Too Many Com Ports

[Fay]

I have been trying to get into the system to delete the 300 com ports i have on the laptop.

I followed instructions regarding start/accessories........typed: set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1    ENTER

set devmgmt.msc       ENTER & it will not let me do it, says this part is not available.

Has anyone any clues?

Thanks, i can take laptop to pub tonight if anyone has any other ideas

Thanks

[Ian]

I usually boot into safe mode and delete them...

[Fay]

what words do i delete in safe mode Ian? Is it obvious?

[Fay]

what about doing it this way, found on web?

1. Click Start
2. Click Run
3. Type cmd.exe in the textbox and click OK
4. Type set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1 and hit ENTER
5. Type cd\windows\system32 and hit ENTER
6. Type start devmgmt.msc and hit ENTER
7. When the device manager opens, click the View menu
8. Click Show Hidden Devices
9. Click on the + sign next to the Ports to see the full list of Com ports being used.
10. Highlight the port you wish to delete and then press delete. Accept when asked to do so and continue with any more that you wish to delete.

[Fay]

well the last post gets me in, as it has                               Type cd\windows\system32 and hit ENTER         extra

device manager does not show many ports, even with show hidden devices being checked.

I have plugged webcam in & I can see the list of ports in Advanced, but cannot access them to delete

[Ian]

Boot into safe mode.  Go into device manager from the control panel.  Delete a pile of communication ports.

I suppose if they don't show up, then they might not exist.

[Fay]

ok just got in but can only delete one at a time, could be a long job.  

thanks Ian, it was that last command that i was missing

[RobertM]

The only other thing I would say is disable bluetooth if you have it and aren't using it.  I found that ate up a bunch of the lower end com port numbers.

Robert

[mickw]

You could also have found info here.....................

Good ol' Duncan

[Fay]

Well it was Duncan who told me how to do it originally, thanks for finding that Mick.

I am wondering if all appliances will have to have their installation  disc put in again. Will everything work when they are all plugged in again? Can more than one device assign itself to the same port at the same time?



On another note, need someone with a strong wrist & fingers, please, to get an adaptor off my Atik tonight Stilsons will ruin it. I have cut my thumb trying to get it off

[Mac]

Sounds like one for you Tony.

[Fay]

That should have a pink handle     

How is you observatory coming along Mac?

[Fay]

Well, tried Micks Stilsons in the pub last night, on the adapter, everyone seemed to have a go at trying to get it off, to no avail.

Mick suggested putting it in the freezer when I got home, which I did & after 20 mins.....................................got it off easy!!!!!!!!!

[PhilB]

Nice one. It's amazing what a located temperature drop can do

[mickw]

Still prefer Hot over Cold 

or explosives