Serial Port Problems

[ktownson@hotmail.com]

I recently upgraded my computer from a P166 to an AMD k6-2 500mhz. New motherboard, new memory, new AGP display card. Unfortunately, since the upgrade I cannot get either of my two serial devices, a digital camera and a Wacom drawing pad, to work. (They were both operational before)

We checked BIOS, physical connections, port settings, etc., and neither myself or another much more experienced geek could come up with anything, so we sent the motherboard back. Got my new motherboard installed and still nothing on the serial ports.

What else is there that could affect the serial ports? I'm big-time frustrated on this one as I really need the picture download and the drawing pad to do my work. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

AMD k6-2 500mhz processor
DFI K6BV3+2 motherboard
128 Meg SDRAM
AWARD BIOS (upgraded)
ATI Rage Fury 128 AGP display card
ADS Pyro 1394 Firewire card
no-name 56k modem
Sound blaster card--old

[mjc]

Which OS?

If the ports are enabled in BIOS do they show up in Device Manager?


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mjc
I'm making my own links list:Computer Links (http://www.fortunecity.com/skyscraper/highrise/11/index.htm)

[Randy_tx]

You always need to go into Control Panel/System/ Device Manager (In Safe Mode is best) and delete Power Management & Motherboard Resources (In system area of device mgr) as well as the com ports in many cases so Win can "re find" these items and install the new motherboard's drivers.

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"As hard as a rock & dumb as a brick"...Windows CEMeNT

[ktownson@hotmail.com]

Thanks for the quick response...I'm running Win98 SE and yes, the ports show up as operational in the device manager.

I'll take a shot at deleting the resources. Thanks!

[ktownson@hotmail.com]

Well, I tried eliminating the power management and com port resources, and it did relocate and reload the drivers, but still no serial ports!

I'm open to ideas...thanks for the help!

[Reid]

Did you use the serial port header connectors that should have been supplied with the new motherboard? (Pinout could be different) Also check that pin 1 on the connectors is oriented correctly.

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reido@my-deja.com

Friends don't let friends install Windows ME

[ktownson@hotmail.com]

You know, I didn't think of that...the serial port connectors are actually part of the case so I used them...hmmm. That makes a lot of sense, tho.I did get the connectors properly aligned. I'm going to shut down now and try that! Thanks!

[mjc]

Check to see if the drivers/application software are properly configured to use the ports. Also check and see if there is anything else (like communications software) that is trying to use the ports at the same time. Com1 should be 03F8 Irq4, Com2 should be 02F8 Irq3, are the devices configured for these settings? Is anything else trynig to use those Irqs? Also have you tried setting the ports to default (in DM under Ports settings, some devices may not work with 'tweaked' settings.

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mjc
I'm making my own links list:Computer Links (http://www.fortunecity.com/skyscraper/highrise/11/index.htm)

[ktownson@hotmail.com]

YYYYYEEEEEESSSSSSS!!!!!!

Reid, you're a genius! Replaced out the serial connectors and VOILA! Serial ports are working. I suppose it never occurred to me that all motherboard manufacturers wouldn't wire their connectors the same way...pin 1 on the connector to to pin 1 on the MB, pin2 to pin 2, etc. I guess that makes way too much sense. Maybe it is some kind of Chinese plot to frustrate Americans...

Thanks to all you guys who replied. I really appreciate the prompt responses and helpful hints. If you'll excuse me now, I've got some pictures to download...

[Reid]

I'm glad to hear it worked. This thread started off with a good description of the problem and the other guys did the groundwork with good troubleshooting steps and helped isolate the problem. Possibly a little luck played a part too.

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reido@my-deja.com

Friends don't let friends install Windows ME

[Randy_tx]

VERY nice work Reid http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

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"As hard as a rock & dumb as a brick"...Windows CEMeNT

[Paleo Pete]

Nice job Reid.

Serial ports come in two flavors. One that works and one that doesn't... http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

I had to do the same thing when I swapped boards on this machine recently, when I put the old board in another case the serial port wouldn't work with 2 known good mice. Turned out to be the same thing as this problem, it was the wrong connector cable. Fortunately I didn't have much trouble figuring it out, I've been through it before, and had to go buy another connector for that machine...

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Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines!
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Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

[GrantC]

Just what does one need to know when shopping for this connector strap?

[Paleo Pete]

I'm not sure, and haven't been able to find any reliable info. I just make sure I can return and exchange it if it won't work...I can't find any markings on the cables that are different, only the wire number which is the same on both. In the case of the one I recently had to deal with, they were different lengths, and with my computer the shorter one worked. No other differences at all that I could find.

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Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines!
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)