StarTech.com PEX4S550 User manual

PCI Express Serial Card
PEX4S550 Instruction Manual
Actual product may vary from photo
4 Port PCI Express Serial Card

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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.
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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
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Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Package Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Installing the PCI Express Expansion Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Driver Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Verifying Successful Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Changing COM Port Addresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Warranty Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Instruction Manual
1
Thank you for purchasing a StarTech.com PCI Express Serial card. Using an available
1x PCI Express slot, you can add four serial ports for a reliable connection to peripherals.
Plus, with the convenience of IRQ sharing you won’t have to worry about wasting system
resources or having to deal with device conflicts.
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•Supports data transfer rates of up to 115 Kbps
Features
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System Requirements:
•PCI Express-enabled system with an available PCI Express slot
Package Contents:
•1 x PCI Express Serial Card
This package should contain:
•16 byte FIFO buffer ensures fast data transfers while multitasking
•IRQ sharing saves resources and eliminates conflicts
•Windows® 2000/XP/Server 2003/Windows Vista operating system
•1 x 2 Port Bracket
•1 x Instruction Manual
•1 x Driver CD

Instruction Manual
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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 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 card by its edges and not the
gold connectors.
1. Turn OFF the computer power before installation.
2. Remove the chassis cover from your computer.
3. Locate an unused PCI Express slot and remove the corresponding slot cover from
rear panel of the computer chassis. Retain the screw (if applicable) used to hold the
slot cover in place.
4. Align the PCI Express card with the unused PCI Express expansion slot. Applying
pressure evenly across the top edge of the expansion card, firmly but gently insert the
card into the slot, ensuring that the card is properly aligned with the rear panel slot.
5. Secure the card to the motherboard and rear chassis, using the screw removed in
step 3. Secure the additional serial ports to an adjacent rear bracket, and ensure that
the serial ports are connected snugly to the PEX4S550 circuit board.
6. Replace the chassis cover (removed in step 2).
7. Power on the computer. Once the computer has been rebooted, the operating system
will detect that the PCI Express card has been installed and request driver installation,
detailed in the next section.
Installing the PCI Express expansion card
Driver Installation
When Windows loads for the first time following the physical installation of PEX4S550,
the Add New Hardware Wizard will appear, and help guide you through the software
installation:
Windows XP
1. Please select Install from a list or specific location (Advanced), then click Next.
2. Insert the Driver CD, and select Include this location in the search, ensuring that

Instruction Manual
3
this is the only selection made (no other checkmarks present). In the text box
provided, either type in D:\PCIe\2S\XP, or browse to this location by clicking the
Browse button and navigating to the file. Once the file path has been entered, please
click Next.
3. If the Hardware Installation window pops up, click Continue Anyways, then Finish.
4. You will be required to follow steps 1-3 five more times, for installation to complete.
Once finished, please restart your computer for the settings/installation to take effect.
Windows Vista
1. At the Found New Hardware Wizard, select Locate and install driver software
(recommended).
2. Click on I don’t have the disc. Show me other options.
3. Select the option Browse my computer for driver software (advanced).
4. Insert the Driver CD, check Include subfolders, and enter D:\PCIe\2S\Vista32 (where
D:\ is the CD/DVD-ROM drive letter designation). Click Next to proceed.
5. If you receive a system message indicating that the drivers are not signed, please
select the option Install this driver software anyways. Please note that this
software has been thoroughly tested for compatibility and functionality.
6. Click on Close to complete the driver installation.
Windows 2000
1. When the Found New Hardware Wizard appears, please click on Next, to advance to
the next screen.
2. Select Search for a suitable driver for my device (recommended) and click Next.
3. At the next screen, please select Specify a location and ensure that all other
checkboxes are empty. Click Next.
4. Insert the Drivers CD into your CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drive. Here, you can either
browse to the folder in which the drivers are located, or type in the exact path. To
browse, please click the Browse button, and select D:\PCIe\2S\2000, where D:\ is the
letter designated for your CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drive and click on OK.
5. Click Next, followed by Finish.

Instruction Manual
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Verifying Successful Installation
To verify that installation of the PCI Express card and software were successful:
1. Right-click My Computer, then click Manage. Click on Device Manager.
2. Click on the +symbol located to the left of Ports (COM & LPT). You should see four
instances of NetMos PCI Serial Port listed.
3. Click on the +symbol located to the left of Multifunction adapters. Here, you should
see NetMos 9845 listed.
Changing COM Port Addresses
Because some serial devices need a specific COM port in order to work, you may be
required to change the COM port designations. If you find that your serial devices are
working properly, there is no need to make changes to these settings.
If you need to change the COM port settings:
1. From the Device Manager window, double-click Ports (COM & LPT), then double-click
the NetMos PCI Serial Port you want to change.
2. Click on the Settings tab, and select Advanced.
3. Click the down arrow that is next to the COM Port Number box, and select a COM
port that is not in use. Click on OK to proceed.
4. Click on OK, then close the Device Manager to save the changes. As necessary,
repeat steps 1-4 for each serial port.

Instruction Manual
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Certifications FCC, CE, ROHS
Bus Type PCI Express
Connectors 4 x DB9 Male Serial Connector
Maximum Data Transfer Rate 230.4 kbps
Chipset MCS9845CV
OS Support Windows® 2000/XP/Server 2003/Windows Vista

11 May 2007 (Rev. A)
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