CentOS

I have a HP mini (netbook) - I need to reconfigure a USB port to act as a COM port. I'm trying to aol mail login hook up a surveying instrument to the netbook and the survey instrument will only pass data (in/out) through the COM1 port. The netbook only has USB ports. I know it is possible to do it because I did it several years ago - I just can't remember how I did it.

You need a USB to serial lead. I have one of these and it works for me to talk to my Ubiquiti Edgerouter firewall device - https://www.amazon.co.uk/UGREEN-20210-C ... B00QUZY4UG - but there are others available. Beware of the really cheap ones you see on Ebay as a lot of those use fake chips and don't work properly.