I have the above laptop..older model not sure how old, about 4 years
I'm guessing. Bought it secondhand, and got no documentation with it..
I am trying to connect a digital camera to it.(win98, 64mgs.) The
camera has a 9 pin serial port connection. The computer will not
detect the camera when I hook it up. It has a PS/2 trackpoint in it,
if thats of any consequence.. I had been told to try and find a serial
to PS2adaptor. I had also read about having to go into the BIOS to
disable something?? Hope not, that is not where I would like to
venture. (grin) Any advise would be appreciated.
Thanks
Vickie

Vickie wrote:
Serial devices, like the camera, must have some type of driver interface
to the port, usually supplied as a part of a camera software package.
If the camera has a CF card (or other removable medium), and the laptop
has an USB port, then you can mount the CF card in a card reader (about
$20) as a removable disk drive. What is the camera? Have you checked
the vendor's site for drivers and software?

Q

"Quaoar" <Quaoar@tenthplanet.net> wrote in message news:<6hOdnamuU-i_RfGiXTWJhQ@comcast.com>...
Its a cheapy photomaxSE(polaroid). Internal memory. I got it from a
friend who had bought a new one. He had been running it on win98
desktop with no problems connecting (no drivers were installed) only
installation required was the software program (image maker) CD to
"acquire" the photo's. I think I pretty well have it nailed down that
it is a problem with the port not being enabled in the BIOS. I bought
the laptop second hand with no documentation. I do not even know what
the age of it- is older model IBM thinkpad-2611-No other #'s of any
kind can be found on the bottom- So I do not- even if I was brave
enough - have enough info (ran Aida found not with it.) to get into or
even what to change the BIOs. It has been mentioned I find a utility
to check the ports. There was a website on polaroid site that would
check the serial ports,
(www.Xirlink.com/earthlink/dscproserialtest.exe) but it does not exist
any longer. Would you know of an alternative (simple to use) that I
could download?
An external mouse (no drivers) does work on a ps2port. It was
recommended elsewhere I try to find a serial to ps2 adaptor. Do you
think this would work?? The main thing is I want to avoid totally if
possible going into the BIOs (I am not an advanced user) to enable
this. I also do not want to have to pay someone lots of $$$ to enable
a camera thats worth squat.(grin)
Thanks for the help so far.
Vickie

Try posting in ibm.ibmpc.thinkpad.

"Vickie" <vicdon1@gosympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:ad28afdd.0309201252.7080de21@posting.google.c om...

Vickie wrote:
It is still unclear: are you using the software to download from the
camera? If so, there should be settings, preferences, tools, or
something like that to select which com port is being accessed through
serial communications. Somewhere in the software are selections for
Com1, Com2, Com3 or Com4. Change these one at a time until you find one
that works. You might have to exit the program after making a change,
then restart the program. If none work, then it might be that you need
to enter BIOS setup and check which ports are designated. When the
computer boots, you see (usually) at the bottom of the screen F2 for
setup, Del for setup, etc. Type that key right after the memory test.
Sometimes holding down the Esc or Del key at boot will force the
computer into setup. The original owner should have some advice for
this, although it is rare in my experience that port settings need to be
changed. BTW, you can exit the BIOS setup without saving any changes.
I do not believe that you can use the PS2 port. BTW, the camera must be
On (sorry, but it does happen). What OS? XP will not support serial
comms typically.

Q