COM Port Dead?

[JJDetroit]

The PC I assembled a couple weeks ago didn't have a COM port "hard wired" on the mobo, but it did have a connector for one. I picked up the port itself at the shop I bought my other parts from and installed it. Device Manager (in XP Pro) says it is working fine, but neither my Nokia phone (via a serial synch cable) or an external modem will work on the port (basically getting "device not found" errors). Could Device Manager be lying to me <grin>?

[viking33]

I assume you enabled the port in the BIOS?
Is there disabling jumper on the MB for that port?

[JJDetroit]

Bob,

>> I assume you enabled the port in the BIOS? <<

It was enabled by default. I tried changing the address/IRQ assignment from fixed to Auto, but that made no difference.

>> Is there disabling jumper on the MB for that port? <<

Nope, just the pins for the cable from the port.

[bigaldoc]

No offense intended, John, but is it possible the cable is attached to the motherboard in reversed fashion? Although, I would think that it that were the case, Device Manager wouldn't recognize it. I just can't think of anything else, since you've already dabbled with IRQ.

[JJDetroit]

bigaldoc,

>> No offense intended, John, but is it possible the cable is attached to the motherboard in reversed fashion? <<

Nope, the connector is "keyed" with a solid area that has to fit in a "matching" void in the mobo's pins. I'm stumped as to what is going on.

[gws]

Hi, In device manager have you enabled "show all devices" in the view menu? If so does any of the non plug and play devices show errors?

[JJDetroit]

gws,

>> In device manager have you enabled "show all devices" in the view menu? If so does any of the non plug and play devices show errors? <<

I checked "Show Hidden Devices," and the only error that is showing is regarding NetBEUI. Nothing regarding any hardware devices.