ADB & Newton Serial Connection

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Level 1

75 points

ADB & Newton Serial Connection

I've had my Newton MessagePad 110 sitting around the house for years - It was my first ever Apple product! I used to use it when I was a PC owner!

I've decided to try and get it working with my iBook. I think of myself as an original Switcher, my first real Mac being a rev. B Bondai blue iMac, therefore I'm only familiar with Mac's having a USB & Firewire ports.

I've read some stuff in the group here know that I need a USB adapter. Is an ADB apatper the same as a serial adapter that I need to connect my Newton to my iBook?

The following was what I was thinking of:
http://www.cwonline.co.uk/details.tpl?cart=1125058653471551&sku=2080038&link=det ails&listing=subcategories&nocache=1892

Thanks,
Jamie.

Posted on Aug 26, 2005 6:30 AM

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Answer 1

Aug 26, 2005 7:31 PM in response to J-Ro

a USB to ADB adapter is not the same as serial. serial is the ports on older macs for modem and printers, ADB is the mouse and keyboard connection. ADB is 4 pin serial is 7 pin. USB to ADB is a common adapter as they came out with them shortly after the first USB only IMacs as older mac users wanted to use our ADB Keyboards that we are used to using as they are full sized keyboards. Apple got smart and put the ADB port on the blue G3 towers and Alot of thier newer stuff. I have a ADB to USB adapter that I use on my daughters I-Mac for her keyboard and mouse. only bug is when you shut it down it will restart instead of powering off so you have to hit the power when it begins the restart to power it off instead.

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Answer 2

J-Ro Author

Level 1

75 points

Aug 27, 2005 2:26 AM in response to Van Whittet

Van,
Many thanks for the advice and the modern history lesson of Mac connectivity. I understand this has long been an issue for Mac users - in that Apple, every now and then completely change a connectivity method. I remember reading a particular article about external screens.

Basically then, I do require the a serial adapter and not the ADB. I'll have to hunt around the UK for decent priced. One vendor wanted to charge £70 (approx. $120) for a duel port serial adapter!!
On top of that, I remember that I had the Newton connection kit for Windows - so I may have a different connection again!!

Thanks again
Jamie.

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Answer 3

J-Ro Author

Level 1

75 points

Aug 27, 2005 2:51 AM in response to J-Ro

I'm reading up about serial connections, is a mac serial connection different to a PC serial connection, i.e. a RS232 serial port. If I recal the Mac serial is round and not square like the RS232???

Thanks,
Jamie.

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Answer 4

Jan Hedlund

Level 7

24,235 points

Aug 27, 2005 5:17 AM in response to J-Ro

Jamie,

Yes, the two are different, but not too different. The round MiniDIN-8 Apple serial ports operate under an RS-422 protocol. Some voltage levels may not be identical, and the pin configuration and the dimensions are, obviously, not the same as for RS-232 DB-9 or DB-25 connectors. Nevertheless, for most practical purposes one can successfully "convert" one to the other (for example, by a combination of a standard Mac modem cable and a simple adapter piece).

This and this web page could perhaps be of interest.

Jan

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Answer 5

Jan Hedlund

Level 7

24,235 points

Aug 27, 2005 6:54 AM in response to Jan Hedlund

(for example, by a combination of a standard Mac modem cable and a simple adapter piece)

I should add that, depending upon the type of device on each side, the chain may or may not have to include a null-modem adapter/cable. An inappropriate cable combination could possibly cause damage to the units involved, so carry out any experiments at your own risk.

BTW, I have seen USB-to-serial (DB-9F) adapters for around SEK 200 (= less than GBP 15) here in Stockholm, so you should be able to find something similar.

Jan

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Answer 6

J-Ro Author

Level 1

75 points

Aug 27, 2005 7:29 AM in response to Jan Hedlund

Thanks Jan, very much appreciated. I'm glad I live in a world of USB and Firewire. Although, things are developing on the front too.

I'm hoping that I'll just be able to get this Newton up and running with my iBook. Although, the serial adapter is proving costly. I'll hunt some more - I should be able to find it cheaper somewhere in the UK!!

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Answer 7

Jan Hedlund

Level 7

24,235 points

Aug 27, 2005 7:29 AM in response to Jan Hedlund

Correction

... USB-to-serial (DB-9F) ...

in msg # 2.1.1

should read

... USB-to-serial (DB-9M) ...

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Answer 8

Jan Hedlund

Level 7

24,235 points

Aug 27, 2005 7:46 AM in response to J-Ro

Jamie,

You mentioned a Newton connection kit for Windows. Would this be the one described in manual 030-5277 here? Would it be available? If so, I guess that it should not be impossible to combine the cable with a USB-to-serial (DB-9M) adapter, and establish a connection that way.

Regards,

Jan

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Answer 9

J-Ro Author

Level 1

75 points

Aug 27, 2005 11:47 AM in response to Jan Hedlund

I've left the cables of the connection kit back at my parents, when I moved out. I'll have to dig them out. You know, I've even the origal box, manual and video that came with my Newton MP110.
I loved that machine and would really like to get some use from it again. Despite having my Palm 125!!
I think the Windows cable has the RS232 serial connection - I know I should be able to get a reasonable priced USB adapter for that.

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Answer 10

Aug 27, 2005 2:46 PM in response to J-Ro

at maczones.com they have an adapter for $50.00 US it is at http://www.maczone.com/cgi-bin/zones/site/product/index.html?id=000872996

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Answer 11

Jan Hedlund

Level 7

24,235 points

Aug 28, 2005 12:50 AM in response to J-Ro

Jamie,

Merely as an example, this is the product that I was referring to earlier. I do not think that they ship abroad, but with the current low fares you should be able to get both an airline ticket from the UK to Sweden and said adapter for less than the £70 in msg # 1.1.
🙂

Jan

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Answer 12

J-Ro Author

Level 1

75 points

Aug 28, 2005 7:00 AM in response to Jan Hedlund

thanks for the link Jan - that was exactly what I thinking. I should be able to get a reasonable priced one here in the UK. I'll bear in mind the trip to Sweeden though!! ;o)

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Answer 13

Aug 28, 2005 10:31 AM in response to J-Ro

The company only delivers to Sweden-but there are more then 55 pounds left for the ticket to Sweden!

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Answer 14

Aug 28, 2005 2:19 PM in response to AppleIIFreak

You may also look at ebay 5802960866 USB to serial-ships to Europe

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Answer 15

J-Ro Author

Level 1

75 points

Aug 28, 2005 5:05 PM in response to AppleIIFreak

Thanks for the eBay suggestion. I have to admit, I've had an OK experiance wiht eBay so far. I think I'd prefer to purchase something like this retail. I'll bear it in mind though.

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