How to make USB input look like COMxx

Uncle Bruce · 06-02-2008, 09:35 AM

I have legacy (GPS Charting) software that expects data to arrive on a COM RS232 serial port. Most new laptops have USB ports, not serial.

Is there a "driver" that will trick the legacy software into thinking that the data is arriving via a serial port?

The laptop in question is running XP Pro, SP2.

(If this question would fit better in another forum, please let me know)

Uncle Bruce

dai · 06-02-2008, 10:51 AM

moved you to laptops

**TriggerFinger** · 06-02-2008, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Bruce

I have legacy (GPS Charting) software that expects data to arrive on a COM RS232 serial port. Most new laptops have USB ports, not serial.

Is there a "driver" that will trick the legacy software into thinking that the data is arriving via a serial port?

The laptop in question is running XP Pro, SP2.

(If this question would fit better in another forum, please let me know)

Uncle Bruce

Hi Uncle Bruce,

i am not so sure about a driver but check this item out? http://www.usbgear.com/CA-232-1MB.html

you can look for a similar one over the internet USB to Serial (RS323) converter.

Uncle Bruce · 06-02-2008, 03:26 PM

The Problem here is not the hardware - regardless of whether the GPS provides USB output, or connects to a Serial to USB adapter, when it gets to the laptop, the data is entering via USB.

The challenge is the legacy software which doesn't even know that USB exists, so it cannot directly "see" data coming in thru the port. What do I need to do to make the legacy software think that, even though it is really a USB port, it is COM1 or COM2 ...?

Uncle Bruce

nego-oh-oh · 06-02-2008, 06:38 PM

copied from the above link

nego-oh-oh · 06-02-2008, 06:39 PM

oops ?!?! ill try again

nego-oh-oh · 06-02-2008, 06:47 PM

copied from the above posted link (under product description)

Virtual COM port (VCP) drivers cause the USB device to appear as an
additiopnal COM port available to the PC.

Application software can access the USB device in the same way as it would
access a standard COM port.

it might just work for you

Uncle Bruce · 06-03-2008, 08:29 AM

Hooray! I've found the answer to my question.

It appears that there is no generic driver that will make any arbitrary USB device look like a COM port. However, if the manufacturer implements the device end properly and provides a suitable driver for the PC / Laptop, then the device can be made to look like a COM port.

I've been able to check with three GPS manufacturers, and all of them provide such drivers for their USB GPS devices.

Thanks, everyone for your help.

06-02-2008, 09:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
Uncle Bruce Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 3 OS: Win xp sp2	How to make USB input look like COMxx I have legacy (GPS Charting) software that expects data to arrive on a COM RS232 serial port. Most new laptops have USB ports, not serial. Is there a "driver" that will trick the legacy software into thinking that the data is arriving via a serial port? The laptop in question is running XP Pro, SP2. (If this question would fit better in another forum, please let me know) Uncle Bruce

06-02-2008, 10:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 53,599 OS: vista 32x 64x ultimate retail	Re: How to make USB input look like COMxx moved you to laptops __________________

06-02-2008, 03:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
Uncle Bruce Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 3 OS: Win xp sp2	Re: How to make USB input look like COMxx The Problem here is not the hardware - regardless of whether the GPS provides USB output, or connects to a Serial to USB adapter, when it gets to the laptop, the data is entering via USB. The challenge is the legacy software which doesn't even know that USB exists, so it cannot directly "see" data coming in thru the port. What do I need to do to make the legacy software think that, even though it is really a USB port, it is COM1 or COM2 ...? Uncle Bruce

06-02-2008, 06:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
nego-oh-oh Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 41 OS: xp	Re: How to make USB input look like COMxx copied from the above link

06-02-2008, 06:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
nego-oh-oh Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 41 OS: xp	Re: How to make USB input look like COMxx oops ?!?! ill try again

06-02-2008, 06:47 PM	#7 (permalink)
nego-oh-oh Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 41 OS: xp	Re: How to make USB input look like COMxx copied from the above posted link (under product description) Virtual COM port (VCP) drivers cause the USB device to appear as an additiopnal COM port available to the PC. Application software can access the USB device in the same way as it would access a standard COM port. it might just work for you

06-03-2008, 08:29 AM	#8 (permalink)
Uncle Bruce Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 3 OS: Win xp sp2	Re: How to make USB input look like COMxx Hooray! I've found the answer to my question. It appears that there is no generic driver that will make any arbitrary USB device look like a COM port. However, if the manufacturer implements the device end properly and provides a suitable driver for the PC / Laptop, then the device can be made to look like a COM port. I've been able to check with three GPS manufacturers, and all of them provide such drivers for their USB GPS devices. Thanks, everyone for your help.