reclaim unused comm ports

[hupjack]

I've been working with a number of different USB to DB9 Serial
adapters. Specifically this 4-port adapter
http://usbgear.com/computer_cable_details.cfm?sku=USBG-4X232&cats=199&catid=199,469
this other 4-port adapter
http://www.ionetworks.com/products/usbtoserialconverters/
and this single port USB to db9 adapter
http://www.cablesunlimited.com/products/Prod_Individual3.aspx?groupcode=I3274

Having installed drivers, removed them, and re-installed them, I've
found that the com ports that originally get assigned, remained locked
up or reserved in some way, and after a subsequent re-install, the
serial ports are assigned progressively higher and higher com ports.

Most recently I plugged the USBGear Serial adapter into a USB hub
instead of directly into the USB port on my computer. After doing
this, XP detected it as a new device, the found new hardware wizard
then installed the drivers. The side effect being that my previously
saved HyperTerminal session were no longer useful since a new *even
higher* range of com ports was now assigned. I think I'm now up to
com 22, 23,24, and 25.

How do I free up and reclaim my lower numbered com ports that are not
in use and being held hostage by previous installations of this same
device? Is there anyway to ensure that such a device uses the same com
ports weather plugged into USB or directly into the computer's USB
port?

thanks in advance,
Ethan

 

[hupjack]

before anybody goes to too much trouble, I found that after a proper
uninstall for the various drivers, the com ports finally were in fact
freed up.

the only remaining conundrum is how I would make my usb to 4 port
serial device use the same com ports both when plugged directly into
the computer's usb port and when chained through a hub.