Extra serial port

[lemmy999]

I want to add an extra serial port to my computer. i don't have any spare PCI slots left. Is it possible to use one of the ISA slots instead? If so can anyone suggest a supplier of such a card in the Uk?

thanks
Chris

[rangeral]

What exactly are you trying to do? How many pci slots do you have and whats in them? Maybe we can come up with another idea.

[lemmy999]

i have 3 pci slots. one for the modem, one for a sound card and the last one for some usb ports. The machine has two serial ports , one used by the mouse and the other for my palm pda. the reason i want(need?) another serial port is so that i can install some kit for managing my mobile phone ( logo manager etc) I have tried using the palm port on the computer but my software is not detecting my mobile phone. do i have to go into device manager to change the settings to achieve this?

Thanks
Chris

[davewuk]

USB mouse or USB to serial port expander, Belkin do a range which will give you up to 4 or 6 serial i/o plus xtra LPT

[smelanson]

Just so you know as long as you set the jumpers correctly an ISA I/O card will do the job but I agree with the USB idea, less headaches but I use an ISA card on my Celery and it works fine, I would on my PIII but it doesn't have ISA:mad:

[Mutant_Donkey]

they sell parallel>serial port adapters at various computer stores, might want to check it our.

[G]

I needed an extra serial port so I bought Belkin’ Serial Port to USB Adapter. You would stick your serial port device in the Belkin Adapter, e.g., modem, and the Belkin connects to a spare USB port - worked first time. It costs about £57 but there may be better expandable versions around at Belkin or a completely different approach now. Ask Belkin what your best option is and the product they would suggest. Then look at what they offer and then decide.

Belkin Components, Ltd.

Tel: (01604) 678300

Ebuyer.com is one of the cheapest places I know of.

G

[gregorian]

you cant use the ISA slot as it only runs at 8 MHz, far slower than PCI, which runs at 33MHz. so i doubt that yur ISA slot will be of any use...

[smelanson]

ISA slots work fine, 8MHz is way more then enough for a serial port infact back in the 386/486 days it was also enough to run HDs, if it wasn't fast enough then why do they make them. I even have an 8 bit ISA that I put in my Celery and it worked fine so you don't even need a 16 bit ISA card to do it. Remember it is only a serial port, a PCI port would be a waste.

You could pick one up here (http://www.bb-elec.com/product.asp?sku=232CC1A&dept_id=40) read this one it states it is even double speed.

ISA slot are really only good for Modems, Serial Ports, and as a second Paraellel Port.