Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!dalcs!lane
From: lane@dalcs.UUCP (John Wright/Dr. Pat Lane)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: What is the difference between XT and AT serial ports
Keywords: RS232, chips, AT, XT, I/O ports
Message-ID: <3078@dalcs.UUCP>
Date: 16 Nov 88 10:21:26 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Math, Stats & CS, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
Lines: 16

I've read that the serial port in the IBM PC and XT is based on the 8250
chip while for the AT, a 16450 chip is used.  In my AT clone, I notice the
serial board has an 8250 on it which seems to work just fine.  I'm wondering
what the difference between these two chips is, what differences there
typicallly are bewteen XT and AT serial ports (besides XT ports often being
paired with battery powered clock/calendar circuits), and if there is any
problem or disadvantage in having an 8250 based card in an AT clone.

Enlightenment appreciated.


-- 
John Wright      /////////////////     Phone:  902-424-3805  or  902-424-6527
Post: c/o Dr Pat Lane, Biology Dept, Dalhousie U, Halifax N.S., CANADA B3H-4H8 
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