Serial (RS232) communication - failing to detect stop bit

I need to use my Gentoo machine to obtain data from an external
instrument via a 9-pin serial port. Very old stuff.

It was not working, so I have been trying to diagnose the problem.

I bought a cable that is called a "cross cable" in Japan (where I am
located), I think this corresponds to what is called a "null-modem
cable" in America. Both ends are female, and it is used to directly
connect 2 PCs.

So here is the setup:

PC-1: Gentoo OS
PC-2: Has partitions for both Windows XP and Xandros Linux.

I have narrowed things down to where I realize I am getting the
following.

If I run the following command on the Gentoo machine (PC-1):
cat /proc/tty/driver/serial
I get, along with the number of bytes transfered by rx and tx, I also
get fe:2, which I assume means two frame errors.

The rx figure is correct in that it jives with the number of bytes I
sent from PC-2... this indicates that the Gentoo machine IS receiving
data. However maybe the fe:2 means that it is not detecting the stop
bits, and this is preventing it from displaying output text in
minicom.

I have checked and rechecked that all the settings (bit rate, parity
etc) all match on both machines. I am wondering if there is some
factor in the kernel that is making it not recognize the stop bit. I
have had other indications as well that a stop bit or a terminator is
not being detected (long story). What are some possible causes?
(e.g. the OS is doing too much interrupting or not enough?)

.

Relevant Pages

  • Serial (RS232) communication - failing to detect stop bit
    ... I need to use my Gentoo machine to obtain data from an external ... instrument via a 9-pin serial port. ... PC-2: Has partitions for both Windows XP and Xandros Linux. ... However maybe the fe:2 means that it is not detecting the stop ...
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