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Conference giadev::decstation

Title:DECstation PC Conference
Notice:register note 2, see notes 3 & 4
Moderator:TARKIN::LININD
Created:Tue Jan 10 1989
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:7470
Total number of notes:34994

2784.0. "multiple serial ports" by PCOJCT::YOUNG () Tue Sep 15 1992 18:27

T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
2784.1Look outside of DigitalIGNATZ::JUDDEvery platform in the Known UniverseTue Sep 15 1992 23:3012
2784.2happy endingPCOJCT::YOUNGFri Sep 18 1992 19:1416
2784.3glad to be of assistance :-)IGNATZ::JUDDEvery platform in the Known UniverseSat Sep 19 1992 15:021
2784.4450ST serial portsNUBOAT::HEBERTCaptain BlighWed Apr 23 1997 19:0515
My DECpc has two serial ports. One (COM2) is occupied by my internal
modem board.

I need to connect to the other serial port, to interface with a new
amateur radio rig. The radio's port characteristics are 9600 baud, 2 stop
bits, and so forth. So I went into Control Panel, Ports, and set COM1 to
the required parameters. I connected the correct cable (it came with the
radio) to the external comm port connector on the back of the PC, but I
can't seem to make anything work. 

Do I have to disable the modem somehow?

Thanks,

Art
2784.5PCBUOA::KRATZWed Apr 23 1997 20:257
    Usually anything faster than a pigeon takes 1 stop bit, not 2
    (but that probably isn't the problem).  Is there a way you can
    verify the COM1 port is working in a simpler environment?
    (say, hook up a serial mouse, and/or a serial mouse having booted
    with just a DOS diskette and mouse driver).
    K
    
2784.6Not so intuitive: use the printer portNUBOAT::HEBERTCaptain BlighThu Apr 24 1997 13:0126
Well, I answered my own question last night. For the possible benefit of
other, here's the fix - and explanation.

The back of the DECpc 450ST has (among others) three connectors:

        9-pin D with two arrows drawn over it; manual describes it as
        "Serial Comm Port"
        
        9-pin D with a printer drawn over it; manual describes it as 
        "Serial Printer Port"
        
        25-pin D Parallel Printer Port
        
I've been trying to make the "Serial Comm Port" talk to my radio. Last
night out of desperation I connected to the Serial Printer Port and my
radio software took off. (9600 baud, 2 stop bits, no parity was
previously set up for COM1 per the radio specs.)

I was able to program my new ham rig in no time at all. Much better than
pressing several microphone buttons in specific sequences, holding this
one for x seconds, now power down, now power up... Plus, I now have a
file that can be used to restore the setup if I fumblefinger and wipe it
out in the radio.

Art
K1EYE
2784.7Clear out the cobwebs.PCBUOA::WHITECParrot_TrooperThu Apr 24 1997 13:116
    
    From what I remember, com1 was occupied by the mouse.
    
    If you can run MSD, check out the comm port status.
    
    chet
2784.8collision.PCBUOA::WHITECParrot_TrooperThu Apr 24 1997 13:165
    notes collision, glad to hear you got it to work.
    
    chet
    
    
2784.9NUBOAT::HEBERTCaptain BlighFri Apr 25 1997 13:2710
Thanks for replying. The 450ST has a separate mouse port - is that a
PS2-type?

Anyway, I accomplished what I needed to do. Now if only I could use my
320P notebook for this purpose, that would be a plus. Unfortunately, the
320P uses the serial port for the serial mouse, and the software that I
have to program the radio makes heavy use of mouse input. I never did
learn how do to windows things without a mouse, although I think you can. 

Art