Question 1

I need to image/virtualize a win98 laptop (used for an old hvac system)  hence the need for a  serial port. win98 
within virtualbox compatible?

Accepted Answer

Carefully read the owner/service ,manual of your HVAC serial comm Controller for more info about the HVAC Controller signal requirements...  You should try to find out if the Controller requires ***full RS-232 serial communications*** or else the abbreviated set of serial communications that can be converted to USB - including the use of this cable.  This 26886 cable DOES NOT support full RS-232 serial comms, it only supports abbreviated serial to USB communications.

See the following from Wikipedia online about "RS-232": "Compared with later interfaces such as RS-422, RS-485 and Ethernet, RS-232 has lower transmission speed, shorter maximum cable length, larger voltage swing, larger standard connectors, no multipoint capability and limited multidrop capability. In modern personal computers, USB has displaced RS-232 from most of its peripheral interface roles. Few computers come equipped with RS-232 ports, so one must use either an external USB-to-RS-232 converter or an internal expansion card with one or more serial ports to connect to RS-232 peripherals. Nevertheless, thanks to their simplicity and past ubiquity, RS-232 interfaces are still used—particularly in industrial machines, networking equipment, and scientific instruments where a short-range, point-to-point, low-speed wired data connection is fully adequate." ....

Later in the Wikipedia article it also says:  "3-wire and 5-wire RS-232
A minimal "3-wire" RS-232 connection consisting only of transmit data, receive data, and ground, is commonly used when the full facilities of RS-232 are not required. Even a two-wire connection (data and ground) can be used if the data flow is one way (for example, a digital postal scale that periodically sends a weight reading, or a GPS receiver that periodically sends position, if no configuration via RS-232 is necessary). When only hardware flow control is required in addition to two-way data, the RTS and CTS lines are added in a 5-wire version. "

Question 2

I have a mad catz mc2 set of pedals with this plug. could this make it windows 8.1 compatable

Accepted Answer

According to Mad Catz support page the device is supported by Windows 8 natively (no drivers required) into a Serial (game) port.  If your model is fully PC compatible (console specific versions exist) then this Serial-to-USB adapter should work, but you may need to install the drivers for the adapter before connecting the Wheel.  C2G does promise this adapter is Win8 compliant so it should all work.  Good luck and let us know if it does.

Question 3

I only have 3.0 USB on my laptop with Windows 8.1. Does this support 3.0 USB?

Accepted Answer

No.  It's not USB 3.0.  But that 3.0 port on your laptop will support USB 2.0 devices.  They just will not go at USB 3.0 speeds.  I cannot imagine that you would ever be able to push 3.0 speeds through an RS-232 serial type connection anyway.  USB 2.0 will easily handle the typical 115K and slower serial connection speeds used.  It should work fine for you.

Question 4

Will this work to connect a monitor to a new laptop?

Accepted Answer

I think so, but not 100% sure.

ASIN	B000067RVJ
Best Sellers Rank	#79 in Serial Cables
Brand	C2G
Built-In Media	Adapter Cable
Color	Blue
Compatible Devices	Cellphones, PDAs, Digital Cameras, Modems, ISDN Terminal Adapters
Connector Type	'USB', 'DB9'
Current Rating	0.2 A
Customer Reviews	4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars (297)
Finish	Matte
Global Trade Identification Number	00757120268864, 00857611529747
Item Dimensions	8 x 6 x 1 inches
Manufacturer	C2G
Mfr Part Number	26886
Model Number	26886
Number of Items	1
Number of Ports	1
Package Quantity	1
Power Plug Type	Type A - 2 pin (North American)
Specific Uses For Product	personal
UPC	777780407779 806291810348 999992154047 755034022190 803982730817 080850163896 999998481895 731215068713 088021332270 778888357782 872182610120 763615734820 757120268864 096962255732 777787360893 163120866748 887617703070 141291019385 999992045208 857611529747 017820387464 102931014092
Unit Count	1 Count
Warranty Description	1 Year
Warranty Type	Limited

C2G Legrand USB to DB9 Serial Adapter Cable, Adapter Cable, USB to Desktop Adapter, 1.5 Foot Adapter Cord, Gray, 1 Count, C2G 26886

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