Comm Port Monitoring Urgent

[chandan]

I am looking for a small program or two that allows me to see what is being
sent to a device on the serial port, and the response coming in the serial
port from the device.

When I have COM1 open, it seems that
the program I made don't work because they need a COM port to themselves??
I
always get error messages saying something like "unable to open com port"
when
it's already open.........

 

[Lucas Tam]

I am looking for a small program or two that allows me to see what is
being sent to a device on the serial port, and the response coming in
the serial port from the device.

When I have COM1 open, it seems that
the program I made don't work because they need a COM port to
themselves?? I
always get error messages saying something like "unable to open com
port" when
it's already open.........

Do you need a component or a program?

If you goto Google and type Serial Port Sniffer, you'll find several
programs.

Also, Microsoft's free VB resource kit comes with a com port component from
Sax.Net - I'm not sure if it can open the serial port while another app is
using it though.

 

[Cor Ligthert]

Chandan,

Only in addition to Lucas the place of the resource kit.

VB.net Resource kit
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vbasic/vbrkit/default.aspx

And if you have problems installing the resource kit
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vbasic/vbrkit/faq/#installvdir

I hope this helps?

Cor

"chandan" <[email protected]>

 

[Dick Grier]

Hi,

Usually, if you get an error that states that the port already is open (and
you have not yet opened it), the problem is that Windows may have assigned a
mouse driver to the port.

Windows XP can do this during Plug-and-play device identification during the
startup process. The clue is if the device sends data continuously,
regardless of the state of the port. There are a number of devices that do
this, and they confuse Windows -- once confused, the port becomes useless.
This really is a bug in Windows, and the work-around that is provided by
Microsoft does not really work.

If this is your problem, there are only two solutions (today):

1. Make sure that the device is not connected or is not powered up, during
the boot cycle. After Windows has loaded, you can connect the device or
turn on power to it.

2. Use a USB serial port adapter, instead of an internal serial port.
Usually, Windows will then ignore the data it sends, and not misinterpret it
as a mouse.

Dick

--
Richard Grier (Microsoft Visual Basic MVP)

See www.hardandsoftware.net for contact information.

Author of Visual Basic Programmer's Guide to Serial Communications, 4th
Edition ISBN 1-890422-28-2 (391 pages) published July 2004. See
www.mabry.com/vbpgser4 to order.

 

[Charles Law]

Hi Chandan

There is a trial of Serial Monitor by HHD at http://www.hhdsoftware.com.

It will monitor the port whilst you have it open.

HTH

Charles

 

[chandan]

Hi Lucas Tam ,

I Need a program I didnt get anything can u help me futher in tracking the
serial port activities
when one application is already running..
Thanx a lot

chandan

 

[Charles Law]

Chandan

Did you see my reply about HHD's Serial Monitor? Unless I have misunderstood
your question it seems that this would help you.

Charles