Some useful RS232 debugging tools....

[Dr. Video/ADDiXiON]

I picked up two neat items at Radio Shack today:

RS-232 Line Analyzer (part 276-1401). This plugs inline with your DB25-DB25 cables, and has a LED for each signal (TD,RD,RTS,CTS,DSR,DTR,and CD). Use this to find out precisely what your software is doing. It was $14 I think.

Also got an RS-232 Serial Jumper Box (276-1403A). This is a DB25-DB25 adapter that comes with a PCB with holes drilled for each of the 25 connections. It comes with a package of 25 small jumper wires that can easily be inserted and removed to test all kinds of pinouts. Use this to debug what kind of null cable your BBS software wants to use! It was ~$10 I think.

-Jeff

[Leif Bloomquist]

On the software side, there is a free Windows tool from B&B Electronics called "Com Test" that lets you do simple RS-232 debugging.

You can manually set DTR/RTS, and it shows the state of DSR/CTS/DCD coming back. Also has a simple sent/received window, strings assigned to F-keys, etc.

www.bb-elec.com/comtest.asp

[Dr. Video/ADDiXiON]

Also, I use Bray Terminal as well, it's a great program for monitoring the port as well.

bray.velenje.cx/avr/terminal