Data logging RS232 comms

[lbcomms]

Hi all,
We need to capture RS232 data in both directions simultaneously between a DOS PC and a Jeymel NC controller (this controls lights, motors, etc) in order to find out the data format used so we can write a replacement Windows based program... we are down to our last working DOS PC, and the original software won't run on anything later than an 80386 machine.   The company that made the hardware went out of business in the mid 90's, so we can't get an updated version from them.

From the documentation we have, it uses bog standard 9600 8.N.1 RS232 protocol.

Presumably, we need a third PC with two serial ports to capture the data from both directions.
We only need to log the data and save it to a text file - we don't need to end or change data, decode the data stream, etc.

Are one of the data loggers available here suitable?  We can do the hardware stuff like cables and plug wiring ourselves no problems, we just need something a bit more capable than Hyperterminal to save the data sent between the DOS machine and the NC controller.

Thanks in advance to anyone that can advise us.

Laurence Collins

[Arthur Grasin]

You need the cable from the following page:

http://www.aggsoft.com/rs232-pinout-cable/serial-port-monitor-cable.htm

Then you may use the Advanced Serial Port Monitor software in the manual mode.