USB Information

PM2+ Serial Port Requirements

The PM2+ is designed to work on an IBM Compatible computer with a working available "RS232 Serial" port. USB is not supported in e-Row, except as noted below.

RS232 serial ports can be identified on the back of the PC by their shape, gender, and number of pins. RS232 ports have either 25 pins or 9 pins. The computer end always is a "Male" connector, meaning it has "pins" sticking out. The pins are arranged in two rows. One side of the connector is wider than the other. If you were to see it arranged vertically, it would be roughly D shaped.

Serial Port Examples

The following images are examples of serial ports:

RS232 9pin serial port

RS232 25pin serial port



Non-Serial Port Examples

The following, among others, are NOT serial ports:

15 Pin Female with 3 rows of pins (VGA monitor port)

25 Pin Female connector (Printer port)

Round connector with six or seven holes (Mouse or keyboard jack)

15 Pin port with 2 rows of pins (Game Port)

9 Pin Female (extremely ancient CGA, EGA, or TTL Monochrome port on very old PC's)



USB Information

USB Port—Flat Rectangular with 4 contacts (USB)

USB (aka Universal Serial Bus, USB 1.1, USB 2.0) are very different than a RS232 serial port. The port looks like a flat, rectangular opening with a plastic tongue with four metal strips on it. The distinctive logo (shown at right) is also usually present.

USB Information in Relation to e-Row

There are many issues with USB to consider that do not relate to e-Row. These are as follows:

  • As a general rule, USB does not work at all (for all practical purposes) under Win 95, Win 3.1, and Win NT. Some USB devices do have drivers for NT or 95, but USB does not work natively on these OS's.
  • USB itself works properly with Win 98SE, Me, 2000, XP Home, XP Pro.
  • Some implementations of USB present on some computers are very problematic. Computer systems with SiS or Ali chipsets can be a real problem. Check out www.usbman.com for help with these issues. These issues may or may not affect e-Row and PM2+'s.

In relation to e-Row, the PM2+ has a RS232 serial port. There are, on the market, many USB to RS232 Serial adapters available. Do not confuse these with "USB Hubs". In theory these USB to RS232 serial adapters should work.

Concept2 has tested and recommends Keyspan model #USA–19QW, USA-19W, and USA–19HS. Some customers have had luck with other USB to RS232 adapters, such as Radio Shack 26-183; however Concept2 cannot support other adapters. No matter which adapter you choose (including the Keyspan), it is important to make sure that the adapter and current drivers are installed properly. In addition, the adapter MUST be set for COM1 or COM2 for e-Row to work properly. Although e-Row ver 4.0 seems to work acceptably, Concept2 recommends using e-Row 4.1 for use with USB to RS232 adapters due to updates in the e-Row communication drivers.