Problem with the serial port

I have to connect my satellite receiver via COM port, with a null modem
cable (to upgrade the firmware). but it doesn't work on XP! it just cant
detect a device connected.
It says in device manager 'working properly' for com ports, but it doesn't
work for me.
What do I have to do?
Do I maybe have to change some settings or what?

Help!
Thx

"points" <points@gradiska.com> wrote:

>I have to connect my satellite receiver via COM port, with a null modem
>cable (to upgrade the firmware). but it doesn't work on XP! it just cant
>detect a device connected.
>It says in device manager 'working properly' for com ports, but it doesn't
>work for me.
>What do I have to do?
>Do I maybe have to change some settings or what?
>
>Help!
>Thx

What is probably happening is that the firmware update utility wants
to control the serial port hardware directly rather than using
operating system function calls. Windows XP totally prohibits this -
all hardware access must be done via the operating system.

For the purposes of updating the firmware it should be possible to
boot your computer with a Windows 98 bootable diskette and then run
the firmware update utility.

You can download a disk image file to create a Windows 98 Boot Disk
from www.bootdisk.com

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Ron Martell" <ron.martell@gmail.com> wrote in message
newsb4cp1hgftps1v3flf208llvlm756b5cem@4ax.com...
> "points" <points@gradiska.com> wrote:
>
>>I have to connect my satellite receiver via COM port, with a null modem
>>cable (to upgrade the firmware). but it doesn't work on XP! it just cant
>>detect a device connected.
>>It says in device manager 'working properly' for com ports, but it doesn't
>>work for me.
>>What do I have to do?
>>Do I maybe have to change some settings or what?
>>
>>Help!
>>Thx
>
> What is probably happening is that the firmware update utility wants
> to control the serial port hardware directly rather than using
> operating system function calls. Windows XP totally prohibits this -
> all hardware access must be done via the operating system.
>
> For the purposes of updating the firmware it should be possible to
> boot your computer with a Windows 98 bootable diskette and then run
> the firmware update utility.
>
> You can download a disk image file to create a Windows 98 Boot Disk
> from www.bootdisk.com
>
> Good luck
>
> Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada

Thanx, I'll try to do this.

You sure about the cable. A serial null modem cable is also considered a
serial printer cable.
Most external serial com port modems use a serial cable, but does not fit
either description above.

--
Jonny
"points" <points@gradiska.com> wrote in message
news:%23G96aJq%23FHA.2472@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> I have to connect my satellite receiver via COM port, with a null modem
> cable (to upgrade the firmware). but it doesn't work on XP! it just cant
> detect a device connected.
> It says in device manager 'working properly' for com ports, but it doesn't
> work for me.
> What do I have to do?
> Do I maybe have to change some settings or what?
>
> Help!
> Thx
>

"Jonny" <billgates@scampublic.net> wrote in message
news:%23dqTymy%23FHA.2520@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
> You sure about the cable. A serial null modem cable is also considered a
> serial printer cable.
> Most external serial com port modems use a serial cable, but does not fit
> either description above.
>

I'm not sure actually! In fact, I have serious doubts about the cable I've
got. I ordered a real null-modem cable for these purposes, and I hope it's
going to work.

Let's just say a null modem cable will provide no communcation between PC
and an external modem connected to a serial port. Suggest you check into
the cable requirement before proceeding.

--
Jonny
"points" <points@gradiska.com> wrote in message
news:dn7k64$42e$1@ariane.blic.net...
>
> "Jonny" <billgates@scampublic.net> wrote in message
> news:%23dqTymy%23FHA.2520@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
> > You sure about the cable. A serial null modem cable is also considered
a
> > serial printer cable.
> > Most external serial com port modems use a serial cable, but does not
fit
> > either description above.
> >
>
> I'm not sure actually! In fact, I have serious doubts about the cable I've
> got. I ordered a real null-modem cable for these purposes, and I hope it's
> going to work.
>

"Jonny" <billgates@scampublic.net> wrote in message
news:uLt7NO6%23FHA.3464@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
> Let's just say a null modem cable will provide no communcation between PC
> and an external modem connected to a serial port. Suggest you check into
> the cable requirement before proceeding.
>

Who said that I use an external modem? I have wireless internet. I need the
cable for connecting a digital satellite receiver with the pc.

"points" <points@gradiska.com> wrote:

>
>"Jonny" <billgates@scampublic.net> wrote in message
>news:uLt7NO6%23FHA.3464@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
>> Let's just say a null modem cable will provide no communcation between PC
>> and an external modem connected to a serial port. Suggest you check into
>> the cable requirement before proceeding.
>>
>
>Who said that I use an external modem? I have wireless internet. I need the
>cable for connecting a digital satellite receiver with the pc.

What does the satellite company say regarding the cable specs? Do
they provide a pin-out diagram?

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

ignore my last post, it goes like this:

Receive Data 2 3 Transmit Data Transmit Data 3 2 Receive Data Data Terminal
Ready 4 6+1 Data Set Ready + Carrier Detect System Ground 5 5 System Ground
Data Set Ready + Carrier Detect 6+1 4 Data Terminal Ready Request to Send 7
8 Clear to Send Clear to Send 8 7 Request to Send

Whatever that means...

"Ron Martell" <ron.martell@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:d4uhp1p2cekpaq0hmak3kj0ruae3qbbd4c@4ax.com...
>
> What does the satellite company say regarding the cable specs? Do
> they provide a pin-out diagram?
>
something like this

Receive Data 2 3 Transmit Data

Transmit Data 3 2 Receive Data

System Ground 5 5 System Ground