??Computer guru ??

[Bill Verburg]

On an old laptop running Windows 2nd ed.

How does one test to see if the serial port is com1??

[id10t]

Should be in the bios... remember that COM1 and 3 can share the same resources, and 2 and 4 share the same.

[frogger]

I vaguely recall pressing a function key (F1?) while the computer was booting up which then let me inspect and modify the settings.

[MysticLlama]

You should be able to tell from device manager.

If you open up communications ports, it should say something like "Standard Communications Port (COM1)"

[Bill Verburg]

Ok, so if in the device driver com1 and com3 both appear, it means that a serial connection can be made to the single serial connecter? and an external app expecting to communicate through com1 is connected to the serial port?

[slodave]

Usually, COM3 will be used by a modem. If you have only one physical serial port on the laptop, unless someone changed the settings in the BIOS, it should be COM1. Is there a built in modem on the laptop?

Dave

[Joeaksa]

Bill,

What type of connection are you trying to establish? Sure that using a USB adapter would not work better?

I have tried this in the past trying to communicate with a GPS unit and upgrading the data or maps and ended up getting a USB to Serial adapter and it worked a lot better.

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by slodave

Usually, COM3 will be used by a modem. If you have only one physical serial port on the laptop, unless someone changed the settings in the BIOS, it should be COM1. Is there a built in modem on the laptop?

Dave

No modem, I always used a pcmcia card for that.

That's the thing it's so old that I am not sure what was done. I haven't used it in years

I am testing a diagnostic device for 993s that communicates betwen the car and laptop thru com1.

The device has been tested by 2 previous users but on mine there appears to be no communication. All the appropriate lights come on but no response.

hence my interest in the serial port.

[Bill Verburg]

Thanks guys, Got it