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Electronics => Electronics => Topic started by: adanvasco on June 12, 2011, 09:18:56 PM

Title: PCMCIA serial port card for laptop
Post by: adanvasco on June 12, 2011, 09:18:56 PM
Has anybody used a PCMCIA card (CardBus PC Card 54mm) with a hardware programmer? I've been trying to use the USB -> adapter with no success so far. I've been thinking about getting one of this for my laptop: http://cgi.ebay.com/Laptop-Serial-RS232-COM-DB9-Port-Expresscard-34mm-/130532398467?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e64565583 (http://cgi.ebay.com/Laptop-Serial-RS232-COM-DB9-Port-Expresscard-34mm-/130532398467?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e64565583)

Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: PCMCIA serial port card for laptop
Post by: Soeren on June 12, 2011, 09:52:08 PM
Hi,

Haven't tried using them, but notice that the page says:
"USB-Based Serial RS232 Port Expresscard, prolific chipset"
So, if USB to EIA/TIA-232 adapters didn't work for you, might be the same with the card.

I never had any problems with my USB to RS232 adapters, but a programmer might be trying to use it outside its specs.

Why not just get an USB programmer instead?
Title: Re: PCMCIA serial port card for laptop
Post by: adanvasco on June 12, 2011, 10:53:47 PM
Yeah, after I made the post I realized that it is USB based. I have a serial port on my desktop PC. That's why I have used the cheap programmer but it's beginning to be a pain in the b...., since I travel a lot and take some projects with me to kill time and my laptop have no serial port. I think I should just go ahead and get a new one. Which one do you recommend?

Thanks.
Title: Re: PCMCIA serial port card for laptop
Post by: Soeren on June 13, 2011, 07:55:23 AM
Hi,

Quote from: adanvasco on June 12, 2011, 10:53:47 PM
Which one do you recommend?
Without doubt the PICkit-2  ;D  but that's probably not any help at all, but I haven't programmed Atmel chips for around a decade, so cannot really say what's good or bad in that department.

For advice on which AVR programmer is best/cheapest, perhaps you should make a new subject, to make sure those that know them will reply.

If anything, I could tell you to get a ready build and well proven (and easily updated) device. With the PIC's, it's often more expensive to buy a second source programmer which is usually inferior to the manufacturers own product - I don't know if Atmel makes USB programmers, but if they do, they should know how to make them good  ;D
Title: Re: PCMCIA serial port card for laptop
Post by: Magnetos on July 15, 2011, 12:17:58 PM
Quote from: adanvasco on June 12, 2011, 09:18:56 PM
Has anybody used a PCMCIA card (CardBus PC Card 54mm) with a hardware programmer? I've been trying to use the USB -> adapter with no success so far. I've been thinking about getting one of this for my laptop: http://cgi.ebay.com/Laptop-Serial-RS232-COM-DB9-Port-Expresscard-34mm-/130532398467?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e64565583 (http://cgi.ebay.com/Laptop-Serial-RS232-COM-DB9-Port-Expresscard-34mm-/130532398467?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e64565583)

Thanks in advance.

I have been using this serial RS232 PCMCIA card (http://www.usconverters.com/index.php?main_page=product_reviews_info&products_id=251&reviews_id=85) with several programmers. The card has DOS drivers included so you can actually use it with any old DOS computer. 
Title: Re: PCMCIA serial port card for laptop
Post by: adanvasco on July 15, 2011, 12:38:58 PM
Hi. Thanks for the link. Looks like a good alternative for my old laptop. Have you by any chance used it with Linux? Any flavor?
Thanks again, I'll definitely look into that.