mbparker@athena.mit.edu (Michael B Parker) (02/26/91)
With NeXT's adaptation of RS-423 serial ports for their '040 machines, ordinary Mac cables and devices don't always work. But it's easy to make your own cables. Read "man zs" and NextAnswers to get all the wiring diagrams. The key is to splice together existing standard pre-made cables, instead of soldering on the connectors to the cable. Those MiniDIN8 connectors are EXTREMELY difficult to solder on and I've wasted many hours fruitlessly trying to do this. Instead, buy pre-made stock cables with MiniDIN8 connectors, and any other connectors you will need, already wired onto the cable -- and cut the cables in half. Then splice together the cables as desired. Its much easier soldering together loose wires - which can be separated as much as necessary - than soldering to the tightly-spaced pins of most connectors. Use a multimeter tester to determine which wire strand of cut cable is connected to which pin of the connector. I've found a cheap source of cables: Orvac Electronics, 1645 E. Orangethorpe Av, Fullerton, Calif, 714-871-1020. For instance, they sell a 10-foot, fully-wired and shielded MiniDIN8 male to MiniDIN8 male cable for $8.95. If you don't want to make your own cables, you can buy custom-make cables. NeXT always recommends: Computer Cables and Devices 57 Church Street Hamden, Connecticut 06514 (203)287-0197 FAX - Box Stop FAX: (203)287-1562 - (FAX charges will be added) But be warned -- every cable and shipping will cost you about $50. -Mike Parker MIT Grad Student