| Most newer electronic devices can be connected and | | | | and XP, however when it comes to Windows Vista |
| communicate with a computer by a USB cable, | | | | and Windows 7 the problems starts showing. |
| however many devices are still using the older type of | | | | The drivers for a low-cost USB to Serial the |
| communication protocol called serial RS232 or RS485. | | | | processor chip are very often poorly written programs |
| To connect devices with a Serial RS232/RS485 port | | | | which makes the adapter unstable and unreliable and |
| you need an adapter cable called a USB to RS232 | | | | not fully compatible with Windows 7 and other current |
| adapter or USB to RS485 adapter, depending on if | | | | operating systems. Because of this you will in many |
| your device is using the RS232 protocol or the RS485 | | | | cases be unable to make a low-cost adapter work |
| protocol. | | | | with Windows 7 and Vista and you can expect some |
| USB to Serial RS232/RS485 adapters are often used | | | | of the following typical errors: |
| for connecting devices such as GPS navigation units, | | | | - Computer freeze |
| sensors, meters, loggers, cameras, printers and other | | | | - Invalid debug DLL |
| standard and special devices to a personal computer. | | | | - Computer crashing |
| Most people assume that these adapters are | | | | - Driver problems |
| compatible with ALL operating systems and ALL | | | | - Unable to connect to your device |
| devices, however this is far from the truth. | | | | - Unable to establish a COM port |
| When you invest in a USB to Serial adapter you | | | | So what do you need to look for to find a good quality |
| usually pay for what you get. Many websites are | | | | USB to Serial RS232 adapter? |
| selling low-cost USB to Serial RS232 adapters for | | | | First of all you need to determine which operating |
| $9.95. This sounds like a great deal, however when | | | | system you will be using the adapter with. Windows |
| you receive the adapter and connect your device to | | | | 98, 2000, XP, Vista, 7, or maybe Mac or Linux. If you |
| your computer you will most likely get disappointed, | | | | are using Windows 98, 2000, XP or Linux you might |
| because in most cases the adapter will not work | | | | be lucky to find a low-cost adapter which will work for |
| properly with either your computer or your device. The | | | | you, however if you are using Windows Vista, 7 or |
| major reason for this is that the low-cost adapter is | | | | Mac you need to be willing to spend between $20 - |
| made with a low-cost processor chip. These low-cost | | | | $30 for a good quality adapter which will work with |
| processor chips have limited compatibility with the | | | | your device and Windows Vista/7. Try and find out |
| majority of devices and the Microsoft Windows | | | | what processor chip is inside the adapter, good |
| operating system. | | | | processor chips are FTDI, Silicon Labs, MosChip or |
| Limited compatibility means that the adapter/drivers | | | | Oxford Semiconductors. If you find a USB to Serial |
| might or might not work with your Vista/7 computer, it | | | | RS232 adapter with any one of these processor |
| all depends on your computer's particular hardware, | | | | chips it will most likely be compatible with your device |
| installed Windows components and service packs, | | | | and any version of Windows, Linux and Mac, and you |
| conflicting drivers or other peripheral devices, and even | | | | will be able to easily install the drivers and |
| your processors bios version. | | | | communicate with your device. |
| Usually the drivers work fine with Windows 98, 2000 | | | | |