I've got no magic answers, except for one small part of your post <wry grin>: At 08:26 PM 2/5/00 -0700, you wrote:
Unfortunately whoever designed the the box, and added the serial port, only made the port usable for a modem to be hooked up, rather than use their head, and make a console pot available. Sheesh!!!
Have you never heard of a null-modem cable? I've not seen Cobalt's wiring diagram, but if, as you say, the port was designed for a modem, a null-modem cable is exactly what you need. You can buy them at most electronics stores.
Oh for a console port!
With a null-modem cable, you've got one. Of course I have no idea what Cobalt sends out that port <wry grin>.
Jeff