Fix Clock Using PC as Communication Terminal

Setting Up USB to Serial Adapter

 

Summary

 

Download Drivers from Sparkfun.com or ftdichip.com

Run setup.exe or unzip file

Start installation Wizard

Setup HyperTerminal

Shutdown the PC and complete all connections

 

 

 

Step by Step

 

Download Drivers from Sparkfun.com or ftdichip.com

 

  1. Download the VCP (Virtual Com Port) drivers for ftdi 232R .  There is one zipped file and a file setup.exe for all versions of Windows. Windows 7 may already contain the driver.

 

Run setup.exe or unzip file

 

  1. Click on the downloaded file setup.exe.  This will unzip the driver files and place them in:  Documents>Administrator>LocalSettings>Temp.  You must be logged into the Administrator account to  install drivers.  Alternatively, use unzip software to unzip file.    

 

Start installation Wizard

 

  1. Connect FTDI  USB to serial (3 volt) adapter to PC and follow the “new hardware” Wizard that starts up.  Use the Browse option to set the location of the drivers.  The Wizard will create a Com port with a number above the existing Com ports (COM3, COM4, COM5, etc)

 

Setup HyperTerminal

 

  1. Navigate to Programs>Accessories>Communications>HyperTerminal  and click on HyperTerminal.
  2. Ignore any error messages about “TAPI error”  or missing country location. Do not select update software.
  3. Give your connection a name and select any icon ( the adapter is acting as a modem) and click on OK.
  4. Select the Com port created in step 3. and click on OK.
  5. Fill in the port setting:  bits per second = 115200;  data bits= 8; parity= none;  stop bits= 1;  flow control= none  and click on OK.  Exit and save connection.

 

Shutdown the PC and complete all connections

 

  1. Shutdown the PC and complete all connections as described in the Fix Clock instructions.
  2. Startup PC and start HyperTerminal connection previously saved.  The Call should be initiated, but if there are any difficulties, then Disconnect and then Call (under tool menu CALL).
  3. If you shutdown the XO after the communication has been established, you may have to exit and restart HyperTerminal.

 

 

If the Adapter is on loan, it is recommended that it now be “uninstalled”.  Otherwise, the port number remains reserved and not available to future serial devices. (Control Panel>AdministrativeTools>ManageComputer>ManageDevices)