T30, win98se, serial (rs232) port problem

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LosBigeros · #1 Post by **LosBigeros** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 6:56 pm

Hi All!
I have TP T30series with win98se installed, and under this O/S my serial port doesn't work at all with my CNC machines. I have a software for win98, so there is no any chance to upgrade system to winxp:( I wish I could couse under XP on the same T30 this serial port working fine with other machines. I applied almost every single update (I'm afraid to flash the bios) from ibm support service and still nothing is changing. I tried some connectors USB-to-RS232 but unsuccesfully:(
So if anyone has any idea what to do with this I will be very greatefull! It seams to be a driver issue but who knows...

ajkula66 · #2 Post by **ajkula66** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 8:28 pm

Not all machines support W98, you may want to check on Lenovo's site whether your particular model does.

Posting a 7-character model code would also help other members help you.

Good luck.

LosBigeros · #3 Post by **LosBigeros** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 6:24 am

yes, you are right,
I forgot about the model, so here it is:
2366-97G

#4 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 7:37 am

Product: ThinkPad T30 2366-97G

Original description: P4-M 2.0GHz (512KB), 256MB RAM, 60.0GB HDD, 14.1 SXGA+(1400x1050) TFT LCD, 16x10x24x/8x CD-RW/DVD-ROM, 802.11b Wireless/Modem(MPCI), Ethernet(LOM), Bluetooth(CDC), Secure Chip(TCPA), UltraNav, Li-Ion battery, WinXP Pro

If you go to this page you will find W98 drivers etc.

LosBigeros · #5 Post by **LosBigeros** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 9:25 am

thx m8!
like I said, I installed almost every single update from this site and nothing is changed:(

BillP · #6 Post by **BillP** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 9:51 am

Does the Device Manager indicate the serial port is working? Any resource conflicts?

#7 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 3:17 pm

The serial port can be dis/en-abled in the BIOS.

LosBigeros · #8 Post by **LosBigeros** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 4:43 pm

the port is enabled in bios,
device manager indicate the serial port and it is working without any resource conflicts.
Thats why this problem is so strange. Everything it seems to be working but there is no connection between TP and CNC mashine (s),
for example: today i had the chance to run on T30 interface setup for mercedes benz - ofcourse using serial port, and it was the same situation - no connection between TP - mercedes computer. Heh, even standard mouse for serial port doesn't want to work.

BillP · #9 Post by **BillP** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 5:10 pm

Make sure your power management drivers are up to date:
Battery MaxiMiser and Power Management Features
1xu105u1.exe

Look up Knowledge Base Article 252184 on the Microsoft site and see if it helps.

#10 Post by **rkawakami** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 5:21 pm

Download a copy of PC Doctor for DOS for the T30 from here:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-42358

(Look under the Diagnostics heading). Create either the floppy disk set or burn a bootable CD. Go and find/buy a serial port loopback plug. Details on constructing one is here:

http://www.pc-doctor.com/loopback_diagr ... up=default

Attach the loopback plug, boot PC Doctor, select the Serial Port tests, enable the loopback test and see what happens. If it passes, then I would assume that your hardware is performing correctly and you are looking at a software/driver problem.

LosBigeros · #11 Post by **LosBigeros** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 4:51 am

thanks, I'll do that, but when the win XP is installed on this T30, serial port is workink fine - serial mouse is working and the diagnostic software for mercedes is working also (it support win9x/winXP) so it seems to be a driver issue.

Msmax · #12 Post by **Msmax** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 3:14 am

Hello,

Please check at which port number your RS232 port is set.

If you are talking about Stardiagnose for Mercedes Benz, then I know this software uses comport 6 or 2.

If your CNC machine software only works with comport 1 then it will not find it.

I use IBM T22/T23 and T30 notebooks for StarDiagnose and other Car diagnostic programs, even in DOS operating system (not tried yet for T30) without problems.

If you like to add a new comport to your notebook with 100% compatbility for older Operating Systems, then try to buy an Argosy PCMCIA comport interface card. These come with DOS, Win98, & XP drivers. I use these for example for Car diagnose with Visa interface which needs 2 comports.

Regards, Msmax

#13 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 8:57 am

A few observations:

MSD (Microsoft Diagnostics), which is supplied with MS-DOS, is an excellent tool for troubleshooting and general information. MSD provides a complete picture of hardware and software settings and files for DOS and Windows. A memory map from 640 kilobytes (KB) to 1024KB shows the devices and programs currently using memory and what memory may be available for other devices and programs. (A memory map uses hexadecimal addresses to describe how memory is being used.) Typing msd /? at the command prompt lists available switches.

Check c:\windows\system.ini
[386Enh] section

Check the COMx entries, where x = port number.
The following are not necessarily all in your system.ini, and the values here are for info only (but as recommended by Intel):

COMxFIFO=2 (2 is an undocumented but valid option for COMxFIFO)
COMxBUFFER=4096
COMxTXSIZE=16
COMxRXSIZE=8
COMBOOSTTIME=40

Change as needed.
For more details see this
and this

T30, win98se, serial (rs232) port problem

T30, win98se, serial (rs232) port problem

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