Let me start at the beginning.We got a new Dell laptop at work for our truck mechanics(18 wheelers)to use for diagnostics and programing. The problem is it does not have a serial port.(the diagnostics box connects from a serial port on the computer to a port under the dash) My boss got a USB to Serial Converter.I have been delegated the task of trying to make it work.:crazy: It came with a CD that has 2 drivers on it( 1 says generic) I tried to install both & get the same message(see screen shot) I tried plugging the converter into the laptop,then tried plugging the whole works(converter & diag. box to the truck)
and installing the driver but I keep getting the same message.Does anyone have any ideas of where I'm going wrong?(other than telling my boss "I'll try")
It's kinda hard to read but the box says Please plugin 'AQF232 comport' then press ok

Well, is it plugged in?
try going to manufacturer website and seeing if they have an updated driver?
I had this problem before, but it's been so long I really can't remember what I did, but it did work ;)
sorry i am not much help.

Well, is it plugged in?
try going to manufacturer website and seeing if they have an updated driver?
I had this problem before, but it's been so long I really can't remember what I did, but it did work ;)
sorry i am not much help.

Yes it is plugged in. The boss got some brand X e bay cheapo the does not list a web site or even a company name.

Tell your boss to stop being a cheapskate. In my industry, I also require USB->Serial converters often to do RS232 communication, as it sounds like you do.

You get what you pay for with these things - you buy a cheap one and you're looking for trouble.

I would like to help more, but your boss needs to recognize - no website, no software downloads, no support number == device not gonna work, and if it does, it will likely cause system problems and more hairpulling than its worth.

Shifty
So am correct in assuming that these(provided they are worth a spit)do in fact work?
I found some paperwork from the diagnostics software that says
"The computer must have a true RS232(16550UART-equipped)serial port. USB adapters & PCMCIA card adapters & parallel port adapters(that claim to give you a serial port)usually do not function properly,and are not supported by Mack trucks,Inc."
My boss' thought is that technolgy has advanced far enough so it WILL work(his thoughts not mine)

Yes, they do work.

Several come equipped with Realtek brand chips in them and qork quite well.

They are normally NOT that expensive. You just want to find something for a few bucks that has "signed" Windows XP drivers so you know it's actually using a decent, Microsoft friendly chip and/or chipset in the controller (usually there is a PCB embedded/molded into the serial end).

Examples of ones I would trust (I use the first one here at the office, it's not a bad device):

http://www.usbgear.com/USB-PRODUCT-DETAILS.cfm?sku=765162&catid=199&cats=199

http://www.provantage.com/trendnet-tu-s9~7TDWU00C.htm

http://www.usbgear.com/computer_cable_details.cfm?sku=Y-105A&cats=199&catid=199

http://www.usbgear.com/USB-PRODUCT-DETAILS.cfm?sku=USBG-232&catid=199&cats=199

http://www.usbgear.com/USBG-232MINI.html



I use TrendNET KVM switches (Trendnet makes the adapter in the second link up there), and I would trust that little $10 unit they've got up there.

Tell your boss one thing: If he wants to skimp out, ask him how much your time is worth - one more hour of your working on this would probably pay for any of those devices above.

Then, remind him next time he wants to skimp out on sh*t exactly how many hours of wasted mantime you spent the last time he was a cheapskate!!!!

NEVER BUY ELECTRONICS ON EBAY :D It's usually a bad idea. Had a friend get burned on a power supply this week from eBay. Ended up being counterfit unit, rebranded, POS.

Shifty,Here's what he got.Now.... not to be a bother but,It looked like a good one good on paper,where did he mess up?(other than going e bay cheapie)
Just kinda wondering for future knowlege.
http://cgi.ebay.com/USB-to-RS232-Serial-9-Pin-DB9-Cable-Adapter-5-Shipping_W0QQitemZ190080156536QQihZ009QQcategoryZ41995QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

No name brand.
No link to manufacturer website.
No clear indicator of what chip and/or chipset it's using.

FYI - shipping is listed at top at $6.95 but is listed at $5 several places in the auction :D

This is probably a generic device made by some no-name company who knows where.

The cover looks "jelly-like". If it's possible to get any letters and numbers off of the chip on the PCB (serial end), you might be able to look up the chipset and find some newer drivers or even troubleshooting info....

No numbers, letters, anything anywhere.I'd say we got screwed:hm:
As always thanks for all the help:c2:

Turn around and sell it back: $4 shipped :D

this is why I like newegg... the reviews tend to give a better overall picture.

Does this look familiar? (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16812107108) it has a very high rating among the buyers

I would say for your issue, remove/uninstall the device from device manager, THEN unplug it. Then install the non-generic drivers with it unplugged, and when it asks to plug the item in, plug it in and give it up to 10-15 minutes, occasionally hitting ok when it asks to plug it in.
If that still wont work then go into the device manager and manually install the drivers from the disk.

Also some of these types of devices need you to use a cable immediately after the adapter then go to the box/code reader/whatever for the mack trucks, also there are 2 types of cables, standard RS-232 and crossover RS-232. Use one, if that doesn't work, use the other.

Is that the actual device? Looks the same, but ... not sure, looks like the eBay seller just stole the pics from NewEgg :D