Society of Robots - Robot Forum

General Misc => Misc => Topic started by: ballbreaker on July 19, 2010, 04:31:45 AM

Title: serial port question
Post by: ballbreaker on July 19, 2010, 04:31:45 AM

ok serial port has 9 pins but my laptop HP pavilion dv60000 has a port with 15 holes what is that and can i use it as serial?

Title: Re: serial port question
Post by: Joker94 on July 19, 2010, 04:37:23 AM

no that port is for devices like external monitors. not a serial port.

there may be some way of using that specific port but not as far as i am aware of.

Title: Re: serial port question
Post by: waltr on July 19, 2010, 07:32:16 AM

The 15 pin D conn on your laptop is a video monitor port. Most likely unless your laptop is 10 years old it doesn't have a Serial (RS232) port. It should have a few USB ports so use an RS232 to USB adapter to obtain RS232.
There are several on the market that work and some that don't. KeySpan makes a good one.
Another way if you like building is the FTDI chip. SpakeFun sells some on breakout boards.