8-Port PCI Serial Card - Carte PCI série StarTech.com - Free user manual and instructions

Product Type	8-Port PCI Serial Card
Brand	StarTech.com
Model	8-Port PCI Serial Card
Bus Interface	PCI (32-bit, 33 MHz)
Chipset	Oxford Semiconductor OX16C958 or equivalent
Number of Ports	8
Port Type	RS-232 DB9 male (8 ports)
Maximum Baud Rate	Up to 230.4 kbps per port
Data Bits	5, 6, 7, 8
Stop Bits	1, 1.5, 2
Parity	None, Even, Odd, Mark, Space
Flow Control	XON/XOFF, RTS/CTS
Form Factor	Standard PCI bracket (full-height)
Dimensions (W x H)	120 mm x 80 mm (approx.)
Weight	0.12 kg (approx.)
Power Consumption	1.5W (max) from PCI bus
Operating Temperature	0°C to 55°C
Storage Temperature	-20°C to 85°C
Humidity (Operating)	10% to 90% non-condensing
Supported OS	Windows 10/8/7/XP, Linux, DOS, etc.
Compliance	RoHS, CE, FCC
Maintenance & Cleaning	Use dry cloth; avoid liquids. Disconnect before cleaning.
Safety	Install in a grounded PCI slot; avoid static discharge.
Spare Parts & Repairability	No user-serviceable parts. Contact StarTech support.
General Information	Designed for industrial and POS applications requiring multiple serial connections.

Frequently Asked Questions - 8-Port PCI Serial Card StarTech.com

How do I install the StarTech.com 8-Port PCI Serial Card?

Power off your computer, open the case, insert the card into an available PCI slot, secure it with the bracket, close the case, and power on. Install the appropriate drivers from the included CD or StarTech website.

Which operating systems are supported?

The card supports Windows 10, 8, 7, XP, Vista, and most Linux distributions, as well as DOS. Drivers are available for download on StarTech.com.

Why is my serial port not working after installation?

Check that the card is properly seated in the PCI slot and that drivers are installed correctly. Verify the port assignment in Device Manager and ensure no IRQ conflicts exist.

What is the maximum baud rate per port?

Each port supports baud rates up to 230.4 kbps. For optimal performance, use high-quality cables shorter than 15 meters.

Can I use this card with a 64-bit PCI slot?

Yes, the card is compatible with 32-bit and 64-bit PCI slots (3.3V or 5V). However, ensure the slot is physically compatible with the card's notch.

Does the card require external power?

No, the card draws power directly from the PCI bus, typically less than 1.5W. No external power connector is needed.

How can I test the serial ports?

Use a loopback plug or connect a serial device to each port. In your OS, use a terminal emulator like PuTTY to send and receive data. Alternatively, use diagnostic software provided by StarTech.

Is hot-plugging supported?

No, PCI cards are not hot-swappable. Always power off the system before installing or removing the card.

Can I use this card in a Linux system?

Yes, the card is supported by the Linux kernel. Many distributions automatically detect and load the serial port driver. You may need to manually configure port settings via setserial.

What should I do if the card causes system instability?

Ensure the card is fully seated and the PCI slot is functional. Update the card's drivers and check for IRQ conflicts. If the problem persists, try a different PCI slot or contact StarTech support.

USER MANUAL 8-Port PCI Serial Card StarTech.com

PCI Serial Adapter Card

8-Port Low Profile RS232 PCI

Serial Adapter Card

with 16C950 UART

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

Packaging Contents....1

System Requirements ....1

Installation 2

Hardware Installation ....2

Driver Installation ....3

Verifying Installation ....4

Specifications 5

Technical Support 6

Warranty Information 6

Introduction

Packaging Contents

1 x PCI8S950LP card•

1 x Full Profile bracket•

1 x 8-Port DB9 serial breakout dongle•

1 x Driver CD•

1 x Instruction Manual•

System Requirements

PCI enabled computer with available 3.3V or 5V PCI slot•

Microsoft Windows® 2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/7 (32/64-bit), or Linux® kernel 2.4.x/2.6.x

Electronic hardware components including multiple VGA connectors and a red PCI card (no text or symbols visible)

Installation

WARNING! PCI 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 PCI 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 PCI card by its edges and not the gold connectors.

Hardware Installation

Turn your computer off and any peripherals connected to the 1. computer (i.e. Printers, external hard drives, etc.). Unplug the power cable from the rear of the power supply on the back of the computer.

Remove the cover from the computer case. Refer to documentation 2. for your computer system for details.

Locate an open PCI or PCI-X slot and remove the metal cover plate 3. on the rear of the computer case. Refer to documentation for your computer system for details.

Insert the card into the open PCI or PCI-X slot and fasten the card's 4. bracket to the rear of the case.

Place the cover back onto the computer case.5.

Insert the power cable into the socket on the power supply and 6. reconnect all other connectors removed in Step 1.

Attach the 8-port DB9 breakout dongle to the connector on the card.7.

Driver Installation

Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003

When the Found New Hardware wizard appears on the screen, 1. insert the Driver CD into your CD/DVD drive. If you are prompted to connect to Windows Update, please select the “No, not this time” option and click Next.

Select the option "Install Drivers Automatically (Recommended)" and 2. then click the Next button.

Windows should now start searching for the drivers. Once this has 3. completed, click the Finish button.

Windows Vista/7

When the Found New Hardware window appears on the screen, 1. click on the “Locate and install drivers software (recommended)” option. If prompted to search online, select the “Don’t search online” option.

When prompted to insert the disc, insert the Driver CD that 2. came with the card, into your CD/DVD drive and Windows will automatically proceed to search the CD.

If a Windows Security dialog window appears, click the “Install this 3. driver software anyway” option to proceed.

Once the driver is installed, click the Close button.4.

Verifying Installation

Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/7

From the main desktop, right-click on "My Computer" ("Computer" in Vista/7), then select Manage. In the new Computer Management window, select Device Manager from the left window panel.

Open Explore Search... Manage Map Network Drive... Disconnect Network Drive... Create Short-cut Delete Rename Properties

Computer Management File Action View Help Computer Management (Local System Tools Task Scheduler Event Viewer Shared Folders Local Users and Groups Reliability and Perform Device Manager Storage Disk Management Services and Applications STARTECHCOM-PC Computer Disk drives Display adapters DVD/CD-ROM drives Human Interface Devices IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers Keyboards Mice and other pointing devices Monitors Network adapters Ports (COM & LPT) Processors Sound, video and game controllers Storage controllers System devices Universal Serial Bus controllers

Double-click on the “Ports (COM & LPT)” option. The appropriate number of additional COM ports should be visible. The port(s) are ready to connect to new devices.

StarTechcom-PC Computer Disk drives Display adapters DVD/CD-ROM drives Human Interface Devices IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers Keyboards Mice and other pointing devices Monitors Multi-port serial adapters PCI Express Multiport Serial Adapter Network adapters Ports (COM & LPT) Communications Port (COM1) PCI Express UART Port (COM10) PCI Express UART Port (COM3) PCI Express UART Port (COM4) PCI Express UART Port (COM5) PCI Express UART Port (COM6) PCI Express UART Port (COM7) PCI Express UART Port (COM8) PCI Express UART Port (COM9) Printer Port (LPT1) Processors Sound, video and game controllers System devices Universal Serial Bus controllers

Specifications

Bus Interface	PCI rev2.2 (3.3/5V)
External Connectors	8 x DB9 male (via breakout cable)
Chipset ID	Oxford OXPCIe958
Serial UART	16C950
Maximum Data Transfer Rate	460.8kbps
Operating Temperature	-40°C to 85°C
Storage Temperature	-20°C to 85°C
Humidity	5-85% RH
Compatible Operating Systems	Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003/Vista/7, Linux kernel 2.4.x/2.6.x

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.

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