PNP problems

[T3chGuy]

Hi,

I have a fully updated version of XP Pro. What I was looking to do is remove a specific device from XP's list of PNP devices. The problem is that I have a socket dual I/O PCMCIA card that I plug into the laptop which gets recognized correctly but then XP goes on to try and install software for a Serial Ball Pen (pointer device) which it believes is on COM4 (one of the two socket ports). I actually have a GPS module (Trimble SV8 +) connected to COM4 and I want to log it's ASCII data via hyper terminal. So XP incorrectly guesses that I have a serial ball pen and then occupies that port so that I cannot open that COM port in hyper terminal. I have tried diabling that piece of hardware and XP still detects it but it comes up as being disabled...port is still occupied though. Is there any way to remove a specific device from the PNP list? I can't disable all PNP as it is required for the PCMCIA cards to work so I need to "handicap" it. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks =-D

 

[bcastner]

I wish I was there to fiddle with it, so bear with me if these instructions are somewhat inexact.

. You can use in the logon script feature of XP the utility Devcon.exe to remove the ballpen device and install or at least leave open COM4:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q311272

I would likely do it this way myself, but the Devcon parameters are slightly obscure.

. Second guess. Re-enable the Device. In Device Manager go to the properties sheet for COM4 or for the Device. In the Advanced tab you can change the port assignment. Make it something other than COM4.

 

[linney]

Any of these helpful?

Overview of the COMDisable Tool

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

Serial Device May Be Detected as a Serial Mouse in Windows 2000

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;283063&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

FILE: DevCon Command Line Utility Alternative to Device Manager

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;311272&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

Some other information from MSKB you can research.

HOWTO: Control Device Driver Load Order
115486

How to Extract the Plug and Play IDs from an .inf File
263235

INFO: Setting the Plug and Play BIOS Option (PNP OS) in CMOS Setup
321779


Some other general information.

IP->Com is a program to allow you to remotely connect to your com ports over an IP network, using a telnet program.
This program is freeware and available at no cost to everyone.

http://www.fiori.freeserve.co.uk/main.htm

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

 

[T3chGuy]

Thanks for the help guys. I'll mess around with this some more and hopefully get something working. Devcon looks promising, I think I will be able to at very least confuse XP into not recognising the device.

Have a great weekend. =-D