Re: COM port problem / XP

"javier" <javierg@scubadiving.com> wrote in message
news:5bc201c37cf3$cda537c0$a601280a@phx.gbl...

> I am using a special interface that connects my diving
> computer to one of the serial ports in my PC.
> This interface stopped working a few weeks ago (it worked
> fine for several months)- I get a message that the
> interface is not detected in any of the COM ports. To make
> sure that the interface is working, I checked it on a
> WinNT4 PC and it works fine, so the problem is not the
> interface (or the rs232 cable).
>
> The device manager says all serial ports are working
> properly and that there are no conflicts.
>
> Is it possible that one of XP's services is causing this
> problem, or some other software running in the background
> is blocking the access to the serial ports?
> Any clues what I can do, or how I can check what causes
> the problem?
>
> Thanks,
> Javier

Try using HyperTerminal to open the comm port and see if you can **see** the
data coming in the port, if you find the comm port is in use, check for the
existence of a serial mouse or other serial pointing device in device
manager. If you find one right click it, click properties, and under device
usage choose **disable**

W2K and XP have been known to interpert serial devices as pointing devices
and automatically install the drivers, therefore hijacking the comm port.

HTH
Chris