Actually, the number one rule when setting up a computer is: If it ain't
broke, don't fix it.
Sorry, but I have NEVER used a com program that was that limited in it's COM
choices. COM 2 was always available, and with Win95 you don't so much assign
it to a COM port as you assign it to a particular modem that Win95 found on
a COM port. So if you are still using modem software that requires you to
physically assign a com port, instead of assigning it to a device that Win95
detected on a COM port, perhaps it is time to upgrade?
And as to the COM assignment, well, the MBs I've purchased all have the
ability to assign whatever COM address I choose to the two provided
connections. My mouse is on connector 1 and it is assigned as COM1, and the
other is assigned COM2, which is shared between my external modem and a
Wingman Warrior, depending on what I am doing at the time. And depending on
what I try to do, that wonderful PnP system will assign the internal modem
to either COM3 or COM4, which works well in Windows but sucks when dropping
to DOS. So I don't. ( Drop to DOS, that is )
As to COMs 3 & 4 being on a extra card.... well, I won't go there. Suffice
it to say that your computer doesn't come with a COM1 and a COM2, and this "
extra " card doesn't come with COMs 3 & 4, but with connectors 1 & 2 and 3
& 4 respectively. It is up to you to assign them as you see fit.
But even if you did purchase this extra card, you really don't gain
anything. COMs 1&3, and COMs 2&4, respectively, share an IRQ. Except in the
case where you let the PnP system assign COMs and IRQs for you. If you
stuck a serial device, such as a mouse, on COM1 and another device, say a
modem, on COM3, you would not be able to use both at the same time due to
both of them being on the same IRQ. If you assigned the mouse to COM1 and
allowed the PnP to assign the modem to COM3, it would work fine ( mine
does ) as the PnP would pick a free IRQ for the modem to use. So, you take
up a slot but gain no real advantage. ( IMO ) But, to each his own.
A long response to a simple suggestion, I know. In summary, thanks, but no
thanks.
>: BTW, mine isn't a WIN modem, it is a PNP modem. And yes, I could just
set
>: the jumpers on the modem, except is doesn't seem to work in my system
unless
>: it is COM2. And due to numerous devices I have installed in my system,
and
>: the resources I had to manually set to get them to work, things are best
>: left as they are, if you can relate.
>Number one rule when setting up a computer = Keep COM1 open for the
>modem.
>Why? Because 95% of software uses COM1 as a default and the ones that are
>adjustable will normally only do 1 or 2. Why? Because 3 & 4 are not
>usually included from the dealer. It's an extra card.
>I have my mouse on COM3 and modem on COM1. No problems. Ever. Most
>people put their modem on COM2 and mouse on COM1. It should be the other
>way since mouse s/w is usually more flexible than modem software.
