IT help pleeeese
Discussion
Just got daughter a Samsung V200 camera phone. Download to PC lead has a 9 pin male connector. Trouble is our two Sony VAIO laptops have only a 15 pin male monitor or 25 pin male printer connection. High ST computer and mobile shops unable to help. Emailed Samsung, who said "buy a converter". Yeah, tried that no luck. Rang Samsung, who agreed it wouldnt fit and yep you guessed it, buy a converter. Made enquiries to a company specialising in leads, who said be careful or whole lot could go bang! Does anyone here have the same prob? Cant believe its only me. Just feels like I am 
at the moment. Any advice gratefully recd
at the moment. Any advice gratefully recd Sony laptops often come with a "port extender/replicator" that includes a serial port, even if there's not one built into the laptop itself. Is that an option?
If not, do the laptops have USB ports? If so, just about the only route is a USB to serial converter, but be aware that some software doesn't seem to treat these the same as a conventional serial port so that might not work either.
[rhetorical]Why are people persisting with using old style serial ports anyway? Sigh...[/rhetorical]
If not, do the laptops have USB ports? If so, just about the only route is a USB to serial converter, but be aware that some software doesn't seem to treat these the same as a conventional serial port so that might not work either.
[rhetorical]Why are people persisting with using old style serial ports anyway? Sigh...[/rhetorical]
Hi Lady Topaz 
I've had a good look around, but the serial - parallel adapter I *thought* I'd found isn't actually a protocol adapter (could likely produce the "bang" effect described to you earlier by the cable manufacturer).
The only option I could find on the Sony site is a full docking station. I don't know which style of Vaio you have, but for mine it would cost £130.
The Sony online shop doesn't carry the full range of stock, though, so it might be worth popping in to your nearest Sony Centre, or giving Vaio-link a call about this? Hopefully, someone else will be able to come up with a better solution than this, though.
Best of luck
I've had a good look around, but the serial - parallel adapter I *thought* I'd found isn't actually a protocol adapter (could likely produce the "bang" effect described to you earlier by the cable manufacturer).
The only option I could find on the Sony site is a full docking station. I don't know which style of Vaio you have, but for mine it would cost £130.
The Sony online shop doesn't carry the full range of stock, though, so it might be worth popping in to your nearest Sony Centre, or giving Vaio-link a call about this? Hopefully, someone else will be able to come up with a better solution than this, though.
Best of luck
Lady Topaz
A couple of possibilities, neither cheap,
[url]www.maplin.co.uk/products/module.asp?CartID=030612210545349&moduleno=25021&modulecode=[/url]
[url]http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=&Section_Id=195&pcount=&Product_Id=66002&Section.Section_Path=%2FUSB%2FAdaptersAndCables%2F[/url]
I thimk the links may be too long but both these items should do what you want. The Belkin item can be bought from PC World I think ( part of a stackable module). the item from Maplins is just a cable which will need a £5 9 to 25 adapter as well,Cable is £30.
Problem is changing signal strength and pin outs from serial to parallel- not really compatable.
the usb connectors both have drivers for all windows versions i think so should do the job
Hope this is some help
>> Edited by JerryHatTrick on Thursday 12th June 21:54
edited to put smiley in and tidy up url's
>> Edited by JerryHatTrick on Thursday 12th June 22:01
A couple of possibilities, neither cheap, [url]www.maplin.co.uk/products/module.asp?CartID=030612210545349&moduleno=25021&modulecode=[/url]
[url]http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=&Section_Id=195&pcount=&Product_Id=66002&Section.Section_Path=%2FUSB%2FAdaptersAndCables%2F[/url]
I thimk the links may be too long but both these items should do what you want. The Belkin item can be bought from PC World I think ( part of a stackable module). the item from Maplins is just a cable which will need a £5 9 to 25 adapter as well,Cable is £30.
Problem is changing signal strength and pin outs from serial to parallel- not really compatable.
the usb connectors both have drivers for all windows versions i think so should do the job
Hope this is some help
>> Edited by JerryHatTrick on Thursday 12th June 21:54
edited to put smiley in and tidy up url's
>> Edited by JerryHatTrick on Thursday 12th June 22:01
Hi !
I may be able to help.
what are the model numbers for your two SONY VAIO laptops ?
It is possible to purchase a 9 way to 25 way serial adapter for a few pounds . But first we have to establish the exact ports your laptop has.
Some VAIOs have many ports whilst others have only a few.
Also many laptops have sections which need to be opened for the ports to show. So you may have missed a couple.
I may be able to help.
what are the model numbers for your two SONY VAIO laptops ?
It is possible to purchase a 9 way to 25 way serial adapter for a few pounds . But first we have to establish the exact ports your laptop has.
Some VAIOs have many ports whilst others have only a few.
Also many laptops have sections which need to be opened for the ports to show. So you may have missed a couple.
Robertuk said:
It is possible to purchase a 9 way to 25 way serial adapter for a few pounds . But first we have to establish the exact ports your laptop has.
Hi Robert,
My initial reply (which I quickly deleted) was to suggest a serial adapter; however, since many Vaios don't actually have any serial ports, a serial adapter isn't an option. I'm sure you're aware that parallel ports work on a different voltage & protocol than RS232 serial, therefore a £5.99 Belkin adapter would be likely to damage the phone or laptop, with no warranty comeback.
Most newer Vaios have firewire &/or bluetooth as standard, all have USB, but this comes at the expense of abandoning the older / slower serial standard. Any adapter cheaper than £25 is highly unlikely to have the necessary voltage/protocol converter, and I can't find such a thing on any UK website (and I have tried all of the usual, Scan, Novatech, RS, Maplin, Belkin, Eurotechnix etc. etc.)
If you do know of another retailer that supplies such a converter/adapter, I'd love to know, because I've found this thing to be as rare as rocking horse droppings!
Cheers,
Mairi
Hi all,
I checked an online laptop retailer and some VAIO models had serial ports whilst othes have NONE !
HOLD YOUR HORSES !
What about a PCMCIA SERIAL ADAPTOR ???
Do they exist ? O.K. will check and post my results !
(Great way to spend a lunch break )
Regards,
Ramesh
PS: I Apologise for the techie conversations going on,
but we may have a result readable in plain english soon
I checked an online laptop retailer and some VAIO models had serial ports whilst othes have NONE !
HOLD YOUR HORSES !
What about a PCMCIA SERIAL ADAPTOR ???
Do they exist ? O.K. will check and post my results !
(Great way to spend a lunch break )
Regards,
Ramesh
PS: I Apologise for the techie conversations going on,
but we may have a result readable in plain english soon
O.K. they exist but looking a bit pricey.
found one here:
www.serial-cards.co.uk/pm-010.htm
Cost: £105 inc V.A.T
Also another here with more info:
www.premierelect.co.uk/pcsinglers232.html
this has 9 pin male connectors.
So may need a male to female convertor.
Cost: £ 99 exc V.A.T
Both found via google - no experience /relation with companies.
If anyones ordering please check with company about suitability first. Maybe they can shed some futher light on this subject
>> Edited by Robertuk on Friday 13th June 13:11
found one here:
www.serial-cards.co.uk/pm-010.htm
Cost: £105 inc V.A.T
Also another here with more info:
www.premierelect.co.uk/pcsinglers232.html
this has 9 pin male connectors.
So may need a male to female convertor.
Cost: £ 99 exc V.A.T
Both found via google - no experience /relation with companies.
If anyones ordering please check with company about suitability first. Maybe they can shed some futher light on this subject
>> Edited by Robertuk on Friday 13th June 13:11
Serial to USB converter $29.95 plus postage
www.ramelectronics.net/html/usb_serial.htm
(p.s. moderator: i am no way associted with this company, i'm just trying to help someone)
www.ramelectronics.net/html/usb_serial.htm
(p.s. moderator: i am no way associted with this company, i'm just trying to help someone)
Lady Topaz, guys and gals - foreget all the talk about adaptors etc. A USB cable is available for the V200 and unless it is an ancient VAIO it will have a USB port. Cost is £29.99 if bought online. Look here:
www.freedom-mobiles.co.uk/samv200.htm
Sniffer
>> Edited by arcturus on Friday 13th June 15:03
www.freedom-mobiles.co.uk/samv200.htm
Sniffer
>> Edited by arcturus on Friday 13th June 15:03
arcturus said: Lady Topaz, guys and gals - foreget all the talk about adaptors etc. A USB cable is available for the V200 and unless it is an ancient VAIO it will have a USB port. Cost is ?9.99 if bought online. Look here:
www.freedom-mobiles.co.uk/samv200.htm
Sniffer
Well done that man! I couldn't find this anywhere. Hi Boys,
Thanks so much for your responses but being technophobically challenged, I don't speak Chinese!! There does seem to be a lot of conflicting info between you all, which is rather scarey....
I will call that phone comp that does the USB lead for £29.99 2morrow. I assume I just then plug into the USB port that the printer would normally go in?
Di
Thanks so much for your responses but being technophobically challenged, I don't speak Chinese!! There does seem to be a lot of conflicting info between you all, which is rather scarey....
I will call that phone comp that does the USB lead for £29.99 2morrow. I assume I just then plug into the USB port that the printer would normally go in?
Di
Nee -HO- MA (Chinese for hello I think :-)
your right...the thread did go into technospeak mode.
apologies - but we all knew what we were talking about.
There were not many conflicting pieces of info,
we just aired our opinions and then made comments.
The final solution was great (the USB lead).
Would have helped a bit if we knew the models of VAIO you have (since parts vary from model to model).
The main trouble with Windows based PCs is there are many different solutions which may or may not work.
I have found the best bet is to post to a group (like this) and see if someone with the same 'gear' replies.
In an ideal world , someone would have the same laptop as you and the phone and found a way to link the two.
Thats the problemo with having the latest gadgets,
you have to wait ages for certain problems to be ironed out !
Good Luck and hope it works !
Ramesh
"...May you live in interesting times " Chinese proverb
your right...the thread did go into technospeak mode.
apologies - but we all knew what we were talking about.
There were not many conflicting pieces of info,
we just aired our opinions and then made comments.
The final solution was great (the USB lead).
Would have helped a bit if we knew the models of VAIO you have (since parts vary from model to model).
The main trouble with Windows based PCs is there are many different solutions which may or may not work.
I have found the best bet is to post to a group (like this) and see if someone with the same 'gear' replies.
In an ideal world , someone would have the same laptop as you and the phone and found a way to link the two.
Thats the problemo with having the latest gadgets,
you have to wait ages for certain problems to be ironed out !
Good Luck and hope it works !
Ramesh
"...May you live in interesting times " Chinese proverb
lady topaz said: Hi Boys,
Thanks so much for your responses but being technophobically challenged, I don't speak Chinese!! There does seem to be a lot of conflicting info between you all, which is rather scarey....
I will call that phone comp that does the USB lead for ?9.99 2morrow. I assume I just then plug into the USB port that the printer would normally go in?
Di
Hello Di,
Yes, you would just plug it in the little USB port that your printer usually connects to, but you'll likely need to load the software first (check documentation). The USB cable that arcturus found will certainly be the easiest way to go, & I think that we're all agreed on this
Sorry about all of the Chinese techie-talk while we were trying sort this out, but it meant that we could all discuss it in order to find the best solution
Mairi (girl) - 'coz not all techies are boys, and not all boys are techies!
Good morning Guys & Gals. I am typing on a PCG GR214MP which only has 2 ports. One for printer 15 pin and one for monitor 25 pin. Would either of these be ok if I can get the right lead?
Just noticed on other laptop docking station mod PCG R600HEP a 9pin serial port which I can use without converter. After all you said last night, would it be safe to use this without fear of damage. Sorry to appear so dumb, but as youve probably guessed IT is not my forte.
Thanks again for all your help
Di
Just noticed on other laptop docking station mod PCG R600HEP a 9pin serial port which I can use without converter. After all you said last night, would it be safe to use this without fear of damage. Sorry to appear so dumb, but as youve probably guessed IT is not my forte.
Thanks again for all your help
Di
lady topaz said: Good morning Guys & Gals. I am typing on a PCG GR214MP which only has 2 ports. One for printer 15 pin and one for monitor 25 pin. Would either of these be ok if I can get the right lead?
Nope - the USB cable that was suggested would fit into one the ports further to the right of these (if you look at the back of the laptop straight on). The port on the far right is USB, and there's another 2, a couple of ports along to the left of that one. BTW, you got your printer and monitor ports mixed up there
Just noticed on other laptop docking station mod PCG R600HEP a 9pin serial port which I can use without converter. After all you said last night, would it be safe to use this without fear of damage. Sorry to appear so dumb, but as youve probably guessed IT is not my forte.
Thanks again for all your help
Di
The docking station now becomes your best option, as you don't need to buy any other cable or adapter - the cable supplied with the 'phone is designed to fit this serial port.
Far from being dumb, it's sensible to ask if you're not sure. I doubt that there's anyone in IT who will claim to have all of the answers all of the time, and we all started from knowing nothing.
Mairi
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