How do I find out what's using COM1?

[JBruyet]

Hey all,

My maintenance supervisor uses a modified Palm Pilot for running diagnostics on our buses. I'm trying to install the Palm Pilot Desktop software on a new computer for him but I can't get the software configured to use COM1 to sync. Every time I try to point the software to COM1 I get an error message saying that COM1 is busy and that the software will connect when COM1 is available. As far as I can tell COM1 is never available. How can I find out what's using COM1? I tried Googling "What's on COM1" but I haven't seen anything useful. Is there somewhere I can look in XP to see what's using COM1 or is there a third party utility I can use? Any responses would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Joe B

 

[exceeeduus75]

Check the device manager, and expand PORTS, check to see if there is any exclamation mark next to it. Also open up COM port, and make sure it is not disabled. You can also click the resources tab and look for any conflict.

exceeeduus75

 

[JBruyet]

Hi exceeeduus75,

The port appears normal in Device Manager, and I can find no conflicts anywhere. Any other ideas?

Thanks,

Joe B

 

[BadBigBen]

Question: is the hook up over USB or over serial?

have you tried to use COM 3 instead? COM1 and COM3 are essentially the same, some sync-software only use COM3...

usually COM1 and COM3 are taken up by a MODEM if so installed in the machine...

also check the BIOS if com ports are active...

just some thoughts...


Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[eyec]

does your machine have a built in modem?

what does the Device Manager have listed for COM1?

 

[linney]

See if these lead anywhere?

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\DEVICEMAP\SERIALCOMM

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Ports

Search the Registry for COMn (n = number) and see what else you can turn up.