Ports

[anmldr]

I know nothing about ports in XP so please be gentle.

I am trying to use the Palm HotSync manager but it reports that COM3
is in use and that the HotSync manager will open when the port comes
available.

I don't have a fax, printer or anything else attached to my laptop. I
also am not using the dial-up connection to the Internet. To my
knowledge, there shouldn't be anything using any ports other than my
Palm and yet the HotSync manager reports that the COM3 is in use.

Is there a way to find out how many ports are available for use on my
laptop and how to manage them? If so, then I could find out what is
using COM3 without my knowledge and turn it off so that I can use the
COM3 for the HotSync manager.

Thank you,
Linda

 

[R. McCarty]

If the notebook has a built in modem ( Dial up ) then it's likely assigned
to COM1. Because COM1 and COM3 are multiplexed together this
is why your Sync cannot access and use COM3. Check Device Mgr,
Modems category and see if there is a modem listed. If so and not used
then simply Right Click the Modem entry and choose "Disable".

 

[JS]

Portmon for Windows
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/utilities/portmon.mspx

com port sharing
http://com-port-sharing.qarchive.org/shareware.html

JS

 

[anmldr]

I disabled the modem as suggested and restarted the computer. I
started HotSync and it gives the same message. Somthing else must be
using the port. I will try the next suggestion.

Thank you. R. McCarty for the good try.