I got my OXF0rd PCMCIA RS232 15mpbs card today.
it is a model: QX16CF950 High perf. serial card.
i plug it into my DELL LT. PPX lattitue C family. CPX on lid.
500mhz Pentium III
The std. com1 port that does NOT work on this LT is:
"Intel 82371AB/EB PCI TO ISA BRIDGE. " <<<< never works ( have 3 at work)
To free up as many interrupts as possbile ( best for serial coms IMHO , I do:)
I Enter Bios, I disable , Com1, Inrfrared Data port , disable.
I disable the parallel port and the floppy. <<< they are useless today , right?
I install the Oxford \95x , serial driver ,using PNP XP engine. ignore certificate error.
I enter the device manager and look at View resources by connection.
and make sure nothing contends with the interrupt assigned to my oxford PCMIA.
in my case my Dell sets it to Interupt 7 isa "compact flash com4"
I then go to Device manager and select Com ports and properties,
I see the "CUSTOM Oxford menu's" , very powerful it is.
I can even run non-standard clocks or prescalers !!! Up to 15mpbs rate serially.
I do not, i just change the baud to 115.2k and save.
it runs solid as a rock ! loaded beta 5 times in 2 days.
I set the Megatune to COM4 and 115.2k baud and MSExtra Downloads over and over from
the batch file.
DO NOT USE THE GUI version of Download, read the MT/extra manual , it explains that.
that is my report.
signed: offtrack.
------------------------ next----------------------------------------
next will be the testing of the USB high performance adaptor
Breakout Board for CP2102 USB to Serial,SKU#: BOB-00198,Price: $21.95
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/produc ... cts_id=198
it runs up to 1mbps.
the key is , fast accurate clock and a short com cable.
conclusion, many legacy Laptops are hardware is not up to snuff.
if you have problems.
try a real desktop.
load a framing error detector driver and monitor the COMx card for errors.
if you see them , it will NEVER work correctly.
use a PCMCIA like above
use a USB converter that is rated at or above 1mbps bit rate.
Last: keep in mind , many PC's are only rated to 20kbps, max <<<< believe it !
got my PCcard 232 on ebay. from.
colordrives.com (in calif. 91748) they sell direct too.
anyquestions, email me at , offtrack (at) live (dot) com.
BTW: i have access to a protocol analysis (HP). so, this is easy for me. [ i cheat }
Cheers.