FRONTX - Serial Internal Cable - connect to motherboard header (pinout)

This cable works with the serial port pinouts on all Asus motherboards. No modification of header connector needed. Simply plug the connector onto the 2x5 pin-outs in such that line 1 (red) is connected to pin 1. For othet motherboards, please check the manual for pin assignments, and follow the connection guides on this page.

SERIAL 9 PIN INTERNAL

serial internal

SPECIFICATIONS

PRODUCT NAME
FRONTX Serial 9 Pin Internal
PRODUCT CODE
CPX102-2
BAY USAGE
One small bay
CONNECTORS
Serial d-sub 9 pin male
2x5 header connector female
CABLE
Flat cable (UL 2651)
Length - 2.5 feet (762 mm)

WIRE ASSIGNMENTS

Line 1: CD - carrier detect
Line 2: RXD - receive data
Line 3: TXD - transmit data
Line 4: DTR - data terminal ready
Line 5: GND - system ground
Line 6: DSR - data set ready
Line 7: RTS - request to send
Line 8: CTS - clear to send
Line 9: RI - ring indicator
Note - line 1 of ribbon cable is marked red.

HEADER CONNECTION GUIDES

Most motherboards provide 2 internal serial ports, commonly named as COM1 and COM2, which means you can connect up to 2 FRONTX serial ports.

Diagram 1: Each serial port header (COM 1 or COM 2) usually consists of 10 pins arranged in 2 parallel rows, i.e. 5 pins on each row. The pin no. 10 is a "dummy" pin (no connection required).
Diagram 2: Common pin assignments of serial port header are shown in the diagram above.
Diagram 3: Simply plug the connector onto the header, and please take note of the orientation of line 1 in relation to the header's layout, i.e. line 1 must be connected to CD pin.... line 3 to TXD pin, etc.
If the pin assignments of your serial port header are different from the example shown above, no problem, simply rearrange the wires within the header connector so that all wires are correctly connected to the appropriate pins (i.e. wire assignments and pin assignments are matched).

PIN ASSIGNMENTS NOT KNOWN

For some old motherboards, the pin assigments are not shown in the manual. It simply indicates pin 1 only. This is because the serial port cable was bundled with the motherboard. So, the manufacturer assumed that you do not need to know the pin assignments.
If that's the case, one easy way to check; is to open up the serial port cable that was bundled with your motherboard, and see how the wires are soldered.
cable connection 1
If line 2 is connected to 2nd pin, line 3 to 3rd pin as shown in diagram a, then the pin assignments of your serial port header is similar to the example shown in diagram 2 above.
cable connection 2
If line 3 is connected to 2nd pin, line 5 to 3rd pin as shown in diagram b, then the pin assignments of your serial port header is shown in diagram c below.

This cable works with the serial port pinouts on all Asus motherboards. No modification of header connector needed. Simply plug the connector onto the 2x5 pin-outs in such that line 1 (red) is connected to pin 1. For othet motherboards, please check the manual for pin assignments, and follow the connection guides on this page.		SERIAL 9 PIN INTERNAL SPECIFICATIONS PRODUCT NAME FRONTX Serial 9 Pin Internal PRODUCT CODE CPX102-2 BAY USAGE One small bay CONNECTORS Serial d-sub 9 pin male 2x5 header connector female CABLE Flat cable (UL 2651) Length - 2.5 feet (762 mm) WIRE ASSIGNMENTS Line 1: CD - carrier detect Line 2: RXD - receive data Line 3: TXD - transmit data Line 4: DTR - data terminal ready Line 5: GND - system ground Line 6: DSR - data set ready Line 7: RTS - request to send Line 8: CTS - clear to send Line 9: RI - ring indicator Note - line 1 of ribbon cable is marked red. HEADER CONNECTION GUIDES Most motherboards provide 2 internal serial ports, commonly named as COM1 and COM2, which means you can connect up to 2 FRONTX serial ports. Diagram 1: Each serial port header (COM 1 or COM 2) usually consists of 10 pins arranged in 2 parallel rows, i.e. 5 pins on each row. The pin no. 10 is a "dummy" pin (no connection required). Diagram 2: Common pin assignments of serial port header are shown in the diagram above. Diagram 3: Simply plug the connector onto the header, and please take note of the orientation of line 1 in relation to the header's layout, i.e. line 1 must be connected to CD pin.... line 3 to TXD pin, etc. If the pin assignments of your serial port header are different from the example shown above, no problem, simply rearrange the wires within the header connector so that all wires are correctly connected to the appropriate pins (i.e. wire assignments and pin assignments are matched). PIN ASSIGNMENTS NOT KNOWN For some old motherboards, the pin assigments are not shown in the manual. It simply indicates pin 1 only. This is because the serial port cable was bundled with the motherboard. So, the manufacturer assumed that you do not need to know the pin assignments. If that's the case, one easy way to check; is to open up the serial port cable that was bundled with your motherboard, and see how the wires are soldered. If line 2 is connected to 2nd pin, line 3 to 3rd pin as shown in diagram a, then the pin assignments of your serial port header is similar to the example shown in diagram 2 above. If line 3 is connected to 2nd pin, line 5 to 3rd pin as shown in diagram b, then the pin assignments of your serial port header is shown in diagram c below.