USB or Serial

doggington

Just a quick Question,

I have built a machine that transplants plants from one type of tray to another. In order to change trays I have to reprogram two BS2 controllers. This I have done from My Laptop for several years. Sadly this laptop has died from lack of care etc. As most new laptops dont have serial ports, do i need to find an old one that does or can I use the usb port in some way.

stamptrol

You'll just have to get a usb-serial converter for your new laptop.

The one on the Parallax store is highly recommended as it supports all the signals necessary for Stamp programming.

Alternatively, get a surplus laptop from e-bay or a local office equipment firm. I still have a couple of Win95 machines on the go to support some older projects.

Cheers,

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Tom Sisk

http://www.siskconsult.com
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sylvie369

Get yourself the Parallax USB-Serial converter. It works. I'm using it with Stamps, but also with various ham radio devices (APRS transmitters) and rocketry devices (recording altimeters). It does what it is supposed to.

Be sure to load the FTDI drivers before you plug in the cable.

Whit

This is what folks are talking about -

http://www.parallax.com/Store/Microcontrollers/BASICStampModules/tabid/134/List/1/catpageindex/2/ProductID/378/Default.aspx?txtSearch=serial+to+usb&SortField=ProductName%2cProductName

The new drivers can be downloaded on the same page. This is are really handy and work great for the transition you are facing. Be sure to get a USB A to mini B cable (#805-00006) (or the spiffy USB A to Mini B Retractable Cable, which is a little cheaper) if you don't have one already!

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Whit+


"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney

Post Edited (Whit) : 8/31/2008 5:01:49 PM GMT