[RTTY] Finding & Removing Hidden COM ports in XP

[Robert Chudek - K0RC]

Hello Don...

Thanks for adding the new page. It should be helpful when dealing with 
COM and USB issues.

I have a Dell GX620 desktop that has 8 USB ports. I have plugged dozens 
of USB devices into this computer over the years. Recently I was 
starting to have some issues with a non-ham device (USB flatbed 
scanner). It was giving me fits. In addition, I was getting erratic 
messages regarding some other USB devices too (the keyboard was one!).

When researching my problem I found a solution that worked for me. This 
was a utility that will "flush" all the old USB drivers from your system 
and then with a reboot, only the current USB devices are added back into 
the OS. This approach was supposed to remove all the old USB drivers 
that accumulate over time. I was skeptical but gave it a try. Voila! All 
the "weirdness" went away and all my current USB devices worked properly.

You must download and install (DriveCleanup.exe) into 
C:\Windows\System32. You then execute the program from the CMD prompt. 
Here's the link to the site describing this approach. 
http://www.techspot.com/vb/topic145884.html

This is certainly a "shot-gun" approach. I have done it on several of my 
computers and it has worked without issue.

73 de Bob - KØRC in MN

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On 1/19/2012 10:34 AM, Don AA5AU wrote:
> I've created a webpage with information on how to find and remove hidden COM ports (USB serial or legacy) on Windows XP computers.  These ports are not shown in the normal Device Manager window even when View>  Show Hidden Devices is enabled.  With this procedure, you are able to view all hidden devices in Device Manager that normally would not show up.
>
> Thanks to Rick, N6XI, for doing a lot of leg work on this along with others.  The link to this page is from the Lagniappe Page on rttycontesting.com.  Or viewed directly here:
>
> http://rttycontesting.com/lagniappe/removehiddencomports.html
>
>
> 73, Don AA5AU
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