing to use in this example is a PCMCIA card that has a DB9 serial connector on it. Those USB to serials are way too temperamental for me. This is assuming your laptop has an available PCMCIA slot.

[Decapper]

I have bought two of them off ebay.. No success but some other apps do work.

[fandtm666]

i have
1 x usb (aten uc-232a)

1 x 1 port pcmcia ( just says serial IO card )

1 x 2 port pcmcia ( ritmo )

that i have bought of ebay and all work perfectly with all software

[z80]

you can use a bf430 to connect a serial smart card reader if you dont have a serial port, just use the vsport utility.

I have done it even over the net and it works perfectly.

[Decapper]

Or you could buy a usb card reader

[fandtm666]

Or you could buy a usb card reader

give me a true rs232 card reader over usb card reader any day.To many applications have issues with usb one's .


The only reason i purchased a usb to serial cable was for testing purpose's same as the pcmcia cards as i have 3 different programmers here and all are rs232 and none have ever had issues ,i especially like my sc-master dragon it even allows me to clone a fun and gold card without the need of a pc.

So if some one asked me what the should do i would recommend a cheap ass jaycar and the aten usb - rs232

[Jaz808]

The Belkin F5U103 works with card readers/writers

F5U103




This should work being its a newer version

F5U103vea

[Jaz808]

Sorry for the double post, but i could not edit above post (15 min limit)

The Belkin F5U103 works with card readers/writers, i have one

F5U103




This should work being its a newer version

F5U103vea



The old white Prolific usb-serial didnt work, not sure about the newer blue versions
The white oval shaped prolific wouldnt work on any thing, the white square version worked on gps's and pda's but Not with Elvis or Phenoix writers

After a quick search there is a hell of a lot more nowadays than there was 5 years ago. that might work

[z80]

usb will use power that the dm500s has very little of.

don't be surprised if it dont work.

usb devices can draw 600ma easily.

[checkitout]

I bought a USB to serial converter this afternoon from Centrecom ($15) and it works fine.

Doing some testing using Greywolf and different DM500 images to see what I like for the long term.

Thanks to all who provided feedback.

[jonc]

Will probably pick up a USB to serial converter tomorrow.

Thanks in advance.

If you are getting a new usb/serial adaptor today, then make sure you get an "ATEN" usb to serial adaptor (for Wintel or *nix).

This brand is seamless to all PC / *nix based applications (which is critical) as many others do not do proper serial emulation. It can be configured to all free serial ports which is a must as well on their normal IRQ's

(EDIT: opps should have read the thread before posting this)

[jonc]

usb will use power that the dm500s has very little of.

don't be surprised if it dont work.

usb devices can draw 600ma easily.

Surely in this case (usb serial emulation) the USB device is powered from the PC not the DM500 right?

As the usb serial emulation is not being powered by the DM500 serial port. If that was the case it would fail before it even started as the PC would have no usb serial emulation for it applications and report as such.

[z80]

okay...I thought this was the dreambox forum and he was trying to connect an external usb reader... ???


perhaps thread should be moved.....

[jonc]

okay...I thought this was the dreambox forum and he was trying to connect an external usb reader... ???

Old age does this to us all

perhaps thread should be moved.....

I propose a new sticky the mis-understood-the-question-again thread, as I am just as guilty of this too

[z80]