Question on Serial connection to Pogoplug Mobile

[dyno]

Could one simply connect a normal 9pin serial cable to their computer's serial port and using only the 2-tx,3-rx,5-gnd pins
connect and view what's going on?
or is there something magical about a USB-TTL serial thing? or USB-FTDI cable?

I tried a Keyspan USA-19HS USB - serial adapter but the output was all un-readable garbage.

FWIW I'm trying to unbrick a POGO-V4-A1-01 after a botched copy'n'paste job into the command-line
blinks green then blinks red then reboots and does the same.

[omagasohe]

If you're getting random looking garbage, try to change the baud rate. 38400 is what works for mine. USB ttl adapters use 0-5v generally, some default to 0-3.3v, but a computer might adhere to a larger voltage range, -15v to 15v. generally -12v to 12v which will toast most of the plug. YMMV.

[WarheadsSE]

3.3v signal level TTL is needed. The pads should match the V4 with sata