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Com ports

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by cronz99

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I am trying to interface a Gateway PC and a PMS machine for a company so they can talk to each other. The gentleman who is responsible for the PMS machine states that COM 2 is available but he is not sure. By the looks of it, it's not available. Is there a way you can check to see if a com port is available and functioning properly?

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by borginva

COM 1and 2 are always external ports. One of the est ways I test a port is to hook up a modem and use a program like Procom or HyperAccess (any communications software really)and try dialing out and calling into it from another modem,and then use chat to test communications both ways.

If COM2 is internal (never seen it but...)then checking Windows (are you using Windows) it should show you what ports are being use.

by ann777

First step is to make sure both physical com ports are "enabled" in the bios.

Second step would then be to check device manager and see if you have any conflicts.

Third whould be to attach an known working serial device and check to see if it works (a serial mouse is what I usually pick to try because there's usually nothing more you need to do than plug it into the COM port and power the computer).

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