On Thu, Mar 20, 2025 at 07:39 AM, Joe Ulowetz wrote:
Cyril,
I recently also had intermitttent communication problems with my G11/Gemini-1 (20 years old); I sprayed contact cleaner on the serial port on the Gemini and inserted and removed the serial cable several times. Magically, all my problems went away!
?
Good luck,
-Joe
?
For those on RS232 ports by far the most common issue is the cable between the USB to serial converter.? A lot of folks used flat phone cabling with RJ/phone style connectors.? While cheap and good for long distances with the right type of flat cable they are much more fragile than a commercial style fully soldered DB9 and round shielded twisted pair cable.??
?
So first identify the cable type used and diagnose as is appropriate, for flat phone RJ type cables and connectors clean the jacks first.? If that doesn't resolve it the issue may be the connection inside the RJ plug and the only way to fix that is to cut off the end and crimp a new RJ connector on the flat or round cable depending on what you have.?
?
Alternately you can replace the cable but that's going to be harder unless you can fabricate a new cable yourself or have a friend who knows how to do this.??
?
For a hand built soldered DB9 and shell check using round shielded twisted pair check continuity end to end and repair as needed.? Don't discount the possibility of dirty contacts but they are less of a problem for this type of connector.??
?
Do this before you spend the money on a new USB to Serial converter cable.??
?
--
Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?
Astrospheric Forecast - South Pasadena, CA?
?
?
?