Troubleshooting the Serial and Parallel Ports
This section provides a procedure for troubleshooting the computer’s serial and parallel ports and any attached peripheral devices.
If a system error message indicates a port problem or if equipment connected to a port seems to perform incorrectly or not at all, the source of the problem may be any of the following:
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A faulty connection between the I/O port and the peripheral device
Incorrect settings for Setup options
Incorrect settings in the operating system’s configuration files
A faulty cable between the I/O port and the peripheral device
A faulty peripheral device
Faulty I/O port logic on the system board
Conflicting COM port settings
Lack of drivers
Troubleshooting the Basic I/O Functions
Make a copy of the Diagnostics Checklist found in Chapter 5, and fill it out as you perform the following steps:
1.Check the settings for the Serial Port and Parallel Port Mode options in the System Devices menu of the Setup program.
For information on the Setup program, see Appendix B, “Using the Setup Program.” Are the communication port options set correctly for the peripheral devices connected to the computer?
Yes. Go to step 3.
No. Go to step 2.
2.Change the Serial Port and Parallel Port Mode options to the appropriate settings, and then reboot the system.
Is the problem resolved?
Yes. The problem is resolved.
No. Go to step 3.
3.Check the contents of your initialization and
Are the port configuration commands correct?
Yes. Go to step 5.
No. Go to step 4.
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