Brief installation instructions for a USB to RS-232 Serial Adapter

Universal Serial Bus (USB) is the name for a type of interface that allows plug-and-play peripherals to be added to
the laptop computer. USB allows for a larger variety of items to be used with the system, including printers,
cameras, hard drives, keyboards, mouse, etc. The level of customization that this peripheral provides is far greater
than the PC card. Most computer accessories today come USB-ready.

Many newer computers do not have a physical serial port on the computer. A physical serial port is a DB9 or DB25
connector, usually positioned on the back of the computer. The DB9 has 9 pins and the DB25 has 25 pins.

With newer machines this physical serial port is no longer available and has been replaced with one or more USB
connectors. In general the USB is a good thing for connecting external devices to the computer but the world has
many special devices that are not compatible with a USB interface and require a standard serial interface.

The USB and standard serial interface are quite different which has prompted the need for an adapter to translate
signals from USB to RS-232 Serial. In order to communicate with a D.I. VEMM, E-TEC ® Inline or E-TEC ® V-block
engines, a standard serial connection is necessary.

Typical USB to Serial Adapters

Image Description Compatibility

www.amazon.com USB Gear (USBG-232MINI)

Comments:
• Highly recommended. Used by many BRP personnel.
• Will work for the following:
• Microsoft ® Windows ® XP. 32-bit and 64-bit operating
systems.
• Microsoft ® Windows ® Vista ®. 32-bit and 64-bit
operating systems.
• Microsoft ® Windows ® 7. 32-bit and 64-bit operating
systems.
• This unit uses the FTDI (VID_0403) chip set . Requires
adjustments. See Set USB Serial Device (FTDI chip set) for
information.
• The driver for this device is supplied with accompanying CD;
however, it is recommended that the user follow the
manufacturer's information concerning updated drivers.
• No USB cable required.
• Tested by BRP.
www.amazon.com (USB-2920)

Comments:
• Highly recommended.
• Will work for the following:
• Microsoft ® Windows ® XP. 32-bit and 64-bit operating
systems.
• Microsoft ® Windows ® Vista ®. 32-bit and 64-bit
operating systems.
• Microsoft ® Windows ® 7. 32-bit and 64-bit operating
systems.
• This unit uses the FTDI (VID_0403) chip set . Requires
adjustments. See Set USB Serial Device (FTDI chip set) for
information.
• The driver for this device is supplied with accompanying CD;
however, it is recommended that the user follow the
manufacturer's information concerning updated drivers.
• No USB cable required.
• Tested by BRP.
www.amazon.com Startech (ICUSB2321F)

Comments:
• Highly recommended. Sold by BRP.
• Will work for the following:
• Microsoft ® Windows ® XP. 32-bit and 64-bit operating
systems.
• Microsoft ® Windows ® Vista ®. 32-bit and 64-bit
operating systems.
• Microsoft ® Windows ® 7. 32-bit and 64-bit operating
systems.
• This unit uses the FTDI (VID_0403) chip set . Requires
adjustments. See Set USB Serial Device (FTDI chip set) for
information.
• The driver for this device is supplied with accompanying CD;
however, it is recommended that the user follow the
manufacturer's information concerning updated drivers.
• USB cable is permanently attached.
• Tested by BRP.
• BRP Part Number: 587214
www.saelig.com (USB-COM-S) Exclusive (device is fairly expensive)

Comments:
• Highly recommended.
• Will work for the following:
• Microsoft ® Windows ® XP. 32-bit and 64-bit operating
systems.
• Microsoft ® Windows ® Vista ®. 32-bit and 64-bit
operating systems.
• Microsoft ® Windows ® 7. 32-bit and 64-bit operating
systems.
• This unit uses the FTDI (VID_0403) chip set . Requires
adjustments. See Set USB Serial Device (FTDI chip set) for
information.
• The driver for this device is supplied with accompanying CD;
however, it is recommended that the user follow the
manufacturer's information concerning updated drivers.
• USB cable is permanently attached.
• Tested by BRP.
marvis-trade.si (CP2102) Exclusive (device is fairly expensive*)

Comments:
• Recommended.
• Will work for the following:
• Microsoft ® Windows ® XP. 32-bit and 64-bit operating
systems.
• Microsoft ® Windows ® Vista ®. 32-bit and 64-bit
operating systems.
• Microsoft ® Windows ® 7. 32-bit and 64-bit operating
systems.
• This unit uses the Silicon Laboratories (VID_10c4) chip set.
Requires no adjustments at this time.
• The driver for this device is supplied with accompanying CD;
however, it is recommended that the user follow the
manufacturer's information concerning updated drivers.
• *Device is unique. Engine port on one end and USB on the
other end. Basically it is a cable and USB Serial Device in one.
• Tested by BRP.
www.amazon.com (Pluggable USB to RS-232 DB9 Serial Adapter)

Comments:
• Will work for the following:
• Microsoft ® Windows ® XP. 32-bit operating system
only.
• Microsoft ® Windows ® Vista ®. 32-bit operating system
only.
• Causes application lock up and computer "blue screen" reboots
under Microsoft ® Windows ® 7. 64-bit operating system.
• Has not been tested on other Microsoft ® Windows ® 64-bit
operating systems.
• Has not been tested on Microsoft ® Windows ® 7 32-bit
operating systems.
• This unit uses the Prolific (VID_067b) chip set.
• The driver for this device is supplied with accompanying CD;
however, it is recommended that the user follow the
manufacturer's information concerning updated drivers.
• USB cable is permanently attached.
• Tested by BRP.
www.amazon.com Keyspan (USA-19HS)

Comments:
• Will work for the following:
• Microsoft ® Windows ® XP. 32-bit operating system
only.
• Microsoft ® Windows ® Vista ®. 32-bit operating system
only.
• Will not work under Microsoft ® Windows ® 7. 64-bit operating
system. Driver was updated 6/4/11 which seems to resolve
serial communications issues; however, when device is plugged
in computer audio malfunctions along with other possible
undesired effects.
• Has not been tested on other Microsoft ® Windows ®. 64-bit
operating systems.
• Has not been tested on Microsoft ® Windows ® 7. 32-bit
operating systems.
• This unit uses the Keyspan (VID_06cd) chip set. Requires
adjustments. See Set USB Serial Device (Keyspan chip set) for
information.
• The driver for this device is supplied with accompanying CD;
however, it is recommended that the user follow the
manufacturer's information concerning updated drivers.
• USB cable required.
• Tested by BRP.
www.gridconnect.com (USB232) Exclusive (device is fairly expensive)

Comments:
• Will work for the following:
• Microsoft ® Windows ® XP. 32-bit operating system
only.
• Microsoft ® Windows ® Vista ®. 32-bit operating system
only.
• Will not work under Microsoft ® Windows ® 7. 64-bit operating
system.
• Has not been tested on other Microsoft ® Windows ®. 64-bit
operating systems.
• Has not been tested on Microsoft ® Windows ® 7. 32-bit
operating systems.
• This unit uses the Exar (VID_04e2) chip set .
• The driver for this device is supplied with accompanying CD;
however, it is recommended that the user follow the
manufacturer's information concerning updated drivers.
• USB cable is permanently attached.
• Tested by BRP.
 www.radioshack.com (26-949) Exclusive (device is fairly expensive)

Comments:
• Will work for the following:
• Microsoft ® Windows ® XP. 32-bit operating system
only.
• Microsoft ® Windows ® Vista ®. 32-bit operating system
only.
• Will not work under Microsoft ® Windows ® 7. 64-bit operating
system.
• Has not been tested on other Microsoft ® Windows ®. 64-bit
operating systems.
• Has not been tested on Microsoft ® Windows ® 7. 32-bit
operating systems.
• This unit uses the Radio Shack (VID_05ad) chip set.
• The driver for this device is supplied with accompanying CD;
however, it is recommended that the user follow the
manufacturer's information concerning updated drivers.
• Also known as "Gigaware".
• USB cable is permanently attached.
• Tested by BRP.
www.radioshack.com (26-183 - discontinued)

Comments:
• Will work for the following:
• Microsoft ® Windows ® XP. 32-bit operating system
only.
• Will not work under Microsoft ® Windows ® Vista ® and
Microsoft ® Windows ® 7. 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems
(where applicable).
• Has not been tested on Microsoft ® Windows ® XP. 64-bit
operating systems.
• This unit uses the Radio Shack (VID_1453) chip set.
• The driver for this device is supplied with accompanying CD;
however, it is recommended that the user follow the
manufacturer's information concerning updated drivers.
• Also known as "Gigaware".
• USB cable is permanently attached.
• Tested by BRP.
Testing results can be modified/updated without any prior notice
More devices will be added in the future when they have been tested by BRP.

When the user receives a "USB to Serial Adapter" the user may also receive a floppy disk or CD which contains a
device driver that must be installed. Installation instructions for the driver installation and setup are normally
included. After installation of the device driver the "USB to Serial Adapter" must be configured.

WARNING

There is a claim that the Prolific chip set will work with Microsoft ® Windows ® Vista ® 64-bit operating system
and Microsoft ® Windows ® 7 64-bit operating system using the WDF WHQL Driver: 3.3.11.152 (dated 7-15-2010)
or WDF WHQL Driver: 3.4.25.218 (dated 10-21-2011). This claim is false. This driver has been tested extensively
and it failed causing any of the following:

• Automatic disconnect from the engine.

• Program lock up (which can only be removed by physically disconnecting the USB Serial Device from the
USB Serial Port).
• Computer "Blue-Screen-Of-Death" scenario (which can only be resolved by computer reboot).

There are countless documented incidences of users have problems with Prolific USB Serial Devices and 64-bit
operating systems. Just search the web: "prolific 64 bit problems".

The above warning also applies to RadioShack chip sets, Exar chip sets and Keyspan chip sets.

The most common problems are the wrong device for the operating system and the device driver was
not installed properly. The best way to insure that everything works properly when using USB Serial
Devices is to use one that has FTDI chip sets (latest drivers is v2.08.14 dated 4/12/2011). See
www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm for more information.
An alternative is the CardBus/PCMCIA to RS-232 Serial Adapter

The PC Card (originally PCMCIA Card) was originally designed for computer storage expansion, but the existence of
a usable general standard for notebook peripherals led to many kinds of devices being made available in this
window. Typical devices included network cards, modems, and hard disks.

PC cards are credit-card shaped peripherals that plug into a laptop computer. PC cards usually have one function.
The most common of these is serving as a fax and modem. This technology allows the user to customize the laptop
for the function the user is performing. PC cards today consist of wireless network cards, memory cards and
portable hard drives. Any given PC card has only one function and is very limited in what it can do. This means the
user may need various PC cards for a single computer.

CardBus are PCMCIA 5.0 or later (JEIDA 4.2 or later) 32-bit PCMCIA devices, introduced in 1995 and present in
laptops from late 1997 onward. CardBus is effectively a 32-bit, 33 MHz PCI bus in the PC Card form factor. CardBus
supports bus mastering, which allows a controller on the bus to talk to other devices or memory without going
through the CPU. Many chip sets, such as those that support Wi-Fi, are available for both PCI and CardBus.

Hardware examples are:

These devices have not been tested at this time.

The bottom line

If possible use a machine that has a serial port which is the most dependable form of communication.