Deleting COM ports

[Guest]

Windows XP has COM1 - COM10 all listed as "in use" although only COM3 is in use (modem).

These COM ports are not listed in the device manager so I can not delete them,

Problem is can not assign my new bluetooth device to any port lower than 11, making the device not work with MS ActiveSync since that software only recognizes ports 1-9 (AARRGGHH)

Q: How do I delete COM ports?

 

[Askhow.net]

Why are the Com ports not listed in the device manager under Ports? This
sounds strange. I have no recollection of this ever being the case. You may
have to install them to delete them. First make sure that in the device
manager click view and select show all hidden devices. See if that helps to
atleast view them.

Jaks http://www.askhow.net
Free Nonprofit Computer Support Forums, Humor and More....

Windows XP has COM1 - COM10 all listed as "in use" although only COM3 is in use (modem).

These COM ports are not listed in the device manager so I can not delete them,

Problem is can not assign my new bluetooth device to any port lower than

11, making the device not work with MS ActiveSync since that software only
recognizes ports 1-9 (AARRGGHH).

 

[roger]

Hi purrfectinky,

Try these articles, the second looks interesting.

112584 - Error Messages Caused by Incorrect Serial Port Configuration
If you configure a serial port incorrectly in the Ports option of
Control Panel, there are several error messages that may appear in
Event Viewer after you restart the computer. For example, you may
receive the following error message: User...
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;112584

101730 - Deleting COM Ports from a Windows NT Installation
Microsoft Windows NT and Windows NT Advanced Server support up to 256
COM ports on each workstation. Use the Ports application in the
Windows NT Control Panel to add ports. However, Windows NT does not
provide a graphical interface to remove ports...
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;101730

120401 - Works Err Msg: The COM3 Port Is Unavailable or Assigned...
After installing the Charles Schwab's Street Smart software, you may
receive the following error message when you open a Communications
file in Works: The COM3 port is unavailable or assigned to a DOS
application. Do you want to try to assign the port...
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;120401

Good luck, hope this helps.