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guides:virtual_modem:section_2 [2022-12-17 19:45]
omolini [Section 2 - Shopping list]
guides:virtual_modem:section_2 [2022-12-17 19:55]
omolini
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 ====== Section 2 - Shopping list ====== ====== Section 2 - Shopping list ======
-|  **[[https://​ebay.us/​NLr0zk|Raspberry Pi 3 Model B/B+]] \\ [[https://​ebay.us/​JPBC5D|Raspberry Pi Zero W or newer]]** \\ {{:​tutorials:​pics:​raspberry_pi_3_model_b.png?​nolink&​225|}} {{:​guides:​pics:​raspberry-pi-zero-w.jpg?​nolink&​150|}} ​ | $15-30 \\ Virtual modem has been tested \\ with [[https://​ebay.us/​NLr0zk|Raspberry Pi 3 model B]] and [[https://​ebay.us/​JPBC5D|Raspberry Pi Zero W]]. \\ Other Raspberry Pi models should work as well. |+|  **[[https://​ebay.us/​NLr0zk|Raspberry Pi 3 Model B/B+]] \\ [[https://​ebay.us/​JPBC5D|Raspberry Pi Zero W or newer]]** \\ {{:​tutorials:​pics:​raspberry_pi_3_model_b.png?​nolink&​225|}} {{:​guides:​pics:​raspberry-pi-zero-w.jpg?​nolink&​150|}} ​ | $15-45 \\ Virtual modem has been tested \\ with [[https://​ebay.us/​NLr0zk|Raspberry Pi 3 model B]] and [[https://​ebay.us/​JPBC5D|Raspberry Pi Zero W]]. \\ Other Raspberry Pi models should work as well. |
 |  **[[https://​ebay.us/​W07zWR|8GB or larger ​ MicroSD memory card]]** \\ {{:​tutorials:​pics:​microsd_32gb.png?​nolink&​150|}} ​ | $5 [[https://​ebay.us/​W07zWR|eBay]] | |  **[[https://​ebay.us/​W07zWR|8GB or larger ​ MicroSD memory card]]** \\ {{:​tutorials:​pics:​microsd_32gb.png?​nolink&​150|}} ​ | $5 [[https://​ebay.us/​W07zWR|eBay]] |
 |  **[[https://​ebay.us/​aUN6Xq|USB Power Adapter]]** \\ {{:​guides:​pics:​usb_power_adapter.png?​nolink&​150|}} ​                | $5 [[https://​ebay.us/​aUN6Xq|eBay]] | |  **[[https://​ebay.us/​aUN6Xq|USB Power Adapter]]** \\ {{:​guides:​pics:​usb_power_adapter.png?​nolink&​150|}} ​                | $5 [[https://​ebay.us/​aUN6Xq|eBay]] |
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 ^ **Total project cost** ^ **~ $38-$53** ^ ^ **Total project cost** ^ **~ $38-$53** ^
  
-You can also choose to use a **Raspberry Pi Zero** which will save you some $15 from the total price, but for the sake of simplicity, we'll be using the **Raspberry Pi 3 Model B** on this tutorial. I've only tested these two Raspberry Pi's, but I see no reason why Virtual Modem wouldn'​t work with other Raspberry Pi models. ​+You may use a **Raspberry Pi Zero W** which will save you some $30 from the total price, but for the sake of user-friendliness, we'll be sticking with the **Raspberry Pi 3 Model B** on this tutorial. I've only tested these two Raspberry Pi's, but I see no reason why Virtual Modem wouldn'​t work with other Raspberry Pi models. It might even work on other platforms and architectures,​ but I cannot offer support on these. If you are having trouble getting the script to work, try to strictly adhere to the parts list above and see if it works then. Feel free to report your discoveries at our Discord channel (link below)
  
 ===== Important note about USB-to-Serial adapters and pre-Pentium era computers ====== ===== Important note about USB-to-Serial adapters and pre-Pentium era computers ======
-I have found in my testing, that the cheapest USB-to-serial adapters do not fare well with some older, pre-Pentium era computers with certain UART chips. The cheaper "​molded blue plastic"​ USB-to-serial adapters would not work at all with a 386-class system with an **8250** UART, even at 9600 baud. However, it would work fine with my 486 system which had a **16550AF** UART running at 56 kbit/s. If you're unsure which UART chip you have, you can check it easily in DOS 6 by running the MSD tool. In the DOS prompt, type MSD to run the program, go to Com Ports (Press key C) and it will show the UARTs available. Commond UARTs are **8250, 16450 and 16550**.+I have found in my testing, that the cheapest USB-to-serial adapters do not fare well with some older, pre-Pentium era computers with certain UART chips. The cheaper "​molded blue plastic"​ USB-to-serial adapters would not work at all with a 386-class system with an **8250** UART, even at 9600 baud. However, it would work fine with my 486 system which had a **16550AF** UART running at 56 kbit/s. If you're unsure which UART chip you have, you can check it easily in DOS 6 by running the MSD tool. In the DOS prompt, type MSD to run the program, go to Com Ports (Press key C) and it will show the UARTs available. Commond UARTs are **8250, 16450 and 16550**. If you have a Pentium-class system, it is likely you have the best UART available.
  
-If you are planning on using a 486 or older computer with either a **8250** or a **16450** UART, you can work around this limitation by using a genuine [[https://​ebay.us/​QnFezr|Prolific USB-to-Serial adapter]], or upgrade the computer by adding a serial I/O card with a **16550AF** UART chip. Please note that **8250** and **16450** UARTs will still be limited, and cannot handle much faster transfer speeds than about 9600 bit/s. To verify the chipset ​under Windows 10, plug in the adapter, open up Device Manager. Under "​Ports"​ you will see the Prolific adapter identify as "​Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port".+If you are planning on using a 486 or older computer with either a **8250** or a **16450** UART, you can work around this limitation by using a genuine [[https://​ebay.us/​QnFezr|Prolific USB-to-Serial adapter]], or upgrade the computer by adding a serial I/O card with a **16550AF** UART chip. Please note that **8250** and **16450** UARTs will still be limited, and cannot handle much faster transfer speeds than about 9600 bit/s. To verify the chipset ​of your USB-to-serial adapter, plug in the adapter ​to a modern computer, open up Device Manager. Under "​Ports"​ you will see the Prolific adapter identify as "​Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port".
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guides/virtual_modem/section_2.txt · Last modified: 2022-12-17 19:55 by omolini