Troubleshooting Duplicate COMx Ports on Multi-I/O Boards

• Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.1, 3.11

SYMPTOMS

Attempting to communicate with an internal modem using the same COM port as an existing on-board COM port or a multi-I/O board can cause various problems, depending upon the hardware and BIOS used. These problems can occur even though nothing is connected to the physical COM port. Symptoms associated with having duplicate COM ports include the following:

• The system hangs when you create a communications document, try to connect, or use an Autodial/Dial This Number command.
• The system reboots when attempting to dial out or when the connection would have occurred.
• The modem dials and rings but does not connect.
• The modem initializes and dials but the message NO CARRIER is displayed.
• A cursor is not enabled for Terminal under Microsoft Windows version 3.0 or 3.1.

RESOLUTION

To correct these problems, do one of the following:

• Disable or reassign the on-board or multi-I/O board COM port. Consult your hardware documentation for information on reconfiguring the COM port.

  -or-

• Reconfigure the internal modem to use a different COM port, such as COM3 or COM4. Consult your modem documentation for information about doing this. NOTE: Make sure that the IRQ of the COM port you choose is not being used by any other installed device.

  -or-

• Use an external modem.

MORE INFORMATION

Many PC motherboards ship with two built-in COM ports. Even though there may not be an external connector for the second COM port on the back of the case, the COM port circuitry is on these motherboards and must be disabled to reliably use an internal modem on COM2. Reconfiguring the COM ports usually involves changing a DIP switch or moving a jumper. Consult your hardware documentation for more information about configuring the COM ports.