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Surface pro 3 COM port

Anonymous
2015-03-11T16:04:36+00:00

I need to use my USB port as a com port. I have a program installed that uses the USB port and i need to identify it as COM 1. I use the same program on my PC, it works fine. I loaded the program on my Surface Pro 3, it is all there and I just need it to access COM 1.

When I try to use the program and I get this: "Cannot access COM1"

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-03-11T20:17:54+00:00

    I think that the problem you are encountering is that the USB 3.0 port needs to drop down to USB 2.0 and it is not doing that.

    There is an issue with these Pro 3 tablets where the USB 3.0 port is 'fixed' at 3.0 and will not drop down.  Unknown as to why but Microsoft needs to learn how to configure a motherboard correctly.

    That port is supposed to be able to drop down to USB 1.1 if needed.

    There is no fix for that and if you look at the specifications of your USB to RS-232 adapter cable, it will state that it is USB 2.0.

    If you can find a port replicator and attach it to the USB 3.0 port on the tablet, the replicator can "correct" that issue since it has a USB controller built into it.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-03-14T22:52:43+00:00

    I have a Surface 3 Pro (windows 10) and need to use a comm port. The device manager has no "Port" (COM &LPT) in the list.  Now what?  I bought this thing to replace an old Toshiba XP. Did I waste my money. 

    I use a USB to serial cable (made by Radio Shack) to download an "engine diagnostic unit" on a Learjet.  The port on the EDU is a RS-232 and transfers at 9600 bud rate. UGH!!  Unit designed and FAA certified in 1993 but that's not the problem of course.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-03-14T23:27:15+00:00

    My local City Hall encountered a problem similar to this and I found out that the program they where using was designed for Windows 7 which could access COMM ports pretty easy.  However, without a driver upgrade in your case for your software to use the COMM port, you are out of luck because with Windows 10 - it absolutely will not work!

    Since you are talking about a device with an FAA rating certified back in 1993, that means the software you have is designed for Windows XP.  You can definitely forget about getting it to work.

    There will be nothing wrong with your cable, it will be the driver.  So, YES!  It turns out that your unit is 'dated' and is the problem.  However, if you can check with the diagnostic manufacturer, they will most likely have a newer driver you can download and use.

    Coming from an aviation background myself, I know exactly what you are talking about.  I would suggest to keep your Toshiba around but keep it off-line as much as possible with Windows XP.  It will work almost forever stand-a-lone.  Starting with Windows 8, the firewall has been redone in a fashion which knocks out connections from the older standards to include Parallel interfaces as well.

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-03-11T19:28:43+00:00

    The program is a Cloning software to program 2 way radios.

    On my PC, I just plug the radio into a USB port (COM1) and I can program radio.

    I have the same program loaded on the Surface, I can operate the program, I just can't get info to transfer.

    No power or charging is needed

    I just need the Surface to recognize the USB port as COM 1 (or 2,3..etc) so I can transfer info from Surface to radio.

    Chip

    760.353.2110 (work) Surface is next to me and running.

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  5. Barb Bowman 80,700 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2015-03-11T17:22:48+00:00

    Hard to say without knowing more. What program? Is there a device attached to the USB port? Does the device expect to be powered from the USB port?

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