©NationalInstruments Corporation vii SerialHardware and Software for Windows
Contents

About This Manual

Conventions...................................................................................................................xiii
RelatedD ocumentation..................................................................................................xiv

Chapter 1

Introduction

Howt o Use ThisManual ...............................................................................................1-1
WhatYou Need to Get Started ......................................................................................1-2
OptionalEquipment .......................................................................................................1-3
SerialHardware Overview .............................................................................................1-3
PCIKits ...........................................................................................................1-3
PXIKits ...........................................................................................................1-4
PCMCIA Kits ..................................................................................................1-6
AT Kits ............................................................................................................1-6
NI-SerialSoftware Overview........................................................................................1-8
Time-SavingDevelopment Tools ..................................................................................1-8

Chapter 2

PCI Serial Hardware Installation, Verification, and Configuration

Windows2000 ...............................................................................................................2-1
Installthe Software ..........................................................................................2-1
Installthe Hardware........................................................................................2-2
Verifythe I nstallation......................................................................................2-4
Configure Communication Port Settings.........................................................2-5
Windows Me/9x.............................................................................................................2-9
Installthe Software ..........................................................................................2-9
Installthe Hardware........................................................................................2-10
Verifythe I nstallation......................................................................................2-12
Configure Communication Port Settings.........................................................2-14
WindowsNT ..................................................................................................................2-18
Installthe Software ..........................................................................................2-18
Installthe Hardware........................................................................................2-18
Verifythe I nstallation......................................................................................2-20
Configure Communication Port Settings.........................................................2-21