New Laptop with serial port?

[Leon.]

"amstereo" <amstereo@optushomeDOTcompanyDOTaustralia> wrote in message
news:3ffe87ec$0$25564$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au...

Some options don't exist for alot of bussiness types. there whole system
is
set up to work in one way that the cost of changing to new systems /
methods
outways the cost of getting the equipment repaired / sourced. plus
inputting
records in to new software is costly and time consuming - Chemist
perscription software that runs in DOS and requires direct access to
printers - the costs of changing all this is too restrictive.

who said anything about POS shit ?


siemens is into industrial control.

power stations, factories, train engines, and that sort of thing.
heap big money for downtime to 'upgrade to windows'.

 

[Leon.]

"Kevin Ettery" <kpettery@dcsi.net.au> wrote in message
news:3ffdbbd6@news.leadingedgeinternet.net.au...

Glenn,

You could try what one local company's tech did. They bought a COMPAQ
Evo1020, but discovered that the USB-Serial adaptor is still a little
flaky
when used with their programs (PLC programming software to be exact).
They
used the basic port replicator, which provides a standard serial port
which
can then be used in the standard manner. The port replicator is small and
light enough to be taken with the laptop with no problems (its only a
couple
of inches wider).

I don't know if this work around will work with other brands. Why laptop
manufacturers don't keep a serial port on the laptop is beyond me (the
COMPAQ Evo's is only accessible via the port replicator) - all I know is
very few laptops now come with inbuilt serial ports (either standard or as
an option).

I dont know about these compaq port replicators .. (these attach to the
same place as the docking station and so exist 'hard wired' on the CPU bus
? ).

But in the shops there generic port replicators that are USB based. These
will be nothing more than a whole lot of usb devices in one box.

eg USB serial port
USB parallel
USB ethernet
USB firewire.
USB PS2 * 2 .
and a USB hub , to which the previous USB devices and a few USB ports
attach.


My point is that he really needs to have a docking station or a port
replicator version of one that uses the same bus extension interface...

USB port replicators will have the same problems under dos.

 

[The Real Andy]

"Leon." <noemail@noemail.noemail.com> wrote in message
news:3fffe0d2@news.rivernet.com.au...

You have neglected to realise that siemens manufacturer industrial control
equipment.

The software he is running has to work with the equipment that is
currently
installed.
eg what if they shut down a power station so that they can change the all
the equipment up to models that are configured by windows...

There you go, a perfect opportunity to start a business producing win
software for old seimens PLC's. If you speak to siemens, they may even
provide you with some source code.

 

[The Real Andy]

"Leon." <noemail@noemail.noemail.com> wrote in message
news:3fffe26a$1@news.rivernet.com.au...

USB port replicators will have the same problems under dos.

May I also add that under newer versions of Windows it becomes extremely
difficult to get direct access to the hardware. There is a layaer of
abstraction that prevents this. I doubt very much these days that you will
get a laptop shipped with anything but XP. MS does not support the older
OS's anymore. You are fighting a loosing battle. You may get a laptop with a
comms port, but if you try to install win9x you will find that you cant get
drivers for all the onboard hardware. Use XP, and the OS will not let your
DOS software write directly to the comms uart. You will need to get your own
drivers or use some of the dodgey apps out there that allow NT to talk
directly to the hardware - then you will whinge and whine when you notebook
generates exceptions and crashes all the time.

 

[Ken Taylor]

"The Real Andy" <ihatehifitrolls@yahoo.com.au> wrote in message
news:400109b5$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...

"Leon." <noemail@noemail.noemail.com> wrote in message
news:3fffe0d2@news.rivernet.com.au...



You have neglected to realise that siemens manufacturer industrial
control
equipment.

The software he is running has to work with the equipment that is
currently
installed.
eg what if they shut down a power station so that they can change the
all
the equipment up to models that are configured by windows...


There you go, a perfect opportunity to start a business producing win
software for old seimens PLC's. If you speak to siemens, they may even
provide you with some source code.

Have you ever tried to get PLC source code out of anyone? You'd think it was

gold plated, even when tarnished by time!

Ken

 

[Rod Speed]

The Real Andy <ihatehifitrolls@yahoo.com.au> wrote
in message news:40012022@dnews.tpgi.com.au...

Leon <noemail@noemail.noemail.com> wrote

USB port replicators will have the same problems under dos.

May I also add that under newer versions of Windows it becomes
extremely difficult to get direct access to the hardware. There is a
layaer of abstraction that prevents this. I doubt very much these
days that you will get a laptop shipped with anything but XP.

Easy enough to install anything you want
on it regardless of what its shipped with.

Trivial to multiboot to real DOS if you want too.

MS does not support the older OS's anymore.

Who cares with a laptop used to interface to dinosaur hardware ?

You are fighting a loosing battle.

Not if you've got a clue.

You may get a laptop with a comms port,

Yep, still plenty of those, albeit at the higher price end.

but if you try to install win9x you will find that
you cant get drivers for all the onboard hardware.

Dont need that if you multiboot to real DOS.

Use XP, and the OS will not let your DOS
software write directly to the comms uart.

Dont need that if you multiboot to real DOS.

You will need to get your own drivers

Nope.

or use some of the dodgey apps out there
that allow NT to talk directly to the hardware

Nope.

- then you will whinge and whine when you notebook
generates exceptions and crashes all the time.

Nope.

Anyone with a clue can multiboot to real dos if they want that.

 

[Glenn Garrett]

Hi Rod:

Can you be more specific on brands, part numbers, web links etc. for
USB-Serial converters with DOS drivers?

Glenn


"Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:btl92i$8c0di$1@ID-69072.news.uni-berlin.de...

Glenn Garrett <inddyn@iinet.net.au> wrote in message
news:3ffddd19$0$1747$5a62ac22@freenews.iinet.net.au...

Thanks everyone

Port replicator - good idea but not
available for my Toshiba (Sattelite 1410)

USB to RS232 - none of them have DOS drivers

Wrong. Some of them do.

- my software must run from pure DOS, not
a DOS window. (Siemens TISoft, Step5 etc.)

And some of the USB to RS232 converters can handle that fine.

PC serial card - the one manufacturer I emailed
wouldn't give me an answer on DOS drivers

Thats just one. The price isnt that attractive tho.

Solution - Dell Inspiron 600M1400GT Pentium 1.4GHz 14.1" XGA $2400
Dell Inspiron 86001400P Pentium 1.4GHz 15.4" WXGA $2600

Not as good as my Toshiba but will do the job


"Glenn Garrett" <inddyn@iinet.net.au> wrote in message
news:3ffc8fab$0$1731$5a62ac22@freenews.iinet.net.au...
We need a new laptop for industrial use that must have a serial port.
We use old DOS PLC software that won't work with USB to serial
converters.

Can someone recommend a low cost but good brandname laptop?

--
Regards

Glenn Garrett

Industrial Dynamics Ballarat Pty. Ltd.
17 Neerim Crescent
Wendouree Industrial Park
Wendouree
Victoria 3355
Australia
Phone +613 5338 1766
Fax +613 5338 1677
inddyn@iinet.net.au

 

[The Real Andy]

"Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:btsbko$as9d7$1@ID-69072.news.uni-berlin.de...

The Real Andy <ihatehifitrolls@yahoo.com.au> wrote
in message news:40012022@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
Leon <noemail@noemail.noemail.com> wrote

USB port replicators will have the same problems under dos.

May I also add that under newer versions of Windows it becomes
extremely difficult to get direct access to the hardware. There is a
layaer of abstraction that prevents this. I doubt very much these
days that you will get a laptop shipped with anything but XP.

Easy enough to install anything you want
on it regardless of what its shipped with.

Trivial to multiboot to real DOS if you want too.

Trivial, but primitive. Typical of the AU electronics industry.

 

[The Real Andy]

"Ken Taylor" <ken@home.nz> wrote in message
news:31aMb.8599$9k7.161953@news.xtra.co.nz...

"The Real Andy" <ihatehifitrolls@yahoo.com.au> wrote in message
news:400109b5$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
"Leon." <noemail@noemail.noemail.com> wrote in message
news:3fffe0d2@news.rivernet.com.au...



You have neglected to realise that siemens manufacturer industrial
control
equipment.

The software he is running has to work with the equipment that is
currently
installed.
eg what if they shut down a power station so that they can change the
all
the equipment up to models that are configured by windows...


There you go, a perfect opportunity to start a business producing win
software for old seimens PLC's. If you speak to siemens, they may even
provide you with some source code.

Have you ever tried to get PLC source code out of anyone? You'd think it
was
gold plated, even when tarnished by time!

Not the PLC source, the code for the config software. Even if you cant get
it, it doesn't take much to sniff the data off the comms port.

 

[Rod Speed]

The Real Andy <ihatehifitrolls@yahoo.com.au> wrote
in message news:400246f6$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...

Rod Speed <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote
The Real Andy <ihatehifitrolls@yahoo.com.au> wrote
Leon <noemail@noemail.noemail.com> wrote

USB port replicators will have the same problems under dos.

May I also add that under newer versions of Windows it becomes
extremely difficult to get direct access to the hardware. There is a
layaer of abstraction that prevents this. I doubt very much these
days that you will get a laptop shipped with anything but XP.

Easy enough to install anything you want
on it regardless of what its shipped with.

Trivial to multiboot to real DOS if you want too.

Trivial, but primitive. Typical of the AU electronics industry.

Whine to Siemens, cretin.

 

[Glenn Garrett]

Hi Rod:

Can you be more specific on brands, part numbers, web links etc. for
USB-Serial converters with DOS drivers?

Glenn

"Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:btl92i$8c0di$1@ID-69072.news.uni-berlin.de...

Glenn Garrett <inddyn@iinet.net.au> wrote in message
news:3ffddd19$0$1747$5a62ac22@freenews.iinet.net.au...

Thanks everyone

Port replicator - good idea but not
available for my Toshiba (Sattelite 1410)

USB to RS232 - none of them have DOS drivers

Wrong. Some of them do.

- my software must run from pure DOS, not
a DOS window. (Siemens TISoft, Step5 etc.)

And some of the USB to RS232 converters can handle that fine.

PC serial card - the one manufacturer I emailed
wouldn't give me an answer on DOS drivers

Thats just one. The price isnt that attractive tho.

Solution - Dell Inspiron 600M1400GT Pentium 1.4GHz 14.1" XGA $2400
Dell Inspiron 86001400P Pentium 1.4GHz 15.4" WXGA $2600

Not as good as my Toshiba but will do the job


"Glenn Garrett" <inddyn@iinet.net.au> wrote in message
news:3ffc8fab$0$1731$5a62ac22@freenews.iinet.net.au...
We need a new laptop for industrial use that must have a serial
port.
We use old DOS PLC software that won't work with USB to serial
converters.

Can someone recommend a low cost but good brandname laptop?

--
Regards

Glenn Garrett

Industrial Dynamics Ballarat Pty. Ltd.
17 Neerim Crescent
Wendouree Industrial Park
Wendouree
Victoria 3355
Australia
Phone +613 5338 1766
Fax +613 5338 1677
inddyn@iinet.net.au

 

[MC]

The Real Andy wrote:

"Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:btsbko$as9d7$1@ID-69072.news.uni-berlin.de...

The Real Andy <ihatehifitrolls@yahoo.com.au> wrote
in message news:40012022@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
Leon <noemail@noemail.noemail.com> wrote

USB port replicators will have the same problems under dos.

May I also add that under newer versions of Windows it becomes
extremely difficult to get direct access to the hardware. There is a
layaer of abstraction that prevents this. I doubt very much these
days that you will get a laptop shipped with anything but XP.

Easy enough to install anything you want
on it regardless of what its shipped with.

Trivial to multiboot to real DOS if you want too.

Trivial, but primitive. Typical of the AU electronics industry.

If the application does all it needs to when running on DOS then
what's the point in rewriting/'upgrading' to Windows or Unix ?
Yeah.. Windows 'looks' better, but so what ?

 

[The Real Andy]

"MC" <mc@non.existant.place> wrote in message
news:40047DA6.CFFA067C@non.existant.place...

If the application does all it needs to when running on DOS then
what's the point in rewriting/'upgrading' to Windows or Unix ?
Yeah.. Windows 'looks' better, but so what ?

Because the newer OS's support the newer hardware, hence what this thread is
all about.

 

[Rod Speed]

MC <mc@non.existant.place> wrote in message
news:40047DA6.CFFA067C@non.existant.place...

The Real Andy wrote
Rod Speed <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote
The Real Andy <ihatehifitrolls@yahoo.com.au> wrote
Leon <noemail@noemail.noemail.com> wrote

USB port replicators will have the same problems under dos.

May I also add that under newer versions of Windows it becomes
extremely difficult to get direct access to the hardware. There is a
layaer of abstraction that prevents this. I doubt very much these
days that you will get a laptop shipped with anything but XP.

Easy enough to install anything you want
on it regardless of what its shipped with.

Trivial to multiboot to real DOS if you want too.

Trivial, but primitive. Typical of the AU electronics industry.

If the application does all it needs to when running on DOS then
what's the point in rewriting/'upgrading' to Windows or Unix ?

Basically makes it a lot simpler to use with modern
laptops that normally come with XP now.

Yeah.. Windows 'looks' better, but so what ?

Much more convenient if its supported by XP now tho.

 

[Rod Speed]

Glenn Garrett <inddyn@iinet.net.au> wrote in message
news:4001c72c$0$1747$5a62ac22@freenews.iinet.net.au...

Can you be more specific on brands, part numbers, web
links etc. for USB-Serial converters with DOS drivers?

Fraid not, I dont appear to have saved that stuff and the
fella who needed it is getting operated on for cancer and
its not reasonable to ask him what he ended up using for
that. I do know that he was very happy with the result tho.

"Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:btl92i$8c0di$1@ID-69072.news.uni-berlin.de...

Glenn Garrett <inddyn@iinet.net.au> wrote in message
news:3ffddd19$0$1747$5a62ac22@freenews.iinet.net.au...

Thanks everyone

Port replicator - good idea but not
available for my Toshiba (Sattelite 1410)

USB to RS232 - none of them have DOS drivers

Wrong. Some of them do.

- my software must run from pure DOS, not
a DOS window. (Siemens TISoft, Step5 etc.)

And some of the USB to RS232 converters can handle that fine.

PC serial card - the one manufacturer I emailed
wouldn't give me an answer on DOS drivers

Thats just one. The price isnt that attractive tho.

Solution - Dell Inspiron 600M1400GT Pentium 1.4GHz 14.1" XGA $2400
Dell Inspiron 86001400P Pentium 1.4GHz 15.4" WXGA $2600

Not as good as my Toshiba but will do the job


"Glenn Garrett" <inddyn@iinet.net.au> wrote in message
news:3ffc8fab$0$1731$5a62ac22@freenews.iinet.net.au...
We need a new laptop for industrial use that must have a serial port.
We use old DOS PLC software that won't work with USB to serial
converters.

Can someone recommend a low cost but good brandname laptop?

--
Regards

Glenn Garrett

Industrial Dynamics Ballarat Pty. Ltd.
17 Neerim Crescent
Wendouree Industrial Park
Wendouree
Victoria 3355
Australia
Phone +613 5338 1766
Fax +613 5338 1677
inddyn@iinet.net.au