Hello to all on the forum.

This is my first post so please be gentle!

I have purchased an external device that should enable me to read/programme cellphone sim cards and think I made have made a big mistake.

This device has both a usb and a serial port located on it and both need to be connected at the same time for the thing to work.

Now comes my problem. I was so eager to get this reader that I overlooked the fact that my laptop does not have a serial port (duh)!

I have contacted the compant for support and all they will tell me is that I have to have a serial port because their software has to communicate through the COM 1 port which they said has to be serial?

I took a look in my device manager (xp sp1) and my paralell port is listed as "COM & LPT". Does that mean that I could use that port as a COM 1 port?

My thinking is:

1) Get some sort of adapter that plugs into the paralell port but changes to a serial plug at the other end that would go into the reader.

2) Try to make the reader's software believe that the COM LPT port id now a com 1 port.

Do you think this is workable or am I talking utter rubbish. Please keep the answers simple because as you can probably tell, I haven't got a clue!

Thanks in advance.

Kind regards,

Paul

Aloha exoticasian and welcome to http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif

I do not beleive the Parallel to Serial idea is realistic. However, HERE (http://www.quatech.com/catalog/rs232_pcmcia.php) is another option for a laptop. By no means am I recommending this company or specific product, it was simply the first hit on a Google (google.com) search. I post this link just to show you that there are devices out that will work for this. ;)

Good luck
Frank

Thanks very much for the reply. That looks like it just might do the trick. No harm in trying!