Windows Forum

Ask something
Discussion Locked

COM 1 Held Open

0 helpful
9 replies

by nick bell

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.
I have a new HP LC2000 Netserver running Windows 2000 Advanced Server. I have two modems for dial up networking installed on COM 1 and COM 2. Since installation the COM 1 refuses to work. When I try to run modem diagnostics Windows says the port is already open. I suspect something grabs the COM 1 port during boot up but am at a loss as to how to find it. Can anyone help?

9 replies

by alan.robinson14

Probably won't help much, but I have had the same problem. I had LAPLINK direct cable connection on COM2, and a Modem on COM1. My LAPLINK failed with COM1 already in use. I knew it was, it was my modem, but LAPLINK didn't like it. Anyway I now run one link to my PC at one time. I gave up trying to fix it.
Sorry I know it doesn't help, but your not alone.

Alan

by larrywins

My first question has to be, are these internal or external modems? If internal, ckeck your BIOS and make sure that you disable all your com ports. If external, you'll have to look for what is capturing the address or interupt for com1 (3F8, 4). You can also ckeck PNP configurations and possibly lock out IRQ4 from PNP setup.

by kgosnell

Com 1 is used by the Printer, if the printer is attached then it is relegated to 96bod and , to alter it , you will have to remove the printer , or change it's properties, or assign a new port to the modem, read the help file on printers and allocations (printer is a generalization as the port can be used by several different applicational hardware) , likely there is an issue with bod rate assignment also. If all else fails , contact Microsoft tech support , for a walk through, and don't let them beg off by suggesting you uninstall everything and go back to 98 or what ever, if the Tech can't help , ask for their supervisor, this business of MS not supporting 2000, ME is not good business. Hope you resolve it.

by peterwagenmakers

I'm also looking for a fix but only found a trick that seems to solve.

The problem seems to be that when the com-port has been opened and you didn't close it properly (by suddenly rebooting when the system hangs or fails) Windows seems to remember the open state after the reboot. So we only need Windows to get to leave the port unopened.

I did the following: Go to Configuration Panel; select System; tab profiles; entry ports; entry COM1-port; disable driver; save.
Restart computer, try modem program: this should fail.
Now back to System: enable driver. Reboot. Try modem program again. (My Windows version is Dutch. I translated names, so they may appear a bit different on your system. But you probably will find them)

It may look like a hack: But trying this, with changing steps a few times, I got rid of the message.

This discussion is closed to new replies.