Yes, I have. Interestingly x10.com is the glitzy, service is not a high
priority site. x10pro.com is the site where the service is. Different group
completely. Very supportive. Anyway, they mentioned the USB to RS232 adapter
cable. It is very difficult to find where I live. I'll contact Bilkin again
today.
Tim fm CT

wrote in message
...
On Nov 21, 4:56 pm, "tim fm ct" wrote:
Hi,
I've recently purchased a Dell Inspiron 531 and I like it. However,
it
uses MS vista and it doesn't have serial ports. I use X10 Activehome to
control lights in our home and the computer interface uses a 9 pin
connector. The USB to RS232 adapter cable, I purchased, will not work
because Vista can not find a driver for it. I contacted Bilkin, and they
do
not have 9 pin adapter cable right now.
I called Dell to see about adding a serial port. I'm sad to say the
support
was not so good.
All they had was an adapter for $75 that would take up one of the USB
ports.
I've found serial ports on Dell site for less than $40. Problem is, I
don't
know if they will be appropriate for the 531 and I really don't want to
deal
with the Dell support system.
Can anyone advise me about this?
Thanks in advance,
Tim fm CT

Have you asked X10 about this? Their site is..... spammy, but it looks
real, and they do also host some community-support forums.

http://www.x10.com/homepage.htm