How can I access my COM ports?

[Gerry Busch]

I am running Windows XP Home Edition 5.1 SP1. My laptop
has two USB ports and an IEEE 1394. There is no SubD RS-
232 serial connector. Currently I connect my video
camera to the IEEE port via a firewire, and can access
the device through Scanner and Camera Wizard, but I'd
like to try the original driver software that came with
the camera, instead (Panasonic PhotoVue Link).

The problem is that PhotoVue Link can't establish
communications with the camera, as it is looking for a
COM port. The COM port selection dialogue in the
software offers COM1: through COM4:, but they are all
greyed out. Is there any way I can configure my system
to make the COM ports accessible through the IEEE, so
that the software will find them?

BTW, the only cable that came with the camera was a
serial cable with a standard 9-pin SubD, so that's no
good. I suppose I could get a USB cable for the camera,
but I'm not sure if the software would find the COM ports
through that, either.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Gerry

 

[Jim Macklin]

See if you can get an updated Firewire and/or USB driver
from Panasonic for the PhotoVue.

Or try IRFanview and nice free program that should handle
your needs.
at http://www.irfanview.com/

--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.


message | I am running Windows XP Home Edition 5.1 SP1. My laptop
| has two USB ports and an IEEE 1394. There is no SubD RS-
| 232 serial connector. Currently I connect my video
| camera to the IEEE port via a firewire, and can access
| the device through Scanner and Camera Wizard, but I'd
| like to try the original driver software that came with
| the camera, instead (Panasonic PhotoVue Link).
|
| The problem is that PhotoVue Link can't establish
| communications with the camera, as it is looking for a
| COM port. The COM port selection dialogue in the
| software offers COM1: through COM4:, but they are all
| greyed out. Is there any way I can configure my system
| to make the COM ports accessible through the IEEE, so
| that the software will find them?
|
| BTW, the only cable that came with the camera was a
| serial cable with a standard 9-pin SubD, so that's no
| good. I suppose I could get a USB cable for the camera,
| but I'm not sure if the software would find the COM ports
| through that, either.
|
| Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
|
| Gerry
|

 

[Si Ballenger]

I am running Windows XP Home Edition 5.1 SP1. My laptop
has two USB ports and an IEEE 1394. There is no SubD RS-
232 serial connector. Currently I connect my video
camera to the IEEE port via a firewire, and can access
the device through Scanner and Camera Wizard, but I'd
like to try the original driver software that came with
the camera, instead (Panasonic PhotoVue Link).

The problem is that PhotoVue Link can't establish
communications with the camera, as it is looking for a
COM port. The COM port selection dialogue in the
software offers COM1: through COM4:, but they are all
greyed out. Is there any way I can configure my system
to make the COM ports accessible through the IEEE, so
that the software will find them?

BTW, the only cable that came with the camera was a
serial cable with a standard 9-pin SubD, so that's no
good. I suppose I could get a USB cable for the camera,
but I'm not sure if the software would find the COM ports
through that, either.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

I got one of the below USB to serial port adapters and it works
very well.

http://store.yahoo.com/saveateaglestore/usbtoserrs9p.html

 

[Mike Powers]

Didn't say what model camera and what version software but you might go
to panasonic site and look for later version of software. Most
software versions I noted were for either USB and Serial or Firewire and
Serial but yours may be earlier or having trouble because it was written
for USB 1 or 1.1 and not seeing a 2.0 port.