Beginner needs to hook up USB -Serial to homework board
·It looks like everyone has about five years jump on me.· I just bought this and I'm working my way through the book.· But, I need to get it working on my laptop, which only has USB ports. So I paid $45.00 to get a USB-serial cable, thinking this would plug and play.· Nope.· Any instructions on this point anywhere I could find?
Thanks.
Terry
AttorneyGaines@aol.com
Thanks.
Terry
AttorneyGaines@aol.com
Comments
The Parallax USB-to-Serial converter costs $15 ($20 with cable), and it works.
www.parallax.com/Store/Accessories/CablesConverters/tabid/166/CategoryID/40/List/0/Level/a/ProductID/378/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName,ProductName
I've used that converter successfully with a whole bunch of different weird devices like Big Red Bee transmitters, Opentracker and TinyTrak ARPS units, and of course several different Parallax Stamp and Propeller units.
"Plug and Play" ... You do have to install the drivers from FTDI (on both FTDI and Parallax's websites). If you use just the default Windows drivers, some of the control lines needed for programming Stamps and Propellers may not work properly.
Unfortunately, the Belkin USB to Serial Adapters are known not to work with BASIC Stamp programming.· Parallax carries one that is compatible with all of our serial boards.·You can also buy one with the USB A to Mini-B cable included.·If you already have the latest version of the BASIC Stamp Editor downloaded and installed, the virtual com port drivers for Windows that you need should be in place already (unless you unchecked the box during installation).· I believe the RadioShack adapters work as well.
-Stephanie Lindsay
Editor, Parallax Inc.
Thanks again!
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