Missing COM Ports

[paulnnosh]

Hi,

I started having problems with my modem and realised that the Ports were missing from my Device Manager. I have recieved some advice that says to add them back manually but I have no clue how to do this.

I've had a look in the BIOS and can see nowhere to do it.

Can anyone help please?

Ta
Nosh

 

[tfg13]

Are the appropriate drivers loaded for the modem device?

 

[chipk]

When you scan for hardware changes in Device Manager are any new devices found? To add hardware manually, you use the Add Hardware wizard in Control Panel. It will search for new hardware, and then if it doens't find any, will ask you if your hardware is connected. Click yes, then scroll down and select Com port. Follow the prompts and if you have problems, post here.

 

[paulnnosh]

Hi - Thanks for your post.

I was able to add new hardware and the Ports (COM & LPT) appeared in my device manager again. However, COM1 and COM3 are missing and instead there is just a COM4 with an Excalmation mark next to it and I still can't dial out.

Any suggestions?

Thanks again.

Nosh

 

[chipk]

If you right click on that com4 and go to properties, what does it say in the troubleshooting section? Do you have an internal modem that is using a com port? Or some other device, perhaps? This component stuff is a little out of my expertise, but you may have some kind of conflict. You said you already checked the BIOS but couldnt' see anything. I find that unusual - did you check your vendor's documentation for your PC? Com ports are typically enabled/disabled in the BIOS. Have you added any hardware recently?

 

[Sympology]

Often Comm Ports are in Advanced Settings in BIOS'. May be under Serial Port or Serial Interface as well. If not there, see if there are any options for Legacy Devices. It really depends on your pc.
Post the make and model of the pc; if it's a home made jobbie, let us know the make of motherboard.

Cheers,
Stu..

Only the truly stupid believe they know everything.
Stu.. 2004

 

[linney]

In Device Manager/ ports
Right-click on Communication Port (COM1) and select Properties.
Click on Port Settings tab.
Click on Advanced button.
Use the Com Port setting "Down Arrow" to expand list of Com Ports.
You should have COM1 - COM256 listed.

This allows you to change the port number that is assigned to the port. For example, if you have three modems connected to COM1, COM2 and COM3, and you want them all to use COM3, change this setting to COM3 for ports COM1 and COM2. This will force each modem to use COM3.

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.



"Frequently a choice has to be made between COM1: and COM3: and between COM2: and COM4: since control lines and addresses are shared. A manufacturer's hardware reference is usually needed to determine the exact settings for a given situation".

Troubleshooting Serial Port Problems in Windows

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;105940&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

Modem Problems
thread779-1105661

Configuring Communications Resources

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...Windows/XP/all/reskit/en-us/prdh_dmt_gmbd.asp

Available switch options for the Windows XP and the Windows Server 2003 Boot.ini files

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;833721&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;131976

131976 How to disable detection of devices on serial ports


Overview of the COMDisable Tool

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;819036&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH