How to remove USB COM Ports on WinXP?

[jdhar]

com +ports +removal

Hi all,

I have a problem with USB to serial converters. Everytime I plug in a new board with a usb-serial converter on it, it allocates a new COM port number. The problem now is that COM1 through 4 on my laptop have been filled with these drivers. Even when the devices aren't plugged in, the COM ports are in use, meaning I have to use higher com port numbers. Some programs only can use COM1 through 4, but I don't know how to remove drivers that are sitting on these ports. Oh, this is in Windows XP. Any suggestions?

Jai

 

[prabhak]

windows usb com ports

This is a problem with USB drivers and device description in usb device.

So even if you plugin the same device, windows at times allocate a new COM port number, instead of reusing the same.

you can change the COM port by opening the serial properties and change the COM number to some unused 1-4.

This should solve your issue.

 

[jdhar]

Removal of USB COM Ports

I am aware that I can change the COM port, but what happens is that if I plug in multiple devices over time, they use up new COM ports and then the driver still remains on that COM port, saying it is in use. For example, if I have plugged in 4 devices in the past that I ahve selected from COM 1 to 4, those ports are no longer free, and I can't select them for another device to use.