earthdog
Cave Dweller 
Don't eat yellow snow
Member since June 2006
Posts: 2,731
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Post by earthdog on Jan 7, 2008 22:27:10 GMT -5
I just got a real nice weather station, the kind with the rain sensor and wind vane, all wireless or wired. It came with software so I could get it on the internet and download all the data to the computer. Problem is I need a pc com port on my computer, which I don't have.
What do I need to do to put a com port on my machine?
How much do com ports cost?
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Post by sandsman1 on Jan 7, 2008 22:35:33 GMT -5
i use com ports to load files in my sat box and if im not mistakin there already installed i dont remember adding them -- did the system you bought come with a disc to load in the computer? if it did it should bring up the com ports when you loadit and try and transfer the program
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earthdog
Cave Dweller
Don't eat yellow snow
Member since June 2006
Posts: 2,731
|
Post by earthdog on Jan 7, 2008 22:59:38 GMT -5
I have a cable that came with the weather station, one end is like a phone jack male pin that plugs into the weather station display unit and the other end is just like the pin for a printer but has the female end. I have no port on the back or front of my machine to hook the end to. Here is a pic. of what I have,    |
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Post by sandsman1 on Jan 7, 2008 23:10:18 GMT -5
since you already using your serial port on the computer you can get a adapter so you can use a usb port to do the same thing i had to get one for my laptop because most of them dont have a serial port on them -- prob you can get it at radio shack think i paid around 10 bucks
but if that cable sends the infor from the weather station to the computer id tryit unhook whats in the serial port now and see if it works--- did it have a disc to load in the computer?
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Post by sandsman1 on Jan 7, 2008 23:16:34 GMT -5
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earthdog
Cave Dweller
Don't eat yellow snow
Member since June 2006
Posts: 2,731
|
Post by earthdog on Jan 7, 2008 23:37:59 GMT -5
I thought about getting the usb adapter but, when people use the usb adapter with a Lacrosse weather station, it sends the wrong wind speed info, alot of people get a wind speed spike of either 57mph or 28.4 mph. I have been reading on the weather station forums that it's a common problem.
I did find some serial pots on ebay for arond $10. How hard are they to install?
The port I have on the back of the machine is for the printer and it is a femaile plug just like the one for the W.S. thats why I can't plug it in there now.
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Post by sandsman1 on Jan 8, 2008 0:22:37 GMT -5
there not bad if you have an extra slot in the back all ya do is open the side --- it has two screws for the cover protecting the slot take it off and slide the new card in the holders inside the back and screw the screws back in the new card to hold in place -- i had to put one in my desk top so it would pick up wireless -- after its in it should have an instal disc to marry it to the computer and your done
DONT FORGET TO UNPLUG THE COMPUTER BEFORE YA TAKE THE SIDE OFF
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Post by akansan on Jan 8, 2008 8:26:25 GMT -5
What Sands just said. The PCI card will pop in place with light pressure.
If you've never used that slot on your machine, you might have to pop the aluminum protector plate off - it'll be easy. A simple rocking motion on the plate in front of the slot will remove it. Some makers will use the screwed plates, some will just stamp the metal for easy later removal.
And after you unplug your machine, wait a few seconds before installing the card. The computer stores a charge for 5-10 seconds after the machine is turned off. There should be a light on the board that'll let you know when the charge is gone (light goes off, you're safe). It'd be a shame to zap the computer to install a device that's supposed to keep you safe!
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earthdog
Cave Dweller
Don't eat yellow snow
Member since June 2006
Posts: 2,731
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Post by earthdog on Jan 8, 2008 10:22:08 GMT -5
The printer plug has male pins coming out to go to a female plug on the computer. The weather station plug also is a female plug.
Damn female things...
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Post by akansan on Jan 8, 2008 10:38:58 GMT -5
Just looked at the back of your machine again - the thing that's plugged into the female port on the back of the machine is actually the monitor. If you unplug it, you'll notice it has three rows of pinholes, instead of the two. The serial port PCI card you receive will have the correct receiver end...
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