Very unusual request

This is going to sound a bit crazy but have to try anyway.

Anyone by any chance still have a PC or notebook that has a SERIAL (RS232 in technical terms) port built in ?

I still maintain a PC with RS232 for the purpose of flashing firmware to some of my electronic devices. I have the serial to serial cable as well.

Ah... salvation. Thanks. When I need to use it, I hope you don't mind me PM'ing you for help.

Sure. You are welcome.

For the mainframe or for the AVP?

for his fridge.... needs a firmware upgrade perhaps...

bwaahahaha .....

bassraptor wrote:bwaahahaha .....

Looks like you need a firmware upgrade too..

AVP.

WongKN wrote:AVP.

AVP... you did get the s/w from the US guy?

Time to flash your AVP :

I never did like the AVP series of movies. I thought the original Aliens franchise was better (1, 2, and 4) plus the original Predator was the best. I enjoy the macho presence Arnold brings to his movie. I even feel he would make a hell of a Batman.

Yes, I got the software. And it means 24/96 for me, IF I can get the updater to work. But first I need to fix some minor things on the unit.

I have a USB to RS232 converter. Bought it to update the firmware on one of the most expensive AV processors in the market today. It worked...

I too have one. Plus another PCCard serial card. But Proceed designed the updater to work in native DOS.

Hi DrWho,

Just in case you didn't follow the other thread, I have been able to find a PC with serial port and which is running on Win98. So I have managed to perform my software update. Thanks very much for your offer to help. I really appreciate it.

Whats a "serial port"? Something with a serial number printed on it???

Aiks, mistake, it should be cereal pot !

The last time I ever firmware upgrade some AV gear was a Sony TAE-9000ES to enable a couple of new HT features. Had to construct a null modem serial cable. Was a scary experience doing it first time fearing I would brick the unit. Current notebooks no serial ports now?..thats new to me. OK, I'll set on to treasure my old Compaq Centrino notebook for keeps, I reckon it may come in handy in the near future.

Current notebooks also don't have parallel port. As I understand, the latest generation are starting to appear without the PCMIA and PCCard slots even. Everything is USB nowadays. There are USB-Serial converters but a lot of programs which uses the serial port will run in native DOS mode and we can't use the USB when in that mode.

Anyway, as long as the software update is done I am a happy man. I get a quite up to date DAC from an old AV processor. So from my point of view, GREAT value for money !

I think the serial port route and DOS enviroment is the safest bet for some firmware upgrade. DOS is simple, light on h/w resource with simple serial transmission and gets the job done fast. No need for silly Windoz startup..the PC consumes 70W CPU power to get Windoz going and ready to fire up some application.
BTW, I once had lots of those "Intel Inside" stickers..stuck them everywhere from my watch to my toaster to my autogate.. Wonder if all of them are due for firmware upgrade..

Maybe if you stick one to your DAC, it will play super hi-res and will sound infinitely superior to your turntable ?

Perhaps I WILL do that. Long ago someone stuck some small "paper" like dot sticker and claimed it was some audio tweak, had that on my CDP, a CD or two and I wondered if I heard anything superior thereon. I really didn't think so. Perhaps "Intel" could create some magic!..

In the car industry, it is well known that a 'MUGEN' sticker will add 20hp to an Integra Type-R, an 'M3' badge will add 15hp to a BMW 318i, and an 'R3' sticker 100hp to a Satria Neo. So that Intel Inside sticker should upgrade your simple 16/44 DAC to be capable of playing 64bit/1960kHz super-hi-res digital files. Fuiyoh !!

Sorry, sorry, got lost in a temporary bout of madness here.

So, were you one of those su... I mean believers in things like Gombak tuning dots, Shunmook tuning pucks and so forth ?

I'll likely be one of the last to believe those thingys of those sorts. Anyway, I just printed out dozens of little yellow labels printed with "Never for sale of for lending" and plasted them on each and every CD & LP I've listed is valuable to me. I know that WILL have some effect on visitors who may have some intention I don't wanna hear.

WongKN wrote:In the car industry, it is well known that a 'MUGEN' sticker will add 20hp to an Integra Type-R, an 'M3' badge will add 15hp to a BMW 318i, and an 'R3' sticker 100hp to a Satria Neo.

posers!