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#11
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Inspiron 531 serial port
Tim,
i think you're confused. the lots we are talking about pci or pci-e are inside the computer. you have to take the cover off. we are not talking about slots on the back of the computer where you plug things in... that would be way too easy. tim fm ct wrote: Jay, thanks for that kick in the pants to read the manual. I'd rather have a printed manual - - - I do read those. I don't see any small black slot, however. I found the slots on the bottom of the back of the tower. The top and bottom are used and the two middle ones are blank. With so many 9 pin connecters still around from older computer accessories, I wish Dell had provided a serial port for that. I wanted to use a USB to RS232 adapter but I can not find one. Even Belkin site did not have any. That why I started looking for other options. Problem is, I'm using all four of the USB ports in the back of the tower. I do have one in the front that I use for photo flash drives. Can I "split" one of the USB ports in the back of the tower? If so I wouldn't mind using a USB to RS232 adapter - - - If I can find one. Thanks Jay, I'm usually better at this stuff but going to vista is really throwing me off and then dealing with a new computer ugh!! Tim fm CT "Jay B" wrote in message ... start with the owners manual here. you should read it and get familiar with your computer. http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...n/OM/index.htm the pci-e 1x is the small black slot in your computer. tim fm ct wrote: Jay B, Thanks for your rapid reply. I am not familiar with what I'm doing. What is a pci-e 1x slot in my box? Is there a beginner Dell site? VBG Tim fm CT "Jay B" wrote in message ... i would add a serial pci-express card. your chance of getting it recognized by vista is much greater, and you'd get something that could use that otherwise useless pci-e 1x slot in your box. shouldn't be too hard to find on line. i ran in to a bunch of them the other day while looking for sata controllers. check out startech.com http://www.startech.com/Product/Item...&WCID=213&c=US call them if you have to find the right one for vista. once you find the right model, then search on google/ebay, etc havnt come across any readily available for vista but i'm sure you are not the first person to come into this problem, and you won't be the last. 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 |
#12
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Inspiron 531 serial port
and as far as spliting one of the usb ports,
yes... you need to get a usb hub... that will split into any number of ports. make sure it is powered. tim fm ct wrote: Jay, thanks for that kick in the pants to read the manual. I'd rather have a printed manual - - - I do read those. I don't see any small black slot, however. I found the slots on the bottom of the back of the tower. The top and bottom are used and the two middle ones are blank. With so many 9 pin connecters still around from older computer accessories, I wish Dell had provided a serial port for that. I wanted to use a USB to RS232 adapter but I can not find one. Even Belkin site did not have any. That why I started looking for other options. Problem is, I'm using all four of the USB ports in the back of the tower. I do have one in the front that I use for photo flash drives. Can I "split" one of the USB ports in the back of the tower? If so I wouldn't mind using a USB to RS232 adapter - - - If I can find one. Thanks Jay, I'm usually better at this stuff but going to vista is really throwing me off and then dealing with a new computer ugh!! Tim fm CT "Jay B" wrote in message ... start with the owners manual here. you should read it and get familiar with your computer. http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...n/OM/index.htm the pci-e 1x is the small black slot in your computer. tim fm ct wrote: Jay B, Thanks for your rapid reply. I am not familiar with what I'm doing. What is a pci-e 1x slot in my box? Is there a beginner Dell site? VBG Tim fm CT "Jay B" wrote in message ... i would add a serial pci-express card. your chance of getting it recognized by vista is much greater, and you'd get something that could use that otherwise useless pci-e 1x slot in your box. shouldn't be too hard to find on line. i ran in to a bunch of them the other day while looking for sata controllers. check out startech.com http://www.startech.com/Product/Item...&WCID=213&c=US call them if you have to find the right one for vista. once you find the right model, then search on google/ebay, etc havnt come across any readily available for vista but i'm sure you are not the first person to come into this problem, and you won't be the last. 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 |
#13
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Inspiron 531 serial port
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 |
#14
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Inspiron 531 serial port
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 paul makes a great point here... why not just get the more updated version of the activehome adapter for the pc. the new one are usb based instead of serial based. there is also a new version of the pc software which suggests to me that your old software might have problems with vista... i suggest that you talk to x10 to see if you get the new usb active home connector and software if it is both compatible with windows and with your other old active home devices. this would be the best solution, and would not require you to open the case to install that card i previously suggested. good luck. |
#15
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Inspiron 531 serial port
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 |
#16
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Inspiron 531 serial port
Christopher,
Seeing you're the 2nd person to mention x10, I think I have info that will be helpful. Yes, there is a "new" Activehome automation program. It's called Avtivehome Pro. However, it is not 100%Vista compatible - - Now this is where it really gets confusing. X10.com has the new Activhome software and it is called ActiveHome Pro. Like you said, it is a USB program but is not 100% Vista compatible. Please note that there is another company called X10pro.com Separate company, separate web site IE: X10pro.com They do NOT have the ActiveHome Pro software. They use the ActiveHome software and it does work with Vista. They also have tech support that actually talks to customers. If you go to the two sights, you will see a SIGNIFICANT difference in priorities. X10.com lots of glitz and noise. X10pro.com, no glitz or noise- - - lot's of professional tech and product information. Hope you find this helpful. Tim fm CT "Christopher Muto" wrote in message ... 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 paul makes a great point here... why not just get the more updated version of the activehome adapter for the pc. the new one are usb based instead of serial based. there is also a new version of the pc software which suggests to me that your old software might have problems with vista... i suggest that you talk to x10 to see if you get the new usb active home connector and software if it is both compatible with windows and with your other old active home devices. this would be the best solution, and would not require you to open the case to install that card i previously suggested. good luck. |
#17
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Inspiron 531 serial port
Jay B,
Yup, I think that's the way I'm going to go. Thank you. I'll check into the powered usb hub. Thanks again. Tim fm CT "Jay B" wrote in message ... and as far as spliting one of the usb ports, yes... you need to get a usb hub... that will split into any number of ports. make sure it is powered. tim fm ct wrote: Jay, thanks for that kick in the pants to read the manual. I'd rather have a printed manual - - - I do read those. I don't see any small black slot, however. I found the slots on the bottom of the back of the tower. The top and bottom are used and the two middle ones are blank. With so many 9 pin connecters still around from older computer accessories, I wish Dell had provided a serial port for that. I wanted to use a USB to RS232 adapter but I can not find one. Even Belkin site did not have any. That why I started looking for other options. Problem is, I'm using all four of the USB ports in the back of the tower. I do have one in the front that I use for photo flash drives. Can I "split" one of the USB ports in the back of the tower? If so I wouldn't mind using a USB to RS232 adapter - - - If I can find one. Thanks Jay, I'm usually better at this stuff but going to vista is really throwing me off and then dealing with a new computer ugh!! Tim fm CT "Jay B" wrote in message ... start with the owners manual here. you should read it and get familiar with your computer. http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...n/OM/index.htm the pci-e 1x is the small black slot in your computer. tim fm ct wrote: Jay B, Thanks for your rapid reply. I am not familiar with what I'm doing. What is a pci-e 1x slot in my box? Is there a beginner Dell site? VBG Tim fm CT "Jay B" wrote in message ... i would add a serial pci-express card. your chance of getting it recognized by vista is much greater, and you'd get something that could use that otherwise useless pci-e 1x slot in your box. shouldn't be too hard to find on line. i ran in to a bunch of them the other day while looking for sata controllers. check out startech.com http://www.startech.com/Product/Item...&WCID=213&c=US call them if you have to find the right one for vista. once you find the right model, then search on google/ebay, etc havnt come across any readily available for vista but i'm sure you are not the first person to come into this problem, and you won't be the last. 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 |
#18
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Inspiron 531 serial port
it's belkin not bilkin. they used to make a usb to serial cable model
f5u409 but don't anymore. you can still find it on buy.com or overstock.com for about $30 however, it does not explicitly state that it works with vista. i have used tons of them, but never with vista. so it seems a better bet to go with my original suggestion to get the pci card to install inside of your computer to provide a nine pin serial port. here is the cable found on belkins site. http://www.belkin.com/support/produc...=en&pid=F5U409 "tim fm ct" wrote in message . .. 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 |
#19
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Inspiron 531 serial port
Hello Christopher etal,
I finally found the Belkin USB to RS232 adapter AND the correct driver for vista. I plug it into a USB port I found right on the front of the tower. All is well - - X10 is working.. A hardy thanks to all of you for your help.. Tim fm CT PS man, I do not like MS Vista. Since it's the OS of the time, I'm using it. Hopefully, it will get better. "Christopher Muto" wrote in message ... it's belkin not bilkin. they used to make a usb to serial cable model f5u409 but don't anymore. you can still find it on buy.com or overstock.com for about $30 however, it does not explicitly state that it works with vista. i have used tons of them, but never with vista. so it seems a better bet to go with my original suggestion to get the pci card to install inside of your computer to provide a nine pin serial port. here is the cable found on belkins site. http://www.belkin.com/support/produc...=en&pid=F5U409 "tim fm ct" wrote in message . .. 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 |
#20
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RE" Inspiron 531 serial port
"Tom Scales" wrote in message news:320FD73496944508A978C36A870DA7BE@M2010... -----Original Message----- From: tim fm ct ] Posted At: Wednesday, November 21, 2007 7:56 PM Posted To: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell Conversation: Inspiron 531 serial port Subject: Inspiron 531 serial port 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 Tim, I don't know what software you're using, but go to smarthome.com and look at the Powerlinc USB controller. Solves the problem since it is USB and is very powerful. I don't know if it is compatible with what you're running, but it works great for me Thank you, Tom, I've got mine working again. BTW, I did try smarthome homecontrol before and the programming part was difficult for my level of "expertise". Thanks again, Tim fm CT |
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