Dell Optiplex 780 Windows 10

[Robert]

Is it possible to add a serial port to this computer? My AEA PAKRAT PK232MBX is used with Windows 7 to keyboard CW and RTTYby way of the serial port on the back of the 780.  (I picked up the adapter to add to the PAKRAT but it has at least 30 or 40 contacts that have to be desoldered before I can  add it to the unit. So that is out.)  Are there any bugs in getting this going so that it will act like the Windows 7 machine?

 

I want to switch over from Windows 7 to Windows 10 before the Windows 7 shutdown in the middle of 2020.

 

Has anybody done the addition of the serial port to the 780 windows 10 machine?

 

73  Bob, W8HGH

[Jeff Rinehart]

I have successfully used a usb to serial adapter for such things but it should have the FTDI chipset.  This is the one I use. http://www.usbgear.com/USB2-LEDTEST.html

I like the flashing lights too

You may be able to search a bit and find a cheaper price.

Jeff

Jeffrey M. Rinehart W4PJW
e-mail: W4...@arrl.net

[Mark Whitis]

A forum post suggests that Windows 10 is now able to find the right driver for the Serial port on the Optipex 780 if you go to device manager and ask it to search for an appropriate driver.

The request was for the ultra small form factor (USFF) version of the machine but the underlying hardware seems to be the same as the minitower, desktop, and small form factor versions, according to the dell technical manual for the 780.

Also, the windows 1709 (fall creaters update) and 1803 (April 2018 update)  were released after that success and might already include the right serial drivers in the install process.

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-hardware-winpc/dell-optiplex-780-usff-serial-port/ceb2a99b-f6c2-4748-8df0-19ab69c8c793

If not you have the option of using a USB to Serial as Jeff suggested or to install a serial port adapter if you have free PCI or PCIe slot (or can make one by removing PCI modem card).   

It probably will not matter for your specific application but a built in or PCI/PCIe serial port is superior to a USB to serial adapter, especially for firmware downloads, embedded device development, programming certain LMRS radios, etc.   The bugs in USB to serial adapters do not play well with the limitations in some pre-USB era serial devices.

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