Hopefully, this guide will help you get RealTerm running with the USB-Serial converter.
Step One - Install Converter Drivers
You can find the drivers for the USB Serial Converter on the Robot Links page.
Download the ZIP file, and extract the USB TO SERIAL CABLE V1.1 folder to your C: drive.
When you plug in the Converter for the first time, Windows will probably show an alert in the bottom right corner of the screen, and open the Install New Hardware wizard.
If so, tell it to look in a specific folder for drivers: C:\USB TO SERIAL CABLE V1.1\Windows
Step Two - Check the COM Port Number
To find the COM Port the converter is using, you need to go to Device Manager. This can be found in the Control Panel, within the System Properties option.
In Device Manager, look for the Ports (COM and LPT) area, expand the drop down, and look for Prolific USB-to-Serial Bridge. The COM port it is using will be listed next to its name.
Step Three - Set RealTerm Settings
Start up RealTerm. If it gives you an error message saying the port doesn't exist, do the bulleted step below, otherwise, skip over it.
- Right click on the shortcut you are using to open RealTerm, and select Properties. There should be a text box labeled Target which contains the path to RealTerm, with double quotes. You need to add to the end of the text (after the double-quote) port=#, and replace # with whatever COM port number is listed in Device Manager.
When you start RealTerm without an error message, go to the Port tab, and select the COM Port number you found in Device Manager in the drop down box labeled Port. After that, click the button to the right of it labeled Change, with a green check mark.
Look at the bottom right corner of RealTerm. It should have some text that says "Port: # 57600 8N1 None", where # is the port number you just selected. If it says "Port: Closed" instead, click the Open button to the left of the Change button.
Connect your robot and turn it on. The startup text should be displayed in RealTerm.
