Has anyone been using a serial-to-USB adaptor

I heard there are problems with realtime while using the serial-to-USB adaptor.  I am just starting to use a new Acer netbook and hope I don't have this problem since I use an older machine, Stentura 8000LX.  Your experience?

I have been using a serial-to-USB adaptor for years.  I have a Stentura 8000 that I purchased in 1994, using a Toshiba laptop purchased in 2006.  The only problems I've ever had was when I needed a new cable. 

One thing to watch out for is that some computers want to save power by turning off the USB ports that they don't think you're using.  Not good if you're in realtime and you're using a USB to serial adapter!

If you want to check your settings, go to Control Panel/System/Hardware/Device Manager.   I have XP, so yours may be a little different path to get to Device Manager.

Find Universal Serial Bus controllers (fancy name for USB) and click on the plus sign or box to the left to show a list of USB options.

Find the first instance of USB root hub and double-click it. 

Look under the Power Management tab and make sure to UNcheck next to the line that says you allow the computer to turn off the USB to save power. Click okay.

Then do that for each instance of USB root hub.

Hope that helps!

Julie Samford

That's all I use for realtime since I can't afford to go wireless.  Never had a problem and I use a Mira A3.

What was the problem you heard about?

I also have an 8000LX and use the adapter because my laptop takes USB.

I also use the adapters on my netbooks to hook in the realtime cables for atty-viewing.   Never had an issue or problem.   The adapters range in price.  Opt for the $19 and up as opposed to the $14 or $9.

Hello ...

I have two laptops for steno.  One has a serial port, and the other does not.

When I need to use the "sans-serial" laptop, yes, I use an adapter.  As Judy mentioned, you just have to ensure that your USB ports don't doze off on you ... and, of course, you also have to check with your CAT vendor to see which adapter *not* to buy.  For example, I'm using digitalCAT, and one of the adapters they tell you not to buy is the one I'm using:  A Keyspan adapter.

The catch is I am using this adapter with a ProCAT Flash, so it works just fine.

As for wireless, go here:

http://www.cheapandsleazy.net/bluetooth.html

Good luck ... and hope that helps!

USB to serial seems to work fine - when I used to use it - from the steno machine to the computer.  I've used Bluetooth or a direct USB from the writer since 2007. 

The problem with USB-to-serial adaptors happens when you try to output to attorneys' computers.  Lots of driver conflict errors, depending on your computer, depending on the brand of the adaptor, etc.  Many reporters get the blue-screen-of-death!