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The connector that came with my GPS is for a PC serial port, but my serial port is already used by my Palm PDA and my PC's in a desk cubbyhole, making it a real pain to change. Does anyone know if there's a USB connector available? If so, where can I get one? REI doesn't know of one and I can't find mention of one on the Garmin website.

Hooli it may seem like a pain now, but if you try and "fix-it" it may turn into a real headache.

What most will do is look for a serial switch box. This cost anywhere from $20-$80 and is basically an A-B switch box. The cost is dependant on whether you push the switch button yourself or have it electronically done through software.
This does works. If you go this route I suggest the cheaper manual switch. The software driven switch goes into your "system tray" which is that little area in the lower-right by the clock. If the software works great, but it doesn't always go that smooth.

USB - just stay away
It was advertised as the great cure all, however fell way short. It doesn't hub well. It splits the wait and things lock up. It's best to keep your computer down to 2 USB devices.

I just have a serial extension that comes up the front. Cost $5-$10 and you can hot-swap whenever and whatever you need.(assuming you don't have an antique version of Windows)

Maybe a good reason to tell yourself to buy a new computer with the serial ports on the front

teva wrote:I just have a serial extension that comes up the front. Cost $4-$8 and you can hot-swap whenever and whatever you need.(assuming you don't have an antique version of Windows)

Maybe a good reason to tell yourself to buy a new computer with the serial ports on the front

Extension sounds like the way to go...thx

PC I have is less than eight months old, with Windows XP which I love; haven't had a crash, lockup or the ubiquitous "Illegal Operation" since I got it! Has two USB ports in back and two in front, but the only serial port's in back.

Now that problem's solved all I gotta do is learn how to read maps :roll:

Some motherboards come with headers to attach an additional serial connector, the computer manufacturers choose not to add the second port to save money. That will teach you to buy your computer at Park and Swap.

Get on your computer manufacturer's site and find the motherboard's manufacturer and part number. It's probably Intel since I seem to remember you have a Gateway. Once you have the part number go to the support site and look up the board. Most Intel boards have a .pdf file all about them. Check out all your headers on the board, find number two serial header, go to Frys Electronics and buy the connector for $3.99 plus tax. Crack that case, find pin number one on the header, push down the connector onto the header, place the port plate in an unused expansion slot, screw it in and close case. You may need to enter the BIOS to enable the second serial port. Voila, you have two serial ports.

If you try the switch box method, XP may give you grief about finding the hardware when you switch back and forth between items. The second serial port addition sounds like stinkin' mugrat, but it works fine. You've seen my office, - I've done it before. If you're afraid of doing it yourself, I can take care of it and just bill you for what you'll owe me in Grand Canyon permit fees.

</computergeekmodeoff>

GTG
The boy from Rocket City USA

This is true, great solution!

Better let GTG do that for you Hooli, I envision rubble if you attempt
Reminds me of that commercial " I think I messed up my father board "

:idea: It's best to stick with 2 ports or less, if you span out to 4 things go awry as 1&3 and 2&4 are shared.

Serial extension still sounds like the way to go; any reason why it shouldn't work?

On older Windows like 3.1 (maybe Win95 I'm not sure) you couldn't hot-swap serial. Which meant you had to turn your computer off then change. That's nothing to worry about these days.

If you do have a Gateway on a "plan" and there's "do not remove tabs" on back you don't wanna void your "plan"
If there's no "do not remove tabs" then I'd have GTG do it, it's a simple install

If you get the extension make sure it's MALE-FEMALE 9-PIN Serial
Should be available in 3, 6 or 9 feet
There's a bunch to choose from, what you don't want is a "patch", which is MALE-MALE or FEMALE-FEMALE
Radio Shack carries it but it's twice as much as Frys Electronics

No tabs; I've already had it open to put in an FM radio card and a zip drive.
Still think the extension's the way to go....No offense to the computer geek boy from Rocket City :roll:
I've been taking PC's apart and putting them back together for 10 years now and that thing that comes with age.......you know......wisdom....says the simplest solutions are usually the wisest.

and I would NEVER put MALE-MALE or FEMALE-FEMALE together; just goes against the grain :BH:

Hooli - Uh, hello Gateway support?

Support - Yes

Hooli - Well these guys from this hiking website have me extending and adding serial ports and I broke it.

Support - Guys from a hiking website were telling you how to fix your computer?

Hooli - Yes, and I broke it.

Support (hand over mouthpiece) - Hey Carl!, check this one out! Get on the line and start the recorder! So these guys from a hiking website told you about adding and extending serial ports, and you believed them?

Hooli - Yes

Support - And you say they were from Oklahoma and Alabama?

Hooli - Yes

Support and Carl - On the floor laughing.

Hooli - Hello?


Broken Gateway computer - $2300.00
Time spent on HAZ busting Hooli - Priceless

HAZ - There's no place like it.


GTG
The boy from Rocket City USA

All you losers just read my signature line and eat your hearts out
:A2: :GB: :rollH: :BH:

He did forget one part;

Mrs Mike wrote:

Hey Hooli, I heard you have a VERY CUTE JEEP!

GTG
The boy from Rocket City USA

Of course I have a very cute Jeep.....sorta goes with being adorable and definitely a sweetie

Don't let it go to your head, Hooli, she says the same thing about our cat! Well, except for the jeep part, anyway!

I just had some correspondence with Garmin about this subject and here is their response.

1. Thank you for contacting Garmin,

The application of a USB to serial converter is a very delicate issue. The USB to Serial converter that Garmin is currently offering has been tested on multiple brands of computers as well as on multiple operating systems. The capability of any USB to serial converter from any manufacturer to work on any given machine has about an 80% success rate.

My supervisor has personally done extensive testing on our USB to Serial converter, as well as converters manufactured by KeySpan and Belkin. The success rate is approx 80% across the board. The deciding factor seems to be the configuration of the specific machine. He can take 5 identical computers, same manufacturer, same operating system, utilized for the same purposes, so the same software has been installed/removed. These are as close to five identical machines as he can get. Then since each computer has had a slightly different life, they have different configurations when it comes to the Windows Operating systems. He can then take the three different converters from the three different manufacturer's. In testing varying levels of compatibility then occurs using each converter on each individual machine.

The serial to USB converter is a delicate conversion to perform due to the creation of the Virtual Com Port. The way that Windows then handles this virtual com port including any other hardware conflicts is up to Windows. Our customer's experience has paralleled our experience with USB to Serial interfaces. Factors in the users PC seem to be the limiting factor for compatibility with one or any of the USB to serial converters.

If you have attempted the Garmin USB to serial converter, and it is not working for your application. I would recommend returning it to the place of purchase for a refund. Then I would recommend exploring the USB to Serial converters produced by KeySpan or Belkin to see if one by another manufacturer will be compatible with your application.

At this point in time Garmin is the only GPS manufacturer that I am aware of to offer a USB to serial conversion. In the GPS industry serial communication with the units is still the standard.

2. We offer a USB to Serial adapter ( dead link removed )
that will connect the unit to a USB port, or there other manufactures of such adapters that will work as well.
( dead link removed )
http://www.belkin.com
( dead link removed )
You may contact GARMIN direct at 800-800-1020 to order our adapter.

Hope this helps.

Thanks, trailhead, but seems like serial extension is cheaper and ought to work. If it doesn't, I'll keep the USB converter in mind.

I was in a similar situation a few months ago. I didn't have a computer at all and just used my roommates for my GPS stuuff (I've got a Garmin eTrex also) and then my folks bought me an iMac, which doesn't have serial port at all.

Luckily, I found this site http://www.gpsy.com/ which has Serial - USB converters. It probably doesn't help you too much since it's intended for Macs but it works flawlessly for me.

Shoot Hooli. I wish I saw this before. Well, what the actual problem is/was I guess.

I have about 3 or 4 Xircom USB to serial converters laying around not being used (read likely to never be used by me. well, maybe one...)

They work well and grab the next unused comm port address. The install CD has drivers for all available OSes (except NT4).

Let me know if you still need.

Thanks, got a serial extension and it works just fine.