Click to See Complete Forum and Search --> : Fried Serial Port, served Hot or cold
Laser142614
03-01-2003, 06:24 PM
I think I killed my serial port on my IBM Laptop. I recently installed RedHat 8.0. I've been trying to get my palm to sync with evolution but the two just weren't speaking to each other. I've searched and read non-stop for two days (these forums, RedHat.com, Google, etc..) but nothing seems to work. All the tutorials seem to assume that the palm cradle is talking to Linux.
Anyway, I booted up windows again to see if it worked there, and it doesn't. This gives me great hope for the success of my Linux platform but I need my palm.
What I'm wondering is if there is a way to make my computer think that I just installed a brand new serial port and just start over. I'm thinking this will finally solve my problem but it seems way over the head of this Linux newbie.
Any info would be great.
GhostDawg
03-02-2003, 01:40 AM
Do you have another device to try with the serial port, such as an external modem? Most desktop systems have two serial ports, does your laptop have two?
retoon
03-02-2003, 02:18 AM
Did you by any chance install any devices into that serial port while the computer was on? I have heard from a few people, I've never tried it, that it can damage the port, the device, or both. It makes sense to me cause its not designed to be hotswappable.
michaelk
03-02-2003, 09:57 AM
Norton diagnostics or similar will test the serial port.
You can also test the serial port using windows hyperterminal and a simple loopback connector. Basically you should see what you type.
http://www.jspayne.com/io/schematics.html
Have you test your Palm on another PC to see if it still works? Is your interface cable still good?
Originally posted by Laser142614
I think I killed my serial port on my IBM Laptop.What makes you think that? As per michaelk's suggestions- test the functionality of the serial port.
Originally posted by Laser142614
All the tutorials seem to assume that the palm cradle is talking to Linux.Yes, that's correct- the serial cable from the cradle is what any OS uses to communicate with the Palm. I'm not sure what you're getting at there.
Originally posted by Laser142614
What I'm wondering is if there is a way to make my computer think that I just installed a brand new serial port and just start over.If you've truly fried the hardware and have only one serial port, no- you'll have to have the port's circuitry repaired. Again, use michealk's info to test the port before trying to solve a hardware problem via software.
If the port is no longer working in Linux or Windows, I'd say she's cooked. As retoon said, serial ports aren't designed to be hot-plugged; doing so can toast the tranceivers or other components.
:(
Laser142614
03-03-2003, 04:15 PM
Could you give me more information on rinning diagnostic programs. I looked through Norton but I couldn't find anything about testing hardware.
Website looked cool, but maybe a little over my head.
Thanks for all your help.
P.S. Is there anyway I could have messed it up by leaving the cradle plugged in? This wouldn't make any sense. What does hot-plugged mean?
Plenty of information (as well as freeware utilities) concerning serial port testing can be found in this Google search (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=%22serial+port%22+test+loopback&btnG=Google+Search). To fully test the port you'll need either a device such as a modem to communicate with, or a "loopback" plug. The loopback plug is basically just a specially-wired connector which ties the port's transmit and receive lines together. This fools the port into thinking it's talking to another device, when actually it's just getting its output routed to its input.
As far as leaving the cradle plugged in goes, that won't hurt anything. Hotplugging means connecting/disconnecting a device to a port while the systems is powered on. USB, for example is hotpluggable; you can safely plug/unplug USB devices while the system is running. Serial ports are not hotpluggable; you can blow them by connecting something without first turning the machine off. You might hear some people say that they hotplug serial devices all the time without a problem, and that can be true- hotplugging won't definitely cause damage, but it only takes one time...
Laser142614
03-04-2003, 02:36 AM
Thanks for the info, I'll check out that search. As for hotplugging, I do that all the time. If the port is damaged, what are my odds on getting an inexpensive (I'm a student) replacement or repair. Like I said, I need to be able to sync, my life is on my palm.
Thanks again,
Originally posted by Laser142614
what are my odds on getting an inexpensive (I'm a student) replacement or repair.You would have to get an estimate from a repair shop. The port's components are probably integral to the motherboard, so it won't be as easy as picking up a replacement part and installing it yourself.
:(