The USB connector supplies power to the FlashScan interface, the serial port does not supply power. No RS232->USB connector/convertor will do that - unless it is powered from a seperate power source.

I have not used a PCMCIA to USB convertor, but I believe they exist and would probably work with EFILive.

Lastly, the minimum specs for EFILive is Pentium 500MHz. If your laptop does not have a USB port it probably falls below the speed specification as well.

Regards
Paul