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Exploring Your Options

Exchanging data with another computer

Determining the COM port

Your modem is connected to one of the computer’s COM (communications) ports. The default setting for the modem is COM3.

The following procedure is intended to support you if you need to either upgrade your modem or reset the port to the default settings.

DEFINITION: Although the terms are often used interchangeably, the serial port and COM port are really two different things. The serial port is the physical port on the back of the computer. The COM port is a unique identifier the computer uses to communicate with the serial port or other serial devices.

If you’re having trouble connecting through the modem, you may need to determine the current COM port name and possibly change it.

To find out which port your modem is connected to:1Click Start, and click Control Panel. Windows XP opens the Control Panel.2Double-clickPhone and Modem Options.

NOTE: The Control Panel window must be set to Classic View to access the Phone and Modem Options icon.

Windows XP displays the Phone and Modem Options Properties dialog box.3Click the Modems tab.Your modem should be listed next to one of the computer’s COM ports.