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I recently purchased a US version of the Alcatel Minitel terminal. I think it's a 1B version. Pictures of it here:

I tried connecting a null modem to the 25 pin port on the back and plugging it into a linux box running agetty but I couldn't get it to show any signs of being connected. I used Google Translate to translate this document into English: http://mirabellug.org/wikini/upload/Documentations_minitel.pdf

As far as I can tell, you take it out of videotex mode by typing Fcnt-T A, then turn off local echo with Fcnt-T E, then set it to 4800 baud with Fcnt-P 4. I presume Fcnt refers to the "CTRL" key on my terminal. But I think I'm doing something wrong, because it doesn't look like it's recognising the keystrokes, because "Fcnt-T A" just prints the letter A to the screen, which is not what you'd expect a function key combo to do.

Has anyone used these minitel terminals as a linux terminal, and if so, please can you share how to configure the minitel to run as a terminal ? Is the 25 pin plug even the correct port to use ? I read something online that indicated you're supposed to use the 5 pin DIN plug instead, is that right ? If so, what's the 25 pin plug for ? If I am supposed to use the DIN plug, does anyone know the pinouts so I can make a cable ?

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That's one crazy but awesome project =D – Antoine Benkemoun Sep 1 '10 at 8:06
Friend and I are struggling with this same project. The problem with the Alcatel terminal is that the serial port is actually 6-pin which is a rather uncommon layout (different from all the French Minitel terminals we've seen). I built a serial cable on the assumption that the pinouts would be the same as on the C64 but this didn't work: See: pinouts.ru/SerialPorts/SerialIOC64_pinout.shtml I just bought a serial tester board to try and determine the correct pinout but am kind of stumbling blindly through this. Looking forward to suggestions from folks with more RS232 experience. – txtmsg Mar 8 '11 at 7:39
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2 Answers

up vote 2 down vote

The correct plug to use is the 5 pin DIN, named "Peri-informatique".

Useful pins are (DIN pin numbering can be found on Wikipedia):

  1. RX input
  2. 0V ground
  3. TX output

Electric levels are 5V TTL. Default protocol is 1200 baud, one parity bit, even parity.

Here are some resources, unfortunatelly in french:

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What about the function key commands ? Are they necessary to tell the Minitel to use the serial port or "take it out of videotex mode" ? It still seems like they aren't doing anything so I'm wondering if I have the command keys wrong. – Pawz Sep 3 '10 at 8:18
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up vote 1 down vote

I assume you've configured your serial port along those lines: http://www.vanemery.com/Linux/Serial/serial-console.html

I propose you try out different baudrate settings on each side or contact the guy who wrote the tutorial.

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