Determine the Connections

• A typical serial connection port on a computer.
  
  Determine whether you need a conversion cable. To do so, first check the device or peripheral itself to see what kind of cable it has. If the end of the cable that is meant to connect to the computer has a series of pins inside, then it is a serial cable. Check the computer itself to see if it has a serial port. If the computer lacks a serial connection port but the device you want to connect requires one, then you need a USB to Serial conversion cable.
  
  

Purchase a conversion cable.

• Two types of USB connection cable ends.
  
  Purchase a USB to Serial conversion cable to connect older "legacy" devices (whether printers, faxes, monitors, computer mice or keyboards) to a computer that lacks serial ports. More and more of these devices are natively using USB connections, but a USB to Serial converter cable will allow older devices to work on computers and laptops that lack serial connections.
  
  These converter cables can be purchased with multiple serial ports coming out from a single USB connection (see examples in Resources). You can also purchase single connection converters if you only have one serial device to connect.
  
  Purchase a conversion cable that is USB plug-and-play compatible, as this will reduce the chance of compatibility issues or having to search for additional software drivers.
  
  

Connect and Install the Conversion Cable

• USB ports on a computer with USB standard symbol in middle.
  
  Connect the USB end of the conversion cable to an available USB port on your computer or laptop. Connect the serial connection end to the serial cable coming from the device that you are using. If the conversion cable kit came with a CD with drivers in it, insert the CD and follow the installation instructions for the CD.
  
  Some USB to serial conversion kits may be automatically recognized by the computer, but if not, the included discs allow the needed drivers to be installed. Keep in mind that you may need to also install the device drivers for the specific device you are using, such as a printer or computer mouse. These specific drivers also generally come on a CD with the device itself.
  
  You may need to restart your computer to complete the setup. Turn the connected serial device's power on after connecting the serial cable to the USB conversion cable.