ALDL laptop requirements and serial cable building

[moosebrew]

Hey guys,
Was wondering if anyone could tell me what laptop speeds I need to run the ALDL dataloging program. Also I was wondering if anyone could give me some tips on parts gathering and constructing of the cable that conects the two. Specifically if there is a way to conect to the vehicle output without just sticking bare wires into it.

Thanks
mark

[Bill usn-1]

I use the 1/8 male spade terminals that plug into the aldl connector. The aldl connector is avail but to buy the connector for just 2 wires seems like a waste to me.
I run the winaldl software on an old 75Mhz laptop running win98.
Bought all my parts at radioshack for about $7.
Follow the link on the main FI page.