Com port conflict... software to tell me what program is using COM1??

[Nik]

I have software that needs to connect to hardware on COM1, but I'm getting an error initializing the port. Something else on my machine is already using it. I've tried a hyperterminal connection and hyperterminal tells me that something's already using the port, but I don't know what.

Is there a small diagnostic utility that will tell me what program is holding COM1 hostage?

 

[Linflas]

Have you checked to see if IRQ4 is assigned to COM1? COM ports should be assigned:
COM1 3F8/IRQ4
COM2 2F8/IRQ3

 

[RU482]

bump, also curious.

I have a USB to serial adapter that I need to assign to a certain COM port. I am getting conflicts where there should not be any.

 

[bruceb]

Have a look at this link .. it tells you how to find out what is where

http://service1.symantec.com/S...d0068747b?OpenDocument

Windows has a tool called Microsoft Diagnostics built in which will tell you.

If it is not in your system (run .. msd.exe) ... then download it from here:

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/softlib/mslfiles/msdzip.exe">ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/softlib/mslfiles/msdzip.exe</a>

Stick the download in C:\Windows .. then click on it .. it will Extract the needed files

To use it go to: Start, Run, type MSD.EXE ... a screen will come up which is self explanatory

It will tell you all you need to know.

 

[Markbnj]

Holy archive, batman! That's the 1994 version of MSD. Haven't seen that thing in ages. I don't think it will work on XP though. It causes the MSDOS-16 bit subsystem to complain about some of its operations. I didn't try ignoring them, so maybe it can be made to work and give the info the OP wants.

 

[Linflas]

Couple of questions, are we talking an NT based system ie Win2k, XP, Vista? If so is this the error you are seeing in the event log?

The hardware resources for COM<X> are already in use by another device.

If so you may want to have a look at KB112584, Error Messages Caused by Incorrect Serial Port Configuration

 

[bruceb]

It seems to work ok on my Toshiba Laptop
And as to it being old, it is stil on the Microsoft
FTP Server ... so I guess there is no newer one (that I know of)

 

[Markbnj]

There is a newer tool, called msinfo32.exe. I had forgotten about it. Just ran it and it appears to provide the information about the com port driver file that the OP needs.

The old MSD is not reliable on anything later than Windows 98.

 

[bruceb]

I forgot about that .. You can get to it via System Information or
by putting that file name in the run box

Thanks

 

[bruceb]

Opps ... double post in error

 

[Nik]

Originally posted by: Linflas
Couple of questions, are we talking an NT based system ie Win2k, XP, Vista? If so is this the error you are seeing in the event log?

The hardware resources for COM<X> are already in use by another device.

If so you may want to have a look at KB112584, Error Messages Caused by Incorrect Serial Port Configuration

This is a potential solution that I would like to be able to provide to my customers if my own products come up with a conflict on a COM port. Could be any version of Windows.