Ryder252 Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 Hello! I recently got a WiFi232 serial modem for vintage computers from Paul Rickards at biorhythm.com, with the intent of setting up mock dial-up networking on DOS and Windows 98. All the videos and articles I've seen point to this installation being one of the easiest and quickest out there, but I'm having a good bit of trouble. Maybe I'm not thinking about the configuration correctly, but it would seem that my Dell Dimension 4100's LPT port is not recognized as a COM port - and thus, every terminal program I've tried so far has failed to recognize anything connected. Per the instructions, I set the baud rate to 1200, set the terminal to ANSI, and tried every port that each emulator had as an option - to no avail. In both DOS and Windows, everything expects a COM port; I even tried the built-in web server, but when I got my home WiFi SSID and password entered, the network for the Wifi232 disappeared and is now inaccessible. Frankly, I'm stumped. Anybody have any pointers? Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaclaz Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 A LPT is a parallel port. A COM is a serial port. A Dell Dimansion 4100 should have both: https://ancientelectronics.wordpress.com/2016/10/14/dell-dimension-4100/ but the serial port is a 9 pin one, the wifi232 should have a 25 pin connector, so you would need an adapter or cable 9 pin female to 25 pin male. By convention the serial ports on PC have male connectors and parallel ones have female ones, did you attempt to connect the modem to the parallel port via a 25 pin gender changer? jaclaz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryder252 Posted June 1, 2023 Author Share Posted June 1, 2023 I did. I have a male to male coupler that I used to plug the modem in, but I haven't tried a parallel to serial adapter. Tbh, I was hoping I wouldn't need to as I figured there'd be some terminal out there compatible with 98 that would support connection through an LPT instead of a COM, but I haven't found one yet. I suppose if there's no other way, I could get an adapter to make it work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaclaz Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 No, there is no such thing as a parallel to serial of viceversa (maybe they exist but they would be active converters). Parallel and Serial are completely different protocols. You need an adapter (passive) that simply connects the serial DB-9 connector you have on your PC to the DB-25 connector on the modem, this is a common item, example: https://www.startech.com/en-us/cables/at925fm but with that the modem will be "appended to the serial port, maybe you want additionally a serial extension cord (you want an extension cord, i.e. "Straight Through", not one of the more common "Null Modem" or "Cross Wired" ones) to allow the modem to rest on the desk. jaclaz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryder252 Posted June 1, 2023 Author Share Posted June 1, 2023 Okay. I just got through ordering one. I guess I didn't realize that a DB-25 port is not always serial. This was a bit tricky, so thanks for your help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goodmaneuver Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 There is also the possibility of using a USB to serial adapter plus the 9pin to 25pin adapter that would be connected to the modem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaclaz Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 7 hours ago, Goodmaneuver said: There is also the possibility of using a USB to serial adapter plus the 9pin to 25pin adapter that would be connected to the modem. In theory yes, but it adds a layer of complication, that would be a solution if he had not a serial port on the computer (as it is the case for most if not all laptops), the built-in serial is surely more reliable (and more directly accessible by the OS) than a USB one with its "virtual" COM port, BUT the OS would need anyway drivers for the converter, and DOS/Win9x ones are - AFAIK - unobtanium, so it is not a possibility in practice. FTDI (the maker of the almost ubiquitous chips used in these adapters) does not provide them: https://www.ftdichip.com/Support/Knowledgebase/index.html?aretheremsdosdriversavailable.htm though they mention the possibility that DOSBOX running in a supported OS (2000 as a minimum) may work, but then running in a DOSBOX is not the scope of the OP. It is entirely possible that some third party DOS USB Drivers+Virtual COM port exists, but I wouldn't be so sure, and specific devices such as this one: http://www.dansdata.com/usbser.htm are not manufactured since many years, still AFAIK. That WiFI232 modem is designed for older computers that do have a DB-25 serial port, though, to be fair, its page states in the compatibility list: https://biosrhythm.com/?page_id=1453 Quote IBM 486-compatible (with 9 to 25 pin serial adapter) jaclaz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goodmaneuver Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 I have used a USB to serial adapter before. It achieves faster baud rate and drivers were not a problem. There was no need for the COM port modem as there are network RJ45 connected repeaters that I have used also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaclaz Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, Goodmaneuver said: I have used a USB to serial adapter before. It achieves faster baud rate and drivers were not a problem. There was no need for the COM port modem as there are network RJ45 connected repeaters that I have used also. No prob, post a link to an available USB to serial adapter that works in DOS and Win9x, I am not aware of any. The virtual COM port driver is of course needed, otherwise you have not a serial port that the OS or programs can connect to. Cannot understand your reference to RJ45 connected repeaters? jaclaz Edited June 2, 2023 by jaclaz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goodmaneuver Posted June 2, 2023 Share Posted June 2, 2023 Links to USB serial adapters. Hope they work properly. The second one shows where to get the driver from GitHub. I have the first link one. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32614229889.html https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001081237508.html A repeater uses the same WIFI login security key as your router and accesses the internet via your router. It can extend your range of your router. PCs can login to either the router directly or the RJ45 repeater :- (as I have termed it). I have a Vonets model and the direction of the WIFI signal is through the nose of the device, so the nose points to your router. I have this one and the OEM password and IP address is on the bottom of the device. There is no driver required. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32785330579.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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