Single Board Computer

[rodan]

I have need to access information that is on a "DiskOnChip2000", which acts as a miniharddrive, which is imbedded in a single board computer. This board has only a keypad and small display, not a monitor, just displays a very small menu with the application software that is loaded onto it. This single board computer does not have a vga, keyboard, or mouse connector.
It DOES have a nine pin standard seral port, ( Com 2 )

My question: Is it possible for me to link a regular PC based computer, I can do DOS if WIndows won't work, via the nine pin serial port, and with some sort of DOS command, or, DOS or Windows based application software, to this single board computer, and copy all the information that is on it's "DiskOnChip2000" ( the harddrive ) to my regular linux based computer?

[triad]

Anything that could connect computers or external devices through a com port died many many years ago (one of them was laplink with its own serial cable), I doubt it if you can find anything that will connect it. The other problem will be the format that the info is stored on the mini hard drive. So in plain english you are out of luck... sorry

[slugworth]

maybe jtag or read the flash chip in a programmer.

[rodan]

Yeah, I already checked out laplink, used to use that years ago, I think you had to install Laplink on both computers. My problem, I can only install Laplink on one computer.
I started a thread on the Linux section, hoping that maybe there was a way to do this with a linux os. No luck there either.

[triad]

Maybe google some of the computer discussion threads and see if there is anyone out there with a solution. It may be a waste of money but there are several places that sell "serial to USB" adapter that would allow you to plug the mini board directly into your PC and transfer your data. Just google serial to usb adapter for pricing etc. (about $30.00) but in my experience they usually do not work.

[rodan]

The miniboard does have a nine pin serial connector. And, I do have an older laptop that does have a nine pin connector. I have both null and straight through nine pin cables. I believe I need to use null cable to connect the laptop to the mini board. My problem is, application software that does the transfer, IF I try to use Windows OS.

I have a feeling I should be able to use DOS for a PC, or, a linux commmand on a linux OS to connect to the mini board, via, nine pin port/cable.
I will do more google searching.

[Terryl]

Windows XP has a com port program in the "Accessory" folder under the "Communications" section called "Hyper-terminal" check it out.

And yes to get 2 computers to talk to each other via an RS-232 com port you need a "Null Modem" cable, that's where the communication lines are crossed, 2 to 3 and 3 to 2, then in some cases you may need to have the CTS (Clear To Send, pin #8) RTS (Request To Send, pin #7) DTR (Data Terminal Ready, pin #4) and in some cases the DSR (Data Set Ready, pin #6) lines active to get the data back and forth with out conflict.


All this would be controlled by the software in each computer, or other data terminal.

[slugworth]

Maybe google some of the computer discussion threads and see if there is anyone out there with a solution. It may be a waste of money but there are several places that sell "serial to USB" adapter that would allow you to plug the mini board directly into your PC and transfer your data. Just google serial to usb adapter for pricing etc. (about $30.00) but in my experience they usually do not work.
cheaper to get an old pc in most cases.
The single board computer may not allow a full dump over serial.

[rodan]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I at least did get a PC computer, with Windows on it to communicate with the single board computer. Got the dashboard lights on it's display to light up every time I send a command to it.
Now, I just need to figure out a DOS command, that would allow a dump from it. It may not be possilbe, guess I have to dig out the old DOS 5.0 book and read.
If I can't find anything there, or on the net, going to see i I can do it on a linux computer. Not very good at linux yet, but, I've been around the block with DOS years ago.

At least this has become a backburner project, no need to rush it.