Startech.com 1S1P Mini PCI Express Serial Parallel Card 16950 PEX1S1PMINI User Manual

StarTech.com 1S1P Mini PCI Express Serial Parallel Card 16950 PEX1S1PMINI Manual

Introduction

The startech.com 1S1P Mini PCI Express Serial Parallel Card 16950 PEX1S1PMINI adds one RS-232 serial port and one IEEE 1284-compatible parallel port to compatible embedded systems and compact computers. Its Mini PCI Express interface makes it suitable for industrial PCs, point-of-sale systems, kiosks, automation controllers, medical equipment, and legacy systems that need dependable wired peripheral connectivity.

The card combines a high-speed serial interface with SPP, EPP, and ECP parallel operating modes. The serial port supports data rates up to 460.8 Kbps, while the parallel interface supports transfer rates up to 1.5 Mbps. A 128-byte FIFO buffer for the transmitter and receiver helps reduce data loss during sustained communication and improves performance when the host system is handling other tasks.

Hardware and software flow-control options provide flexibility for modems, industrial instruments, barcode equipment, receipt printers, legacy printers, and other specialized peripherals. Because the adapter is designed for embedded integration, it can be a practical alternative when a system lacks traditional serial or parallel ports.

This guide explains how to identify a compatible Mini PCI Express slot, install the card, configure the drivers and port settings, test connected equipment, and resolve common communication problems. The product is discontinued, so users should verify driver availability, operating-system compatibility, and system documentation before beginning an installation.

Technical Specifications and Features

• Product: StarTech.com 1S1P Mini PCI Express Serial Parallel Card with 16950 UART.
• Product ID: PEX1S1PMINI.
• Host interface: Mini PCI Express.
• Serial connectivity: One RS-232 serial port.
• Serial controller: 16950-class UART.
• Serial data rate: Up to 460.8 Kbps.
• Serial buffering: 128-byte deep FIFO for both transmitter and receiver.
• Serial flow control: Software XON/XOFF and hardware control using Tx, Rx, RTS, CTS, DSR, DTR, DCD, RI, and GND signals.
• Parallel connectivity: One IEEE 1284-compatible port.
• Parallel modes: SPP, EPP, and ECP.
• Parallel transfer rate: Up to 1.5 Mbps, depending on mode, device, cable, and operating system.
• Compliance: TAA compliant.
• Typical applications: Industrial automation, embedded computers, kiosks, legacy printers, data-collection equipment, and serial instruments.

Actual performance depends on the connected device, cable quality, driver support, system firmware, and communication settings. The maximum published speed should not be treated as a guaranteed throughput benchmark for every application.

How to Install the PEX1S1PMINI Mini PCI Express Serial Parallel Card

1. Shut down the computer or embedded system completely. Disconnect the AC adapter or power cable and remove any external power source.
2. Open the enclosure according to the system manufacturer’s service instructions. Wear an anti-static wrist strap or discharge static electricity before touching internal components.
3. Confirm that the system provides a compatible Mini PCI Express slot. Do not insert the card into an incompatible mSATA-only slot unless the system documentation explicitly supports Mini PCI Express operation.
4. Align the card’s edge connector with the slot and press it down evenly. Secure the retaining screw or bracket so the board cannot move.
5. Close the enclosure, reconnect power, and start the system.
6. Install the appropriate driver for the operating system. Restart the computer if prompted.
7. Open Device Manager or the equivalent hardware utility and confirm that the serial port appears without a warning symbol. Record the assigned COM port number.
8. Connect the serial or parallel peripheral with the correct cable. Configure baud rate, data bits, parity, stop bits, flow control, and parallel mode to match the connected device.

For a serial test, use a known-good cable and terminal application, then send a short command or receive a known response. For parallel equipment, select the operating mode required by the peripheral; ECP and EPP may require compatible BIOS, driver, or application support.

Safety: Never install or remove the card while the system is powered. Avoid forcing the connector, protect the board from static discharge, and do not connect equipment with damaged cables or exposed conductors.

Troubleshooting the StarTech.com 1S1P Mini PCI Express Serial Parallel Card

Card is not detected

Power the system off and reseat the card. Confirm that the slot supports Mini PCI Express rather than mSATA only. Check the system BIOS or firmware for disabled expansion slots, then inspect Device Manager for an unknown device. Install the correct driver and restart the system.

Serial port does not communicate

Verify the COM port number and match the terminal application to the peripheral’s baud rate, data bits, parity, and stop bits. Check whether the device requires hardware RTS/CTS flow control or software XON/XOFF. A null-modem connection and a straight-through connection are not interchangeable; use the cable type specified by the equipment manufacturer.

Data is corrupted or lost

Reduce the baud rate, enable the required flow-control method, and replace the cable with a shorter, shielded cable. Avoid routing serial wiring alongside motors, power supplies, or other sources of electrical interference.

Parallel printer or device fails

Confirm that the application supports the selected SPP, EPP, or ECP mode. Test another parallel cable and verify that the peripheral is powered on before printing or transferring data.

Error codes and support

Windows may show a generic Device Manager code such as Code 10 or Code 28 when the device cannot start or its driver is missing. Reinstall the driver, check for resource conflicts, and restart the system. Because PEX1S1PMINI is discontinued, consult StarTech.com’s product support, documentation, and downloads pages using product ID PEX1S1PMINI. Keep the purchase record available for warranty inquiries; coverage terms depend on the product documentation and original purchase conditions.

Pros and Cons of the PEX1S1PMINI

Advantages

• Two legacy interfaces in one card: Adds one RS-232 port and one parallel port without occupying separate expansion slots.
• High serial speed: Supports up to 460.8 Kbps, exceeding the requirements of many conventional industrial and service devices.
• Large FIFO buffers: The 128-byte transmit and receive buffers help manage bursts of serial data more reliably than basic low-buffer controllers.
• Flexible flow control: Hardware and software flow-control options support a wide range of instruments and embedded peripherals.
• Multiple parallel modes: SPP, EPP, and ECP compatibility improves support for older printers and specialized hardware.
• Compact embedded design: Mini PCI Express is appropriate for systems where a full-size PCI or PCI Express card is unavailable.

Limitations

• Discontinued product: Driver availability and operating-system compatibility may be more limited than with current expansion cards.
• System-specific installation: A Mini PCI Express connector does not guarantee compatibility because some compact systems use the connector for mSATA or another function.
• Legacy connectors: The card is intended for established RS-232 and parallel equipment rather than modern USB-C or network-based peripherals.
• Configuration required: Communication settings and cable wiring must match the connected device exactly.
• Best suited for: Embedded computers, industrial controllers, kiosks, and users maintaining equipment that specifically requires serial and parallel interfaces.
• Consider another solution if: The system lacks a confirmed compatible Mini PCI Express slot, requires current operating-system support, or needs modern bus-powered peripheral connectivity.