How 2 connect old computer db9 port to new laptop with db15 or usb

  • Thread starter Thread starter Tess
  • Start date Start date
T

Tess

I want to connect my old computer with Windows 98 to my new laptop with
Windows XP via a null serial modem cable so as to move old files to the new
computer using the File Transfer Wizard. Trouble is, my old computer has a
DB9 male port and my new laptop has a DB15 male port and usb ports. The null
serial cable I got at radio shack has DB9 female ends. I bought some
adapters, but when I got home, nothing matched. I can't find a DB9 to DB 15
adaptor. I have been running searches online and cannot find the right
connector. Even asked my IT friends at work and no one knows. Would you
please recommend what to buy and where to buy it. thanks!!
 
A much easier way to do the file transfer is to simply purchase a USB hard
drive enclosure, uninstall the hard drive from the old system, insert into
the enclosure, plug it into the laptop, copy the files and then return the
drive to the old system, or use it for backup for the laptop.

USB enclosures are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased online
without any problem.
 
On my laptop the DB15 port is a VGA Out to connect to external monitor,
mine's connected to large screen LCD TV at present.
Don't try to connect ANYTHING unless you're sure what you're doing.
 
Kenny said:
On my laptop the DB15 port is a VGA Out to connect to external monitor,
mine's connected to large screen LCD TV at present.
Don't try to connect ANYTHING unless you're sure what you're doing.
Click to expand...

If we knew more about Tess's computers, it would make it easier to
plan a strategy.

Paul
 
Tess, I agree with LV Travel as this works for everyone and is your only
hope
 
Tess said:
I want to connect my old computer with Windows 98 to my new laptop with
Windows XP via a null serial modem cable so as to move old files to the new
computer using the File Transfer Wizard. Trouble is, my old computer has a
DB9 male port and my new laptop has a DB15 male port and usb ports. The null
serial cable I got at radio shack has DB9 female ends. I bought some
adapters, but when I got home, nothing matched. I can't find a DB9 to DB 15
adaptor. I have been running searches online and cannot find the right
connector. Even asked my IT friends at work and no one knows. Would you
please recommend what to buy and where to buy it. thanks!!
Click to expand...

Serial ports are usually DB 9 or DB 25.

Many new computers don't have serial OR parallel ports AT ALL. This is
particularly true of laptops.

Support for Flash drives and USB connected hard drives in Windows 98
varies. IF you attempt that route check the drive carefully to make sure
it supports Windows 98.

Could:

Obtain an adapter to operate a serial port on one of the laptop's USB
ports.

Obtain a network card for the older computer. IF you have been using
a broadband connection it might already be equipped with one. Use
regular network cables to connect the two computers together through a
hub (usually part of a router) OR a crossover cable to connect the two
computers directly together. Many late model computers (laptops and
tower systems) come with some sort of Ethernet OR wireless LAN capability.

Obtain a wireless LAN card for the old computer and network through
your wireless LAN router (if you have one). This might involve the
similar Windows 98 compatibility issues to those that affect the flash
drives and external hard drives though.

Obtain a enclosure that will allow you to remove the hard drive from
the older computer, install it in the enclosure and hook the enclosure
up to one of the USB ports on the new laptop. This option would provide
the opportunity to continue using the new hardware purchase.
 
Tess said:
I want to connect my old computer with Windows 98 to my new laptop with
Windows XP via a null serial modem cable so as to move old files to the
new
computer using the File Transfer Wizard. Trouble is, my old computer has
a
DB9 male port and my new laptop has a DB15 male port and usb ports. The
null
serial cable I got at radio shack has DB9 female ends. I bought some
adapters, but when I got home, nothing matched. I can't find a DB9 to DB
15
adaptor. I have been running searches online and cannot find the right
connector. Even asked my IT friends at work and no one knows. Would you
please recommend what to buy and where to buy it. thanks!!
Click to expand...

I don't think you will find that the DB15 is a RS-232 serial port - they
just don't come in that size. It is most likely a 'game' port for a
joystick.

Why not use a USB stick? It would be a lot quicker anyway.
 
What does the "symbol" next to the 15 pin port look like?

"lOlOl" is for a serial port
 
In addition to what Robert said, if the DB 15 port is 3 rows of 5 holes,
that is a VGA (monitor) output. There is also a form of 15 pin port (female
port where there is holes) that has two rows of 8 & 7 holes respectively.
That is a MIDI or game controller port. All serial ports are male (the pins
stick out on the back of the computer). The two serial ports that have been
available in the past were 25 pin male with two rows of 12 & 13 pins
respectively and the DB9 that you see with two rows of 4 & 5 pins.
 
In addition to what Robert said, if the DB 15 port is 3 rows of 5 holes,
that is a VGA (monitor) output.  There is also a form of 15 pin port (female
port where there is holes) that has two rows of 8 & 7 holes respectively.
That is a MIDI or game controller port.  All serial ports are male (the pins
stick out on the back of the computer).  The two serial ports that have been
available in the past were 25 pin male with two rows of 12 & 13 pins
respectively and the DB9 that you see with two rows of 4 & 5 pins.












- Show quoted text -
Click to expand...

There was / is a two row DB15 port which is the old gameport joystick
connection.
 
LVTravel said:
In addition to what Robert said, if the DB 15 port is 3 rows of 5 holes,
that is a VGA (monitor) output. There is also a form of 15 pin port (female
port where there is holes) that has two rows of 8 & 7 holes respectively.
That is a MIDI or game controller port. All serial ports are male (the pins
stick out on the back of the computer). The two serial ports that have been
available in the past were 25 pin male with two rows of 12 & 13 pins
respectively and the DB9 that you see with two rows of 4 & 5 pins.
Click to expand...
There is a DB15 serial port, but I have only seen it used on a
proprietary brand of mini-computers, not on PCs. It was a real pain
finding the connectors when I had to create a new cable.
 
Michael W. Ryder said:
There is a DB15 serial port, but I have only seen it used on a proprietary
brand of mini-computers, not on PCs. It was a real pain finding the
connectors when I had to create a new cable.
Click to expand...

Yes, we had one on a specific piece of simulation hardware at my school but
since it was strictly proprietary (it was actually was a female connector
that is now used as a midi or joystick connector) I didn't consider this
pertinent information. Yes, it was hard to find a 15 pin male cable end to
attach to a computer's 9 pin male RS232 port.

TO smlunatick, yes, I said it was a "MIDI or game controller port" which is
commonly taken to mean a joystick port.
 
First of all, thank you all so much for your information and serious
attention to my issue. You have no idea how much I appreciate your help and
the thought you have put into this!!

Here is the additional info:

Old (ancient) computer is a Dell Optiplex GX110. It's a big old giant hard
drive. Next to the DB9 port is that l0l0l notation. I stopped using it
because it stopped connecting to the internet. When I called Microsoft for
support, they advised that they no longer support windows 98 and I was out of
luck.

I had tried to insert a USB drive (those mini ones that fit on a key chain)
into the USB port on the old computer as my IT guy had suggested, and the
computer said it was locating the driver, but when I looked in windows
explorer to where i would move the files, it didn't show up. I think the
computer (windows 98) did not support it. That's why I thought my only
option was to connect the two computers and use file transfer wizard.

My new computer is a Dell Inspiron E1705 laptop. THe DB15 port is 3 rows of
5 holes. The notation next to it is a rectangle with a line on either side.

As for the suggestion that I buy a USB hard drive enclosure, how will I
connect it to the computers (which ports?) and (please forgive my ignorance)
but would you explain how to "uninstall the hard drive from the old system"?
I only want to transfer my outlook messages and various photos and word
documents. I don't need to restore anything to the old computer because I
will be trashing it once the files are transferred to the new computer.

Also, is a USB hard drive enclosure the same thing as an external hard drive?

looking forward to your wisdom,
tess
 
I had tried to insert a USB drive (those mini ones that fit on a key
chain)
into the USB port on the old computer as my IT guy had suggested, and the
computer said it was locating the driver, but when I looked in windows
explorer to where i would move the files, it didn't show up. I think the
computer (windows 98) did not support it. That's why I thought my only
option was to connect the two computers and use file transfer wizard.
Click to expand...

You can try to locate the manufacturer of the flash drive on the web and see
if they have a driver for Win 98. That's worth a shot because this is the
easiest way to get from here to there.

My new computer is a Dell Inspiron E1705 laptop. THe DB15 port is 3 rows
of
5 holes. The notation next to it is a rectangle with a line on either
side.
Click to expand...

That's for an external monitor. It won't be useful here.


As for the suggestion that I buy a USB hard drive enclosure, how will I
Click to expand...

You put the Win98 drive in the enclosure, and connect that to the laptop.
That's a good way to go, and allows you to remove all the personal info from
the drive once you're done with it. You're looking for a 3½-inch IDE drive
enclosure. When you put the drive in the enclosure you may need to play with
the drive jumpers...Dell used cable select in those days and you likely want
Master instead.

I only want to transfer my outlook messages and various photos and word
documents. I don't need to restore anything to the old computer because I
will be trashing it once the files are transferred to the new computer.
Click to expand...

Before you get too far along, go into the Win98 Outlook and do some
housecleaning. Get rid of the junk messages, old stuff you'll never need
again. (says the man with 2000+ mesages in his Sent Items folder...) Then
export all the folders to a .pst file, which you can import when you get
over to the laptop. You can't do this once the drive is removed from that
original chassis. (An Outlook expert may contradict me on that...)

Also, is a USB hard drive enclosure the same thing as an external hard
drive?
Click to expand...
Yes.

-John O
 
Does the old PC have a CD burner? If so, burn your data to a CD and then
you may load it into the new laptop. The 15 pin is VGA port for external
monitor.
 
Tess said:
I had tried to insert a USB drive (those mini ones that fit on a key
chain)
into the USB port on the old computer as my IT guy had suggested, and the
computer said it was locating the driver, but when I looked in windows
explorer to where i would move the files, it didn't show up. I think the
computer (windows 98) did not support it. That's why I thought my only
option was to connect the two computers and use file transfer wizard.
Click to expand...

Windows 98 does not have drivers for USB flash drives. They can be found on
the manufacturer's web site.
My new computer is a Dell Inspiron E1705 laptop. THe DB15 port is 3 rows
of
5 holes. The notation next to it is a rectangle with a line on either
side.
Click to expand...


That is a VGA video output to drive a monitor. You can't communicate in the
way you want via that port.
As for the suggestion that I buy a USB hard drive enclosure, how will I
connect it to the computers (which ports?) and (please forgive my
ignorance)
but would you explain how to "uninstall the hard drive from the old
system"?
I only want to transfer my outlook messages and various photos and word
documents. I don't need to restore anything to the old computer because I
will be trashing it once the files are transferred to the new computer.

Also, is a USB hard drive enclosure the same thing as an external hard
drive?
Click to expand...

Yes, but windows 98 will require a driver for it. Again, this should be on
the manufacturer's web site, if it didn't come with a disc.
 
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