USB COM Port Numbers

[jimlp1]

My Garmin GPS III software programs require COM port numbers of 1,3,or 4. On my PC, there's at least 8 USB ports, 4 on the front Numbered 5,6,7,8. And there's at least 4 more numbered 9,10,11,12 on the back of the Desktop. The Garmin or 3rd party software finds the GPS on USB port #6, yet the program wont run. One of the programs searches and detects where the GPS is connected (USB port #6) the other Mapping program can not recognise the GPS as it says Com ports 1,3,4 availabale. Is there a way to re-number the USB COM Ports...? I have tried to find COM Ports 1 through 4 with no results at all. Is it a matter of opening the PC Cover and re-routing the USB cables to different pins on the Motherboard..?

Thanks in Advance,

James...

[mdklassen · Accepted solution]

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@jimlp1 wrote:

1. My Garmin GPS III software programs require COM port numbers of 1,3,or 4.

2. On my PC, there's at least 8 USB ports, 4 on the front Numbered 5,6,7,8.

And there's at least 4 more numbered 9,10,11,12 on the back of the Desktop.

3. The Garmin or 3rd party software finds the GPS on USB port #6, yet the program wont run.

4. One of the programs searches and detects where the GPS is connected (USB port #6); the other Mapping program can not recognise the GPS as it says Com ports 1,3,4 available.

5. Is there a way to re-number the USB COM Ports...?

6. I have tried to find COM Ports 1 through 4 with no results at all.

7. Is it a matter of opening the PC Cover and re-routing the USB cables to different pins on the Motherboard..?

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1. A generation ago, PC computers typically had 1 or 2 serial-ports, and NO USB ports.

See: http://cf.ydcdn.net/latest/images/computer/_SRPRUSB.JPG

Now, PC computers typically have ZERO or ONE serial-ports, and several USB ports.

2. OK.  USB ports have differently-shaped connectors than "legacy" serial-ports.

3. Good, but bad that the program won't run.  What error-message is displayed?  That is your real problem.

4. The motherboard indicates that there is the capability to support up to 4 serial ports, if they physically exist.

5. Not that I know of.

6. From: Technical Reference Guide, HP Compaq 8200 Elite Series, Business Desktop Computers

2.3.6 Legacy Input/Output Interfaces

Serial port

The CMT, MT, and SFF form factors provide a serial port at the rear of the chassis and support a second serial port option. The serial interface is RS-232-C/16550-compatible and supports standard baud rates up to 115,200 as well as two high-speed baud rates of 230K and 460K.

7. No.

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[jimlp1]

mdklassen (Dean)

1. I know the difference between serial ports and USB ports.

2. I know what a USB port Looks like.

3. Message: Device Not Found, when connected and the GPS program is searched for the GPS.

4. The USB is a Universal Serial port, the GPS to PC cable is USB connector.

5. ok.

6. HP Compaq Elite 8200 SFF

7. whoopie.....

[mdklassen]

>  3. Message: Device Not Found, when connected and the GPS program is searched for the GPS.

Is there a newer version of the software?

> 4. The USB is a Universal Serial port, the GPS to PC cable is USB connector.

Definitely not a "legacy" serial port, as pictured.

> 7. whoopie.....

If you open-up your computer, you'll find that the "back" USB-ports are part of the motherboard -- no "wires".

The "front" USB-ports connect by wires to sockets on the motherboard.

But, still, USB ports are not the same as "legacy" serial ports.

The answer still is "no".

[jimlp1]

The solution is not resolved, it's literally a royal pain. A Simple GPS can not be recognised by a PC...! I never mentioned a "Legacy" Serial Port, I did mention USB ports, which are "Universal Serial Bus ports...! that are faster at transfering data than the so-called Legacy Serial Ports. I accepted the last comment as the solution, because I was going round and round in circles getting no where.. Thanks anyway..!

[mdklassen]

The labels 'COM1' through 'COM4' designate the "legacy" serial-ports.

When the Garmin is connected to a USB port, check its "properties" (within Device Manager), to see if you can logically (not physically) "map" the 'COM4' "virtual" port to one of the USB ports.

[jimlp1]

I've solved the whole problem, I'm now using GPS Utility ver. 5.32  I booted to HP Elite 8200, downloaded and installed GPS Utility, then I ran the GPS Port Checker.exe program, it showed ports USB, 1,3 & 4. I turned on the GPS III, plugged in to the back USB port live, GPS port checker program confirmed that the GPS III was in fact recognised on USB PORT # 4. I opened the GPS Utility program, selected setup, checked off Garmin GPS, clicked on "Show Ports", then clicked on "Find"....

GPS Utility found the Garmin GPS III, I went to GPS in the Main Menu and selected the Connect Button, it connected. Task area below GPS Utility: Connect Completed- CONNECTED TO "GPS III Software Version 2.10 on COM4...!

  No more problems thanks ...!    😃

James......