How to Identify Ports on a Computer using Windows NT
- Search Again SUMMARY I'm uncertain which port I need to use to make a successful LapLink connection. Can you help?
SOLUTION A serial cable is the only cable that can be used to make a LapLink connection in Windows NT. This is because Microsoft has not provided support for other types of data cable communications, such as parallel or USB.
The computer port used by a serial cable is male in gender, and has either 9 pins or 25 pins. The shape of the port is slightly D-shaped. A serial port may be used for a mouse, external modem, scanner, or other linking software such as for a personal data assistant (PDA). On most computers, there are 2 ports and they can be marked as COM, SER, or with a symbol representing 10101. Unfortunately, it is also common to find them completely unmarked.
Before using a serial port and LapLink's blue cable to make a connection, you need to locate a port that is available physically on the back of the computer and enabled within Windows configuration. It is very common for computer manufacturer's to have installed 2 physical ports, but to leave one port disabled. This can be very confusing at first glance.
There are 3 parts to naming the external serial ports on a computer.
- Count the number of serial devices in the computer. These include external serial ports, and internal modems. The phone jack ports can identify an internal modem. Determine whether the mouse is a serial mouse or a PS/2 mouse. If serial, one port name will be allocated for the mouse. Also, confirm that any infrared ports are disabled in the BIOS (as NT doesn't support these devices, but the port is sometimes left enabled). Consult the computer's user guide for information on how to reach the BIOS.
- Check the Windows NT configuration
- From the Windows Start menu, point to Settings, then the Control Panel .
- Double-click the Ports icon. Write down the COM port names listed here.
- Double-click the Modem icon. The name of the modem and it's port will be listed. Write down this information.
- Compare the results. There must be one port name for each serial device. If there are more ports than port names, then one of the serial ports is likely to be disabled in the computer's BIOS. Consult your computer's user guide for steps on how to enable the port.
If all ports can be accounted for, but you're still uncertain as to how the ports are named, systematic trial and error is the best method to use. For example, two unnamed ports are on the computer, and Windows says that they are named COM2 and COM3. Using LapLink, enable first COM2, then COM3 in Port Setup. With the cable attached to a port, see if LapLink connects. If so, then mark the attached port as COM2. If not, return to Port Setup and try COM3. If neither enabled port makes a connection, try moving the cable to the other port and begin again.
If you encounter problems making a serial connection with LapLink, see Technical Document 83, Serial Port Unavailable in LapLink when running in Windows NT or Technical Document 84, Serial Connection Troubleshooting in LapLink Applications Running in Windows NT for more information.
Related Articles |  | |
|
