[nfbcs] Old braille display, new computer

[Nancy Coffman]

Jonathan Ross, the person we trust with hooking things up when we can’t figure them out, recommends Belton USB to serial cables in order to get these older displays and ambassadors to work.

Good luck.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Apr 11, 2018, at 9:59 AM, Rasmussen, Lloyd via nfbcs <nfbcs at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> I don't know. Try plugging the cable in without the display first and see what message you get.
> 
> 
> Lloyd Rasmussen, Senior Staff Engineer
> National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress
> Washington, DC 20542   202-707-0535
> http://www.loc.gov/nls/
> The preceding opinions are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Library of Congress, NLS.
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfbcs [mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tracy Carcione via nfbcs
> Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2018 10:12 AM
> To: 'NFB in Computer Science Mailing List'
> Cc: Tracy Carcione
> Subject: Re: [nfbcs] Old braille display, new computer
> 
> Thanks guys.
> Lloyd, when I plugged in the USB-serial cable, it said "driver installation unsuccessful" before I even turned on the braille display.  Does this mean I need to search for a driver for the cable?  Or do I just need to disconnect and reconnect, and see if the problem resolves itself?
> Tracy
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfbcs [mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Drenth, Joe via nfbcs
> Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2018 10:08 AM
> To: NFB in Computer Science Mailing List
> Cc: Drenth, Joe; 'Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances'; Tracy Carcione
> Subject: Re: [nfbcs] Old braille display, new computer
> 
> Hi Tracy,
> 
> The USB to serial adapter should add a virtual serial port to your laptop, but it might not be obvious right away which serial port number it will be.
> You will need to open your computer's Device Manager, then expand the Ports section, and open the properties of your USB to serial device, which should be in the list. The properties dialog should have a tab for port settings, and that screen will either allow you to see the port number, or you might need to click the Advanced button on the port settings page to get to the screen where you can view or change the port number. Once you know the serial port number, use it to configure JAWS.
> 
> Hope this helps,
> Joe
> 
> 
> 
> Joseph Drenth
> Senior R&D Software Engineer
> JBT Corporation  |  Automated Systems
> 400 Highpoint Drive
> Chalfont, PA  18914, USA
> E: joe.drenth at jbtc.com  P: 215 822 4457
> www.jbtc-agv.com 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfbcs [mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tracy Carcione via nfbcs
> Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2018 9:38 AM
> To: 'NFB in Computer Science Mailing List'
> Cc: Tracy Carcione; 'Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances'
> Subject: [nfbcs] Old braille display, new computer
> 
> I'm trying to get an old Alva 640 to work with a new laptop.  The Alva has a serial connection, and the laptop only has USB.  I have a USB to serial converter cable, but Jaws only has a serial connection option for this model display.  I tried telling Jaws it's a later model Alva, but that doesn't appear to work.
> 
> Does anyone have any ideas how I can make the connection work?  The display works well, and I'd like to keep using it.  And a new display is definitely not cheap. $3000 seems to be the standard price.
> 
> Thanks.
> 
> Tracy
> 
> 
> 
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