MAX 232 IC voltage level problem..

hello,
i have used MAX232 ic for voltage conversion from RS 232 levels to TTL level.......
the input level for this IC is given in datasheet as +/- 30V........
i would like to know what will happen to output at TTL side if i gave TTL level data at RS-232 side???
i mean what will happen if i use +5v data levels at rs 232 side.....

I have run rs485 (0-5v data) into a pc rs232 input with a short cable and it worked, try it, it might work, even if it does it still might not be reliable or work at high speed.

You can fudge 0-5v data into 0-12v which works reasonably well by using the handshake signals, you can make a little circuit up in the hood of a d type connector, do a google if this would solve your problem.