StarTech.com ISA2S550 Manual

Two Port 16550 ISA Serial Card
ISA2S550
Instruction Guide
The Professionals’ Source For Hard-to-Find Computer Parts
S E R I A L C A R D
* Actual product may vary from photo

FCC COMPLIANCE STATEMENT
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a 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.

Table of Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Setting the Jumpers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1

Introduction
Thank you for purchasing a StarTech.com two-port ISA 16550 serial card. Now you can
add two extra COM ports to your computer, allowing you to connect extra serial
peripherals like modems, mice or digitizers. Each port can provide up to 460.8Kbps of
data transfer. The on-board jumpers ensure that this card is compatible with any
operating system.
Features
• Provides two extra DB9-pin 16C550 COM ports (16 Byte FIFO)
• Supports three clock speeds for serial control: up to 115.2Kbps, 230.4Kbps or
460.8Kbps
• Allows flexible IRQ and COM port selection
• Backed by StarTech.com’s lifetime warranty
Before You Begin
To ensure a quick and easy card installation, please read through this section carefully
before attempting to install the card.
System Requirements
• An open ISA slot
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.
Contents
This package should contain:
• 1 x ISA serial card
2

3
Installation
This section will guide you through the installation of your ISA card. Please read through
the instructions carefully and complete each step in the order listed.
NOTE: If you want to configure your card in a manner that is different from the default
you will need to adjust the jumpers before installing the card. See “Setting The Jumpers”
on page 4.
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 (usually black in colour) and remove the metal plate that
covers the rear bracket. You may need a Phillips screwdriver to perform this step.
Hang on to 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 your computer case back on.

4
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 each COM port.
Each pin corresponds to the following transfer rate:
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 460.8Kbps and Port B has been set to
230.4Kbps.
124 12 4
COM A COM B
Pin Rate
1 115.2 Kbps (default)
2 230.4 Kbps
4 460.8 Kbps

COM Address
There are seven possible COM address settings (labeled 1 through 7) for each COM port.
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:
5
A
B
1
2
3
4
5
67
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

IRQ Address
There are eight possible IRQ address settings (labeled 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15) for each
port.
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.
6
A
B
3
10 94
5
1112
15

7
Technical Support
The following technical resources are available for this StarTech.com product:
On-line help:
We are constantly adding new information to the Tech Support section of our web site. To
access this page, click the Tech Support link on our homepage, www.startech.com. In the
tech support section there are a number of options that can provide assistance with this
card.
Knowledge Base - This tool allows you to search for answers to common issues using
key words that describe the product and your issue.
FAQ - This tool provides quick answers to the top questions asked by our customers.
Downloads - This selection takes you to our driver download page where you can
find the latest drivers for this product.
Call StarTech.com tech support for help: 1-519-455-4931
Support hours: Monday to Friday 9:00AM to 5:00PM EST (except holidays)
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 below,
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 to StarTech.com Ltd. (or its 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 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.

Revised: January 8, 2003