StarTech.com ISA1S550 User manual

ISA Serial Card
ISA1S550
ISA2S550
Instruction Manual
Actual product may vary from photo
1 Port RS-232 Serial ISA Card
2 Port RS-232 Serial ISA Card

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 off 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 different 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.

Table of Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Setting the Jumpers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Accessory Products from StarTech.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Instruction Manual
i

Introduction
Thank you for purchasing a StarTech.com RS-232 ISA serial card. This product allows
you to add between one or two serial ports to your computer (varies by model), using an
easy jumper-driven configuration. An excellent choice to maximize your investment in
existing serial-based technology or integrated custom solutions.
Features
•Fast data transfer rates: up to 460 Kbits/sec.
•Easy installation using a fully Plug and Play configuration
•Backed by StarTech.com’s lifetime warranty and free technical support
Before You Begin
To ensure a quick and easy card installation, please read through this section carefully
before attempting to install the card.
WARNING! ISA 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 ISA 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 ISA card
by its edges and not the gold connectors.
System Requirements
•An IBM compatible computer with an available ISA slot
Contents
This package should contain:
•1x ISA serial card
•1x Instruction Manual
Instruction Manual
1

Installation
This section will guide you through the installation of your ISA card and the related
software. Please read through the instructions carefully and complete each step in the
order listed.
Installing the Card
1. Make sure that your system is unplugged and you are grounded.
2. Remove the cover of your system (see your computer's user manual for details, if
necessary) and gently turn your computer onto its side.
3. Locate an empty ISA slot and remove the metal plate that covers the rear bracket.
You may need a Phillips screwdriver to perform this step. Retain the screw! You will
need it to secure the card later.
4. Gently insert the card into the empty slot, making sure it is firmly seated.
5. Secure the card in place using the screw you removed in Step 3.
6. Put the computer case back on.
Setting the Jumpers
There are three sets of jumpers that can be configured on your card: reference transfer
rate, COM address, and IRQ address.
Reference Transfer Rate
There are three possible transfer rate settings (labeled 1, 2, and 4) for the COM port(s).
The phrase “reference” refers to the maximum possible transfer rate between the port
and your device, and my not be the actual transfer speed under operational conditions.
Each pin corresponds to the following transfer rate:
Instruction Manual
2

Set the transfer rate for each port by setting the jumpers according to the following
example:
In the example above, Port A has been set to 460.8 Kbits/sec and Port B has been set to
230.4 Kbits/sec. For the single port model, you will only have the pins and jumpers
to configure Port A.
COM Address
There are seven possible COM address settings (labeled 1 through 7). For the single
port model, you will have a jumper to configure port A only.
1. Find an available COM Address on your system. Consult the user manual that came
with your OS for instructions, if necessary. This card supports COM Addresses
1 through 7.
2. Set the COM Address for each port by placing the jumpers according to the following
example:
In the example above, Port A is set to COM 1 and Port B is set to COM 2.
The base addresses are as follows:
Instruction Manual
3
Pin Rate
1115.2 Kbits/sec (default)
2230.4 Kbits/sec
4460.8 Kbits/sec

IRQ Address
There are eight possible IRQ address settings (labeled 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15) for each
port (2 port version). For the single port model, you will have a jumper to configure
port A only.
1. Find an available IRQ on your system. Consult the user manual that came with your
OS for instructions, if necessary.
2. Set the IRQ line for each port by placing the jumpers according to the following
example:
In the example above, Port A is set to IRQ 4 and Port B is set to IRQ 3.
Specifications
Instruction Manual
4
COM 1 3F8-3FF Hex
COM 2 2F8-2FF Hex
COM 3 3E8-3EF Hex
COM 4 2E8-2EF Hex
COM 5 2F0 Hex
COM 6 3E0 Hex
COM 7 2E0 Hex
Interface ISA, 8-bit
Ports 1 x DB-9 male (ISA1S550)
2 x DB-9 male (ISA2S550)
Maxmium Data Transfer Rate 460 Kbits/sec.
Configurable IRQs 3/4/5/9/10/11/12/15
Configurable COM Port Number Settings 1 through 7
Chipset Hynix GM16C550

Accessory Products from StarTech.com
Contact your local StarTech.com dealer or visit www.startech.com for cables or other
accessories that will help you get the best performance out of your new product.
6 ft. Straight Through Serial/Parallel Cable DB25 M/F
SC6MF
6 ft. Straight Through Serial/Parallel Cable DB25 M/M
SC6MM
10 ft. Straight Through Serial/Parallel Cable DB25 M/F
SC10MF
10 ft. Straight Through Serial/Parallel Cable DB25 F/F
SC10FF
10 ft. Straight Through Serial/Parallel Cable DB25 M/F
SC10MF
20 ft. Straight Through Serial/Parallel Cable DB25 M/F
SC20MF
20 ft. Straight Through Serial/Parallel Cable DB25 M/M
SC20MM
50 ft. Straight Through Serial/Parallel Cable DB25 M/M
SC50MM
6 ft. Parallel Printer Cable
PB6_
10 ft. Parallel Printer Cable
PB10
20 ft. Parallel Printer Cable
PC20
30 ft. Parallel Printer Cable
PC30
50 ft. Parallel Printer Cable
PC50
6 ft. Parallel File Transfer Cable
PTXFER6
15 ft. Parallel File Transfer Cable
PTXFER15
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
officers, directors, employees or agents) for any damages (whether direct or indirect,
special, punitive, incidental, consequential, or otherwise), loss of profits, 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.
Instruction Manual
6

Revised: 23 November 2004 (Rev. B)
About StarTech.com
StarTech.com is “The Professionals’ Source for Hard-to-Find Computer
Parts”. Since 1985, we have been providing IT professionals with the
quality products they need to complete their solutions. We offer an
unmatched selection of computer parts, cables, server management
solutions and A/V products and serve a worldwide market through our
locations in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Taiwan.