New laptop issues - USB to serial connectors?

[Christina Diaz, CRC CRR RDR CSR]

After many years with a laptop with a serial port, I've made the leap to a USB only laptop and am having an incredibly difficult time getting my realtime to work. I'm on Catalyst and use Livenote
and it's always been very easy with my older IBM T23's. I've now got a T40 which is about to be thrown out the window as I'm at my wits end. I've bought three different types of USB to serial connectors, installed drivers, etc., lights are on but still no text!
Does anyone have any suggestions for troubleshooting?
All help is appreciated!
Thanks to all!

[Marge Teilhaber (TILE hobber)]

Belkin works. have you tried that one? I've tried a few others and none of them work besides Belkin.
I use Catalyst and ThinkPads.

[Christina Diaz, CRC CRR RDR CSR]

YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!! Between the Belkin adaptor and checking and changing my output settings, I AM UP AND RUNNING! Amazing. I've been struggling with this thing for a week and within one hour, you awesome people solved my problems. I love this forum. We are very blessed to have it and people willing to extend themselves to fellow reporters. I only hope I can pay it forward when the time comes.
HAVE A GREAT DAY!
THANK YOU!!!

[Marge Teilhaber (TILE hobber)]

Besides Belkin, I do what Sandy says. I always check the com port in the options tab. I need to see com 4. If I don't see it (and only com 3 shows up), I have to restart the computer. This happens rarely but it does happen and that com port has to be checked every single time.

[Susan Gioffre]

IBMs are famous or infamous for not recognizing peripherals. You need to have all your cables hooked up, then boot up. It HAS to be a cold boot, not just a restart. Belkin USB to serial adapter works the best. No. 109.

[Maggie Cline]

Try a StenoCast hookup -- no USBs, no Belkin, just pure hookup. Call me with qs 949-589-4242.