How to check COM port?

[bazaria]

Hi to all the experts,
I'm trying to build rs232 communication with my microcontroller and it doesn't work. I would like to check if my COM port works properly. Is there a way to check it? And if it still works, what can cause damage to the com port?

 

[M!k]

Start up HyperTerminal, establish a new connection via your COM port. Disable handshaking. Connect pins 2 & 3 of the DB9 connector (RxD / TxD). Now type something. If you can see the echo the port seems to be OK.
This simple test will not check the handshake lines, but usually they are not used for a communication to a microcontroller.

 

[bazaria]

Thanks! I couldn't type on the HyperTerminal screen but I sent a txt file and got the text on my screen, so it probably means that the port works

 

[M!k]

Just remove the bridge and try again. Usually typing works...