Does Windows 10 Support Serial Ports or Do I need USB to Serial Adapter

[allanc]

As the subject says does Windows 10 support serial ports directly?
I am asking because I see that support for floppies drives has been dropped.

 

[nlinecomputers]

I would bet so. There are still devices out there that use serial ports. Some UPS devices. Some instruments, lab equipment, manufacturing devices communicate via serial. Floppy drives are no longer manufactured. I don't think anyone is making blank disks anymore either.

 

[NYJimbo]

I really don't understand why it is so hard for them to retain existing drivers for something that is so important like access to a USB floppy drive ? Think about it. Nobody ships computers today with an internal floppy drive. Is it really that hard to leave in generic USB
floppy support ? It's old code, it's not like there are new USB floppy drives coming out all the time and it's killing MS financially to keep up with all of them, so why not just leave that in there ?

Sometimes you will need to floppy drive to copy old data from something. It's got to be a tiny shim of code.

 

[nlinecomputers]

...Remember my comment about how Windows 10 is supposed to work better on tablets? Every bit of code counts.

 

[NYJimbo]

...Remember my comment about how Windows 10 is supposed to work better on tablets? Every bit of code counts.

Yeah, but they're still putting f-cking solitaire on those tablets aren't they ? "Every bit of code counts", MY ASS.

 

[nlinecomputers]

Actually no they aren't. You have to get solitaire from the app store.

 

[NYJimbo]

Actually no they aren't. You have to get solitaire from the app store.

Ok, then I change my argument to something like "Well, see, that's how they get you !!!".

 

[allanc]

Sometimes you will need to floppy drive to copy old data from something. It's got to be a tiny shim of code.

You can use a USB floppy drive for the above and I have sold them in the past.
And yes, the media is still available at Staples.
I am very concerned about my clients who are actually using serial ports and if their third-party hardware/software would work properly with a USB to serial adapter under Windows 10.

 

[nlinecomputers]

USB to serial is very ify. Why not use a real serial port?

 

[allanc]

USB to serial is very ify. Why not use a real serial port?

Sorry, perhaps I did not explain myself properly.
I have existing clients who are using a real serial port with very expensive (for them anyway) third party software and hardware.
Most of these computers are Windows XP (outside of the realm of this discussion).
I do know for sure that, in most cases, installing a Windows 7 computer will involve a large investment in terms of the third party s/w and h/w.
However, I do know that Windows 7 does support serial ports.
I would like to be able to speak to my clients with enough of knowledge of Windows 10 in terms of its capabilities and limitations so I am ready for when the XP boxes fall over.

 

[nlinecomputers]

This device http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...tjcsbVDcMNPC87RO4w4t7hoCynPw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Has windows 8 drivers. If it will work in 8 it will probably work in 10. It is highly doubtful that a USB serial port will work with your software in ANY version of Windows. So why are you asking about a USB port?

 

[allanc]

This device http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...tjcsbVDcMNPC87RO4w4t7hoCynPw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Has windows 8 drivers. If it will work in 8 it will probably work in 10. It is highly doubtful that a USB serial port will work with your software in ANY version of Windows. So why are you asking about a USB port?

The current model of new computers that I sell (Lenovo M93P minitower with Windows 7) have a serial port out of the box.
But, I have saved your link for the future. Thank you.
I have never needed to try a USB to Serial adapter so I didn't really know if they work with my clients current software / hardware at this time with Windows 7.
Thanks for that information also.

 

[Markverhyden]

The current model of new computers that I sell (Lenovo M93P minitower with Windows 7) have a serial port out of the box.
But, I have saved your link for the future. Thank you.
I have never needed to try a USB to Serial adapter so I didn't really know if they work with my clients current software / hardware at this time with Windows 7.
Thanks for that information also.

I know testing is obvious. But I would bet that many dedicated devices that use serial need to see a real UART chip. Not a "virtual" one. I remember back when the OEM's started dropping serial ports on laptops. The tune they sang was just get a USB2Serial adapter. I ran into enough equipment that balked at that method so I still carry a laptop with a real serial port. And I know from other customers, if the specs say serial, the vendor always puts in a real serial card.