Serial/Parallel Ultrabay Slim Adapter

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k2jsv · #1 Post by **k2jsv** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 4:50 pm

Has anyone else tried one of these out on their systems at all?

I have a T61 7662 and received one of these Ultrabay adapters so I can have a native serial port on my machine (at this point I have to carry 2 machines in order to get my job done)

Installed the part as recommended in the manual enable the serial port in the BIOS, fire up the machine and Windows tells me that it cannot start the device, but yet the parallel port is started and runs perfectly. I called Lenovo support (After the basic troubleshooting tasks- Rollback drivers, uninstall/reinstall, check conflicts, etc) who sent me a second one of these and I am still having the same problem. Anyone have any suggestions? My machine info is below.

Machine Type: 7662-CTO
FRU P/N: 40Y8124
OS: XP with SP2
BIOS: 7LETA7WW (2.07) 12/6/07

alacrityathome · #2 Post by **alacrityathome** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 5:57 pm

Actually, I am not familiar with this ultra bay adapter capability.

Can you reference a web site or part number....just for interest.

But, do you need native serial capability?

I have a usb-to-serial adapter that I use.....would this work for you? It is a lot lighter than a 2nd PC! lol.

Alacrity

EDIT: I see the P/N...thanks.

tylerwylie · #3 Post by **tylerwylie** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 9:03 pm

alacrityathome wrote:Actually, I am not familiar with this ultra bay adapter capability.

Can you reference a web site or part number....just for interest.

But, do you need native serial capability?

I have a usb-to-serial adapter that I use.....would this work for you? It is a lot lighter than a 2nd PC! lol.

Alacrity

EDIT: I see the P/N...thanks.

I like the USB->Serial converters you can find, works fine in linux as well so my job gets even easier now

I assume it will in windows too.

k2jsv · #4 Post by **k2jsv** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 10:46 pm

I need native serial. If a converter would work... I would have purchased one already. The serial port issue is the only real downer for this computer, but its benefits far outweigh that for a downer.

Photo of the device.
http://www.k2jsv.com/img009.jpg

tylerwylie · #5 Post by **tylerwylie** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 11:02 pm

What do you need it for? I use USB->Serial to connect to routers and switches to configure via null modem cable or cisco console cable and it works without a hitch.

k2jsv · #6 Post by **k2jsv** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 11:13 pm

tylerwylie wrote:What do you need it for? I use USB->Serial to connect to routers and switches to configure via null modem cable or cisco console cable and it works without a hitch.

Not that it should really matter... But its partially for legacy Motorola equipment, amongst other things. Including controlling my coffeemaker.

I suppose I'll call support back tomorrow and elevate the case to the next level and see what happens.

#7 Post by **carbon_unit** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 7:18 am

I'm pretty sure that the ultrabay adapter is just a USB adapter that fits in the ultrabay.

killigrew · #8 Post by **killigrew** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 7:54 am

Hi

You can be shure but you are wrong, sorry for you.
The Ultrabay Adapter has a native Seriel Port, i'm using it.
I didn't have any problems with it, works out of the box.
Do you have seriel Port enabled in Bios?

cu

andyP · #9 Post by **andyP** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 9:24 am

According to the Lenovo Spec. Sheet it produces native ports.

Quote:
"Ideal for customers who must connect to serial or parallel devices and need a cable-free sol ution or require a native connection that cannot be achieved through USB-attach alternatives."

I know that I also have a customer who uses it to program industial robots.

pavelz · #10 Post by **pavelz** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 9:43 am

I have this adapter too. Unfortunatelly I can't test it until monday 31. because it is in my office at work. As soon as I am back to work I test it.

k2jsv · #11 Post by **k2jsv** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 12:01 pm

killigrew wrote:Hi

You can be shure but you are wrong, sorry for you.
The Ultrabay Adapter has a native Seriel Port, i'm using it.
I didn't have any problems with it, works out of the box.
Do you have seriel Port enabled in Bios?

cu

Yes it is enabled in the BIOS, Address of 3F8 IRQ 4 IIRC...

Not sure what else to check. Knowing my luck it is some silly checkbox or something stupid like that. And I of course missed it.

#12 Post by **carbon_unit** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 7:23 pm

killigrew wrote:Hi

You can be shure but you are wrong, sorry for you.

cu

Hi, It's nice to meet you too.

k2jsv · #13 Post by **k2jsv** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 9:14 pm

Short Answer: It was a registry problem

Long answer: Called Lenovo support again today and spoke with one of the phone support guys, his supervisor and a supervisor from software support. We tried a few other things to satisfy all routes and it was determined that my registry was the issue. They didn't know off hand what registry keys could have been right or wrong but they said a re-image would most definitely solve it. Re-imaged, and I am not reinstalling all of my software. Oh yeah... the serial port works.

For those that PMed or pointed anything out here that was useful "Thank You"

#14 Post by **carbon_unit** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 9:50 pm

k2jsv, I'm glad you got it working and it looks like I learned something new today.
I gave up on a native serial port for a T6x because I read somewhere that the ultrabay serial adapter was just USB. Looks like I need to find me one of them too. Thanks.

k2jsv · #15 Post by **k2jsv** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 10:24 am

Hey, I am always all for learning something new. But it definitely works like a charm.

http://www.k2jsv.com/batlabs/img010.jpg

Last night for a laugh, I pulled out my RIB and cables for whatever radios I have and tested it out. Read all my CPS compatible radios without issues. Tried hooking to my TNC for APRS with UI-View... that was lovely as well. I have a few other serial devices that I need to test yet... but if I was able to interface with the TNC in a terminal window it shouldn't be an issue at all.

TBH, I don't use the DVD Drive in this very often... so the Serial Port Adapter may be a permanent fixture and only swap out for DVD drive when I need it. Now... if they make a USB Enclosure that would fit the DVD drive... then I would be in business.

Serial/Parallel Ultrabay Slim Adapter

Serial/Parallel Ultrabay Slim Adapter

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