How to Read SD Cards on Rs-232

External smart card readers connect to a computer with a USB connection.

An SD card is a small portable medium that is used with devices such as digital cameras and cellphones. To read SD cards on computers and laptops, you need an SD card reader. Most SD card readers connect to a computer with a USB connector. To read SD cards on an RS 232 connector, a converter is used to change the serial or RS 232 connection to a USB interface connection.

Instructions

1. Insert the drivers software that comes with the converter into your computer and run it by double clicking on "CD Drive" in "My Computer"). Follow the on-screen instructions or read the manuals that comes with the device.

2. 

   The "male serial interface" side connects to the computer

   Connect the serial interface side of the converter to the serial interface on the computer. There should be two rows of pins. One row has more pins that the other. Match the pins from the serial male connector on the converter to the serial female connector on the computer and push gently to attach the connector in place.

3. Run the "Add/Remove Hardware" wizard from the control panel in Windows. Once Windows recognizes the attached device, it will give you a choice to either manually install the drivers software for your device or, install it automatically. Select "Install Software Automatically" and follow the steps upon being prompted.

4. Insert the USB connection from the SD card reader to the USB Side of the converter. The USB connector on the converter is a female type that inserts easily to the SD card reader's male side connector.

5. Insert your SD card into the SD card reader. To view your data on the SD card, go to "Start," double click on "My Computer" and you should see an icon for the SD card . Double Click on it and you should see all the data on the card.

Tips & Warnings

• When choosing a converter, consider bus speed, operating systems supported and brand support. Make sure they come with a drivers CD that has the needed software to communicate with your computer and the software is supported by your operating system.

• Serial interfaces are very slow. When possible, use a USB interface on the computer to connect to the SD card reader. It is much faster.

• Windows Vista and Windows 7 do not have great support range for serial interfaces, so buy a converter that supports those operating systems.

• Buy an external converter. Most of the internal ones will require you to open the computer and physically install the interface to the motherboard, which will be a lot more difficult and cannot be done using the steps listed in this article.

References

• Microsoft: Step-by-Step Guide to Installing and Using a Smart Card Reader