FAQ: Using MicroBase Professional With USB Ports

Can I Use MicroBase Pro With A Computer Which Does Not Have An RS-232 Serial Port?

You will probably be able to use MicroBase Professional with a computer which is not equipped with an RS-232 serial port, provided it has an available USB port and you install a special adapter called a USB to Serial Port Adapter.

Where Can I Find A USB To Serial Port Adapter?

There are a variety of models available in computer stores and on the Internet. Be sure to select a model which is compatible with your computer's hardware connections and software operating system. Prices range from $20 to $40.

These units produced excellent results when tested on Win XP/Win Vista/Win7 32 bit operating systems.

• BAFO Technologies - Model 810 USB to Serial Adapter
• CommFront Communications - USB-232-1 USB to Serial Adapter
• IOGEAR - Model GUC232A USB to Serial Adapter
• KEYSPAN - Model USA-19H USB Serial Adapter
• SIIG - USB to Serial Adapter

This unit produced excellent results when tested on Win XP/Win Vista/Win7 64 bit operating systems.

• CommFront Communications - USB-232-1 USB to Serial Adapter

This unit failed to work properly when tested on Win XP/Win Vista 32 bit operating systems.

• GigaWare - 6-Ft USB-A to Serial Cable (Radio Shack SKU:26-949)

How Do I Install My USB To Serial Port Adapter?

You can use the following procedure to install most USB to Serial adapters under Windows XP Home:

• Log-in with administrator privileges.
• Connect the USB to Serial adapter to one of the computer's USB ports.
• Windows should respond with the "New Hardware Found" dialog. Insert the driver disk that came with your adapter and select the option for automatic installation.
• When installation is complete, click finish and remove the driver install disk.

	Note: The ComFront unit needs to have two drivers installed so the above procedure will occur twice.

How Do I Configure MicroBase Professional To Use My USB to Serial Port Adapter?

Before using the adapter, you will need to configure MicroBase pro to use the adaptor:

• Open the Windows device manager (Control Panel - System - Hardware - Device Manager) and select Ports (COM & LPT). Look for the entry that corresponds to the adapter you have just installed and note the virtual Com Port which the adapter is assigned to use.
• If a corresponding Com Port entry does not show when your USB to RS-232 adapter is plugged into a working USB port, then you probably don't have the appropriate driver installed. Try installing the driver again.
• If you are not sure which Com Port entry corresponds to your USB to RS-232 adapter, disconnect the adapter from your USB port, the related Com Port entry will disappear from the list. Reconnect the adapter and the related entry will re-appear.
• The Com Port number must be in the range of 1-9. If you see a number outside of this range, try opening the properties of the driver and then using the advanced configuration to obtain an unused Com Port number in the range of 1-9.
• If you are unsure if the entry you see corresponds to your USB adaptor, just unplug the USB adaptor. The entry should disappear. Plug the USB adaptor back in and the entry should reappear.
• When you are satisfied that you know the appropriate Com Port number, open MicroBase Professional and select Options - Connect Settings.  Select the appropriate Com port for use. Click OK when finished.

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