Frequently Asked Questions
- Stealth Serial Port
What is the
Stealth Serial Port and what does it do?
The Stealth Serial Port provides
a standard serial port for new Macintosh systems that lack
a built-in serial port. It works with virtually any serial
peripheral, including MIDI devices, LocalTalk printers, and
video tape decks for deck control. There are versions for
the G4 (2001-4 PCI Slots, Dual processor and AGP), Blue &
White Power Macintosh G3 and iMac (Rev. A-D).
How compatible
is the Stealth Serial Port?
The Stealth Serial Port is designed
to be compatible with all serial
devices that work on older Mac systems. The Stealth Serial
Port's interface card uses the same chipset found on earlier
Power Macs. It is compatible with serial printers, modems,
MIDI devices, LocalTalk printers, deck control software and
more. No new drivers are required other than the Stealth Serial
Port extension. A standard Mini-DIN8 connector is provided
out the back of your Mac. The Stealth Serial Port also comes
with a 30-day money back guarantee.
Does the Stealth
Serial Port work with Mac OS X?
The Stealth Serial Port provides the
same level of compatibility under OS X as a built-in serial
port on a beige G3 running Mac OS X. Click
here for more details on Mac OS X.
External modems work fine by configuring
the serial-port in the Network System Preference. We're working
with application developers creating OS X applications to
access the Stealth Port. Also, Apple has stated that some
things such as LocalTalk will not be supported in OS X.
What
is the latest version of the Stealth extension?
The latest version of the Stealth
Serial Port extension is version 1.03. This version fixes
a problem with Mac OS 9.0.4 and LocalTalk. While it is not
required for earlier versions of the Mac OS or for non-LocalTalk
uses on Mac OS 9.0.4, it works fine with those configurations.
How
do I use the Stealth Serial Port?
The Stealth Serial Port appears as
a standard serial port to all applications. For applications
that use the Communications Toolbox, just select the Stealth
Serial Port. This includes Palm Pilot connection kit 2.0,
most communications programs, and many print drivers. For
other applications, just select the Modem port.
What
are the system requirements for the Stealth Serial Port?
The Stealth Serial Port requires an
empty modem slot for the Stealth Serial Port card. This slot
is required to achieve the most robust and reliable serial
compatibility possible. Since the Stealth card replaces the
internal modem card, if you need a modem you will need to
use an external modem. Your system must be a G4, Blue G3,
or iMac Rev. A-D system.
How
much does the Stealth Serial Port cost?
The Stealth Serial Port is available
for $49.95 plus shipping and handling.
My
system came with an internal modem. Can I still use a Stealth Serial
Port?
The Stealth Serial Port fits in the
internal modem slot of the G4, Blue & White G3 and iMac.
If your system came with an internal modem, it must first
be removed before the Stealth Serial Port can be installed.
The Stealth replaces the internal modem, so if you need a
modem you will need to use an external modem.
Does
the Stealth Serial Port work on the new G4 systems?
Yes, there is a new model of the Stealth
Serial Port latest G4-2001 (4 PCI slots, 133 MHz. bus) systems.
This model is backward compatible with earlier G4 systems
(except G4 Yikes - PCI video). Older versions of the Stealth
Serial Port will not work on these newer machines.Some of
the earliest entry G4's models used the same logic board as
the Blue & White G3. These system require the Stealth
for the Blue & White G3. We have
created a chart to help you determine what type of G4 you
have.If you have an early model of the G4 Stealth Serial
Port, the Stealth card may not fit in the Dual Processor G4
(3 PCI slot, 100MHz bus) systems. But you can
make a simple modification that will not impact any functionality.
How
does the Stealth Serial Port compare to USB-to-serial adapters?
The Stealth Serial Port provides
a "native" serial port on the G4 and G3 systems,
just as if they had a built in serial port. This gives it
unsurpassed compatibility and reliability compared to any
of the USB-to-serial solutions. The Stealth is the choice
for professionals that require their serial device to "just
work", without concerns for compatibility, extension
conflicts and reliability.USB-to-serial adapters have a much
more limited range of serial devices they support. They do
not work with LocalTalk or MIDI devices. They also are compatible
limited range of printers. And their software may conflict
with other system resources.As an internal adapter, the Stealth
has a very clean installation without "dongle" hanging
outside your system.Finally, if you do have questions about
your Stealth Serial Port, GeeThree.com also offers excellent
technical support by ending support questions to support@geethree.com.
Does
the Stealth work with MIDI and deck control software?
The Stealth Serial Port works great
for these uses. Apple and the major software and hardware
vendors recommend the Stealth as the serial connectivity solution
for MIDI and deck control.Here are some hints to help get
your MIDI setup going:
- If you are using OMS, set the configuration
to communicate via the modem port. If you are using FreeMIDI,
configure it to use the Stealth port.
- When you configure your MIDI software,
it should scan through a list of devices. If not, reinstall
the MIDI software as it requires support files in specific
locations.
- Reset Parameter RAM. Boot your system
and hold down the option-command-P-R keys.
- Check to see that the Stealth card and
cable are securely attached.
For deck control uses, such as with Final
Cut Pro, the most common problem is that a special type of serial
cable is required to communicate to the tape deck. The standard
printer cable generally will not work. Please contact us at info@geethree.com
and we'll help you find the correct cable .
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How
do I install the Stealth Serial Port?
The Stealth Serial Port installs in minutes with just a screwdriver. Just open the G3/G4, unscrew
the metal plate covering the modem hole, plug in the controller
card and screw in the mini-DIN8 connector. If you can install
memory into a Blue & White G3, then you can install a
Stealth Serial Port.
Will
the Stealth Serial Port work if I have an internal modem card installed?
Unfortunately, no. The internal modem
card and the Stealth Serial Port's interface card use the
same slot on the motherboard.
Does
the Stealth Serial Port take up a PCI slot?
The Stealth Serial Port is installed in
the same place as an internal modem card. This leaves all
of your PCI slots open for other uses.
How
do I connect more than one serial device to the Stealth Serial Port?
The Stealth Serial Port has one mini-DIN8
serial connector. We have found that manual switch boxes are
the best solution to connect multiple serial devices to the
Stealth. Although you can only use one device at a time, it
is much easier than reaching behind your Mac to change cables
are there are no software compatibility issues. We offer the ThreePort manual 3-way switch
box available for $20.
Can
I use a LocalTalk printer and Ethernet network connection at the
same time without switching AppleTalk connections? Can I use Apple's
LaserWriter/LocalTalk Bridge software on a G3/G4 and Stealth?
If you are using Ethernet only for an Internet
connection (f using a DSL/cable modem via TCP/IP), you can
have AppleTalk set to the modem/printer port to communicate
to a printer without switching any settings.
If you are using AppleTalk over Ethernet
(to communicate to files servers or network printers), Mac
OS 8.5 and later supports one AppleTalk connection at a time
in the AppleTalk control panel. However, Apple's LocalTalk
Bridge software provides the capability to use AppleTalk over
Ethernet and the modem port at the same time. According to
Apple's Tech Info Library, this bridge software is not fully
compatible with Mac OS 8.5 and later (and thus, a Blue G3
and G4).
Does
the Stealth Serial Port support 230.4K data transfer rates? Does
it work with Apple's two-machine debugger?
Yes, the Stealth Serial Port supports
the faster 230.4K data rates. It also works with the two-machine
debugger.
How
does it work on the iMac? Why do I have to remove the internal modem?
The Stealth Serial Port for the iMac has
the same functionality as the version for the G4 and Blue
G3. To achieve the high level of compatibility, it interfaces
with the modem slot on the iMac logic board. This, unfortunately,
requires the removal of the internal modem. Also, it is recommended
that a dealer or certified technician install the Stealth
Serial Port for iMac.
How
can I tell what revision iMac I have? Does the Stealth Serial Port
for the iMac also work on the new iMac DV?
The Stealth Serial Port for the iMac works
on revisions A-D of the iMac. This covers all models of the
iMacs (including the flavors) with processor speeds from 233MHz.
to 333 MHz.
The new iMac DV and iMac - 350MHz. are
based on a new logic board. The modem slot on these machines
is very difficult to access and the hole for the modem jack
is not large enough to accommodate a serial port. Sorry.
What
serial devices don't work?
Through our extensive testing we have
not been able to find just a few devices that do not work
with the Stealth Serial Port.
- If you are using either the StyleWriter
II and StyleWriter 2500 print drivers please contact support@geethree.com for a special version of the Stealth extension for those
printers.
- Any device that requires a 9-pin mini-DIN
connector. So if you want to use an old GeoPort modem or
other device that draws power from the extra pin, it will
not work with the Stealth Serial Port.
- LaserWriter Select 310. Apple dropped
support for this printer in Mac OS 8.5 so it does not work
with any of the newer Macs. For a workaround, please check:
www.comcat.com/~daveamy/LW310.html
- QuickTake 150 . The QuickTake software
for this camera does not access serial ports correctly.
Sorry.
If you are using a Newton, we have found
that connecting via LocalTalk works much better. back
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How
do I contact Gee.Three for other support questions?
For other support questions, please
send an email to support@geethree.com. and we will get back to you quickly.
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