I intend to do some serial communication to a PIC from my computer. I have a cable that converts my USB port data to serial.
I'm trying to find out what things I should be aware of when I try this out to prevent me from spending hours troubleshooting something that can't be troubleshot.
1) If I have one of those cables that plugs into your USB port and has a DB-9 serial connector on the other end, should I still be using a MAX-232 or similar chip between the computer (as in after the adapter cable) and the PIC?
2) I have windows 7 on a lap top with no COM ports (hence the USB), so I don't have hyperterminal. If I download a replacement for hyperterminal (what is recommended?), will it recognize my adapter cable as a COM port?
I'm trying to find out what things I should be aware of when I try this out to prevent me from spending hours troubleshooting something that can't be troubleshot.
1) If I have one of those cables that plugs into your USB port and has a DB-9 serial connector on the other end, should I still be using a MAX-232 or similar chip between the computer (as in after the adapter cable) and the PIC?
2) I have windows 7 on a lap top with no COM ports (hence the USB), so I don't have hyperterminal. If I download a replacement for hyperterminal (what is recommended?), will it recognize my adapter cable as a COM port?