Dumb Question compaq without serial port

[125444]

I just bought a brand new Compaq and it does not have a SERIAL port. How can i connect without a serial port. I have tried connectting the network cable to the console port and this does not work. I have also tried using a cross over cable. When trying to use the IP network socket during hyperterm setup it asks for an ipaddress. Alot of laptops are no longer coming with serail connections why does cisco not have usb functionality. Can someone help me.
Your help is appreciated. HELP PLEASE
Mario

 

[tbissett]

Unfortunely, if this device has never been configured before, you will have to go in via serial connection to put an IP address on the inside IF. There's no other way around it. You best bet would be to go out and buy a serial card to stick in your PC, or find a PC with a serial port. Should be pretty cheap.

 

my ain concern is that dell,ibm, hp and other pc manufactures are selling machines without the serial port. Has Cisco catched on to this or we going to have to go out and buy a pcmcia card with a serial connection to console into their equipment?

 

[tbissett]

Of all the features I have heard about the next release of the PIX (version 7) eliminating the console cable is not one of them. I do know pretty well that the USB port will NOT be used as part of the new OS. I just got a Dell Insprion and it still has a serial port. Don't know if this is a strictly Compaq thing or not.

 

[AmbushBug]

I use a belkin usb-to-serial dongle to get around the no serial port issue on my laptop computer.

I've not had any problems using it with Hyperterminal but some older progams I have which use a serial port don't like it as much.

I also ended up getting a docking station for when I'm in the office and it has a serial port built into it.