USB - Serial Port?

[SandyM]

I have a desktop (Gateway DX 4822) that has no serial port(s). I have to CH Product controllers (pedals and Flight yoke) that are for the serial port. I apologize now for the question if it is answered somewhere else - If so I could not find it. Can I use a ftdi usb serial port adapter, or should I install a serial port card. My operating system is 64 bit Win 7. Will this work? If not, is there another solution other than junking my controllers. I am trying to use them with FS 2004. Thank You.

 

[Golgatha]

I would use a serial port add-in card. USB to serial doesn't normally work as well as an actual port.

 

[mnewsham]

I would use a serial port add-in card. USB to serial doesn't normally work as well as an actual port.

Make sure it has W7 64bit drivers and support.

 

[strep3241]

I have a desktop (Gateway DX 4822) that has no serial port(s). I have to CH Product controllers (pedals and Flight yoke) that are for the serial port. I apologize now for the question if it is answered somewhere else - If so I could not find it. Can I use a ftdi usb serial port adapter, or should I install a serial port card. My operating system is 64 bit Win 7. Will this work? If not, is there another solution other than junking my controllers. I am trying to use them with FS 2004. Thank You.

I just bought a serial port card from Newegg. I was going to try a ftdi usb cable but the cards are a little cheaper.

I have not received the card yet but I will let you know if it works for me. I have already tried a regular usb to serial cable and it did not work. I tried it on two different items so it might have been just a bad cable.

 

[SandyM]

I really appreciate the answers - being almost a "virgin" at this - I was hesitant to ask - thought it might be too naive for you guys to deal with.

 

[mfenn]

I've had decent luck with the USB adapters, just check for driver support! Really all they are is a 16550 UART hooked up to the USB bus.

 

[SandyM]

I finally got a response from CH! Said I was S.O.L. That their products were strictly analog and would not work with any type of adapter. Thanks for all of your help.

 

[Lanyap]

I finally got a response from CH! Said I was S.O.L. That their products were strictly analog and would not work with any type of adapter. Thanks for all of your help.

Check with them again and tell them you will use a PCI serial card like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16815166003
A PCI serial card should be no different than onboard from their perspective. They are probably referring to an adapter that converts one protocol to another, like the USB to serial. Don't give up.

 

[Ross Ridge]

I finally got a response from CH! Said I was S.O.L. That their products were strictly analog and would not work with any type of adapter. Thanks for all of your help.

Are you sure they use RS-232 serial ports? As far I know all the CH sticks either used the GamePort or USB to connect to your computer. DB-9 serial port connectors are the same size as VGA connector, while DA-15 GamePort connectors are roughtly the same size a DVI connector.

If it truly uses serial ports then PCI serial card should work just as well as a serial port on the motherboard, but as has been pointed already, you'd need special drivers from CH either way. If it uses GamePort connectors then it would normally use standard Windows drivers, but Microsoft doesn't include them in Windows 7 (or Vista). Your PC probably doesn't have one either, though you could add a GamePort with an older PCI sound card.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Yeah, I think that they use an analog Game Port connector, which means no support in Win7.

(Analog game ports burn CPU like there's no tomorrow.)