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Serial Port replacement card

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bettablue

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Feb 21, 2011
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Eugene, OR
I have one card coming in for my 5150, (Jimmy is sending for me) but I also have a Compaq Portable 1 that I want to add a dual 9 pin serial port card into as well. I found one that looks great: http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-...ISA2S550/dp/B00006B8C4/ref=reg_hu-rd_add_1_dp :p

The product description states:


  • Built-in jumpers allow easy configuration to any free IRQ
  • Data transfer rates of up to 460.8 Kbits/sec. for peak serial device performance
  • Easy to install and use with full step-by-step instructions
  • Includes drivers for Windows 3.1, 95, 98, NT4, NT5
  • Supports COM1-COM7 and IRQ 3,4,5,9,10,11,12,15 settings for each port
  • Full jumper set to ensure compatibility with almost any PC system
  • Supports the RS-232 interface


As you can see, there is no mention of using the card on a computer running any version of DOS. So, is this card compatible with the IBM 5150/Compaq Portable? I'm also just waiting for A dual 9 pin serial port card that Jimmy is sending along with other items. I will be working with ole juul (hopefully) to get Jimmy's card installed into the expansion and configured to work with my 5150. But at the same time, I also need the Compaq Portable to have the same basic type of card so I can run a direct serial to serial connection between it and my PC. From what I can tell, this should work. But to be honest; I'm not sure.

:medic:
​

After all, it does "look" like an 8 bit card. I've seen others that obviously weren't.

If we can get these dual serial port cards working properly, My 5150 system will be complete, and the Compaq Portable will be one step closer to being ready to work with the IBM (I'll be ordering the parts to repair the Compaq Portable's keyboard in the next week or so too.)

I would like your opinion.
:chat:
 
bettablue said:
But at the same time, I also need the Compaq Portable to have the same basic type of card so I can run a direct serial to serial connection between it and my PC.
Click to expand...
If this is for file transfer between machines you might want to consider that parallel transfer is way faster than serial transfer.
 
I just had a look on the startech.com site, and it states it's a 16 bit card

Malc
 
Well, that solves that. The parallel option won't work for me because of the setup I have. Both parallel ports on my 5150 are currently being used. There is one available on the Compaq Portable though. So have any of you used a single parallel connection for multiple devices or functions?
 
Depends which multiple function/devices. A parallel port, will for example, run a Microsolutions Backpack drive and a printer. For more than one non-printer device, all you can do is try because there was no published standard for use of non-printer devices on a parallel port. I believe that the 5150 (and later) BIOS supports up to 3 parallel port adapters.
 
You can use a pass-through for some devices effectively using one parallel port for two external devices. Seriously, you don't have to print and transfer files simultaneously, do you? :)
 
Chuck(G) said:
...and there's always the AB... switchbox. There are some still floating around.
Click to expand...

I use one. It's a simple and foolproof solution to a lot of stuff. In my case, it's a two position with printer on one, and interlnk cable on the other. Another configuration I've used in the past is putting the interlnk cable on the input and using the switch to select other computers. You can actually set up a pretty effective mini LAN that way.

I recently discovered that the same old boxes are still available, and they're quite cheap. Here's my supplier of choice for cables and the like: Monoprice.com - Data Switches - Manual

Edit: Stone beat me to the post. Get one from him then. :)
 
bettablue said:
I have one card coming in for my 5150, (Jimmy is sending for me) but I also have a Compaq Portable 1 that I want to add a dual 9 pin serial port card into as well. I found one that looks great: http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-...ISA2S550/dp/B00006B8C4/ref=reg_hu-rd_add_1_dp :p

The product description states:


  • Built-in jumpers allow easy configuration to any free IRQ
  • Data transfer rates of up to 460.8 Kbits/sec. for peak serial device performance
  • Easy to install and use with full step-by-step instructions
  • Includes drivers for Windows 3.1, 95, 98, NT4, NT5
  • Supports COM1-COM7 and IRQ 3,4,5,9,10,11,12,15 settings for each port
  • Full jumper set to ensure compatibility with almost any PC system
  • Supports the RS-232 interface


As you can see, there is no mention of using the card on a computer running any version of DOS. So, is this card compatible with the IBM 5150/Compaq Portable?
Click to expand...

GregLi used that card when he developed the virtual serial drive feature in XTIDE Universal BIOS (which is why it's mentioned here) so it is definitely compatible.
 
Krille said:
GregLi used that card when he developed the virtual serial drive feature in XTIDE Universal BIOS (which is why it's mentioned here) so it is definitely compatible.
Click to expand...

http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-...ISA2S550/dp/B00006B8C4/ref=reg_hu-rd_add_1_dp

OK, I thought this might work in either ov my two PCs, because it appeares to fit into the 8 bit ISA bus. To be a bit paranoid, after reading the article you refer to, I may just buy one and try it. At least with Amazon, we can return it for a full refund if it's not compatible with my system.

The only thing is that really, I'm nowhere closer to an answer than I was when I posted this question. I've had someone tell me no way, because it's a 16 bit card, but then we have an article explaining its use with the XTIDE. So, I'm still left with the same choices. Either try it, or go with the parallel port option. Being that I'm kinda stubborn, and really want to go with my original plans with the serial port card in my expansion unit, and the same basic setup in the Compaq Portable, I'm going to try it and see what happens.

Either way, I'll be running the Snooper program ole juul sent me on both systems, to see what's working and what isn't. I may have to go back into the 5150, and the Compaq to reset everything back to the defaults for their original setups, and add/change IRQ's as I install different pieces of hardware.

I admit, that's a drastic move, but it may be the only way to really get to the bottom of some of the device issues I'm experiencing with both machines. (Honestly though; there aren't that many, just the serial ports that I know of, as of right now.) The nice thing about buying this card new is that it comes with all of the instructions for installing and configuring it in the system.

That's where I'm headed. The card I get from Jimmy will be added to my 5150 when it arrives, and the new one from Amazon will be installed into the Compaq. At least that's the plan. Then I'll be able to connect both the 5150 and the Compaq to my Tweener via one serial port, and run a mouse off the other. Since the tweener only has one parallel port, that will definitely simplify my entire vintage computer setup in my computer room.

I want to thank all of you for your input.

Also, I hope all of you had a great Holiday Season and wish you a very happy, and safe, new year!
 
I ordered the replacement today through Amazon.com. Since it's a new card, I'll have the instructions for setting the jumpers and switches properly. I'll keep you all informed when it comes in and I try it out.
 
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