StarTech.com PCI1S550, PCI2S550, PCI2S550_LP Instruction Manual

PCI 1-2 Port 16550 Serial Card

PCI1S550
PCI2S550
PCI2S550_LP

Instruction Guide

The Professionals’ Source For Hard-to-Find Computer Parts

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Revised: September 19, 2002

* Actual product may vary from photo

FCC COMPLIANCE STATEMENT

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B
digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference
to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not
occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to
radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off
and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the
following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.

• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Technical Support

The following technical resources are available for this StarTech.com product:

On-line help:

We are constantly adding new information to the Tech Support section of our web site. To
access this page, click the Tech support link on our homepage, www.startech.com. In the
tech support section there are a number of options that can provide assistance with this
card.

Knowledge Base - This tool allows you to search for answers to common issues using

key words that describe the product and your issue.

FAQ - This tool provides quick answers to the top questions asked by our customers.

Downloads - This selection takes you to our driver download page where you can

findthe latest drivers for this product.

Call StarTech.com tech support for help: 1-519-455-4931

Support hours: Monday to Friday 9:00AM to 5:00PM EST (except holidays)

Warranty Information

This product is backed by a lifetime warranty. In addition StarTech.com warrants its
products against defects in materials and workmanship for the periods noted below,
following the initial date of purchase. During this period, the products may be
returned for repair, or replacement with equivalent products at our discretion. The
warranty covers parts and labor costs only. StarTech.com does not warrant its products
from defects or damages arising from misuse, abuse, alteration, or normal wear and
tear.

Limitation of Liability

In no event shall the liability to StarTech.com Ltd. (or its officers, directors, employees or
agents) for any damages (whether direct or indirect, special, punitive incidental,
consequential, or otherwise), loss of profits, loss of business, or any pecuniary loss,
arising out of related to the use of the product exceed the actual price paid for
the product.

Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential
damages. If such laws apply, the limitations or exclusions contained in this statement
may not apply to you.

5

Table of Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Installing the Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

1

Installing the Drivers

Depending on the version of Windows you use and the configuration of your computer,
the instructions below may not be identical to what you see on your screen.

Windows 95/98/ME

1. Windows will automatically detect the new hardware. At the “Add New Hardware
Wizard” window, click Next.

2. Select “Search for the best driver for your device (Recommended)” and click Next.

3. Select “Specify location” and type “A:\win9x” and click Next.

4. Click Finish to complete the installation.

5. Click Yes when asked to restart your computer.

To Verify Installation

1. Go to your Control Panel and double-click the System icon.

2. Click the Device Manager tab.

3. Double-click Ports (COM & LPT). A new NetMos serial port should be listed.

Windows XP/2000, MS-DOS, Linux

To download drivers for other operating systems, you will need to visit our website

BEFORE you install the card.

NOTE: To complete these downloads, you will need a .zip file extraction program, such

as WinZip (www

.winzip.com) or FreeZip (www.braxio.com/zip.htm).

1. Log on to www

.startech.com and click on the Downloads link.

2. Under “Software Drivers and Programs” click on the I/O Cards and Adapters link.

3. Click on the .zip file associated with your product to start your extraction process.

4. When prompted, choose to save the file to your computer. Save the file to an easy-to­find location, like your Desktop.

5. From your Desktop, extract or unzip the file onto an empty floppy disk. When you
browse the disk, you should now see a folder bearing the name of your OS.

6. Install the card using the instructions on page 3.

7. Once your computer is restarted and your system detects the new hardware, follow
the onscreen prompts using your floppy disk as your driver disk.

4

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing a StarTech.com PCI 16550 serial card. This high performance
add-in card adds one or two serial ports to your PC work station. You can connect your
PDAs, digital cameras, serial printers, or any other peripheral that uses as RS-232 serial
interface.

Features

• Transfers data at speeds of up to 920 Kbps

• Supports true 32-bit PCI-Bus

• Conforms to PCI V2.1 Plug and Play standards

• Eliminates IRQ conflict by sharing IRQ lines

• Backed by StarTech.com’s lifetime warranty

Before You Begin

To ensure a quick and easy card installation, please read through this section carefully
before attempting to install the card.

System Requirements

• An IBM PC or compatible computer running Windows 95/98/Me/2000/XP, NT 4.0,
Windows 3.1, Linux

• An open PCI slot

WARNING! PCI cards, like all computer equipment, can be severely damaged by static
electricity. Be sure that you are properly grounded before opening your computer case or
touching your PCI card. StarTech.com recommends that you wear an anti-static strap
when installing any computer component. If an anti-static strap is unavailable, discharge
yourself of any static electricity build-up by touching a large grounded metal surface
(such as the computer case) for several seconds. Also be careful to handle the PCI card by
its edges and not the gold connectors.

Contents

This package should contain:

• 1 x PCI serial card

• 1 x driver disk

• 1 x second port with IDE ribbon (PCI2S550_LP only)

2

Installation

This section will guide you through the installation of your PCI card and the related
software. Please read through the instructions carefully and complete each step in the
order listed.

NOTE: Before you install the card, make sure that you have the appropriate software
drivers ready for download. If your OS is not listed on the driver diskette you may have
to download the drivers from our website first. See “Installing the Drivers” (pg. 4) for
more details.

Installing the Card

1. Make sure that your system is unplugged and you are grounded.

2. Remove the cover of your system (see your computer's user manual for details, if
necessary) and gently turn your computer onto its side.

3. Locate an empty PCI slot (usually white in colour) and remove the metal plate that
covers the rear bracket. You may need a Phillips screwdriver to perform this step.
Hang on to the screw! You will need it to secure the card later.

4. Gently insert the card into the empty slot, making sure it is firmly seated.

5. Secure the card in place using the screw you removed in Step 3.

6. PCI2S550_LP ONLY: To install the second port on the PCI2S550_LP, join the
connector cable of the second port to the card, making sure that the red stripe on the
cable is connected to the labelled pin 1.

7. Put the computer cover back on.

3

PCI Slots