USB to Serial Adapters

[GJP46]

Hi

I want to connect my Psion Series 5, 5mx and Series 7 to my new laptop which only has USB connectors on it.

I understand I can achieve the desired connection using a USB to serial adapter.

However, I have picked up that not all of these adapters will necessarily work with the Psion range of PDAs.

Can anyone recommend a suitable adapter (type/manufacturer) which will be suitable and give me a reliable connection.

I am running Windows XP Home on my laptop and have PsiWin 2.3.3 all ready to install!

Many thanks in anticipation.

Graham

[Jim Cooke]

Since you're in the UK, the USB adapter carried by Clove is one that we know works. My experience is that the USB adapters made by Belkin also work.

[GJP46]

Originally posted by Jim Cooke
Since you're in the UK, the USB adapter carried by Clove is one that we know works. My experience is that the USB adapters made by Belkin also work.

Thanks Jim

I had considered the Clove cable, but it didn't specify XP drivers in the additional information, when I checked it out on their web site.

Do you know if it will still work with the XP OS?

Graham

[Jim Cooke]

Graham,

Since I don't have the Clove adapter, I really don't know about XP but I'm sure a UK user will chime in. I would be suprised if it didn't since almost everything made to work with USB is Win2K/XP compatible.

[MikeMcC]

I had considered the Clove cable, but it didn't specify XP drivers in the additional information, when I checked it out on their web site.

Do you know if it will still work with the XP OS?
Chris Love (hence the name Clove) is extremely helpful and I'm sure a quick phone call will keep you right.

0870 7270037

[GJP46]

Originally posted by MikeMcC
Chris Love (hence the name Clove) is extremely helpful and I'm sure a quick phone call will keep you right.

0870 7270037

Thanks for the advice.

In fact I was confused in my first reply, since it was the Proporta site I was thinking of and it was their adapter which didn't specify XP drivers.

When I checked the Clove site, they quite explicitly state XP drivers are included.

Thank you everyone

Graham

[dave99]

Dear all

I’m reviving this one, as I notice the last post was some time ago on this thread. Can anyone give me (and this forum) an idea of what you are currently using re: USB to serial connectors. I’ve been faithfully using the Clove unit, but they’ve just changed where they source their stock, and I can’t make the new design work at all. In fact I can’t make any design work! Setup is:

Win XP Pro
Toshiba Pro Laptop
Latest Psiwin
Netbook

Could do with some clues, if anyone has any. Been through the usual i.e. checking ports, reducing speed etc. Looking for inspiration!

DT

[pthwaite]

I bought the Clove one a while ago as I have a troublesome office laptop, DELL, that refuses to recognize the psion when connected to it via psiwin.

If you use hypertrminal and either the cable or IR you can communicate as if it was a dumb terminal but Psiwin will just not talk to it :-(

Anyway, I used the Clove USB/serial adapter and the Java program JPL2alpha with great success on it and all my other PCs, both XP and win98. Backing up and converting files with JPL2 is no problem but no Outlook syncing though there are ways around that.

So if all else fails, try the JP2 java prog on the PC (do search for JP2alpha to find it) and follow the guide. One other thing I found, was to connect the Psiwin cable and Psion after I had booted up and connected the USB adapter, otherwise it never worked if you connected it all up before.

Howard:confused:

[Jim Cooke]

For some reason, Dell laptops seem to be the most troublesome in getting a USB to serial adaptor to work. I think that Dell uses a slightly different implementation of the RS-232/TTL standard that causes many adaptors not to work. I've seen the same problem with older Palms. The Belkin F5U109 at http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=&Section_Id=200595&pcount=&Product_Id=109641&Section.Section_Path=%2F%2FRoot%2FPDA%2FConnectivi ty%2F is the one I've seen that seems to give consistent results with all PC's and Macs. I think it's a combination of how their DB9 cable is wired plus their wide driver selection that makes it more reliable. If the Clove unit doesn't work, give this Belkin product a try.

[dave99]

Jim

I've not trieds that one - many thanks!

DT

[dave99]

It worked! Thanks Jim

[Jim Cooke]

Glad to hear it, Dave. The Belkin adaptor is the only one I recommend for those of us in the US and particularly for Dell laptops. I've tried several other adaptors with Dell laptops and none of them worked so I'm sure there's something different about how Dell laptops emulate a serial port.

[stolkjo]

I have been using one from I-concepts works great.

John

[dave99]

DOHHHH!

The Blekin converter has suddenly stopped working. Tried re-installing...tried fiddling with various settings......

Most annoying, may try another brand!

Dave

[Jim Cooke]

Dave,

Take it back for an exchange. It may be something as simple as cold solder joint. I've still never found an adaptor that works as well as the Belkin.

[MickKi]

Hi All,

Would you perhaps know if the Belkin adaptor will work in Linux with plptools? Will it need any special configuration?

Any idea where I could buy a Belkin F5U109 in the UK?