I just bought a cable from Radio Shack to use my laptop to store my Predator tunes on and upload/download them. The problem is that I don't think the cable will work with the laptop. What is everyone doing?? Thanks in advance.

 

If your laptop has a com port, the cable will work fine. If you have a laptop with no com port, you can get a usb to com adaptor cable from radio shack (part #26-183) which will do the job.

 

Should be what's known as a DB-9 9 ping connector with 5 pins above the remaining four pins. If I'm correct, the pins layout is:

Pin 2 = transmit
Pin 3 = recieve
Pin 7 = ground

It's a very simple, very common connector standard.

 

It used to be standard. It is very rare to see Laptops with Com Ports anymore. Just like floppy drives were replaced with CDRW the com port has been replaced by USB. When I bought mine it was the only model at the store with a Com port, and that was 18 months ago.

 

I'm talking about a com port standard, in terms of pin-out for serial connecivity. You may be thinking about the slim form-factor laptops. I have seen those super slim-lines without the COM port. I just got a Dell, normal size business laptop and it has a COM port. I'm sorry, I can't buy that DB-9 COM is on the way out. I work for a major organization, maintaining many enterprise network devices....EVERY switch, router, hub, firewall box, terminal server, you name it has a DB-9 serial interface to do local configurations. Imagine what would happen if that COM interface were no longer available on a laptop for interface to the network. It just ain't going to happen any time soon.

 

Sorry yea I was talking about the port itself.

I was also talking in refrence to the consumer line of laptops. Dell's consumer (inspiron sp?) only had one model with the serial port, all others did not include it even the non-slim line.

I'm not sure about the buisness models, and I can see your point about not being able to have a laptop without it. On a consumer level the serial port is being replaced, and most new perphials have USB. Even the all new handheld tuner tool (X-cal2) is USB.

 

Cisco is going to start doing USB LOM/TERM ports on some of the newer high end products, and some of are going to have to buy USB/RS232 dongles.

 

Yeah, I would imagine that the consumer lines will dump the DB-9; it does make sense. I deal with mostly Nortel networks equipment. Cisco may be in my future and I would think the best thing would be to have COM and USB/RS232 until the one can take over the other. Dang technology.

 

My laptop doesn't have a COM port. Can I use the adapter cable?? My roomate thinks it won't work.

 

I've heard people have had problems with the adapter, but I would at least give it a try. Radio Shack has a pretty good return policy. If it doesn't work just return it.

Also if you have a desktop computer you can use that. Most desktops still have serial ports. You just need a power adapter:
CLASS 2 TRANSFORMER
OUTPUT : 12VDC 1000mA (1 Amp)
(Radio Shack Part # 273-1776)
Note: Plug Tip is 2.5mm x 5.5mm, female, and center is positive.
(Radio Shack Part # 273-1717)

 

I already have the cable for the desk top. I'd like to take the lap top to the track with the tunes on it but I guess I can't.

 

What brand is your laptop? What operating system?

 

It's a Sony Vaio. A K33 to be exact.

 

I bought a cord from radio shack that converts from 9 ping to like 15 ping or whatever ping it is im not a computer guy. I brought my predetor in and asked the guy how to hook this up to a labtop. It was like 40 bucks and it works just fine. Stright from the labtop to the predetor. One wire. It go's into a usb port. Hope this helps.

 

Nawww, really?