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Com-ports missing in Device Manager in Windows 7

Anonymous
2011-03-27T16:24:10+00:00

Help me Com-ports missing in device manager  Windows 7.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-03-28T07:20:41+00:00

    Hi Janne60,

    COM port should be listed in Device Manager under Ports (COM & LPT).

    See if you can find them. If they're not listed in the Device Manager, you can try these suggestions to see what’s preventing the ports from getting displayed in device manager.

    **Method 1:**Check for hidden devices.

    a.        Go to Start, type “hdwwiz.cpl” (without quotes) and press Enter. This opens Device Manager.

    b.       Click on View menu and select Show hidden devices. See if this helps in getting the ports to list.

    Method 2: Install the latest drivers for your motherboard. See if this proves to be of any help.

    Device manufacturers often release updates to their drivers to enhance performance or fix compatibility issues. To get the latest driver, visit the support section of your motherboard manufacturer’s website.

    Update a driver for hardware that isn't working properly

    Method 3: It could also be possible that either the motherboard has no COM ports or they are disabled in the BIOS (basic input/output system). Check your motherboard specifications and enable them if they exist.

    BIOS: frequently asked questions

    **Note:**Modifying BIOS/complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) settings incorrectly can cause serious problems that may prevent your computer from booting properly. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the configuring

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-08-23T11:16:27+00:00

    Help me Com-ports missing in device manager  Windows 7 Starter.

    3 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2016-12-14T00:02:48+00:00

    Well I figured it out.  Simple as too often things are once you know the answer.  The USB hub I was plugged into had stopped working.  I'm still confused as to why the device doesn't work on my troubleshooting laptop OR my personal desktop.  I've tried both and where it used to be simple it didn't work tonight.  Bouncing my USB hub did it.

    <<BANG HEAD HERE>>

    Technology is great.  When it works.

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2011-07-03T21:11:00+00:00

    Further comment:  My Prolific USB to serial port converters were not "Plug and Play".  Microsoft should fix this.  Many current programs still require serial COM ports.  Most GPS have internal USB to serial port converters even if they have USB cabling.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2011-07-03T21:05:01+00:00

    I am using several USB to serail port converters.  I had to install a driver "Installer_V130" found at the Prolific web site.  I installed this with Compatibility=XP.  Then I got COM ports to appear under the Device Manager>Ports(COM+LPT).  Even though the proper COM port now appeared it wasn't always recognized by my programs.  I had to DISABLE and ENAABLE the COM port several times to get it finally working.   Not pretty and I can't recall all my steps.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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