Recently I see a lot of posts about good cables/adapters to connect Newtons with NCX on new MacOS (10.13, 10.14, and newer). So, I wish to share my experience and (I believe) a simple solution.
JANUARY 2022: DIRECT USB-TO-SERIAL CABLE
The newest option is to use a USB-to-serial cable I’ve designed and ordered from the Chinese manufacturer. This cable is built based on the same original FTDI FT232R chip and dedicated voltage converter to deliver proper voltage for miniDIN 8-pin end. This cable is working like a charm on all modern macOS (even Monterey) and I get a report from Patrick Longinotti that old PPC OSX and even classic OS (8-9 with USB support) can work with my cable!
So, this cable is a direct solution for all Newtons with miniDIN 8-pin serial port, and for Newton 2×00 you still need an InterConnect dongle (but you need it anyway).
If you are interested to get that cable, please contact me or find me on social media (FB or Instagram).
NOVEMBER 2021: USB-TO-RS232 DONGLE
This dongle is available on Amazon and works perfectly with modern Macs (original FTDI FT232R chip). Obviously, you will need to RS232 to miniDIN 8-pin cable for your Newton to use it with Newton.
APRIL 2021: USB-TO-RS232 CABLE
Most of the old USB to RS422 adapters have problems working with modern macOS. Usually, there is a problem with drivers or adapters freezing, etc. But some time ago I’ve found a good cable with the FTDI chipset, which DO NOT need any drivers for MacOS 10.11 and newer. This cable is made by UGREEN and has really good quality:
UGREEN RS232 to USB cable on Amazon UK
This cable is a USB to RS232 converter, so to connect Newton with your computer you need RS232 to RS422 cable too. But this second one is a standard cable to connect Newton with RS232 (Windows standard). Most of the Newton users should have that cable. If not, you need to buy it or make it on your own. Here you have pins connection diagram:
Then you need the NCX app, which you can download from here: https://newtonresearch.org/connection/ After installation and connecting the UGREEN cable to your macOS, you will see a separate port in NCX app settings. You can connect your Newton with a modern Mac now.
IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT NCX: Sometimes NCX does not respond after closing the connection with Newton. In this case, you need to (1) close the NCX connection window, (2) close NCX, (3) open NCX, (4) and open new window (New connection – cmd+N). It is a small glitch in the NCX app.
Hi Newton lovers,
I bought this cable after my keyspan became obsolete from updating my mac. I hooked it up to a adaptor cable (rectangle on the ugreen to mini serial plug that fits on the newton devices. Mac osx sees the ugreen cable fine And NCX sees the cable too. But anytime i initiate the dock connection on the Newton after a few seconds I get a message that is timed out and I need to check the cable
What on earth am I doing wrong?
Only thing I can come up with is that the adaptor cable is missing internal wires. So I could cut open the Ugreen cable and directly solder a mini serial plug to it, I might try if no easier solution arises and if I can find out how the wiring is configurated.
Any solutions are ever so welcome.
Hi Rufus, are you sure that you use RS232 to Newton Serial cable? I’m using the same cable and everything is fine.
The second thing is: Are you sure you use Dock, but not Classroom Dock? If you press Dock button od the keyboard, you will see Classroom Dock instead of Dock. They look the same (except title). Classroom Dock will not work. You need to use normal Dock, which you can find in Extras.
Hi:
I’m having the same problem that Rufus was having. I got UGREEN cable and a connecting it to an 8-pin mini-DIN cable I bought from Amazon. It connects using NCX, but times out sporadically when loading packages from the Mac to the eMate.
Rufus, did you ever find out what the problem was?
Thanks,
Eric
Hi Eric,
What model of Mac do you want to use with your Newton? I’m asking because I just discovered that some of the MacBook (white) is not working properly with this cable. This is a computer problem – not a cable problem. I’m not sure, but probably in this MacBook Apple used different USB controllers, and because of this I have the same situation. I can start a connection, but can not connect with Newton.
I will try to investigate the reason for this but at this moment no luck.
I will be trying this cable and an adaptor to change from DB9 to Mini din 8 this week sometime. I’ll report back how it works for me.
Sorry for the late reply. I tried the dock in Extras with the same result.
So I ended up hooking the eMate up to my color classic and that works just fine with the serial cable
Hi Rufus, please read my answer for Eric (above).
Apparently, the Ugreen cable is no longer available for sale and the link leads to a 404. I have bought a similar cable with an FTDI chip that is made by Sabrant. Once that cable arrives, I will report my findings.
Hi Jimmy! Thank you for that info. I just updated the post with a direct link to Amazon UK. But that will be the easiest way to find it in other shops.