connect satellite receiver to laptop

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frank087234

Member
I tried to connect satellite receiver to laptop (which has no rs232 port) via USB to rs232 feamle cable, but nothing happened?
Anyone know to do it? do i need to install adriver?:confused:
 
Which model of satellite receiver? Some need null modem RS232 connection others a straightforward RS232 connection. You may be better asking this question over in the satellite forums, particularly if there is one for your model of satellite receiver. What exactly are you trying to do?
 
the receiver is Strong 3800II . it has rs232 male port, my laptop ( win Vista) has only usb..so I bought usb to rs232 female cable to make connection.
i want to update thr receiver firmware (*bin file)
 
USB to RS232 leads are notorious for not doing what they are supposed to do.

Then again, Vista has the same critics.

The manual should confirm whether a straight or crossover cable is required, have you tried asking the dealer that sold the machine to you ?
 
If the software is looking for a com port (normally com 1-4) you may need to change the allocation of the com ports - the usb ports are often numbered 5 upwards - no good for software looking for 1-4!

I had exactly this problem when I got my little weather station a couple of years ago, the thing came with a usb to rs232 converter and it took quite a while of intricate fiddling with settings to get it to work......
 
Channel Hopper said:
USB to RS232 leads are notorious for not doing what they are supposed to do.

Then again, Vista has the same critics.

The manual should confirm whether a straight or crossover cable is required, have you tried asking the dealer that sold the machine to you ?
Click to expand...

Manual confirm, a crossover cable is required ( pin2 to pin3, pin3 to pin2, pin5 to pin5). The problem i have that my laptop has no rs232 port, only 4 usb. so I have to use usb to 232 cable( I don't know if it is straight or crossover !!)
Unfortunately, It is not working
 
RS232 card for the laptop?
 
frank087234 said:
What do u mean??
Click to expand...

He means one of these two:

ExpressCard version (modern laptops):
_http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150441560697

CardBus version (older laptops):
_http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320551681858

Any older laptops will usually have an RS232 serial port anyway... :)
 
frank087234 said:
Manual confirm, a crossover cable is required ( pin2 to pin3, pin3 to pin2, pin5 to pin5). The problem i have that my laptop has no rs232 port, only 4 usb. so I have to use usb to 232 cable( I don't know if it is straight or crossover !!)
Unfortunately, It is not working
Click to expand...

You really are not trying then. If you can locate the individual cables within the adapter (those that equate to pins 2 and 3 on the larger end) then you can cross them over yourself.

If you are into taxidermy, it's not unlike looking inside a snake before you put the borax in.
 
frank087234 said:
how can I open adaptor ( the there is no screws!!) to check if it is crossed or not?? is there colour coding?
Click to expand...

The adapter Ihave here is USB on one end (the head), and a short piece of cable on the other ending up with the RS232.

You would have to cut into the cable and verify which colour wires are pins 2 and 3, then cut/cross them.
 
I just thought I'd add that the USB-serial adaptor I have here somewhere is a USB flylead with a box containing the electronics and the RS-232 socket, so not all of them are the same, cutting into the USB cable could end up frying electronics, either in the adaptor or in the computer... :(

As for opening one with no screws, usually a flat screwdriver along the seam and prising it open will work, assuming it's a clipped together model, if it's a moulded plastic then it would be very hard to open... :)
 
frank087234 said:
mine is moulded plastics :(
Click to expand...

Seems like an external crossover cable may be an easier (if a slightly more costly) option...
 
frank087234 said:
I am thinking of buying 2 cables: one Crossed DB9female to DB9female, and another USB to DB9Male.. Is this gonna work??
Click to expand...

Well, as you already have the USB-Serial adaptor, the 2nd one is totally pointless, just get the crossed female-female DB9 cable, that's all you need really... :)
 
2cvbloke said:
Well, as you already have the USB-Serial adaptor, the 2nd one is totally pointless, just get the crossed female-female DB9 cable, that's all you need really... :)
Click to expand...

thanks.. u saying, I need 2 cables, the usb -serial adaptor( Male) and crossed Fem to Fem DB9??
 
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