Legacy Dos Com port

Arthur · Joined: 04 Oct 2007 Posts: 2

Is there anyone who knows of a driver or a piece of code that can direct a
USB port to a virtual COM port?

My OLD legacy Dos program opens a comport for a MOUSE, and I'm finding it
more difficult to find old serial mouse as well as new PC's not having
comports. The USB converters are no good as I still need an old mouse. Can
one direct a USB mouse to a virtual com port?

Many Thanks

Archived from group: microsoft>public>vb>dos

Dick Grier · Joined: 04 Oct 2007 Posts: 238

Hi,

IMO, this simply isn't practical. However, a serial mouse and a PS2 mouse
are (essentially) the same, and most PCs and notebooks still have a PS2
mouse connector... And, PS2 mice still are available.

Dick

--
Richard Grier, MVP
Hard & Software
Author of Visual Basic Programmer's Guide to Serial Communications, Fourth
Edition,
ISBN 1-890422-28-2 (391 pages, includes CD-ROM). July 2004, Revised March
2006.
See www.hardandsoftware.net for details and contact information.

Arthur · Joined: 04 Oct 2007 Posts: 2

Thanks Richard

Unfortunatly my DOS program in question opens a com port and wants input
from the mouse direct from the com port. I will keep looking....

Arthur

"Dick Grier" wrote:

> Hi,
>
> IMO, this simply isn't practical. However, a serial mouse and a PS2 mouse
> are (essentially) the same, and most PCs and notebooks still have a PS2
> mouse connector... And, PS2 mice still are available.
>
> Dick

Dick Grier · Joined: 04 Oct 2007 Posts: 238

Well, if you find something post the info here. I haven't seen anything
myself.

--
Richard Grier, MVP
Hard & Software
Author of Visual Basic Programmer's Guide to Serial Communications, Fourth
Edition,
ISBN 1-890422-28-2 (391 pages, includes CD-ROM). July 2004, Revised March
2006.
See www.hardandsoftware.net for details and contact information.

Martin · Joined: 04 Oct 2007 Posts: 1

"Arthur" wrote in message @microsoft.com...
Thanks Richard

Unfortunatly my DOS program in question opens a com port and wants input
from the mouse direct from the com port. I will keep looking....

Arthur

"Dick Grier" wrote:

> Hi,
>
> IMO, this simply isn't practical. However, a serial mouse and a PS2 mouse
> are (essentially) the same, and most PCs and notebooks still have a PS2
> mouse connector... And, PS2 mice still are available.
>
> Dick

Would a ps/2 mouse and a ps/2 to serial port (db-9) adapter be sufficient?

Martin

ArarghMail709NOSPAM · Joined: 04 Oct 2007 Posts: 1

On Wed, 12 Sep 2007 19:20:38 -0500, "Martin" wrote:

>
>Would a ps/2 mouse and a ps/2 to serial port (db-9) adapter be sufficient?
>
Only if the PS2 mouse is also serial complient as well as PS2. Some
were, IIRC.
--
ArarghMail709 at [drop the 'http://www.' from ->] http://www.arargh.com
BCET Basic Compiler Page: http://www.arargh.com/basic/index.html

To reply by email, remove the extra stuff from the reply address.

Dick Grier · Joined: 04 Oct 2007 Posts: 238

Hi,

Most, but not all PS/2 mouse designs will work with the adapter... At least,
the ones that I have tried. The best way to find out is to test it on your
own hardware. The adapters are quite inexpensive.

Dick

--
Richard Grier, MVP
Hard & Software
Author of Visual Basic Programmer's Guide to Serial Communications, Fourth
Edition,
ISBN 1-890422-28-2 (391 pages, includes CD-ROM). July 2004, Revised March
2006.
See www.hardandsoftware.net for details and contact information.