With the use of Prolific technology, you can expand your PC or Notebook computer with 4 external RS232 Serial Ports via a USB connection. Controlled by a Prolific chip set, this USB Serial device can handle all devices connected to it!
This USB Serial RS232 multi-port unit uniquely combines the use of a Prolific Chip control and USB technology with 4 legacy serial ports. The USB Serial RS-232 Multiple ports ports are powered via the USB port connected to your PC or notebook. As opposed to its cousin which can be wall mounted this unit has much more flexibility in its positioning with its soft cable.
How the USB Serial RS232 Converter works
The USB Serial QUAD-Port RS-232 converter with Prolific chip set allows the use of multiple serial devices via USB control and is self powered by the USB Port it's connected to. The USB Serial Quad-Port RS-232 converter offers flexibility of connections and simultaneous usage of all ports at any one time. To install the device on your computer for the first time, first insert the converter driver disk into your floppy or CD-ROM drive and connect the USB Serial Quad-Port RS-232 converter to your computer. Using the new hardware wizard, let Windows automatically install the hardware drivers which it will grab from the driver disk already in your drive. You will see the new hardware wizard several times as it must install the driver for each of the rs-232 serial ports to function properly with the USB port. You will see that the prolific USB Serial bridge drivers will be installed for each new hardware found. During the installation Windows will ask if you want to continue installing the converter drivers, click continue to finish the install.
Compatible with Windows 98SE / ME / 2000 / XP, Windows NT 5.0 up. MAC OS 8.6 up and Linux.
The USB to Serial RS-232 converter with Prolific chip set is connected and self powered.
Testing the multi port usb to serial converter
During testing of this item 4 serial devices were used, two modems and two computer mice. Once all devices are connected to the USBSerial multi port converter, use the add hardware wizard to allow Windows to find your hardware through the serial ports. You may need to install the drivers for those particular items your are connecting. Although the project table looks quite messy, the USB Serial Multi-Port converter can be mounted on the wall for convenience, for testing purposes it was left on the table.
Test items used in the USB Serial Multi-Port converter testing. 2 serial modems and 2 serial mouse.
To make sure your devices have been installed, take a look in your device manager for the drivers. The image on the left shows all devices used in the testing. The device manager is seeing the devices through the USB Multi-Port Serial converter. All devices performed as they should through the USB Serial Multi-Port converter. If the devices you connect are not present, simply refresh your device manager by scanning for hardware changes.
This USB Serial RS232 multi-port unit uniquely combines the use of a Prolific Chip control and USB technology with 4 legacy serial ports. The USB Serial RS-232 Multiple ports ports are powered via the USB port connected to your PC or notebook. As opposed to its 
connect the USB Serial Quad-Port RS-232 converter to your computer. Using the new hardware wizard, let Windows automatically install the hardware drivers which it will grab from the driver disk already in your drive. You 
will see the new hardware wizard several times as it must install the driver for each of the rs-232 serial ports to function properly with the USB port. You will see that the prolific USB Serial bridge drivers will be installed for each new hardware found. During the installation Windows will ask if you want to continue installing the converter drivers, click continue to finish the install.
Flexibility of connection and simultaneous operation.
To make sure your devices have been installed, take a look in your device manager for the drivers. The image on the left shows all devices used in the testing. The device manager is seeing the devices through the USB Multi-Port Serial converter. All devices performed as they should through the USB Serial Multi-Port converter. If the devices you connect are not present, simply refresh your device manager by scanning for hardware changes.