Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Fairfax Station, VA
Posts: 17

Don't know if this is even possible, but can you get a splitter for the serial port...i.e. a connector that would allow two serial devices/cables to attach to one serial port?

At work I have Win NT and a lap top computer in a docking station with only a single serial connector. We have a LAN which uses the serial port and I have to remove the LAN cable and attach the serial cradle cable each time I want to HotSync the Visor.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 52

Yes its possbile, but go with a serial A/B switch instead. The stipulation being that the serial can't be in use at the time. Also, you have to make sure whatever application it is, it doesn't take control for the comm port. If it does, you'll need to shutdown that application.

I'm not sure why you have a LAN connection on your Serial Port. It normally shouldn't be, unless you're doing SLIP.. but thats very unusal to do that. So, when you swith it over, whatever that connection is, you will loose that connection. I'm thinking its more a serial tty connection, if it is, make sure the Admin doesn't get mad at you when the getty respawns too rapidly.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: "Children are a gift from God, they are a reward"
Posts: 1049

dumbuser, I am in a similar situation with my lame home computer(need to share serial w/ other device, but not at same time). Are there serial A/B switches that are 9 pin? I've only seen 25 pin- which I would have to add 9 to 25 converting sockets to (I am an artist by trade so don't be too hard on me if I don't use the right terminology). I'm also kinda in the boondocks too, so the places I've had to look in (Staples, Office Max, Best Buy) aren't exactly known for their choices in tech stuff.
Thanks for any help!
Michael

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 52

Yup! http://www.belkin.com/products/prod...dataswitch.html

You can find them online from your favorite online store. I noticed they had Auto Switches too, but you'll have to make sure that whatever you're using asserts DTR (Data Terminal Ready), I think that's how the Auto Switches work.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 12

I've had a lot of trouble with my home pc (no USB) and can't sync there. Someone told me it's impossible to use one device on a serial port, then use that port for another device. True?

Would it be tricky to install one of those serial cards with two ports? I'd also like to install a card with a couple of extra parallel ports for a scanner so it wouldn't be going through my printer. I know the very basics (can recognize the motherboard and the slots etc when I take off the cover, have installed memory chips, messed with jumper switches)--I think I might be able to do it. Have started wondering if it wouldn't be more cost effective to just buy a new pc, but not able to do that just now.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 52

quote:

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Originally posted by ggrozier:
I've had a lot of trouble with my home pc (no USB) and can't sync there. Someone told me it's impossible to use one device on a serial port, then use that port for another device. True?

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Registered: Dec 1999
Location: "Children are a gift from God, they are a reward"
Posts: 1049

Thanks dumbuser!