One 9-Pin Serial Port, Two Devices

[Raymond A. Madison, Sr]

Hello All--

I have a single 9-pin serial port, but I have TWO different devices that
need this port. Can this be done, and if so, how? Also, will the computer
recognize the presence of both on the system?
I've been using this port for my electronic organizer, which feeds into COM
port 1. I'll be getting a digital postal scale that also needs this port. Is
there a "Y" adapter available that will let me plug BOTH devices in at the
same time and permit them to operate properly?
--
Raymond A. Madison, Sr
Philadelphia PA, USA
ICQ# 49533716
Visitalk# 2001-1121-1552
http://msnhomepages.talkcity.com/CerfSt/madisonr1/

[m...@here.com]

Raymond A. Madison, Sr <rams...@bellatlantic.net> wrote:
> Hello All--

> I have a single 9-pin serial port, but I have TWO different devices that
> need this port. Can this be done,

Yes.

> and if so, how?

Plug in only the one that you're currently using.

> Also, will the computer
> recognize the presence of both on the system?
> I've been using this port for my electronic organizer, which feeds into COM
> port 1. I'll be getting a digital postal scale that also needs this port. Is
> there a "Y" adapter available that will let me plug BOTH devices in at the
> same time and permit them to operate properly?

No.

[Rod Carty]

If that's a desktop or tower computer it should have two serial ports.
Unless you're using one for mouse and one for your existing organizer,
you likely have a spare one. If there is no port on the back of the
computer it may be only that it's not cabled. Most serial ports on
current computers are on the motherboard, so you may only need to open
your computer and add the cable and connector between the back of your
computer and the motherboard.
--
Rod C--
Enterprise Network Consulting
Whitehorse, Yukon
http://www.enc.yk.net/
http://members.nbci.com/rodcarty/
http://community.webshots.com/user/rodcarty

>> Mental Floss prevents Moral Decay. <<
The preceding humor inserted by QuipSig
http://www.enc.yk.net/quipsig/
4,000 quip repertory!

[andybe...@my-deja.com]

You can share the serial port that the mouse is not plugged into. The mouse
needs dedicated resources.

In article <3A4C3C26...@yknet.yk.ca>,

Sent via Deja.com
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[Raymond A. Madison, Sr]

I do have the mouse in one port, the color coded designated port, and I'm
currently using the other for my electronic organizer. The problem is that
I'm getting another device that also needs that port on a regular basis. Can
I get a "Y" adapter, or a switching unit to share the single remaining port
with two devices?

--
Raymond A. Madison, Sr
Philadelphia PA, USA
ICQ# 49533716
Visitalk# 2001-1121-1552
http://msnhomepages.talkcity.com/CerfSt/madisonr1/

<andybe...@my-deja.com> wrote in message
news:92iats$f7j$1...@nnrp1.deja.com...
: You can share the serial port that the mouse is not plugged into. The

[Rod Carty]

Perhaps you have a PS/2 mouse port on your computer. If so you can
switch to a PS/2 mouse to free up a serial port.

--
Rod C--
Enterprise Network Consulting
Whitehorse, Yukon
http://www.enc.yk.net/
http://members.nbci.com/rodcarty/
http://community.webshots.com/user/rodcarty

>> I am the tagline your mother warned you about. <<

[none]

Raymond A. Madison, Sr wrote:
>
> I do have the mouse in one port, the color coded designated port, and I'm
> currently using the other for my electronic organizer. The problem is that
> I'm getting another device that also needs that port on a regular basis. Can
> I get a "Y" adapter, or a switching unit to share the single remaining port
> with two devices?
>

there is no possibility at all to use an Y-cale to connect two devices
to a single serial port.
You can normally use a (manual) switchbox to avoid having to swap
cables.
However, (exept if you have a portable computer) it is easyer (not
having to turn the switch each time) and maybe even cheaper to buy a
card to add a serial port.