Hi,

After experiencing silly bugs with my Wharfedale 160DTR (e.g. recordings going way over set time, lock-ups etc.) I decided that I would see if there was a firmware upgrade for this Freeview recorder as it's been a possible solution to such things I've dealt with in the past. Browsing around these forums I discovered that the Wharfedale is actually a repackaged Vestel T816 and so proceeded to download the v6.8 software and follow the enclosed instructions to install it. Whereas my (old) computer, I was relieved to remember, has two COM / serial ports I was surprised that amongst all my computer junk was not a Null Modem cable. I chose to therefore buy this one which arrived today. However, when I'd plugged everything in and assumed I'd connected to the box nothing appeared on the HyperTerminal readout and when attempted to send the .bin file only received a time-out message in reply.
Does anyone have any idea what I'm doing wrong? I tried the same technique and variations on it (plugging box in first before connecting etc.) on another [old] computer with obviously again no luck. I do have the right stuff and am using the correct techniques right? Many thanks for any help anyone can throw my way.

You'll need what is normally called a serial extension cable (i.e. straight-through wired - same cable as was used to connect dialup modems) rather than a null modem cable. The two cables are wired differently. A null modem cable is for connecting two computers together.

Great, that was money well wasted now wasn't it. I should have taken a second look at the Maplin link and here's me thinking I had it sussed getting the right male / female ends. You can see why they phased this technology out can't you.
Anyway, big thanks for the clear and precise answer futaura, much appreciated and of course thanks for your site in the first place.
Now, anyone need a Null Modem cable?...