Com ports not recognized

[Ayman Altounji]

In the course of trying to install Palm Desktop software, I discovered that Windows is not recognizing either of the built in Com ports in Control Panel, although an internal modem is recognized on Com4. This system had previously had an external Hayes Optima modem installed, so I know that at one point the com ports were recognized and usable. I checked the CMOS setup to ensure that the ports were enabled. I've searched the download section of the web site to see if there is a download that would contain .inf drivers so that I could try to add new hardware in control panel but have had no success. At this point, I don't know what I have to do to get the system to recognize the ports.

[Ayman Altounji]

I remember having problems with the com ports when I installed an internal modem into mine, wish I could recall the fix! Just remember trying all sorts of things!

Anyways.... have you run the system configuration program? What version of Windows? And what other hardware do you have installed on what ports or slots? It could be an IRQ conflict or it could be they just aren't installed. Have you gone to the control panel > add hardware > let windows do it's thing And then when it gives you the chance, select manually install and you'll get a list of possible hardware. 'Ports' will be on the list, double click it, then select 'Communications Port' and install. You'll need your windows disk. Hopefully that'll help. Either way, let us know what happens.