minicom question

[axaf]

I'm trying to communicate with a piece of hardware through the serial port of my Linux box using minicom. I have the proper parameters established (e.g., baud rate, parity, etc). However, the minicom communication screen claims that it is off line, and that I can't talk to my piece of hardware. Can someone suggest to me how I would use the software to send commands up to my instrumentation?

Thanks,

Gary

[hiberphoptik]

its been a while since i have seen/used minicom but i think you have to enter command mode and then you can type in your at commands.

also you can send commands directly to the serial port from the linux command line if you dont need to use minicom, that way you can even script your commands

something like: echo ata > /dev/modem

[dishawjp]

I'm assuming that you're talking direct connect, and not through a modem. I use both setups all the time and have never had an issue. Are you *certain* that you have the proper serial port configured. e.g., ttyS0 or ttyS1?

Are you doing this from a runlevel 3 or through an xterm? Could you post your /etc/.minirc.dfl and your ~/minirc.dfl?

If you're running it thouugh an Xterm, also post your /etc/xminicom file as well.

Jim

<edit>
also, what are you using for flow control? hardware, software, or none. I have had the best luck with it set to none except when directly communication without a modem. In that case, I use hardware flow control.
</edit>

[axaf]

Hi Jim,

Just to follow up...the computer system I'm using doesn't appear to have a /etc/xminicom or /etc/.minirc.dfl file.

However, here is the /etc/minirc.dfl file:

# Machine-generated file - use "minicom -s" to change parameters.
pr port /dev/ttyS0
pu baudrate 9600
pr bits 8
pr parity N
pu stopbits 1

These settings match up with the hardware from which I'm trying to receive data. Handshaking is allowed. There are two serial ports on this machine. I've tried out both ports with identical results.

By the way, I can only execute the 'stty' command as root. How can I change this to let other
users execute it?

Thanks,

Gary

[dishawjp]

Sorry about the typos, in /etc the file is minirc.dfl and in your home directory, it should be .minirc.dfl.

My /etc/minirc.dfl looks like this:

dishawjp@linux:~> cat /etc/minirc.dfl
# Machine-generated file - use "minicom -s" to change parameters.
pr port             /dev/ttyS0
pu baudrate         2400
pu bits             8
pu parity           N
pu stopbits         1
pu minit
pu mreset
pu mdialpre
pu mhangup
pu hasdcd           No
pu rtscts           Yes
dishawjp@linux:~>

and my ~/.minirc.dfl looks like this:

dishawjp@linux:~> cat .minirc.dfl
# Machine-generated file - use setup menu in minicom to change parameters.
pu baudrate         9600
pu bits             8
pu parity           N
pu stopbits         1
pu rtscts           No
dishawjp@linux:~> more /etc/minirc.dfl

note: The above files are taken from my OpenSUSE10 box at work and not my Fedora box at home. Minicom is pretty simple and old and *should* be the same between these two related distros, but no guarantee.

If you're certain that your baud rate is fine for the devices you're communicating with, check out your flow control. Try using "hardware flow control" if you're not using it now.

Jim Dishaw