Hyperterminal and Windows XP hung

rj45eth

Hello

My problem is when I plug my rollover cable from Cisco 837 ADSL to a serial port at the back of my computer, then windows is just hung up. However, when I plug the cable to other devices such as Switch 2950, then it is okay. Is there any problem with my Cisco 837?

I don't have an access router, therefore, each time I want to configure a router or switch I have to swap the rollover cable. It worked alright previously.

rj45eth

I used GtkTerm (similar to HyperTerminal) under linux OS and it worked just fine, but it didn't work under Windows 2003 and XP. When I plug the rollover cable to the com port then my computer is just completely freezed. Anyone has any ideas? Thanks.

I used the same port parameters for Gtkterm and HyperTerminal:

Bits per second: 9600
Data bit: 8
Parity: None
Stop bits: 1
Flow control: None

freetech

For informational purposes, let me ask a few questions:
Are you plugging in the RJ-45 into the router and then plugging in the serial port connector?
Do you connect all the equipment in the same order? ie RJ-45 and then serial port?
I've often moved the RJ-45 from equipment to equipment, but I've never tried hot-plugging the serial port. Even then, it SHOULD work. HMMMMM.
Have you tried, as an experiment, shutting down the computer, connecting the serial port to the computer, then the RJ-45 to the 836, then starting the computer?
It would be interesting to see if it worked if everything was connected BEFORE booting.

Ahhhh, the joys of a console server. Think of all the hassles you'd avoid. Just a thought.

laidbackfreak

hypertrm that ships with XP is known to be buggy.....

go download the original much more stable..... else download an alternative your happy to use...

freetech

You can also download a free "Private Edition" of Hyperterminal from

http://www.thefreesite.com/Free_Software/Telnet_freeware/

There are also several other terminal programs to choose from and they're all free; always a good thing.

http://www.freewarefiles.com/cat_5_63_Terminal-Telnet.html

This one has PuTTy, which is very popular.

mgeorge

I use SecureCRT myself, it allows for telnet session tabs kinda like IE7 and Firefox,
helps alot when you have a big lab goin, dont have to keep switching devices using
shift ctrl 6 x

Of course it cost 99 bucks but well worth the investment

Netwurk

Another good freebie is TeraTerm

Cisco uses it in their Video Mentor series

Download and use for free at http://hp.vector.co.jp/authors/VA002416/teraterm.html

rj45eth

Thank you for all of your replies.

I did a hot-plug serial port because each of my router and switch has its own console cable. I think hot-plug serial port could damage the router console port? But why it works on Linux but it hangs on Windows even during windows startup (once it detects the com port)?

I have already used TeraTerm, Putty, etc... but when I plugged console cable to the console port the windows was totally frozen. TeraTerm or HyperTerminal took 100% CPU.

I have also tried to plug the router to Windows 2003, Windows XP, Windows 98. I got the same problem except Fedora linux.

Please give me some helps, it took me whole day but still couldn't figure it out.

Thanks.

freetech

You should be able to hot plug from the RJ-45 port.
Another suggestion might be trying a USB serial adapter. That should be hot-pluggable because it's the USB port. They usually go for $10-15.
That should solve your issue. Any computer store should have them or you can order them from an online shop.

rj45eth

Thanks freetech for your continuous help.

I will buy an USB Serial adapter as your suggestion. It can be used for other purpose as well. For the time being, I think I have to use telnet or GtkTerm to access the router. I used minicom in linux but had the same problem - freeze.