rs232 cable question

[WBAndy]

I asked this in the recover dead skybox thread but i'm not sure I should have as it is a 'sticky thread' so I will as here.....Sorry if I have replicated a post admin......I have what may seem like a daft question here as I am so confused right now......I want to reflash an f5 that has the e001 but the RS232 cable I got has the 9 holes to fit on the back of the box but then there is not the same port on my laptop.....am I being completely stupid here or have I got the wrong cable cos when I google it I get exactly the same cable?....I assume I need some kind of adaptor?......Is the rs232 null modem to RCA a good adaptor? or would USB be better?...................Cheers and apologies again if I have replicated this.

[P&D]

You need an old computer that has a com port
you can use a usb adaptor...but i think they are a pain to setup

never used a usb converter.....i have an old xp computer

[slugworth]

lezi cable-female to female null modem cable

[WBAndy]

That's exactly what I have Slugworth mate, but laptop has no com port....what's best adapter or do I have to do what P&D said and find an old computer set up? (Cheers for answers too)

[cactikid]

any of your friends got an old dell lappy as they have com ports,skybox and pc/laptop need the same port for the null modem cable.

[slugworth]

I had an old belkin F5U103 adapter that would work on some of my pc's but not on others.
I recommend an old pc, that is often cheaper if not for free.

[sattv5]

That's exactly what I have Slugworth mate, but laptop has no com port....what's best adapter or do I have to do what P&D said and find an old computer set up? (Cheers for answers too)

It depends on how old your laptop is, if you have a pcmcia slot on it then this adpator should work

RS232 Serial 9Pin PCMCIA Laptop Cardbus Card Adapter | eBay

I had an old belkin F5U103 adapter

I have a couple of them lying around and they flash absolutely everything Dreamboxes, Vu+ etc
but get absolutely no response trying to flash any of the openbox/skybox range.

[Hadron]

...Is the rs232 null modem to RCA a good adaptor? or would USB be better?...

??? Where have you seen an RS232 to RCA?

[WBAndy]

Thanks for all the answers. I have ordered an adaptor to USB and another one to RCA from ebay so hopefully one of them will work. If not I will ask around for a desktop pc.

cheers

[WBAndy]

I meant VGA sorry......

[manhatten]

Thanks for all the answers. I have ordered an adaptor to USB and another one to RCA from ebay so hopefully one of them will work. If not I will ask around for a desktop pc.

cheers

You have all ready been told What you need to be sure of doing it successfully is a old computer with XP and a serial port,
I use a old Dell D600 Laptop and it works fine.

[WBAndy]

I meant VGA sorry......

[WBAndy]

Cheers manhatten

[Hadron]

I meant VGA sorry......

That definately won't work i'm affraid.