OK, all I want to do is turn on and off a 9-volt DC switch (to control a small motor) with my computer.
I think there are at least 2 methods:
1) using a sound-activated switch attached to the line out on the soundcard. The PC goes BEEP, the switch gets flipped. But these vox switches are usually available only in kits and a pain to assemble, and are not so reliable.
2) using the RS 232 serial connector. I've found a site ( http://www.bolis.com/amillar/computers/hardware/serial-port-power-switch ) that comes close to what I want to do, but the author is not specific enough for a moron like me.
Right now, I can activate the motor with a relay, Circuit gets closed, motor goes. Can I use my rs 232 serial port to do this? I'm using windows 2000, and I think I need to run hyper terminal to control the serial port.
What pins on the rs 232 do I need to use that will open and close a circuit when running hyper terminal (or turn on & off 9v dc would be fine too).
So, what pins, what software, what commands? My basic problem, summed up.
To put it another way: I have 2 of the 9 pins on the rs 232 connected to my ohm meter, I want to click on something & the ohm meter's needle jumps, showing a connection is made, controlled by the PC. What pins, what software, what commands? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I think there are at least 2 methods:
1) using a sound-activated switch attached to the line out on the soundcard. The PC goes BEEP, the switch gets flipped. But these vox switches are usually available only in kits and a pain to assemble, and are not so reliable.
2) using the RS 232 serial connector. I've found a site ( http://www.bolis.com/amillar/computers/hardware/serial-port-power-switch ) that comes close to what I want to do, but the author is not specific enough for a moron like me.
Right now, I can activate the motor with a relay, Circuit gets closed, motor goes. Can I use my rs 232 serial port to do this? I'm using windows 2000, and I think I need to run hyper terminal to control the serial port.
What pins on the rs 232 do I need to use that will open and close a circuit when running hyper terminal (or turn on & off 9v dc would be fine too).
So, what pins, what software, what commands? My basic problem, summed up.
To put it another way: I have 2 of the 9 pins on the rs 232 connected to my ohm meter, I want to click on something & the ohm meter's needle jumps, showing a connection is made, controlled by the PC. What pins, what software, what commands? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
