Inspiron Serial Port problem/question

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frank

Distinguished
Dec 31, 2007
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Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

I have an Inspiron 8000 with windows XP professional.
I am trying to hook up a serial device, and old GPS, that had worked
on my old IBM with windows 98.
When everything is hooked up the computer does not recognize that the
GPS is connected.
The port settings are correct, the bios seems to be set ok, hardware
manager reports that the port is working correctly.
My question is directed to the physical DB9 connector in the back of
the Inspiron.
The plug consists of 4 pins across the bottom of the plug and 5 pins
across the top of the plug.
Here is the question: in actually looking at the plug, rather than
just plugging it in, I see that the lower group of 4 pins are extended
out to just inside of the "shield" level, while the upper group of 5
pins are almost flush with the back of the plug housing. Maybe
projecting only a 1/32" from the back of the plug. I can't see how any
of the 5 pins could be making a connection. Not being an electronic
type, I was wondering if that might be my problem. Are the top row of
5 pins not used?
Thanks
Frank
 
E

Eugene

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Mar 29, 2004
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0
18,680
Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

frank@fmbcad.com wrote:

> I have an Inspiron 8000 with windows XP professional.
> I am trying to hook up a serial device, and old GPS, that had worked
> on my old IBM with windows 98.
> When everything is hooked up the computer does not recognize that the
> GPS is connected.
> The port settings are correct, the bios seems to be set ok, hardware
> manager reports that the port is working correctly.
> My question is directed to the physical DB9 connector in the back of
> the Inspiron.
> The plug consists of 4 pins across the bottom of the plug and 5 pins
> across the top of the plug.
> Here is the question: in actually looking at the plug, rather than
> just plugging it in, I see that the lower group of 4 pins are extended
> out to just inside of the "shield" level, while the upper group of 5
> pins are almost flush with the back of the plug housing. Maybe
> projecting only a 1/32" from the back of the plug. I can't see how any
> of the 5 pins could be making a connection. Not being an electronic
> type, I was wondering if that might be my problem. Are the top row of
> 5 pins not used?
> Thanks
> Frank
all the pins should be sticking out the same amount. Sounds like something
pushed them in. And the top row has the tx and rx so those are the most
used and necessary. Out of warranty and handy, crack the case and push
them back out, a lot of times the other side is exposed enough to see them.
 
G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

frank@fmbcad.com wrote:
> I have an Inspiron 8000 with windows XP professional.
> I am trying to hook up a serial device, and old GPS, that had worked
> on my old IBM with windows 98.
> When everything is hooked up the computer does not recognize that the
> GPS is connected.
> The port settings are correct, the bios seems to be set ok, hardware
> manager reports that the port is working correctly.
> My question is directed to the physical DB9 connector in the back of
> the Inspiron.
> The plug consists of 4 pins across the bottom of the plug and 5 pins
> across the top of the plug.
> Here is the question: in actually looking at the plug, rather than
> just plugging it in, I see that the lower group of 4 pins are extended
> out to just inside of the "shield" level, while the upper group of 5
> pins are almost flush with the back of the plug housing. Maybe
> projecting only a 1/32" from the back of the plug. I can't see how any
> of the 5 pins could be making a connection. Not being an electronic
> type, I was wondering if that might be my problem. Are the top row of
> 5 pins not used?
> Thanks
> Frank

Pull the pins out *very gently* with a needle-nose pliers. Older serial
devices often had only the required signal pins exposed, so the pins
might not be loose in the plug. OTOH, XP will require a driver for the
device in the serial port, since it will not have any built-in knowledge
of the GPS. Then, to compound matters, others have reported that XP
thinks a serial GPS is a mouse even with an appropriate driver. There
is a workaround. Google: xp serial gps for additional help.

Q
 
F

frank

Distinguished
Dec 31, 2007
1,588
0
19,780
Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

I'll try the needle nose soultion, as well as find out from dell if
this could have been a "pre-existing condition"
If the pliers solution doesnt work out, then I think the easiest thing
will be to get a usb earthmate instead of fooling around with a 5 year
old device.
thanks for you input
Frank

On Tue, 20 Apr 2004 14:53:30 -0600, "Quaoar" <quaoar@tenthplanet.net>
wrote:

>frank@fmbcad.com wrote:
>> I have an Inspiron 8000 with windows XP professional.
>> I am trying to hook up a serial device, and old GPS, that had worked
>> on my old IBM with windows 98.
>> When everything is hooked up the computer does not recognize that the
>> GPS is connected.
>> The port settings are correct, the bios seems to be set ok, hardware
>> manager reports that the port is working correctly.
>> My question is directed to the physical DB9 connector in the back of
>> the Inspiron.
>> The plug consists of 4 pins across the bottom of the plug and 5 pins
>> across the top of the plug.
>> Here is the question: in actually looking at the plug, rather than
>> just plugging it in, I see that the lower group of 4 pins are extended
>> out to just inside of the "shield" level, while the upper group of 5
>> pins are almost flush with the back of the plug housing. Maybe
>> projecting only a 1/32" from the back of the plug. I can't see how any
>> of the 5 pins could be making a connection. Not being an electronic
>> type, I was wondering if that might be my problem. Are the top row of
>> 5 pins not used?
>> Thanks
>> Frank
>
>Pull the pins out *very gently* with a needle-nose pliers. Older serial
>devices often had only the required signal pins exposed, so the pins
>might not be loose in the plug. OTOH, XP will require a driver for the
>device in the serial port, since it will not have any built-in knowledge
>of the GPS. Then, to compound matters, others have reported that XP
>thinks a serial GPS is a mouse even with an appropriate driver. There
>is a workaround. Google: xp serial gps for additional help.
>
>Q
>
 
G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

I am currently facing the same problem. Trying to get a Garmin Etrex to
work using a serial cable on an Inspiron 8000, and it won't recognice my
GPS. It works fine on my desktop PC running W2K. Would really like to know
what the outcome was for you. Did you solve the problem?
 
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