I have been using Win2000 with very little problem until recently.

For some reason, Windows 2000 alll of a sudden does not
acknowledge/recognize/find COM Port 2. This is the port that my HP LaserJet
3150 was connected to via a HP JetDirect network print server. I have
reinstalled the the print driver several times (it found the print
server...but gave me error messages to the effect of "Jet Suite failed as
Com 2 is used by another application or is unavailable") but still no luck.
The HP installation program, and my router finds the HP printer server
without problem.

When I run the Control Panel program System and look in Ports folder in the
Hardware Device Manager, my system shows LPT1 and COM1 as found and
active...but nowhere is there evidence of my previously active COM2.

I think I somehow I ruined my COM2 port when I tried to print two print jobs
at the same time (my bad, I know) What happend is that I sent a print job to
the HP LaserJet 3150 on the network (which somehow is considered LPT1...but
it uses COM2) and simultaneously a print job to the EPSON inkjet on the LPT1
port (the physical parallel port) at the same time...and I got all kinds of
frozen and error messages. I thought I that rebooting would fix
problem....but no!!!

So anyway, how can I get Win 2000 to install or "find" my other COM port?
There doesnt seem to be a Detect and Repair solution as there is with
Offfice 2000 (which is wonderful). The Windows 2000 CD doesnt seem to have a
repair solution...just an upgrade OS and clean install option...neither
which seem a reasonable option.

My HP Laser Printer seems to be useless unless I can get Windows to find
COM2 again. How can I do this!!!!

Your advice would be gratefully appreciated!

Thanks,
Steve

Hi Steve,
Windows 2000 is a Plug and Play OS. So when it reboots it detects the
hardware. I have NEVER seen it not detect a GOOD or Active COM port. You
should consider that possible the Hardware COM port itself has gone bad.
It could possibley be that you went into the System BIOS on the computer
and accidently disabled it there as well. (reffer to your computer
documenation for the system bios settings) Note, that in Device Manager you
can right click on your computer and Choose Find New Hardware, if that
doesn't detect the COM port, then nothing will.

Hope this Helps!

Alan Wood[MSFT]

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