Changing a COM Port number. How?

[Phrog]

greetings all

I need to install a program which must have the use of either COM1 or COM2. However,
when I check my machine's ports, I see that there is only COM3 (according to SiSoft
Sandra). And I believe what is connected to it is only a dial-up fax/modem that I do
not use.

Is there any way to check for sure? More importantly, how would it be possible to
change a COM port number, from say COM3 to COM2 or 1. Thanks.

 

[Bob I]

Winkey+R, devmgmt.msc , ok, Expand Ports, R-click Communication Port,
properties, Port Settings, Advanced.

OR

Com Port Settings in Help and Support.

 

[Phrog]

Winkey+R, devmgmt.msc , ok, Expand Ports, R-click Communication Port,
properties, Port Settings, Advanced.

The only thing listed in Device Manager under Ports is 'Printer Port (LPT1)'
That's all.

No COM ports listed. What does this mean?

 

[Mikhail Zhilin]

The only thing listed in Device Manager under Ports is 'Printer Port (LPT1)'
That's all.

No COM ports listed. What does this mean?

Are the connectors of these ports exist at the rear of your computer
(many of the modern laptops do not have them at all)?

If yes -- have you enabled them in BIOS?


--
Mikhail Zhilin
http://www.aha.ru/~mwz
Sorry, no technical support by e-mail.
Please reply to the newsgroups only.
======

 

[Phrog]

Are the connectors of these ports exist at the rear of your computer
(many of the modern laptops do not have them at all)?

No, there are no ports. No DB9s or DB25 serial connectors. It's not a laptop but
rather a tower system. What's happening here is that the computer needs a free COM
port because the application I'm installing runs a licensing server (locally on the
same machine, or on another server), and it needs the COM port to communication with
a 'virtual' dongle. For the time being I have (temporarily) solved the problem by
installing the licensing server software on another computer which is networked with
my main computer. The program can works, but I'd much rather have the licensing
server running on the same machine if at all possible.

If yes -- have you enabled them in BIOS?

Since there are no connectors, I guess I would not be able to enable them in the
BIOS? I'm no big power user, so I'm just wondering, what would it take to get the
computer to at least "see" a COM port? (It's only a virtual dongle anyway). Would
something like a USB to serial adapter do the trick? like the UC310 at
http://www.cablesdirect.com

Description:

3ft USB to DB25 or DB9 Male RS232 Serial Adaptor Cable
Connects any serial device with a DB25 female port to your computer's USB port.
Included DB25 Female to DB9 Male adaptor allows you to connect any serial device with
DB9 female port. Supports all RS232 serial devices such as printers, modems, PDA,
digital cameras and provides speed of up to 230Kbps. Works with Windows 98, 98SE, ME,
2000 and XP systems. (Connectors: USB A Male to DTE DB25 Male or DB9 Male; Length:
3ft) Request for Quote

I know this will adapt something from USB to serial, question is...will the computer
SEE it as a COM port?

 

[Stan Brown]

Winkey+R, devmgmt.msc , ok, Expand Ports, R-click Communication Port,
properties, Port Settings, Advanced.

Out of curiosity, I tried that. My list includes only COM1 and
LPT1. The Advanced tab drop-down for COM port number says COM2 and
COM3 are in use, even though they didn't show up in the expanded
list.

Any ideas what that signifies? I can provide additional information
if you tell me what would be helpful.

 

[Steve N.]

No, there are no ports. No DB9s or DB25 serial connectors. It's not a laptop but
rather a tower system. What's happening here is that the computer needs a free COM
port because the application I'm installing runs a licensing server (locally on the
same machine, or on another server), and it needs the COM port to communication with
a 'virtual' dongle. For the time being I have (temporarily) solved the problem by
installing the licensing server software on another computer which is networked with
my main computer. The program can works, but I'd much rather have the licensing
server running on the same machine if at all possible.




Since there are no connectors, I guess I would not be able to enable them in the
BIOS? I'm no big power user, so I'm just wondering, what would it take to get the
computer to at least "see" a COM port? (It's only a virtual dongle anyway). Would
something like a USB to serial adapter do the trick? like the UC310 at
http://www.cablesdirect.com

Description:

3ft USB to DB25 or DB9 Male RS232 Serial Adaptor Cable
Connects any serial device with a DB25 female port to your computer's USB port.
Included DB25 Female to DB9 Male adaptor allows you to connect any serial device with
DB9 female port. Supports all RS232 serial devices such as printers, modems, PDA,
digital cameras and provides speed of up to 230Kbps. Works with Windows 98, 98SE, ME,
2000 and XP systems. (Connectors: USB A Male to DTE DB25 Male or DB9 Male; Length:
3ft) Request for Quote

I know this will adapt something from USB to serial, question is...will the computer
SEE it as a COM port?

Possibly but I would think it depends on the program. What is the program?

You might be better off buying a serial port card and installing it
instead. then you'll have real COM ports to deal with.

Steve

 

[Bob I]

It wouldn't hurt to look in the BIOS and see what is there. It may be
the MB has the port support hardware but no connection. Or install a PCI
card with ports.

 

[Bob I]

Internal/ integral modem perhaps. Winkey+R, MSINFO32 and see what you
have that Windows sees.

 

[Mikhail Zhilin]

It wouldn't hurt to look in the BIOS and see what is there. It may be
the MB has the port support hardware but no connection. Or install a PCI
card with ports.

Yes:

The older motherboards had the inner connectors (two groups of pins) for
two com-ports -- and there was need to attach the optional bracket with
DB9/DB25 to have these ports outside, and enable them in BIOS then. And
that may be this bracket was not installed for some reason.

Some of the newer motherboards have only one DB9 connector (COM-1,
soldered in the motherboard) -- but the other DB9/DB25 connector
(COM-2) can be attached still to the mentioned pins of the motherboard.

--
Mikhail Zhilin
http://www.aha.ru/~mwz
Sorry, no technical support by e-mail.
Please reply to the newsgroups only.
======

 

[Stan Brown]

in microsoft.public.windowsxp.general:

Internal/ integral modem perhaps. Winkey+R, MSINFO32 and see what you
have that Windows sees.

Good instinct! I forgot there's an internal modem, and MSINFO32
says it's attached to COM3.

But I couldn't find anything attached to COM2. "Find" within
MSINFO32 didn't find COM2 -- but then it didn't find COM3 either.
(Yes, I had both checkboxed unchecked.)

 

[Bob I]

Maybe IR port? It IS your box. <big grin>

in microsoft.public.windowsxp.general:




Good instinct! I forgot there's an internal modem, and MSINFO32
says it's attached to COM3.

But I couldn't find anything attached to COM2. "Find" within
MSINFO32 didn't find COM2 -- but then it didn't find COM3 either.
(Yes, I had both checkboxed unchecked.)

 

[Stan Brown]

in microsoft.public.windowsxp.general:

Maybe IR port? It IS your box. <big grin>

Reasonable guess, but I checked it and the only entry under the IR
port is "Name".

Well, I guess it's just another one of those mysteries.

But I am curious about "Find" not working, not even to find COM3
which I knew was there.