Doesn't this FAQ item also give instructions about loading in the firmware? If I remember correctly, that's the main instruction given in the article, but it also says you can load a ccf instead. I never tried the firmware upload because it also took many tries to start the firmware upload at exactly the correct time.

Some questions for the original poster:

1. Five minutes? Not five seconds?

2. Did you try the Hyperterminal program anyway?

3. Does the mini plug wiggle in the jack, or is it nicely tight