By James Frye
Updated 10/01/2009.
This tutorial applies for Windows XP and Vista.
Image of serial port I/O card.
We used:
> StarTech Low Profile 2 Port Serial PCI Card (PCI2S550_LP)
Note: Due to the size of the case on our test PC, we were required to use the Low Profile card. However, this tutorial should still work for other variations of the StarTech card. Also worth mentioning, we used the 2 port card, however, any variation should work.
Note: You will need to print this tutorial out! This process requires your computer to be turned off!
StarTech Serial Port I/O Card.
Turn off and unplug your computer. Remove the computer's cover and any restraints on the PCI slots.
Discharge static electricity by holding the case for a few seconds, or by using a grounding cable!
Figure 1.
Add a mounting plate onto the serial port cable as shown. Please note that there are two types of mounting plates - a "left" and a "right". Make sure to use the one for your case!
Figure 2.
If you need to change the mounting plate on the board, do so now.
Plug the cable into the board as shown. Make sure the purple wire is furthest away from the mounting plate.
Figure 3.
Gently insert the card into the PCI slot. Attach the mounting plate for the cable serial port in another spare slot. Replace any screws that were removed.
Replace any restraints and the computer cover. Plug the computer in, and turn it on.
Figure 4.
Follow the instructions included with your serial port to install drivers and software.
Once the installation is done, congratulations! You now have a hardware serial port!