Serial port to download pics to pc

[Auscoast]

Hi all,

I presume I can use the serial port instead of the USB to download pics to my pc? I'm having trouble with my usb ports.

Thanks in advance

[simonaward]

If the USB ports built into your motherboard are playing up, you could buy a 'USB PCI Card' to add new usb ports to a computer (providing you have a spare PCI slot).

I bought one a few months ago for £12 (uk price).


Unable to tell you if you can use the serial port without knowing which camera it is - but unless it came with a serial connector, you'll need to buy a specific cable from the original manufacturer, or find some kind of adaptor (don't even know if such thing exsists - I do know there is such a thing to plug a serial device into a USB port, but not USB into serial).

Or, you may be able to find a 'serial card reader' - (which one depends on the type of memory your camera takes).


Personally, I'd opt for a new USB PCI card...

[Auscoast]

Thanks for your reply, I can get a usb to serial cable, just want to make sure that it will work!!

[simonaward]

is it a cable specific to the camera then, or a generic adaptor?
(i'd be interested in seeing it, if there is a weblink you can post...)

Don't quote me, but I'm pretty sure that using your serial instead of USB will be somewhat slower (am I right anybody?)

And I can't imagine a USB to Serial cable being much (if any) cheaper than a USB PCI Card, which would add at least two USB ports (the one I bought for £12 added 4 external and 2 internal USB ports).

[Auscoast]

It's a generic adapter, I'll find a link to it.

[Auscoast]

Try this:

http://www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/4076b6fc0430eeb2273fc0a87f9c075b/Product/View/XH6451

[simonaward]

:(

sorry - but that won't work (I dont think) - the website isn't clear, but if you look at the picture the serial connection is male. The serial port on the back of your PC is male!
That looks to be to be the kind of cable I mentioned to connect old serial devices to newer computers (usually laptops) that don't have a serial port.

Take it your in Aus. Used Dicksmiths my self when I was in Aus to buy something for the father-in-law.
Just looking on Dicksmiths to see if i can find a USB PCI card....


I also noticed your previous post. Your using XP, that shouldn't need any drivers to recognise you camera. Is you PC relatively new? (past couple of years)

[simonaward]

right - couldn't find a plain simple USB PCI card on Dicksmiths, but:

USB 2.0 PCI Card 4+1 Port: $44.00
http://www.mittoni.com.au/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/1232

or

Generic USB2.0 4 Port PCI Card: $35.20
http://www.techbuy.com.au/product.asp?prodId=26444&catId=USB&parentId=USB_PC I_CARDS

just means popping open your pc and slipping one of these into a spare PCI slot (if done carefully, you cant go wrong).

Not sure of the exchange rate these days, but I know that $35-$45 is still better than $70!

[PeterS45]

I don't think a serial cable will work because Canon used special RS-232 drivers for the older cameras which supported RS-232. So my advice is to go for the USB-card.

[simonaward]

I think the serial wasn't ever going to be the best solution - and in fact, now we've looked at it - it doesn't even look possible.

Even if that serial adaptor did work - how many other things could you use it for? At least with a new USB Card you'll have a USB enabled PC - and with so many things these days using USB, it's a much more future proof solution.

Just a few things to think about / check over:

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1. Have you ever used the USB ports for anything else (have they ever worked) ?

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2. Could you get hold of another USB device to see if that works OK in your USB ports?

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3. Might sound simple, but:
- Is the cable plugged into the USB.
- Turn the camera off.
- Plug the camera into the USB cable.
- Switch the camera to 'play' mode.
- Switch the camera on.
+ Windows XP should now detect the camera (notifications will appear near the task bar), then once complete (it will only need to do this the first time you plug the camera in) - WindowsXP will pop up with a Wizard asking what you'd like to do with the photos.

(If you have installed any drivers - try uninstalling them and starting again from the above - WindowsXP really doesn't need drivers to run).

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4. Do you have any friends/relatives you could bother by trying it out on their PC? (pref with XP - that way you can try just by plugging it in - no need to install drivers on their PC.) - If it works OK on another PC, you know for def that it's your USB thats shot. If it doesn't work there - possibly a faulty camera?

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5. Get a "USB PCI Card", It should be the newer "USB version 2" which is faster than the older "USB 1" (but most are now days, so don't worry).

Installing one of these should be easy.
- Turn off the PC
- Pop open the case
- Put both hands on the Power Supply Unit, this helps de-static your body - a precution to prevent frying your PC with static electricity.
- carefully align the card with a free PCI slot and insert (make sure it in firmly).
- Put your cover back on, and switch your PC back on.
- Once XP has loaded, give it a moment to find the card and install what it needs (again, XP shouldn't need any drivers), it will then tell you the new device is ready to use.

( Heres a little website with some basic advice/guidence on kitting out a PC with a PCI card for further details:
http://www.buildyourown.org.uk/build.asp?sect=boards&page=2 )

- now go back to Step 3 above! ^

If your not happy doing this, drop it into a local PC shop, ask them how much would it cost to check over the current USB ports, and if they are shot, add a USB PCI card for you. (go prepared with print offs of prices for cards online, that way if the price is alot higher, you can ask them to match the online price for the PCI card.)
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Hope this sorts out your problem and gets you on track to enjoying your D.Camera!
Keep us posted on how it goes...