Using PS2 port for download

PCI serial port card, maybe sounds like a possible solution But you really should get a new mobo, keep the cpu, ram,case , (and install Vista)

martin

I have a crappy portable computer that does NOT have even one RS232 serial port, and for which I have been unsuccessful in getting a USB to Serial port converter to work (several of them).

I am investigating PCMCIA to serial port adapters, but in the meantime, I would like to know if I can use one of the PS2 ports as a serial port for data download. I think I remember seeing this once, but can't remember where.

All I really want to do is download the data from my Garmin Etrex GPS which uses a 9 pin RS232 to 4 pin Etrex serial port cable (it may only use 3 of these pins for communications I think).

Any ideas?

Thanks Jim

It's not necessarily a crappy portable. Even my Sony laptop bought in 2006 came without a Serial Port. I tried a cheap piece of crap USB to RS232 adapter which didn't work, got an RMA on it and the replacement didn't work either. I was shopping for USB to RS232 at Fry's and met two other people who hadn't found a satisfactory unit either. Did a lot of Googling and learned that there is one model by Belkin with a good reputation. Finally bought a PCMCIA CardBus serial port which has worked solid. CardBus units seem overpriced but I got a generic one through Amazon.Com for $27.99 sold by Computer Geeks. Good Luck and make sure you can return it if it doesn't work.

Ken Fowler