Additional Serial ports I need two additional serial ports for the ol' computer as I now have a couple of plotters needing them. The motherboard only came with one nine pin, and I now need two additional ones such that I can configure and set them to COM2 and COM3. I need a recomendation as to a brand name and number for a type to fit a PCI slot. It must be able to have the IRQ and COM set by jumper, as it will operate in DOS. If possible I would like a 25 pin style, but will settle for a 9 pin number. Wm.

Hi William, Assume you're in need of an ISA card. Jameco has them in ISA and PCI flavors. Here's one: http://www.jameco.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prmenbr=91&prrfnbr=5410&cgrfnbr=827&ctgys=504;542;827; Your best bet, if you don't mind an old and slow card is to find an old 286 locally with a serial card in it. Used computer stores usually have bins full of this stuff too. Skip

Perhaps what you are thinking of is back in the 286/386 and 486 days they often came with a ISA slot addition controller card. I have a few of these, however, they are configured such that they cannot jumpered only for port useages. They can turn off the ports, but not the hard drive control function within them. If used an a computer built after about 1995, it tends to confuse the on-board motherboard controller. I have yet to see a port add-on card which was designed for a 286 as you mentioned, nor find a reference to one in my older handibooks. I went through the information at Jameson as you mentioned. Their designs rely upon detection within Windows. I do not plan on operating the plotters as such, but within DOS, and thus no Plug-N-Play capabilities. So far, as this dumb computer has only one serial port and one parallel port, I have to configure all software to run on COM1 and switch the connection wires before each use. Wm

Lava Computers make several models of multi-port PCI serial cards. They supposedly auto configure the ports. May be you should contact them about operation under DOS. I think that you might have problem in finding manual setup PCI cards as most are plug and play. SIIG also has PCI serial cards which the claim that will work in DOS.

I'm not thinking of IDE controller cards with o/b serial as I'm aware of the conflict with an onboard controller. They also tend not to work if two are installed. As your motherboard has onboard ide, it should be able to use a PnP serial card. Look closely at the card specs and look for a PnP disable jumper for legacy operation or, just do as fred suggested and go to a SIIG brand card. They will work on anything I've ever plugged them into but the cost is kinda steep. Post back the motherboard you have and we can be of more help. I'll also check the garage today and see if I have any extra serial cards. I need the one I know I have but there may be more in junk box. Skip

The board is going into a Del XTS-266 computer. This is much too fancy to run DOS applications on. The previous owner had the booklet, on it and it was originally designed for Windows 95, but there is a paster on front which indicates it is Windows 98 ready (once that OS becomes available to the public). Inside it is set up for P-N-P, and all the advantages etc. I cannot find any mention of the connection to non-P-N-P items, but there is a sentence to contact the manufacturer firsthand. Zero mention on how to disable the P-N-P, function even in the bios, however my hard drives are already set and running in DOS6.2. I have a couple of old modems which are set up for P-N-P, with an installation disk and have no jumpers to set. The modern ones may be faster than the old one, but the old one can be set to go how and where I want. The modem is usuall ony used for FAX items at a slower baud rate anyway. I visited the Lava site, and they readily mention all their current items are set up for Windows 98 and later. Most all of the serial cards and parallel cards at SIIG are set up for Windows 98 etc. but I located one which may or may not. Have sent messages to them but no responce. Wm.

I'll look in the morning. May have an extra I can send ya. Skip