Appendix F: Renaming COM Ports - Win 95/98/ME
Renaming PCI COM Ports Using the PnP COM Rename Utility
CAUTION: You must be using Windows 95/98 or ME. This utility is not designed for NT or other Windows versions.
This program edits the registry directly, it will only change entries related to B&B PCI or USB Serial Ports. Improper use of this program can cause conflicts with other COM Ports installed on your computer.
Renaming COM ports will only affect software that accesses COM ports through Windows, not software that accesses ports from DOS or at the hardware level.
This program should only be used after all serial ports have been installed.
Windows 95/98 and ME automatically assigns COM port numbers starting at COM5 when the port is not at the standard base addresses for COM1 to COM4.
If your software refuses to access COM ports above COM4, and you have unused COM numbers that you want to be able use with your B&B PCI Serial Card, this utility can be used to rename some or all of the ports to the unused COM numbers.
First, check the ports list shown in the Device Manager, then check any Modem or FAX device to make sure that the port number isn't being used for a FAX/Modem or Network Redirector.
If you have
To Remove a Port: Choose Settings, Control Panel, System, Device Manager, then select the port to highlight it. Click Remove below the window. To remove all B&B PCI ports, select the B&B Serial Adapter. This clears registry entries for the card and ports.
Install the PCI/USB COM Port Utilities
(1)To use the PnP COM Rename utility, insert the PCI/USB COM Port Utility Disk and run Setup.exe. This will install COMTest and PnP COM Rename under Programs, B&B Electronics.
Documentation Number | Appendix F |
(2)The Rename utility will not be installed if you are running Windows 2000 or NT.
Using PnP COM Rename
(1)Shut down all programs that are accessing any Com ports.
(2)Start the PnP COM Rename Utility from the Programs menu under B&B Electronics.
(3)Read the Cautionary Warnings. It is possible to rename a PCI or USB serial port to a number already in use which will cause problems. If any problems occur after renaming, you may need to
(4)Accept the conditions of use by clicking Yes or click No to exit.
(5)Select the currently named COM port number you want to change in the left window, then the new number in the right window. Then click Finish. Repeat for other ports as needed.
(6)If the PCI card was previously installed and not removed in the Device Manager, you may find several B&B COM ports with the same number. The last instance of the same number is usually the most recent installation. Only the active ports can be renamed with the program to show the new name under the Device Manager. Inactive port numbers will not show any change after renaming. Ideally, unused entries should be
Appendix F | Documentation Number |
B&B Electronics Mfg Co – 707 Dayton Rd - PO Box 1040 - Ottawa IL 61350 - Ph | B&B Electronics Mfg Co – 707 Dayton Rd - PO Box 1040 - Ottawa IL 61350 - Ph |
B&B Electronics Ltd – Westlink Comm. Pk. – Oranmore, Galway, Ireland – Ph +353 | B&B Electronics Ltd – Westlink Comm. Pk. – Oranmore, Galway, Ireland – Ph +353 |
