Hello everybody, I have a simple question. Is there a way to connect an old Wyse (amber or green), Terminal monitor to a common 286 / 386 or 486 computer? I know the ports on the back of one of these monitors are quite different, but is there an adapter out there that would work? Any info would be helpful. Thanks.
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Using a Wyse Terminal monitor on a typical 286 or 386 pc
- Thread starter barney
- Start date
Chuck(G)
25k Member
Since both the PC and the Wyse (you didn't identify the model) are DTE (data terminal equipment), you'll need a crossover or null-modem cable that swaps at least RXD and TXD on one end (RTS and CTS, and DSR/DTR would also be a good thing to have. Look up "null modem cable" on the web; you'll get lots of hits).
After connecting the Wyse to a COM port, you can then set the bitrate and the number of data bits and parity using the DOS MODE command. You can verify operation by copying a short text file to the appropriate COM port; e.g.,
COPY MYFILE.TXT COM1:
If that works, you can then transfer the standard input and output to the terminal using the CTTY command. Note that this only works for the really basic text-mode stuff; don't expect games or graphic programs to do much. But you can at least run commands from the terminal.
There are operating systems, such as PC-MOS that are set up to use multiple serial terminals as well.
After connecting the Wyse to a COM port, you can then set the bitrate and the number of data bits and parity using the DOS MODE command. You can verify operation by copying a short text file to the appropriate COM port; e.g.,
COPY MYFILE.TXT COM1:
If that works, you can then transfer the standard input and output to the terminal using the CTTY command. Note that this only works for the really basic text-mode stuff; don't expect games or graphic programs to do much. But you can at least run commands from the terminal.
There are operating systems, such as PC-MOS that are set up to use multiple serial terminals as well.
That wasn't what I was expecting. I thought I could fire that thing up and play some old dos games. Transferring text files is definitely not what I would want one for. Oh well, thanks for you help. I'll just keep my eyes out for a 9 pin monochrome monitor. Thanks.
Chuck(G)
25k Member
Well, it depends on the games. If you're using the old text version of, say, Adventure, it should work fine. CTTY redirects everything written to CON:. Unfortunately, many games write directly to the screen rather than use the slow DOS console I/O.
There are two-PC packages for DOS such as the very old versions of PC Anywhere and Carbon Copy, but not AFAIK, with a terminal on one end. Operation is pretty slow, also.
For that 9-pin monitor, don't pass up some junk-shop deals, like the monitor from an old Brother word processor. Many of those were identical in operation with "real" monochrome monitors. I use a Brother CT-1050 as a monochrome display and it works just fine.
There are two-PC packages for DOS such as the very old versions of PC Anywhere and Carbon Copy, but not AFAIK, with a terminal on one end. Operation is pretty slow, also.
For that 9-pin monitor, don't pass up some junk-shop deals, like the monitor from an old Brother word processor. Many of those were identical in operation with "real" monochrome monitors. I use a Brother CT-1050 as a monochrome display and it works just fine.