DOCUMENT:Q125979 03-OCT-1999 [win95x] TITLE :Err Msg: The Selected COM Port Is Either Not Supported... PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product PROD/VER:WINDOWS:3.1,3.11 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows versions 3.1, 3.11 - Microsoft Windows for Workgroups versions 3.1, 3.11 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== When you try to use Terminal, you receive the following error message: The selected COM port is either not supported or is being used by another device. Select another port. You can use the modem in MS-DOS, but you cannot use it with Terminal and you cannot use it at an MS-DOS prompt in Windows. CAUSE ===== This problem can occur if you use third-party communications programs. If a third-party communications program adds itself to the LOAD= line of the WIN.INI file, or to the Startup program group, it can take control of the COM port and not release the port for any other application to use. RESOLUTION ========== Remove the third-party communications program from the LOAD= line of the WIN.INI file or from the Startup program group. Also check the AUTOEXEC.BAT file to see if the communications program is being started automatically. If so, remove the program from the AUTOEXEC.BAT file. These steps will free the COM port for other applications to use. When you want to use the third-party communications program, start it manually. Additional query words: 3.11 3.10 ====================================================================== Keywords : Technology : kbAudDeveloper kbWin3xSearch kbWFWSearch kbZNotKeyword3 kbWin310 kbWin311 kbWFW310 kbWFW311 Version : WINDOWS:3.1,3.11 ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1999.