1. How can I tell which ports have been assigned to my serial CF card under Windows CE?

2. How can I test to see if my serial CF card's ports are working properly with my Windows CE device?

3. Under which OS is my RS-422/485 Serial CF card supported?

4. How do I install my RS-422/485 Serial CF card under Windows CE/Pocket PC?

5. How do I install my Serial CF card under Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP?

6. How do I install my serial CF card under DOS?

7. Why can't I get my serial CF card to perform at 921.6 kbps?

8. Do I need termination resistors for my RS-422/485 serial CF card?

Q1. How can I tell which ports have been assigned to my Quatech CF serial card under Windows CE?

A. If you want to know the port number you will have to go into the registry with the development tools and see what COM # CE assigned. You can also look under HKLM\ Drivers\Active and go down through the enumerated subkeys till you find the one using the Quatech driver, and from there you can determine the COM number. Alternatively, you can download PHM Registry Editor from this website: http://www.phm.lu/Products/PocketPC/RegEdit/

Q2. How can I test to see if my serial CF card's ports are working properly with my Windows CE device?

A. To see if the driver is installed and ports are working correctly you can use use vxHpc - (a terminal emulator for CE similar to Hyperterminal) for Windows CE by Cambridge Computer Corporation. You can download a free trial version for thirty days at http://www.cam.com/vxhpc.html.

Q3. Under which OS is my RS-422/485 serial CF card supported?

A. View the latest OS support matrix for RS-422/485 Serial CF card.

Q4. How do I install my RS-422/485 Serial CF card under Windows CE/PocketPC?

A. There is no need to install any software for Windows CE or PocketPC. Simply insert the CF card and it will appear in a list when you set up a "Connection." For more information about setting up a "Connection" see the manual for your handheld device.

Q5. How do I install my RS-422/485 serial CF card under Windows 9x/Me/NT/2000/XP?

A. There is no need to install any software for Windows 9x/Me/NT/2000/XP. However, you will need the .inf file supplied on the Quatech Communication CD in order for Windows to properly configure the card. The Card Center Pro software supplied on the Quatech Communication CD can also be used to configure the cards.

Q6. How do I install my RS-422/485 serial CF card under DOS?

A. Operation in DOS requires 3rd party Card and Socket Services drivers to be properly installed and configured. Follow your software vendor's instructions on how to do this. The Quatech serial CF card itself requires no extra drivers to operate in DOS. Insertion of the card should create a familiar "happy beep" as the host software configures the card as a standard DOS COM port. Resource allocation and troubleshooting is all related to the 3rd party software and any issues that may arise during configuration should be addressed to the vendors of this software. Quatech serial CF cards have been tested with: SystemSoft Cardware and Award Cardwizard.

Q7. Why can't I get my Serial CF Card to perform at 921.6 kbps?

A. To configure the card for 921.6 kbps you need to move the jumper, located on the bottom of the CF card (next to the port connector). To configure the card for 921.6 kpbs, move the jumper to the "8x" position.

It is possible that a CF card properly configured for 921.6 kbps may still not reach that maximum speed. Data rates (or baud rates) are highly system dependent. It is impossible for Quatech to know exactly how one of our products will perform in your specific system. Some major factors that affect baud rate are cabling, OS, and FIFOs. For more information about maximum data rates, see the Quatech "Serial Data Rate Information Sheet".

Q8. Do I need termination resistors for my RS-422/485 serial CF card?

A. RS-422 and RS-485 lines should be terminated at the end of the main branch of the receiver with the cables characteristic impedance. These terminating impedances reduce signal reflections at the cable end. It is not necessary to terminate the transmitter end of the cable. The most common method of termination is to install a terminating resistor, typically with a value of 120 Ohm at a single receiver.

The SSCF-200/300 does not have internal terminating resistors fitted as standard. If required, a 120 Ohm resistor should be connected between the RXD+ and RXD- pins of the DB9 connector. For RS-422 applications, a terminating resistor will also be required between the CTS+ and CTS- pins.