I upgraded the PC software and downloaded the latest beta player file. (13) When running the upgrade wizard my unit is never found. I tried changing from com1 to com2 and the wizard immediately screamed there was no unit found on that port. I'm using the cable that came with the unit so I'm asssuming it's really a null modem cable. I've tried leaving the power on before beginning and leaving it off and plugging the cored in when prompted; no difference. No other process is using the serial port. Any suggestions gratefully received.

Search the FAQ under "Hyperterminal" and go through that... As well as the FAQ entry about how to upgrade your software. There's a list of things there.

Have you ever used that PC serial port for anything else? Are you sure it works?

Which version of Windoze are you using?

When I try to use Hyperterm, it can't connect to Com1

Com2 is being used by my UPS.

I hate com issues in Windows. Device Manager doesn't report any problems.

I haven't found any conflicts yet but obviously there's one somewhere.

I'll keep looking.

W2K. com2 is being used by my UPS.

Are you running as an administrator?

W2K won't allow non-administrators to open serial ports.

Running as administrator.

I assume the first serial port (COM1) is enabled in the BIOS

(sorry...gotta ask)

First thing I checked; it is.

I would try removing COM1 in the Device Manager and redetecting it. If it's really there it will pick it up again.

Are you sure you don't have another process attached to the COM port, like a Palm sync utility?

In a DOS box, run:

mode com1

If you get "Illegal device name - COM1" then the comport isn't enabled.

Better yet, run:

debug

d40:0

The first line will list the COM ports on the left side (right side is parallel ports) of the hyphen (in reverse byte order). For example, I get:

0040:0000  F8 03 F8 02 E8 03 E8 02-BC 03 78 03 78 02 C0 9F

Meaning, I have COM1 enabled with the address of 03F8, COM2 at 02F8, etc.
If you get 00 00 for COM1, it is disabled.

I'm nor running Palm software on this PC.

Thanks; I'll try this tonite.

Orright, are you sure your UPS is on COM2, and not on 1 for some reason?

No, on second thought - you seem to have OS problems with 1 anyway: since you reckon COM2 is OK, why not knock off the UPS s/w for a short while and then try to use the 2 port for an upgrade? This would let you upgrade (quick fix), verify COM2 (which you think is OK) and means there is some other issue to look at.

Can you say anything about MB/BIOS of your system? Have you got the port settings on Auto in the BIOS? Any other info you can give regarding the physical and low-level setup?

Or maybe the UPS software is grabbing both ports?

I checked com2 in DOS box last nite. (mode com2) It reports Com2 setting as 1200,7,n,1. However, in Device Manager, the settings are reported as 9600,8,n,1 If this is the source of my problem, how do I get the settings to agree?

Feeling stupid in Boston.......

I don't think that is the source of you problem, my Win2k boxes report exactly the same settings.

I uninstalled Powerchute Plus and put the Rio on Com1. Upgrade went perfectly. I guess I have an issue with Com2, even though it looks ok in device manager and the "mode com2" command reports it as being available.

Thanks for all the suggestions. This board is great finding answers.