>> First I got myself one of those USB to RS232 adapters. Didn't work.

I recommend getting the adapter to work; they DO (in general) work.   
I thought almost anything would work with windows, but ...  Try a  
brand-name adaptor as a starting point.  They're more expensive, but  
then you might be able to call and get support if you have troubles...

> the ExpressCard connector has a USB channel in it I think, which is  
> what
> lower-speed devices (serial adapters, card readers) tend to use.

That's funny...

So you have two separate USB/Serial adaptors that fail to work;  
perhaps you have some conflicting USB driver loaded in your PC, or  
something...

BillW

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