Just to clarify: it is not simply a matter of RS-232 (potentially) going up to 12 V. The low signal level is between -3 V and -12 V. If the adapter complies wit

Just to clarify: it is not simply a matter of RS-232 (potentially) going up to 12 V. The low signal level is between -3 V and -12 V. If the adapter complies with RS-232 specifications in this respect, it should work with older hardware. If it doesn't, then there is a good chance it won't. Unfortunately, many adapters advertise being RS-232 but the specifications go on to say they are TTL. (I'm not sure that's accurate either, but it is the vendor's shorthand for 0 V and 5 V levels.) Some won't say anything at all, which leaves compliance an open question.