If your laptop does not have RS232 9 pin serial output, you will have to use the USB port. Buy a USB to serial converter with its own CD and install using the cd (don't allow automatic installation by Windows XP.) You will need a straight RS232 cable to connect from the convertor to the receiver. You must go into Device Manager and into USB settings to make sure you have COM 1 or COM 2 settings. Transfers on this kind of setup are slow.