StarTech.com PEX4S553 User manual

Manual Revision: 01/31/2013
For the most up-to-date information, please visit: www.startech.com
DE: Bedienungsanleitung - de.startech.com
FR: Guide de l'utilisateur - fr.startech.com
ES: Guía del usuario - es.startech.com
IT: Guida per l'uso - it.startech.com
NL: Gebruiksaanwijzing - nl.startech.com
PT: Guia do usuário - pt.startech.com
PEX4S553
PCI Express Serial Adapter
*actual product may vary from photo

Instruction Manual
FCC Compliance Statement
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates,
uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with
the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there
is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment
does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by
turning the equipment o and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by
one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit dierent from that to which the receiver
is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Use of Trademarks, Registered Trademarks, and other Protected Names and
Symbols
This manual may make reference to trademarks, registered trademarks, and other
protected names and/or symbols of third-party companies not related in any way to
StarTech.com. Where they occur these references are for illustrative purposes only and do not
represent an endorsement of a product or service by StarTech.com, or an endorsement of the
product(s) to which this manual applies by the third-party company in question. Regardless
of any direct acknowledgement elsewhere in the body of this document, StarTech.com hereby
acknowledges that all trademarks, registered trademarks, service marks, and other protected
names and/or symbols contained in this manual and related documents are the property of
their respective holders.

Instruction Manual i
Table of Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................1
Packaging Contents ................................................................................................................................. 1
System Requirements .............................................................................................................................. 1
Installation ..............................................................................................2
Hardware Installation .............................................................................................................................. 2
Driver Installation ...................................................................................................................................... 3
Verifying Installation ................................................................................................................................ 3
Specications ..........................................................................................4
Technical Support ..................................................................................5
Warranty Information ............................................................................5

Instruction Manual 1
Introduction
The PEX4S553 4-Port Native PCI Express RS232 Serial Adapter Card with 16550 UART
lets you add 4 RS232 (DB9) serial ports using a single PCI Express slot.
Based on a native single chip design, this 4-port serial adapter card allows you to
harness the full capability oered by PCI Express (PCIe), and reducing the load applied
to the CPU by as much as 48% over conventional bridge-chip serial cards.
The RS232 Serial Adapter Card includes 4 half-height/low prole brackets allowing the
card to be installed into almost any PC case, regardless of form factor.
Packaging Contents
• 1 x PCI Express Serial Card
• 1 x Full Prole Bracket with two DB9 connectors
• 4 x Low Prole Bracket
• 1 x Driver CD
• 1 x Instruction Manual
System Requirements
• PCI Express enabled system with available PCI Express slot
• System chassis/case with two (2) full prole expansion card slots or four (4) low
prole expansion card slots
• Microsoft® Windows® 2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/Server 2008 R2/7 (32/64-bit), or
Linux®

Instruction Manual 2
Installation
WARNING! PCI Express cards, like all computer equipment, can be severely damaged
by static electricity. Be sure that you are properly grounded before opening your
computer case or touching your PCI Express card. StarTech.com recommends that you
wear an anti-static strap when installing any computer component. If an anti-static
strap is unavailable, discharge yourself of any static electricity build-up by touching a
large grounded metal surface (such as the computer case) for several seconds. Also be
careful to handle the PCI Express card by its edges and not the gold connectors.
Hardware Installation
1. Turn your computer o and any peripherals connected to the computer (i.e. Printers,
external hard drives, etc.). Unplug the power cable from the rear of the power
supply on the back of the computer and disconnect all peripheral devices.
2. Remove the cover from the computer case. See documentation for your computer
system for details.
3. Locate an open PCI Express slot and remove the metal cover plate on the rear of the
computer case (Refer to documentation for your computer system for details.). Note
that this card will work in PCI Express slots of additional lanes (i.e. x4, x8 or x16 slots).
4. A second expansion card slot cover will need to be removed to accommodate the
second expansion bracket for the card.
5. Connect the two 10-pin IDC connectors from the second expansion
bracket to the headers on the card. The headers are marked with
an arrow on the board to indicate where the red wire on the cable
should be located.
6. Insert the card into the open PCI Express slot and fasten the bracket to the rear
of the case. Fasten the second expansion bracket for the card to the other open
expansion card slot.
NOTE: If installing the card into a small form factor/low prole system, replacing the
pre-installed full prole brackets with the included low prole installation brackets
may be necessary. 4 adjacent low prole expansion card slots will be required in the
computer chassis/case.
7. Place the cover back onto the computer case.
8. Insert the power cable into the socket on the power supply and reconnect all other
connectors removed in Step 1.

Instruction Manual 3
Driver Installation
Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003
1. When the Found New Hardware wizard appears on the screen, insert the Driver CD
into your CD/DVD drive. If you are prompted to connect to Windows Update, please
select the “No, not this time” option and click Next.
2. Select the option “Install Drivers Automatically (Recommended)” and then click the
Next button.
3. Windows should now start searching for the drivers. Once this has completed,
click the Finish button.
Windows Vista/7/Server 2008 R2
1. When the Found New Hardware window appears on the screen, click on the “Locate
and install drivers software (recommended)” option. If prompted to search online,
select the “Don’t search online” option.
2. When prompted to insert the disc, insert the Driver CD that came with the card, into
your CD/DVD drive and Windows will automatically proceed to search the CD.
3. If a Windows Security dialog window appears, click the “Install this driver
software anyway” option to proceed.
4. Once the driver is installed, click the Close button.
Verifying Installation
Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/Server 2008 R2/7
From the main desktop, right-click on “My Computer” (“Computer” in Vista/7), then
select Manage. In the new Computer Management window, select Device Manager
from the left window panel.
Double-click on the “Ports (COM & LPT)” option. Additional COM ports should be listed.

Instruction Manual 4
Specications
Host Interface PCI Express revision 1.1
(x1 slot connector)
Form Factor Full/Low Prole
Chipset ID Moschip MSC9904CV-AA
External Connectors 4 x DB9 male
LEDs N/A
Supported Protocols RS 232
Maximum Data Transfer Rate 128 Kbps
Data Bits 5, 6, 7, 8
Parity None, Odd, Even, Mark, Space
Stop Bits 1, 1.5, 2
Buer Size 256 Byte Tx/Rx
Operating Temperature 0°C ~ 50°C (32°F ~ 122°F)
Storage Temperature -20°C ~ 60°C (-4°F ~ 140°F)
Humidity 5% ~ 85% RH
Dimensions 121.0mm x 70.0mm x 19.0mm
Weight 70g
Compatible Operating Systems Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/
Server 2008 R2/7 (32/64-bit), Linux

Instruction Manual 5
Technical Support
StarTech.com’s lifetime technical support is an integral part of our commitment to
provide industry-leading solutions. If you ever need help with your product, visit
www.startech.com/support and access our comprehensive selection of online tools,
documentation, and downloads.
Warranty Information
This product is backed by a lifetime warranty.
In addition, StarTech.com warrants its products against defects in materials
and workmanship for the periods noted, following the initial date of purchase.
During this period, the products may be returned for repair, or replacement with
equivalent products at our discretion. The warranty covers parts and labor costs only.
StarTech.com does not warrant its products from defects or damages arising from
misuse, abuse, alteration, or normal wear and tear.
Limitation of Liability
In no event shall the liability of StarTech.com Ltd. and StarTech.com USA LLP (or their
ocers, directors, employees or agents) for any damages (whether direct or indirect,
special, punitive, incidental, consequential, or otherwise), loss of prots, loss of business,
or any pecuniary loss, arising out of or related to the use of the product exceed the
actual price paid for the product. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation
of incidental or consequential damages. If such laws apply, the limitations or exclusions
contained in this statement may not apply to you.

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