As long as you direct the Braille translation software on your
computer to transmit to the parallel port you're using for
Brailling documents, your Blazer and computer should
communicate easily once the parallel connection is established.
Serial Connection
The serial connection is a little trickier because you may have
to use an adapter to make the connectors match the ports both
on the Blazer and on the computer. The end of the cable you
need for the Blazer must be a 25-pin, male serial connector.
Check whether the serial port on your computer is 25-pin or 9-
pin. Either works with the Blazer. But you may need a gender
bender or pin adapter on the computer side of the connection.
Find the serial port on the Blazer to the left of the parallel port.
Align the 25-pin male serial connector with the serial port on the
Blazer and gently push until they mate. The connector should
slide in easily because it can only go into the port one way. So
if you're having trouble, you may have the connector upside
down. Turn it around and try again.
Once the serial connector is snugly connected to the serial port
on the Blazer, you should secure it by tightening the finger
screws on the connector (if it has them), or by using a small
screwdriver to tighten the screws on either side of the
connector.
If you want to connect a Braille 'n Speak, Braille Lite, or Type 'n
Speak to the serial port on the Blazer, make sure to use the
serial cable that came with your device. This cable is
specifically designed to work with your unit and another serial
device like the Blazer.
Whether you're transmitting a document from your computer or
your Braille 'n Speak, Braille Lite, or Type 'n Speak to the
Blazer, a serial connection needs some extra care beyond just
cabling the devices together. Here we have to get a little
technical, but don't worry about the terminology. What's
important is that telecommunications settings on both ends of
the connection have to match. In other words, the Blazer and
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